The Night the Louisiana Basketball World Was Turned Upside Down

The path to the Top 28 is a tough one, built on resiliency and positioning. Coaches juggle their schedules to create the most favorable path to the promised land. One thing that helps is home-court advantage: playing in your home gym, in front of your fans, and being able to keep your daily routine before you compete. The emotions leading up to game day, magnified by a three-to-five-hour road trip, can surely shake up the nerves. The Second round of the playoffs featured some of the biggest upsets in recent basketball memory.   Here are some of the players who had big days and helped their teams secure some big-time upsets.   Share basketball highlights, accolades and player performances at my IG:   IG: @donald.tatum73    In their matchup vs. perennial powerhouse St. Augustine, Richardson came up big. The sharpshooter knocked down huge shots every time St. Augustine threatened to make a run. His ability to hit these shots is something he has done all year, and he delivered in the biggest game of the season. Taking big shots takes courage; making them is a testament to the work you put in the gym to prepare for these moments.     Kau has once again shown that he is an emerging talent in the state and that his development is a priority. He is already the tallest player in his class, and his skill set is in line with that of a traditional big man. Last night, he showed that if you leave him open on the three-point line, he will knock down the shot. He has been taking and hitting that shot all year, but last night, these key makes helped pull off the upset. Sometimes it is not about volume, it is about presence and impact. Remember the name. Coaches need to get in the gym to watch him play.     Carter held his own in the paint and made it a tough night for one of the top players in the state. He was active on both ends of the ball and won his matchup by using a high-energy style of play to win 50/50 situations. He rebounded, finished around the rim, and turned the battle in the paint into a war. He may be undersized, but he does not lack motivation on the court. He is a fierce and aggressive competitor.     Malik is a floor general, and when playing against a tough team in an intense playoff atmosphere, it helps to have a leader who thrives under pressure. Lonzo is that guy. He managed the pace of the game and distributed the ball to his teammates in positions where they could succeed. He is smart with the ball and limits turnovers. In moments when you think the defense has him figured out, he makes another play. Upsetting Shaw required poise, wit, and intensity, and he managed each element like a true floor general.     I have referred to Fisher as a businessman. He does his job and goes about his business without emotion. He is never too high or too low. He is steady, consistent, and skilled. He embodies what a point guard should be, and the biggest moments are reserved for those who can manage their emotions and control the game. While facing a deficit and elimination, Fisher knocked down back-to-back three-point shots, including a buzzer-beater that ended the season for the heavily favored Westgate. Fisher is definitely a next-level point guard, and any coach looking for a highly skilled floor general will be pleased with what he brings to the court.    The playoffs are an amazing time. There are plenty of players setting the basketball scene on fire. Stay tuned to PrepHoops for more in depth coverage of next level performances.

The path to the Top 28 is a tough one, built on resiliency and positioning. Coaches juggle their schedules to create the most favorable path to the promised land. One thing that helps is home-court advantage: playing in your home gym, in front of your fans, and being able to keep your daily routine before you compete. The emotions leading up to game day, magnified by a three-to-five-hour road trip, can surely shake up the nerves. The Second round of the playoffs featured some of the biggest upsets in recent basketball memory.