Player Evaluations from Week 1: Simsboro vs Summerfield

In Louisiana, we have two starts of the season. We have the season starter in mid-November when all classifications start playing. Before that, however, classes B and C begin their season while others are playing scrimmages and Hall of Fame games. In this scouting report edition, we will take a look at those first two weeks and players that shined during that time. Summerfield: [player_tooltip player_id="1045816" first="Eddie" last="Kennedy"] - F/P (6’3" / 2021) - Kennedy was a workhorse in the Bulldogs loss to Simsboro. Early in his career, he was more of a screener and passer. Now, he is a dominant force on the block and an adept scorer 15 feet in. Kennedy used a drop step towards the baseline away from the defense to score. He made his jumper from 15 feet and buried a triple. Because he was so active on both ends rebounding, he did tire late in the 3rd. Kennedy showed that he is a load to handle and class B and C teams will have a problem defending him when he is on the floor. Mar’travious Kennedy - W/F (6’3" / 2024) - Young Kennedy played agressively at both ends of the floor. While some of his aggression had him out of position on the defensive end, he was able to get to the charity strip by making straight line drives to the basket. Along with his ability to handle and his driving ability, Kennedy can also create opportunities for others. Now that he is playing more, it is only a matter of time before this freshman makes his mark on the class C level. Simsboro : Jamarion Cato - F/P (6’4" / 2021) - A player who has seen his game continue to grow is Jamarion Cato. He has evolved from a rebounder and rim runner to a player with an all-around game. Before he sat for the rest of the game in the win versus Summerfield, Cato displayed the ability to put the ball on the deck, fill the lane on the break, and solid enough handle to lead the break after gathering the defensive board. He also displayed increased range to the three point line. Cato is definitely more than just a rebounder and gives the Tiger offense some more diversity. [player_tooltip player_id="970132" first="Chilaydrian" last="Newton"] - CG (6’2" / 2023) - Newton is a crafty yet athletic lefty. He knows how to control the Tiger offense and can play off the ball just as well. He has a quick release that is very fluid. Newton does not rush anything offensively and hits the open shot when its given to him. Defensively, he uses his quickness to create turnovers especially when the Tigers press. While this game was a short night for he and the other starters, it is apparent that Newton has the game and intangibles to be one of the next great Simsboro guards. [player_tooltip player_id="932860" first="Nick" last="Maryland"] - G/W (6’2" / 2022) - Maryland is all aggression when he is on the floor. He is very active at the forefront of the Simsboro press and creates turnovers with his active hands and long arms. Offensively, Maryland has a quick first step and gets to the rack in a blur. In this particular game he missed three or four dunk attempts. However, you can see his burst and leaping ability when he attacks the rim. Maryland is ultra competitive on both ends and is a game changer with his defense. These are two of the best teams in class C and B. I was surprised that Summerfield had a frontline that were all 6’3" or 6"4". That is larger than some 5A and 4A teams in north Louisiana. Simsboro is a class B school but they have talent that larger classifications wish they had. I look for these teams to be prominent entities when the playoffs come around for both.

In Louisiana, we have two starts of the season. We have the season starter in mid-November when all classifications start playing. Before that, however, classes B and C begin their season while others are playing scrimmages and Hall of Fame games. In this scouting report edition, we will take a look at those first two weeks and players that shined during that time.

Summerfield:

Eddie Kennedy Eddie Kennedy 6'3" | PF Summerfieldsch | 2021 State LA - F/P (6’3" / 2021) - Kennedy was a workhorse in the Bulldogs loss to Simsboro. Early in his career, he was more of a screener and passer. Now, he is a dominant force on the block and an adept scorer 15 feet in. Kennedy used a drop step towards the baseline away from the defense to score. He made his jumper from 15 feet and buried a triple. Because he was so active on both ends rebounding, he did tire late in the 3rd. Kennedy showed that he is a load to handle and class B and C teams will have a problem defending him when he is on the floor.

Mar’travious Kennedy - W/F (6’3" / 2024) - Young Kennedy played agressively at both ends of the floor. While some of his aggression had him out of position on the defensive end, he was able to get to the charity strip by making straight line drives to the basket. Along with his ability to handle and his driving ability, Kennedy can also create opportunities for others. Now that he is playing more, it is only a matter of time before this freshman makes his mark on the class C level.

Simsboro :

Jamarion Cato - F/P (6’4" / 2021) - A player who has seen his game continue to grow is Jamarion Cato. He has evolved from a rebounder and rim runner to a player with an all-around game. Before he sat for the rest of the game in the win versus Summerfield, Cato displayed the ability to put the ball on the deck, fill the lane on the break, and solid enough handle to lead the break after gathering the defensive board. He also displayed increased range to the three point line. Cato is definitely more than just a rebounder and gives the Tiger offense some more diversity.

Chilaydrien Newton Chilaydrien Newton 6'3" | PG Simsboro | 2023 UT - CG (6’2" / 2023) - Newton is a crafty yet athletic lefty. He knows how to control the Tiger offense and can play off the ball just as well. He has a quick release that is very fluid. Newton does not rush anything offensively and hits the open shot when its given to him. Defensively, he uses his quickness to create turnovers especially when the Tigers press. While this game was a short night for he and the other starters, it is apparent that Newton has the game and intangibles to be one of the next great Simsboro guards.

Nick Maryland Nick Maryland 6'2" | CG Simsboro | 2022 State LA - G/W (6’2" / 2022) - Maryland is all aggression when he is on the floor. He is very active at the forefront of the Simsboro press and creates turnovers with his active hands and long arms. Offensively, Maryland has a quick first step and gets to the rack in a blur. In this particular game he missed three or four dunk attempts. However, you can see his burst and leaping ability when he attacks the rim. Maryland is ultra competitive on both ends and is a game changer with his defense.

These are two of the best teams in class C and B. I was surprised that Summerfield had a frontline that were all 6’3" or 6"4". That is larger than some 5A and 4A teams in north Louisiana. Simsboro is a class B school but they have talent that larger classifications wish they had. I look for these teams to be prominent entities when the playoffs come around for both.