Scouting Report: Duos and Backcourts

Whether they are fictional or real, a good team can usually defeat their adversary. In the midst of that good team, there always seems to be a 1-2 punch that does a lot of the heavylifting. Such is the case with some of the better basketball teams in the state. I good duo or backcourt can take you a long way. We will look at some of the better duos and backcourts playing on the Louisiana prep scene as we move closer to the playoffs. [player_tooltip player_id="765916" first="Carter" last="Domingue"] & [player_tooltip player_id="765919" first="Jaden" last="Shelvin"] (St. Thomas More) This backcourt is arguably one of the most decorated to come through Louisiana prep hoops. They have three state championships together, both have been named 1st team all-state in 4A, and both have been district MVP. Now they are on a mission to win a 4th state title. Each player can score in multiple ways and they play the head of the STM pressure defense. These two come to play every night and they are battle-tested. It is hard to find a better pair of guards with as much experience playing together. [player_tooltip player_id="566569" first="Derrick" last="Tezeno"] & [player_tooltip player_id="781856" first="Reginald" last="Stoner"] (North Central) These two may not be backcourt mates but they are a highly decorated duo in their own right. They are the two-time defending 1A champs and are presently top dog in class 1A this season. Tezeno, who has committed to Stephen F. Austin, is one of the best wings in the state and has improved every year he has been on the floor. Stoner is one of the top defenders in the game and is known to shut opposing guards down with his defense. Both players are defensive-minded and are good at turning defense to offense. Definitely a duo to contend with. [player_tooltip player_id="937608" first="Dorian" last="Finister"] & [player_tooltip player_id="937609" first="Solomon" last="Washington"] (Carver) Probably the most fun duo to watch. Their highlight film dunks are only part of their game. Finister can score from the perimeter and take players off the dribble. Washington is an intimidating presence in the middle who blocks everything with emphasis. They were the main cogs in Carver beginning the season 15-0 and becoming number 1 in 4A. To win the title, they will need to continue doing the things they have done thus far. Add the sting from the loss in Lake Charles last season, Carver should have enough to close the deal. [player_tooltip player_id="1045511" first="JonQuarius" last="McGhee"] & [player_tooltip player_id="765932" first="Jayden" last="Lazard"] (Opelousas) The number two team in class 4A has a backcourt that can get it done on both ends of the floor. McGhee and Lazard can both play lead guard or off the ball and be just as effective. Lazard is a tough as nails guard who can play pass-first but is not afraid to attack the rim. McGhee reads passing lanes and can covert steals into dunks with a quickness. Both players have ridiculous hops and can finish above the rim. They should make a serious run at the 4A title. Anything less than a Lake Charles trip would be a disappointment. [player_tooltip player_id="781841" first="Dakota" last="Gasca"] & [player_tooltip player_id="977274" first="Javion" last="Richard"] (West Monroe) The 5A number one has had an outstanding season that they hope translates into a state title. Richard and Gasca have been nothing short of sensational in the backcourt. Richard plays the top of their 1-2-2 zone and deflects passes which lead into transition buckets. Gasca is a deadeye shooter who plays above average defense when he is in man-to-man situations. They are one of the more talented backcourt duos and will be lead the Rebels into the playoffs with clear sights on finishing the deal. We will see next month. [player_tooltip player_id="931051" first="Brodie" last="Romero"] & [player_tooltip player_id="931052" first="Dylan" last="Slaid"] (Benton) Romero and Slaid probably have the most game experience of any duo on this list outside of the guys listed at the top. They have been starters or heavy rotation players since their sophomore year and now have Benton on the cusp of hosting a playoff game in their final season. Slaid is one of the most tenacious defenders Louisiana has. He will guard guys from baseline to baseline. Romero is a floor general who is a major threat from beyond the arc. Together, they posses a threat to anybody they play because they are so experienced. Other duos and backcourts: [player_tooltip player_id="1123174" first="Allen" last="Walker"] & [player_tooltip player_id="1045514" first="Jaterrius" last="Fusilier"] (New Iberia) Veteran backcourt that gets after teams defensively. Fusilier is the more explosive of the two whereas Walker is as steady as they come. Look for these two to push the top ten Yellow Jackets as far as they can. [player_tooltip player_id="781849" first="Rayshun" last="McCullar"] & [player_tooltip player_id="765938" first="Javari" last="Williams"] (Huntington) Another experienced duo who looks to make noise in class 4A. Williams will let it fly from anywhere behind the arc while McCullar has grown into a facilitator who gets his while getting others involved. These two are flat out hard to defend. [player_tooltip player_id="1127253" first="Tony" last="Percy"] & [player_tooltip player_id="931049" first="Zyquarius" last="Cowart"] (Rayville) They are not the Wilson twins but these two can score the ball in bunches. Percy is quick as ligthening and collapses defenses with his penetration. Cowart nails everything he shoots from deep. Both of them guard at a high level as well. Outstanding backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id="970132" first="Chilaydrian" last="Newton"] & [player_tooltip player_id="932860" first="Nick" last="Maryland"] (Simsboro) This backcourt duo are the youngest ones in this group but they do not lack experience. They defend baseline to baseline and are ultra active playing man-to-man. Both players can finish above the rim so opponents should watch their heads. Other teams have succes with one-two punches like these players. Other teams will ride their dynamic duos into the postseason in hopes that they will carry them to a championship in their respective class.

Whether they are fictional or real, a good team can usually defeat their adversary. In the midst of that good team, there always seems to be a 1-2 punch that does a lot of the heavylifting. Such is the case with some of the better basketball teams in the state. I good duo or backcourt can take you a long way. We will look at some of the better duos and backcourts playing on the Louisiana prep scene as we move closer to the playoffs.

Carter Domingue Carter Domingue 6'3" | PG St. Thomas More | 2021 State LA & Jaden Shelvin Jaden Shelvin 6'2" | CG St. Thomas More | 2021 State LA (St. Thomas More)

This backcourt is arguably one of the most decorated to come through Louisiana prep hoops. They have three state championships together, both have been named 1st team all-state in 4A, and both have been district MVP. Now they are on a mission to win a 4th state title. Each player can score in multiple ways and they play the head of the STM pressure defense. These two come to play every night and they are battle-tested. It is hard to find a better pair of guards with as much experience playing together.

Derrick Tezeno Derrick Tezeno 6'5" | SF North Central | 2021 State LA & Reginald Stoner Reginald Stoner 6'1" | CG North Central | 2022 State LA (North Central)

These two may not be backcourt mates but they are a highly decorated duo in their own right. They are the two-time defending 1A champs and are presently top dog in class 1A this season. Tezeno, who has committed to Stephen F. Austin, is one of the best wings in the state and has improved every year he has been on the floor. Stoner is one of the top defenders in the game and is known to shut opposing guards down with his defense. Both players are defensive-minded and are good at turning defense to offense. Definitely a duo to contend with.

Dorian Finister Dorian Finister 6'5" | CG Carver | 2022 State #173 Nation LA & Solomon Washington Solomon Washington 6'7" | SF Carver | 2022 State #127 Nation LA (Carver)

Probably the most fun duo to watch. Their highlight film dunks are only part of their game. Finister can score from the perimeter and take players off the dribble. Washington is an intimidating presence in the middle who blocks everything with emphasis. They were the main cogs in Carver beginning the season 15-0 and becoming number 1 in 4A. To win the title, they will need to continue doing the things they have done thus far. Add the sting from the loss in Lake Charles last season, Carver should have enough to close the deal.

JonQuarius McGhee JonQuarius McGhee 6'3" | CG Opelousas | 2021 State LA & Jayden Lazard Jayden Lazard 6'0" | CG Opelousas | 2021 State LA (Opelousas)

The number two team in class 4A has a backcourt that can get it done on both ends of the floor. McGhee and Lazard can both play lead guard or off the ball and be just as effective. Lazard is a tough as nails guard who can play pass-first but is not afraid to attack the rim. McGhee reads passing lanes and can covert steals into dunks with a quickness. Both players have ridiculous hops and can finish above the rim. They should make a serious run at the 4A title. Anything less than a Lake Charles trip would be a disappointment.

Dakota Gasca Dakota Gasca 5'9" | CG West Monroe | 2022 State LA & Javion Richard Javion Richard 6'3" | PG West Monroe | 2021 State LA (West Monroe)

The 5A number one has had an outstanding season that they hope translates into a state title. Richard and Gasca have been nothing short of sensational in the backcourt. Richard plays the top of their 1-2-2 zone and deflects passes which lead into transition buckets. Gasca is a deadeye shooter who plays above average defense when he is in man-to-man situations. They are one of the more talented backcourt duos and will be lead the Rebels into the playoffs with clear sights on finishing the deal. We will see next month.

Brodie Romero Brodie Romero 6'0" | PG Benton | 2021 State LA & Dylan Slaid Dylan Slaid 5'8" | CG Benton | 2021 State LA (Benton)

Romero and Slaid probably have the most game experience of any duo on this list outside of the guys listed at the top. They have been starters or heavy rotation players since their sophomore year and now have Benton on the cusp of hosting a playoff game in their final season. Slaid is one of the most tenacious defenders Louisiana has. He will guard guys from baseline to baseline. Romero is a floor general who is a major threat from beyond the arc. Together, they posses a threat to anybody they play because they are so experienced.

Other duos and backcourts:

Allen Walker Allen Walker 6'1" | CG New Iberia | 2021 State LA & Jaterrius Fusilier Jaterrius Fusilier 6'1" | CG New Iberia | 2021 State LA (New Iberia)

Veteran backcourt that gets after teams defensively. Fusilier is the more explosive of the two whereas Walker is as steady as they come. Look for these two to push the top ten Yellow Jackets as far as they can.

Rayshun McCullar Rayshun McCullar 6'1" | PG Huntington | 2022 State LA & Javari Williams Javari Williams 6'0" | CG Huntington | 2021 State LA (Huntington)

Another experienced duo who looks to make noise in class 4A. Williams will let it fly from anywhere behind the arc while McCullar has grown into a facilitator who gets his while getting others involved. These two are flat out hard to defend.

Tony Percy Tony Percy 5'9" | PG Rayville | 2022 State LA & Zyquarius Cowart Zyquarius Cowart 6'1" | SG Rayville | 2021 State LA (Rayville)

They are not the Wilson twins but these two can score the ball in bunches. Percy is quick as ligthening and collapses defenses with his penetration. Cowart nails everything he shoots from deep. Both of them guard at a high level as well. Outstanding backcourt.

Chilaydrien Newton Chilaydrien Newton 6'3" | PG Simsboro | 2023 UT & Nick Maryland Nick Maryland 6'2" | CG Simsboro | 2022 State LA (Simsboro)

This backcourt duo are the youngest ones in this group but they do not lack experience. They defend baseline to baseline and are ultra active playing man-to-man. Both players can finish above the rim so opponents should watch their heads.

Other teams have succes with one-two punches like these players. Other teams will ride their dynamic duos into the postseason in hopes that they will carry them to a championship in their respective class.