Fresh Faces from the Prep Hoops Louisiana Top 250 Expo

The Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo in Louisiana not only allowed scouts and coaches to see established players on the Louisiana prep scene, it allowed them to preview fresh faces to the game as well. These players with new faces not only got a chance to show their talent, they got a chance to get some run against players they might see during the high school season. In this review of the PH Louisiana Top 250, we will take a look at some fresh faces that should be impactful during the season to come. [player_tooltip player_id="1241644" first="Christian" last="Walker"] (6’0" / New Iberia / 2023) - pictured above It seemed like Walker could not do anything right one June morning at Airline as his former coach Todd Russ rode him for his performance on both ends of the floor. Fast forward to July and Walker seemed to use that day as fuel. He ended the Prep Hoops Circuit with a 40 burger (w/ 10 3s) and came into the PH Top 250 with a ton of confidence. Walker was a defensive star taking charges and playing tough man-to-man defense at the PHL Top 250. He attacked the rim more and did not settle for threes which allowed him to showcase his skill getting into the paint. As one of the top returning New Iberia contributors, his play at the Top 250 looks to be a preview of what he can do during the season. [player_tooltip player_id="1275330" first="Konnor" last="Cotton"] (5’11" / Calvary Baptist / 2024) The Cavs will be looking for a "3 and D" player to replace senior [player_tooltip player_id="931046" first="Will" last="Bagley"] in their lineup. From the looks of his play at the PHL Top 250, [player_tooltip player_id="1275330" first="Konnor" last="Cotton"] appears to be that player. Cotton was very impressive on the defensive end. He had a couple sequences where he beat a player to a spot on the floor and took the charge or ripped the player. On the offensive end, he displayed the ability to consistently make the corner three from ball reversals and direct passes. His play on both ends of the floor is encouraging as Calvary heads into the new season. [player_tooltip player_id="1273366" first="Kenneth" last="Montgomery"] (6’0" / Zwolle / 2023) Zwolle is always known for having good guards (especially if their name was Cutright). Montgomery appears to be the guard next in line to carry on the Hawks tradition. At the PH Top 250, Montgomery was very good at defending on the ball. He is also super quick in transition. With Montgomery’s ability to put pressure on defenses with the dribble, he has the potential to be one of the top point guards in his class this season. [player_tooltip player_id="1199064" first="Zachary" last="Semien"] (5’10" / Zachary / 2023) With his smooth as silk floater and his ability to get into the paint, Zach Semien will be a good change of pace for the defending state champion Broncos this season. While it will be hard to crack the rotation with a group as experienced as the Broncos, Semien has the game to do such. During the day, he seemed comfortable attacking from the wing and then shooting his floater as he touched the paint. If the Top 250 was an introduction, Semien should do fine consistently playing on the varsity level. [player_tooltip player_id="1270112" first="Varnavous" last="Narcisse"] (6’0" / Carencro) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Narcisse-Varnavous-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1269743" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Narcisse-Varnavous-2-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Carencro is always known for having gritty and tough players. If the PHL Top 250 taught me one thing, Mr. Narcisse can be added to the list. He was a player who was very good at using the dribble to create space and gain rhythm for his shot at the expo. Narcisse gets low to the ground using crossovers and hard dribbles to create room and then hits defenders with a stepback three or mid-range jumper. His offensive game is a frustrating one to defenders but one that works for him. With his shot-making prowess, Narcisse will make it a long day for anyone defending him. [player_tooltip player_id="1218193" first="Jamarion" last="Thomas"] (6’0" / Live Oak) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2019/08/Jamarion-Thomas-56.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-811396" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2019/08/Jamarion-Thomas-56-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> For people like me who have not seen the Live Oak rising sophomore work, the PH Louisiana Top 250 was a good place for me to see him. He has all of the makings of a top point guard in his class when things are said and done. Thomas was effective on two levels at scoring. He knocked down the three if defenders played too far off and navigated tight spaces to get into the paint. Thomas is crafty at creating situations where he gets fouled and still manages to get the ball on the glass. If he avoids a sophomore slump, I think he will be great at Live Oak. [player_tooltip player_id="1130811" first="Je’Cal" last="Bryant"] (6’3" / Evangel) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Bryant-Je_cal-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1269674" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Bryant-Je_cal-2-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> It is amazing what growing three inches and wearing contacts will do for a player. Such is the life of Evangel wing [player_tooltip player_id="1130811" first="Je’Cal" last="Bryant"]. Last season he was a 6 foot wing who played well as rebounding guard and putback guy. At the PH Louisiana Top 250, he was attacking the rim and even tried to dunk on a couple of players. With [player_tooltip player_id="977445" first="Jathen" last="Ross"] gone to the next level, Coach Eric Shepherd will be looking for players to replace his production. Bryant has bounce and can rebound the ball. He also has the potential for big plays at the rim which will be good for the Eagles. [player_tooltip player_id="1275306" first="Antron" last="Mason II"] (5’9" / Wossman) If Mason plays anything like he did in Baton Rouge for the Wossman Wildcats this coming season, the Wildcats will have a budding prep star on their hands. Mason already has the savvy of an older guard and he did not show any timidness or shyness during the Top 250. Antron was good at filling the lane or spotting up when he played off the ball. Consequently, he was good at distribution and scoring when the ball was in his hands. He is small but plays either guard position confidently. This Monroe guard will be one to watch going forward. The duo of [player_tooltip player_id="1218185" first="Hays" last="Regard"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1105527" first="Anthony" last="Angelle"] were solid performers at the Prep Hoops Top 250 who will be looking to fill the void left by [player_tooltip player_id="765916" first="Carter" last="Domingue"] and [player_tooltip player_id="765919" first="Jaden" last="Shelvin"] at STM. Both guards/wings have nice outside strokes and are athletic which should cause matchup problems during the season. Watch for these two fresh faces, and the ones listed above, as they prepare to take on new roles at their schools. The Prep Hoops Top 250 gave them an avenue to be known. Hopefully all of them will take advantage.

The Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo in Louisiana not only allowed scouts and coaches to see established players on the Louisiana prep scene, it allowed them to preview fresh faces to the game as well. These players with new faces not only got a chance to show their talent, they got a chance to get some run against players they might see during the high school season. In this review of the PH Louisiana Top 250, we will take a look at some fresh faces that should be impactful during the season to come.

Christian Walker Christian Walker 6'0" | PG New Iberia | 2023 State LA (6’0" / New Iberia / 2023) - pictured above

It seemed like Walker could not do anything right one June morning at Airline as his former coach Todd Russ rode him for his performance on both ends of the floor. Fast forward to July and Walker seemed to use that day as fuel. He ended the Prep Hoops Circuit with a 40 burger (w/ 10 3s) and came into the PH Top 250 with a ton of confidence. Walker was a defensive star taking charges and playing tough man-to-man defense at the PHL Top 250. He attacked the rim more and did not settle for threes which allowed him to showcase his skill getting into the paint. As one of the top returning New Iberia contributors, his play at the Top 250 looks to be a preview of what he can do during the season.

Konnor Cotton Konnor Cotton 6'1" | CG Calvary Baptist | 2024 State LA (5’11" / Calvary Baptist / 2024)

The Cavs will be looking for a "3 and D" player to replace senior Will Bagley Will Bagley 5'11" | SG Calvary Baptist | 2021 State LA in their lineup. From the looks of his play at the PHL Top 250, Konnor Cotton Konnor Cotton 6'1" | CG Calvary Baptist | 2024 State LA appears to be that player. Cotton was very impressive on the defensive end. He had a couple sequences where he beat a player to a spot on the floor and took the charge or ripped the player. On the offensive end, he displayed the ability to consistently make the corner three from ball reversals and direct passes. His play on both ends of the floor is encouraging as Calvary heads into the new season.

Kenneth Montgomery Kenneth Montgomery 6'0" | PG Zwolle | 2023 State LA (6’0" / Zwolle / 2023)

Zwolle is always known for having good guards (especially if their name was Cutright). Montgomery appears to be the guard next in line to carry on the Hawks tradition. At the PH Top 250, Montgomery was very good at defending on the ball. He is also super quick in transition. With Montgomery’s ability to put pressure on defenses with the dribble, he has the potential to be one of the top point guards in his class this season.

Zachary Semien Zachary Semien 5'10" | PG Zachary | 2023 State LA (5’10" / Zachary / 2023)

With his smooth as silk floater and his ability to get into the paint, Zach Semien will be a good change of pace for the defending state champion Broncos this season. While it will be hard to crack the rotation with a group as experienced as the Broncos, Semien has the game to do such. During the day, he seemed comfortable attacking from the wing and then shooting his floater as he touched the paint. If the Top 250 was an introduction, Semien should do fine consistently playing on the varsity level.

Varnavous Narcisse Varnavous Narcisse 6'0" | CG Carencro | 2022 State LA (6’0" / Carencro)

Carencro is always known for having gritty and tough players. If the PHL Top 250 taught me one thing, Mr. Narcisse can be added to the list. He was a player who was very good at using the dribble to create space and gain rhythm for his shot at the expo. Narcisse gets low to the ground using crossovers and hard dribbles to create room and then hits defenders with a stepback three or mid-range jumper. His offensive game is a frustrating one to defenders but one that works for him. With his shot-making prowess, Narcisse will make it a long day for anyone defending him.

Jamarion Thomas Jamarion Thomas 6'0" | PG Live Oak | 2024 State LA (6’0" / Live Oak)

For people like me who have not seen the Live Oak rising sophomore work, the PH Louisiana Top 250 was a good place for me to see him. He has all of the makings of a top point guard in his class when things are said and done. Thomas was effective on two levels at scoring. He knocked down the three if defenders played too far off and navigated tight spaces to get into the paint. Thomas is crafty at creating situations where he gets fouled and still manages to get the ball on the glass. If he avoids a sophomore slump, I think he will be great at Live Oak.

Je’Cal Bryant Je’Cal Bryant 6'4" | SG Evangel | 2023 State LA (6’3" / Evangel)

It is amazing what growing three inches and wearing contacts will do for a player. Such is the life of Evangel wing Je’Cal Bryant Je’Cal Bryant 6'4" | SG Evangel | 2023 State LA . Last season he was a 6 foot wing who played well as rebounding guard and putback guy. At the PH Louisiana Top 250, he was attacking the rim and even tried to dunk on a couple of players. With Jathen Ross Jathen Ross 6'3" | SG Evangel | 2021 State LA gone to the next level, Coach Eric Shepherd will be looking for players to replace his production. Bryant has bounce and can rebound the ball. He also has the potential for big plays at the rim which will be good for the Eagles.

Antron Mason II (5’9" / Wossman)

If Mason plays anything like he did in Baton Rouge for the Wossman Wildcats this coming season, the Wildcats will have a budding prep star on their hands. Mason already has the savvy of an older guard and he did not show any timidness or shyness during the Top 250. Antron was good at filling the lane or spotting up when he played off the ball. Consequently, he was good at distribution and scoring when the ball was in his hands. He is small but plays either guard position confidently. This Monroe guard will be one to watch going forward.

The duo of Hays Regard Hays Regard 6'4" | SG St. Thomas More | 2024 State LA and Anthony Angelle Anthony Angelle 6'3" | CG St. Thomas More | 2024 State LA were solid performers at the Prep Hoops Top 250 who will be looking to fill the void left by Carter Domingue Carter Domingue 6'3" | PG St. Thomas More | 2021 State LA and Jaden Shelvin Jaden Shelvin 6'2" | CG St. Thomas More | 2021 State LA at STM. Both guards/wings have nice outside strokes and are athletic which should cause matchup problems during the season.

Watch for these two fresh faces, and the ones listed above, as they prepare to take on new roles at their schools. The Prep Hoops Top 250 gave them an avenue to be known. Hopefully all of them will take advantage.