PDE's Top 25 Teams in Louisiana

With the tournament portion of the season about to end, we now have a sizable portion of games to evaluate teams. Multiple discussions on Twitter have argued about who is the best team with several list being tweeted. Because of that, I will take a stab at it. Here are the teams that I believe are the top 25 teams in Louisiana at this point of the season. PDE’s Top 25 1. Carver - Ranked nationally in the top 50 by MaxPreps. They have two of the top four players in the class of 2022 ([player_tooltip player_id="937609" first="Solomon" last="Washington"] & [player_tooltip player_id="937608" first="Dorian" last="Finister"]) with a superb combo guard in [player_tooltip player_id="981603" first="Willie" last="Anderson"] and one of the best juniors in [player_tooltip player_id="970112" first="Jaylon" last="Hicks"]. 2. Zachary - Probably the most complete team in Louisiana. They have three of the top guards/wings in the state ([player_tooltip player_id="1130799" first="Brandon" last="Rodgers"], [player_tooltip player_id="1275312" first="Jordan" last="DeCuir"], & [player_tooltip player_id="1275274" first="Jalen" last="Bolden"]) and Michael Quiett has emerged as a senior scorer. They have looked dominant at times this season. 3. Madison Prep - The 3A defending champs have the best big man in the state in Seton Hall signee [player_tooltip player_id="781838" first="Percy" last="Daniels"]. [player_tooltip player_id="1218216" first="Jayce" last="Depron"] is evolving into a top player before our eyes and [player_tooltip player_id="981492" first="Dezmond" last="Perkins"] is becoming a mismatch for a lot of teams. 4. McMain - 4A’s defending champs have one of the best clutch guards in [player_tooltip player_id="781842" first="Alex" last="Hammond"] and a matchup nightmare in [player_tooltip player_id="781844" first="Nicholas" last="Kaigler"]. [player_tooltip player_id="1055172" first="Corey" last="Chest"] is a nationally-rated player who is only getting better. The confidence they play with is what makes them good. 5. Newman - The best team in Division III also has the top player in the 2023 class ([player_tooltip player_id="970120" first="Chris" last="Lockett"]) and the top point guard in that class ([player_tooltip player_id="1130920" first="Canin" last="Jefferson"]). With underclassmen [player_tooltip player_id="1105540" first="Todd" last="Jones"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1277356" first="Chris" last="Leman"] manning the middle, they are a well-constructed team. 6. Scotlandville - One of the state’s remaining undefeated teams. Coach Sample has a solid guard group led by [player_tooltip player_id="781855" first="Rayvon" last="Smith"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1130921" first="C’Zavian" last="Teasett"] can score inside and out. The addition of 6’10" Dorian Booker to their lineup makes them a very tough team to stop. 7. Wossman - A perennial power under coach Casey Jones has another top 3A team. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1211165" first="Albert" last="Shell"] and [player_tooltip player_id="781862" first="Pat" last="Williams"] have been steady for the Wildcats. The emergence of junior [player_tooltip player_id="1213597" first="Kamron" last="Coleman"] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1105543" first="Krystian" last="Lewis"] will be big for them this season. 8. Bossier - Another perennial 3A power has a wealth of senior leadership with [player_tooltip player_id="1275269" first="Joseph" last="Manning"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1127255" first="Sedric" last="Applewhite"]. High flying forward [player_tooltip player_id="1211105" first="Marquis" last="Harris"] has been a big difference defensively. They are one of the best shooting teams in the state when they are on. 9. Karr - The football power has a top tier basketball team this season. [player_tooltip player_id="1270191" first="Leland" last="Smith"] can take over a game play making and scoring while players like [player_tooltip player_id="981612" first="Shyves" last="Johnson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1277352" first="Keith" last="Jones"] take turns playing Robin to Smith’s Batman. They are a serious threat in class 4A. 10. St. Paul’s - The 2nd ranked team in Division I has a great group of guards and wings led by [player_tooltip player_id="1127357" first="Zach" last="Fenn"]. The do-it-all guard is can beat defenders any number of ways. Guards [player_tooltip player_id="1275262" first="Reece" last="Seicshnaydre"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1206640" first="Andrew" last="Zibilich"] are very good also when it comes to playmaking. 11. Alexandria - Coach Brasher has a senior core who still know what it is like to hoist a state title. Forward [player_tooltip player_id="1275271" first="Noah" last="Jonker"] gets it done on offense and defense while Theron and [player_tooltip player_id="1218194" first="Jaylin" last="Johnson"] provide wing defense and scoring. Look for them to be in Lake Charles in March. 12. North Central - The Hurricanes of North Central are the best team in 1A and they have a legit guard trio. [player_tooltip player_id="781856" first="Reginald" last="Stoner"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1285324" first="De’Vion" last="Lavergne"] play both ends of the floor at a high level and [player_tooltip player_id="1105550" first="McKennis" last="Savoie"] is stellar in transition. They are not deep but they are very good. 13. Peabody - Led by their Hall of Fame coach, the Warhorses will get after all teams defensively. [player_tooltip player_id="1127380" first="Braiden" last="Wagner"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1275357" first="Markell" last="Mcclain"] are one of the best duos in the state and they have a stalwart in the middle in [player_tooltip player_id="1105593" first="Jordan" last="Mathews"]. This team is historically tough to beat. 14. Huntington - The Raiders are probably the most athletically gifted team outside of the top two teams on this list. [player_tooltip player_id="781849" first="Rayshun" last="McCullar"] has been golden while wings [player_tooltip player_id="1127251" first="Decedric" last="Webb"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1130807" first="Devin" last="Myers"] have provided interior stability. They are really good when they play together. 15. Simsboro - They are clearly the best team in class B and do not seem to be letting up. [player_tooltip player_id="981495" first="Jordan" last="Crawford"] and [player_tooltip player_id="932860" first="Nick" last="Maryland"] are top level guards and [player_tooltip player_id="970132" first="Chilaydrian" last="Newton"] is one of the best juniors in the state. If they were in a higher class, they would be talked about more. 16. Shaw - [player_tooltip player_id="1055169" first="Kam" last="Johnson"] makes this team go and he has plenty of help. One of the best teams in Division I. 17. Walker - [player_tooltip player_id="970138" first="Warren" last="Young"] can fill it up from all three levels and [player_tooltip player_id="1275263" first="Donald" last="Butler"] is a highlight waiting to happen for the 2nd rated Wildcats. 18. L.B. Landry - Another example of a 4A basketball power. Vo Nicholas is a special talent and Landry has a wealth of good guard play. 19. Southern Lab - Division IV top team has one of the top players in the state in [player_tooltip player_id="970133" first="Tyler" last="Ringgold"]. Definitely a hard team to play. 20. Natchitoches Central - 1-5A stalwart may be guard-oriented but they are tough. [player_tooltip player_id="1270244" first="Justin" last="Aaron"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1206569" first="Devin" last="Helaire"] are a good 1-2 punch. The rest of the top 25 21. Lakeshore 22. Liberty 23. Woodlawn-Shreveport 24. Lakeview 25. St. Thomas More Class 4A has the best basketball in the state as a class and it is reflected in these rankings. This list will change as we move into district play and with other classics still left to be played around the state. Louisiana definitely has great hoops action around the state and this list is a reflection of just that.

With the tournament portion of the season about to end, we now have a sizable portion of games to evaluate teams. Multiple discussions on Twitter have argued about who is the best team with several list being tweeted. Because of that, I will take a stab at it. Here are the teams that I believe are the top 25 teams in Louisiana at this point of the season.

PDE’s Top 25

1. Carver - Ranked nationally in the top 50 by MaxPreps. They have two of the top four players in the class of 2022 ( Solomon Washington Solomon Washington 6'7" | SF Carver | 2022 State #127 Nation LA & Dorian Finister Dorian Finister 6'5" | CG Carver | 2022 State #173 Nation LA ) with a superb combo guard in Willie Anderson Willie Anderson 6'2" | CG G.W. Carver | 2022 State LA and one of the best juniors in Jaylon Hicks Jaylon Hicks 6'5" | SF Carver | 2023 State LA .

2. Zachary - Probably the most complete team in Louisiana. They have three of the top guards/wings in the state ( Brandon Hardy Brandon Hardy 6'4" | SG Zachary | 2023 State #234 Nation LA , Jordan DeCuir, & Jalen Bolden) and Michael Quiett has emerged as a senior scorer. They have looked dominant at times this season.

3. Madison Prep - The 3A defending champs have the best big man in the state in Seton Hall signee Percy Daniels Percy Daniels 6'8" | PF Madison Prep | 2022 State LA . Jayce Depron Jayce Depron 6'5" | CG Madison Prep | 2024 State LA is evolving into a top player before our eyes and Dezmond Perkins Dezmond Perkins 6'5" | SG Madison Prep | 2022 State LA is becoming a mismatch for a lot of teams.

4. McMain - 4A’s defending champs have one of the best clutch guards in Alex Hammond Alex Hammond 6'3" | CG McMain | 2022 State LA and a matchup nightmare in Nicholas Kaigler Nicholas Kaigler 6'3" | SG McMain | 2022 State LA . Corey Chest Corey Chest 6'7" | SF McMain | 2023 #94 Nation MO is a nationally-rated player who is only getting better. The confidence they play with is what makes them good.

5. Newman - The best team in Division III also has the top player in the 2023 class ( Chris Lockett Chris Lockett 6'5" | CG Isidore Newman | 2023 State #180 Nation LA ) and the top point guard in that class ( Canin Jefferson Canin Jefferson 6'1" | PG Newman | 2023 State LA ). With underclassmen Todd Jones Todd Jones 6'8" | PF Newman | 2024 State #185 Nation LA and Chris Leman Chris Leman 6'8" | PF Worcester Academy | 2024 New E manning the middle, they are a well-constructed team.

6. Scotlandville - One of the state’s remaining undefeated teams. Coach Sample has a solid guard group led by Rayvon Smith Rayvon Smith 6'1" | CG Scotlandville | 2022 State LA and C’Zavian Teasett C’Zavian Teasett 6'3" | SG Scotlandville | 2023 State LA can score inside and out. The addition of 6’10" Dorian Booker to their lineup makes them a very tough team to stop.

7. Wossman - A perennial power under coach Casey Jones has another top 3A team. Seniors Albert Shell Albert Shell 6'3" | SG Wossman | 2022 State LA and Pat Williams Pat Williams 6'6" | SF Wossman | 2022 State LA have been steady for the Wildcats. The emergence of junior Kamron Coleman Kamron Coleman 6'8" | PF Wossman | 2023 State LA and sophomore Krystian Lewis Krystian Lewis 6'3" | CG Wossman | 2024 State LA will be big for them this season.

8. Bossier - Another perennial 3A power has a wealth of senior leadership with Joseph Manning and Sedric Applewhite Sedric Applewhite 6'6" | SF Bossier | 2022 State LA . High flying forward Marquis Harris Marquis Harris 6'5" | SF Bossier | 2022 State LA has been a big difference defensively. They are one of the best shooting teams in the state when they are on.

9. Karr - The football power has a top tier basketball team this season. Leland Smith Leland Smith 6'3" | CG Edna Karr | 2022 State LA can take over a game play making and scoring while players like Shyves Johnson Shyves Johnson 6'4" | SF Edna Karr | 2022 State LA and Keith Jones Keith Jones 6'4" | SG Edna Karr | 2024 State LA take turns playing Robin to Smith’s Batman. They are a serious threat in class 4A.

10. St. Paul’s - The 2nd ranked team in Division I has a great group of guards and wings led by Zach Fenn Zach Fenn 6'2" | CG St. Paul | 2022 State LA . The do-it-all guard is can beat defenders any number of ways. Guards Reece Seicshnaydre and Andrew Zibilich Andrew Zibilich 6'0" | PG St. Paul's | 2022 State LA are very good also when it comes to playmaking.

11. Alexandria - Coach Brasher has a senior core who still know what it is like to hoist a state title. Forward Noah Jonker gets it done on offense and defense while Theron and Jaylin Johnson Jaylin Johnson 6'3" | SG Alexandria | 2024 State LA provide wing defense and scoring. Look for them to be in Lake Charles in March.

12. North Central - The Hurricanes of North Central are the best team in 1A and they have a legit guard trio. Reginald Stoner Reginald Stoner 6'1" | CG North Central | 2022 State LA and De"Vion Lavergne play both ends of the floor at a high level and McKennis Savoie McKennis Savoie 6'2" | CG North Central | 2024 State LA is stellar in transition. They are not deep but they are very good.

13. Peabody - Led by their Hall of Fame coach, the Warhorses will get after all teams defensively. Braiden Wagner Braiden Wagner 6'3" | CG Peabody Magnet | 2022 State LA and Markell Mcclain are one of the best duos in the state and they have a stalwart in the middle in Jordan Mathews Jordan Mathews 6'5" | SF Peabody | 2024 State LA . This team is historically tough to beat.

14. Huntington - The Raiders are probably the most athletically gifted team outside of the top two teams on this list. Rayshun McCullar Rayshun McCullar 6'1" | PG Huntington | 2022 State LA has been golden while wings Decedric Webb Decedric Webb 6'5" | SF Huntington | 2023 State LA and Devin Myers Devin Myers 5'10" | SG Levenworth | 2022 KS have provided interior stability. They are really good when they play together.

15. Simsboro - They are clearly the best team in class B and do not seem to be letting up. Jordan Crawford Jordan Crawford 6'2" | CG Simsboro | 2022 State LA and Nick Maryland Nick Maryland 6'2" | CG Simsboro | 2022 State LA are top level guards and Chilaydrien Newton Chilaydrien Newton 6'3" | PG Simsboro | 2023 UT is one of the best juniors in the state. If they were in a higher class, they would be talked about more.

16. Shaw - Kam Johnson Kam Johnson 5'9" | PG Archbishop Shaw | 2023 State LA makes this team go and he has plenty of help. One of the best teams in Division I.

17. Walker - Warren Young Warren Young 6'1" | CG Walker | 2023 State LA can fill it up from all three levels and Donald Butler is a highlight waiting to happen for the 2nd rated Wildcats.

18. L.B. Landry - Another example of a 4A basketball power. Vo Nicholas is a special talent and Landry has a wealth of good guard play.

19. Southern Lab - Division IV top team has one of the top players in the state in Tyler Ringgold Tyler Ringgold 6'7" | SF Legacy Early College | 2023 State SC . Definitely a hard team to play.

20. Natchitoches Central - 1-5A stalwart may be guard-oriented but they are tough. Justin Aaron Justin Aaron 6'1" | CG Natchitoches Central | 2022 State LA and Devin Helaire Devin Helaire 6'1" | SG Natchitoches Central | 2022 State LA are a good 1-2 punch.

The rest of the top 25

21. Lakeshore 22. Liberty 23. Woodlawn-Shreveport 24. Lakeview 25. St. Thomas More

Class 4A has the best basketball in the state as a class and it is reflected in these rankings. This list will change as we move into district play and with other classics still left to be played around the state. Louisiana definitely has great hoops action around the state and this list is a reflection of just that.