Louisiana Top 28: Division I Preview
1. Scotlandville vs. 5. McKinley
Scotlandville has been on a tear all season, and has been either the best or second best team in Louisiana all year, depending on who you ask. Their success has been in large part because of Junior All-American Javonte Smart, the best point guard in the nation for 2018. However I think that McKinley’s Tyrece Radford, a top five player for 2018 in his own right, will take this game as a huge challenge and an opportunity to showcase his own talents against the best. I still think Scotlandville takes it, because behind those top two players, Scotlandville is going to have the next 4 best players on their own team.
PHLA Pick: Scotlandville
Players to watch
Scotlandville:
Javonte Smart G 2018
Lamarq Williams F 2017
Reece Beekman G 2020
McKinley:
Tyrece Radford G 2018
Calvin Butler C 2017
2. St. Augustine vs. 6. Brother Martin
I would be lying to you if I didn’t say that I was incredibly surprised to see Brother Martin get the upset in the quarterfinals in order to qualify for the Top 28. However, since the start of the new year, and espeicially since the beginning of district play, Brother Martin has been a totally different team from the first two months. Both of these New Orleans teams are from the same district, and split the season series 1-1, each winning at home. I am going to go with St. Augustine, because they will have be best player in the game, in Caleb Daniels, but an upset wouldn’t totally shock me.
PHLA Pick: St. Augustine
Players to watch
St. Augustine:
Caleb Daniels G 2017
Sai Fisher G 2017
Bryson Celestine G 2018
Brother Martin:
Tre Swilling G 2017
Tyler Lally G 2018
Vejon Wallis F 2017