From Team Camps to Showcases: Guards that Impressed in June

The last full week in June saw plenty of action as Texas and Louisiana preps gave a good accounting of themselves on the hardwood. College campuses such as LSU-Shreveport and East Texas Baptist hosted a plethora of teams as they played their last summer games. There was a multitude of guards who displayed a high level of play during these events. In this PH Louisiana exclusive, we will take a look at some of the guards who played in these events at the end of June. [player_tooltip player_id="1145438" first="Kohen" last="Rowbatham"] (6’1" | Northshore) - Rowbatham showed why he is one of the best guards in the state as he went toe-to-toe with guard Phil Hubbard from Mississippi. He is a three level scorer who found ways to score against the height of the Magnolia state forwards. His ability to score and pass makes him a threat at all levels. [player_tooltip player_id="1130805" first="Fredtravious" last="Benjamin"] (6’2" | Green Oaks) - Benjamin gave everyone at the Southwood team camp a feel for his total game. He attacked the rim and used an effective in-and-out dribble to get there. Benjamin also showed that he was capable from the mid-range with textbook, pull-up form. He may not be one of the most known guards but he has a game that is comparable to theirs. Ashton Scott (6’2" | Carroll | 2023) - Scott was one of the newer faces that I saw during June. He is a "3 and D" type player who was very good during the Southwood team camp at creating turnovers for his team and just as good at finishing in the open floor. This Carroll team should have a different look this season and Scott should be one of the leaders of that change. Connor McConathy (5’11" | Airline | 2023) - The Vikings seem to have another shooter in their midst after McConathy drained triples during their games at East Texas Baptist. Not only did he knockdown open shots, he also dove on the floor to help the Vikes gain 50-50 balls during their morning games. McConathy’s shot-making and hustle may find him on the floor a lot of Coach Hamilton. [player_tooltip player_id="1273401" first="Jabbari" last="Barry"] (6’0" | Barbe) - During the JSE Top 100, Berry displayed his completeness as a point guard. He can play off the ball and was good at spotting up from the corners. When attacking the paint, he was excellent at making passes to the open man or finishing at the rim on his own. Transition was where he was best and his finishing ability is top tier for a guard. Dylan Dominque (5’11" | Madison Prep) - The Charger point guard proved that he was more than just the facilitator during the JSE Top 100. While he did find others via draw-and-kick possessions or skip passes to the opposite side of the floor, he showed that he is a very tough cover. His outside shot-making and use of the dribble to break defenders down was executed at a high level. [player_tooltip player_id="1213752" first="Devin" last="Harris"] (6’2" | Holy Cross | 2024) - Harris spent his Sunday at the JSE Top 100 attacking the rim. He was excellent at penetrating to his right and putting himself in position to score at the rim or get fouled. If Harris continues to put pressure on defenders as he did during the JSE, he will position himself to be one of the better point guards in the 2024 class. [player_tooltip player_id="970119" first="De’kaveon" last="Taylor"] (6’3" | Huntington) - Taylor may not have finished his JSE stint on the best note. However, he displayed the skills to be a high level "3 and D" player. Taylor can score the ball from all three levels on the floor and was one of the better defenders who played at the event. His length, his ability to guard, and finishing ability in the open court are what I like best about Taylor. [player_tooltip player_id="1376911" first="Mike" last="Thornton"] (5’10" | C.E. Byrd | 2023) - It is a very impressive skill to have as a point guard when you can penetrate to the paint and cannot be stopped by anyone. Byrd senior [player_tooltip player_id="1376911" first="Mike" last="Thornton"] was just that impressive during his day at ETBU. Thornton is lightning quick and had no trouble beating his defender all day. He is a pass first guard who gave his teammates several opportunities to score with dropoffs. His ability to garner paint touches makes him a dangerous guard to defend. Kaleb Williams (5’8" | Parkway | 2026) - Williams is an incoming freshman who seems to already have a handle on being a rotation guard, if not a starter, with the Panthers. Williams has a slight frame but a very good handle. He is good with using the dribble to get by his initial defender. Williams also made some high IQ plays showing that he may just be ready for the responsibility of playing the varsity point. These guards put teams and players on notice that they can perform at a high level. Look for many of these preps on the grassroots circuits as grassroots play commences this month.

The last full week in June saw plenty of action as Texas and Louisiana preps gave a good accounting of themselves on the hardwood. College campuses such as LSU-Shreveport and East Texas Baptist hosted a plethora of teams as they played their last summer games. There was a multitude of guards who displayed a high level of play during these events. In this PH Louisiana exclusive, we will take a look at some of the guards who played in these events at the end of June.

Kohen Rowbatham Kohen Rowbatham 6'1" | CG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 State LA (6’1" | Northshore) - Rowbatham showed why he is one of the best guards in the state as he went toe-to-toe with guard Phil Hubbard from Mississippi. He is a three level scorer who found ways to score against the height of the Magnolia state forwards. His ability to score and pass makes him a threat at all levels.

Fred’Travious Benjamin Fred’Travious Benjamin 6'2" | SG Green Oaks | 2023 State LA (6’2" | Green Oaks) - Benjamin gave everyone at the Southwood team camp a feel for his total game. He attacked the rim and used an effective in-and-out dribble to get there. Benjamin also showed that he was capable from the mid-range with textbook, pull-up form. He may not be one of the most known guards but he has a game that is comparable to theirs.

Ashton Scott (6’2" | Carroll | 2023) - Scott was one of the newer faces that I saw during June. He is a "3 and D" type player who was very good during the Southwood team camp at creating turnovers for his team and just as good at finishing in the open floor. This Carroll team should have a different look this season and Scott should be one of the leaders of that change.

Connor McConathy (5’11" | Airline | 2023) - The Vikings seem to have another shooter in their midst after McConathy drained triples during their games at East Texas Baptist. Not only did he knockdown open shots, he also dove on the floor to help the Vikes gain 50-50 balls during their morning games. McConathy’s shot-making and hustle may find him on the floor a lot of Coach Hamilton.

Jabbari Barry Jabbari Barry 6'1" | PG Barbe | 2023 State LA (6’0" | Barbe) - During the JSE Top 100, Berry displayed his completeness as a point guard. He can play off the ball and was good at spotting up from the corners. When attacking the paint, he was excellent at making passes to the open man or finishing at the rim on his own. Transition was where he was best and his finishing ability is top tier for a guard.

Dylan Dominque (5’11" | Madison Prep) - The Charger point guard proved that he was more than just the facilitator during the JSE Top 100. While he did find others via draw-and-kick possessions or skip passes to the opposite side of the floor, he showed that he is a very tough cover. His outside shot-making and use of the dribble to break defenders down was executed at a high level.

Devin Harris Devin Harris 5'11" | PG Holy Cross | 2023 State LA (6’2" | Holy Cross | 2024) - Harris spent his Sunday at the JSE Top 100 attacking the rim. He was excellent at penetrating to his right and putting himself in position to score at the rim or get fouled. If Harris continues to put pressure on defenders as he did during the JSE, he will position himself to be one of the better point guards in the 2024 class.

De’kaveon Taylor De’kaveon Taylor 6'3" | CG Huntington | 2023 State LA (6’3" | Huntington) - Taylor may not have finished his JSE stint on the best note. However, he displayed the skills to be a high level "3 and D" player. Taylor can score the ball from all three levels on the floor and was one of the better defenders who played at the event. His length, his ability to guard, and finishing ability in the open court are what I like best about Taylor.

Mike Thornton Mike Thornton 5'10" | PG C.E. Byrd | 2023 State LA (5’10" | C.E. Byrd | 2023) - It is a very impressive skill to have as a point guard when you can penetrate to the paint and cannot be stopped by anyone. Byrd senior Mike Thornton Mike Thornton 5'10" | PG C.E. Byrd | 2023 State LA was just that impressive during his day at ETBU. Thornton is lightning quick and had no trouble beating his defender all day. He is a pass first guard who gave his teammates several opportunities to score with dropoffs. His ability to garner paint touches makes him a dangerous guard to defend.

Kaleb Williams (5’8" | Parkway | 2026) - Williams is an incoming freshman who seems to already have a handle on being a rotation guard, if not a starter, with the Panthers. Williams has a slight frame but a very good handle. He is good with using the dribble to get by his initial defender. Williams also made some high IQ plays showing that he may just be ready for the responsibility of playing the varsity point.

These guards put teams and players on notice that they can perform at a high level. Look for many of these preps on the grassroots circuits as grassroots play commences this month.