PHLA City/Parish Rankings: The Top Players in Shreveport-Bossier
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As the school year begins, the months of August and September are very busy with elite camps and showcases going on around the state. This is a time where we at Prep Hoops can look at the top players around…
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Continue ReadingAs the school year begins, the months of August and September are very busy with elite camps and showcases going on around the state. This is a time where we at Prep Hoops can look at the top players around the state and review them as the first days of practice approach. One way we do that is with the Parish or City rankings. Knowing the top players in the various parishes and cities helps coaches know who to recruit. Shreveport-Bossier has always had a ton of talent in the area and in this edition of City/Parish rankings, we will look at their area first. The talent in this area can hold their weight with any of the top players in the Boot.
1. Decedric Webb Decedric Webb 6'5" | SF Huntington | 2023 State LA (6’5″ / Huntington)
Webb has become the most versatile player that Shreveport-Bossier has. He is a terror in transition, jia menace on the boards, and has become a better perimeter player. His play this summer vaulted him among the top players in the state. If he continues to improve his perimeter game, Webb may end up being one of the best recruits to come out of Shreveport-Bossier in awhile.
2. Jeremiah Evans Jeremiah Evans 6'10" | C Southwood | 2024 State #249 Nation LA (6’9″ / Southwood)
Evans has a skill set that is not possessed by too many around these parts. He can protect the rim on one end of the floor and has an assortment of offensive weapons at his disposal on the other end. Evans is a lethal passer from the high post, can shoot the three, and score in the post. His offensive versatility, along with his height, makes him a highly sought after recruit.
3. Chris Carpenter Chris Carpenter 5'9" | PG Huntington | 2023 State LA (5’10” / Huntington)
The silky smooth lefty from Huntington is one of the best point guards in the state. Carpenter has a masterful use of the dribble and he uses it to create space for his jumper or to get defenders off-balance for his drives. He also has a high IQ and sees passes before they happen. Chris has a killer instinct and will take over a game at a moment’s notice.
4. De’kaveon Taylor De’kaveon Taylor 6'3" | CG Huntington | 2023 State LA (6’3″ / Huntington)
Taylor may be the best defender in Shreveport-Bossier. He is long and athletic and prides himself on playing hard at the defensive end of the floor. Offensively, he is no slouch either. He has made himself into a very good catch and shoot player from behind the arc and he can get downhill quickly. Taylor has a vast bag that should help him play on the next level.
5. Mekel Hart Mekel Hart 6'5" | SF Captain Shreve | 2023 State LA (6’5″ / Captain Shreve)
Hart is a Swiss Army knife when it comes to playing on the hardwood. The Captain Shreve senior is tasked with defending the opposite teams big, facilitating the Shreve offense, and being a post presence on offense as well. Hart can handle the ball better than a lot of guards and attack in various ways. He is someone who defenses have to account for.
6. Javon Johnson Javon Johnson 6'1" | CG Bossier | 2024 State LA (6’1″ / Bossier)
Johnson is one of the best shooters in the Twin Cities and has mastered sprinting to the corner three and knocking it down. He can shoot it from other parts of the floor and has a quick release, so he should be accounted for at all times. Johnson is no one trick pony, however. Johnson can put it on the hardwood and has become better at driving to the rim. His game has definitely grown.
7. Kameron Kennon Kameron Kennon 6'3" | SG Calvary Baptist | 2023 State LA (6’3″ / Calvary)
Kennon is an athletic guard who can get to the rim using his strength to bully his way or his quickness to go by. He has a nice touch from behind the arc as well which makes him a tough player to guard because he can vary his attack. Kennon is coming off of an injury but he should be ready to go when the season begins.
8. Tahj Roots Tahj Roots 5'11" | PG Bossier | 2023 State LA (5’10” / Bossier)
Roots, a senior guard from Bossier, can change a game with his defense. He is one of the best on ball defenders that plays in Louisiana and believes in creating pressure on everyone he guards. Roots is also a very good three point shooter. His ability to shoot and defend as the Bearkats move back to class 4A.
9. Je’Cal Bryant Je’Cal Bryant 6'4" | SG Evangel | 2023 State LA (6’3″ / Evangel)
Bryant has a tremendous upside as he becomes one of the focal points in the Eagle attack this season. Jecal has shown the ability to score at multiple levels. He can finish at or above the rim and he can be a flamethrower from deep when he gets hot. His athleticism is a big reason why Bryant is one of the top players in the area.
10. Chris Shiflett Chris Shiflett 5'10" | PG Evangel | 2025 State LA (5’9″ / Evangel)
Shiflett may be the best player in the city this time next year. He has played some of his best basketball this summer and it has continued into this showcase and elite camp “season”. CJ has a fluid shot from three, a solid mid-range game, nifty finishes at the rim, and can make every pass there is. His ascension as a point guard has been mind-blowing.
Other players to watch
Lakavin Thomas Lakavin Thomas 6'0" | CG Bossier | 2023 State LA (Bossier) – athletic guard who is looking for a bounce back season; when completely healthy, he is a top tier player
Greg Manning Greg Manning 5'6" | PG Benton | 2024 State LA (Benton) – lightning quick guard who can score from anywhere and will guard opponents from baseline to baseline
Jyrin Sowell Jyrin Sowell 6'3" | SG Captain Shreve | 2024 State LA (Captain Shreve) – hard-nosed defender with an improving offensive game; does all the dirty work
Fred’Travious Benjamin Fred’Travious Benjamin 6'2" | SG Green Oaks | 2023 State LA (Green Oaks) – athletic guard who can play the one or the two; leads the Giants in most statistical categories
Brandon Henderson Brandon Henderson 6'0" | PG Woodlawn-Shreveport | 2025 State LA (Woodlawn) – versatile and athletic combo guard who can put numbers up quickly
Colby O’glee (Airline) – pass first point guard with a high basketball IQ who can stroke it from deep
Maurea Gibson (Northwood) – athletic wing who can do multiple things on the floor; can facilitate but is most dangerous in the open floor
Rondae Hill (Calvary) – heady point guard who enjoys getting into the paint and disrupting defenses
John Carmody (Loyola) – shooting guard who can guard multiple positions; has the ability to slide over to the one
Laythan Delaney Laythan Delaney 6'4" | PF Haughton | 2023 State LA (Haughton) – undersized power forward who punishes people to score in the paint; very good rebounder
City/Parish rankings are definitely more for bragging rights in a certain area than anything else. Look for city/parish rankings from other areas to come.