Southern Team Camp Friday Preview
The Southern Team Camp routinely has high level teams and matches them up against each other. This year is no different as one of the more high powered events that’ll see numerous state title contenders square off early in the…
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Continue ReadingThe Southern Team Camp routinely has high level teams and matches them up against each other. This year is no different as one of the more high powered events that’ll see numerous state title contenders square off early in the summer to give us a preview of what to expect not only player wise but team wise. Here are some of the top match-ups to pay attention to this weekend.
Madison Prep vs Peabody – 1 PM Friday, Mini Dome
Last season’s 2A State Champions Madison Prep take on 3A Top 28 semifinalist Peabody in a match-up of two top players in the class of 2017 who happen to play on the same grassroots team. Josh Anderson (6’5 SG, MPA) and Cedric Russell (6’3 G, Peabody) are rising seniors and a key part of the Louisiana Elite backcourt that has made national noise.
Kevin Norman (6’5 F, Peabody, 2017) and Kobe Julien (6’5 F, MPA, 2018) will be another key match-up to pay attention to. It’ll be interesting to see where two teams that bring back so much talent currently are.
Hamilton Christian vs Southern Lab – 3 PM, Southern Lab
Southern Lab is coming off a loss in the 1A state finals while Hamilton Christian lost in the 3rd round of the 1A playoffs and both teams return numerous key players. For Southern Lab, a pair of key athletic 2017 forwards in 6’5 Dexter Dennis and 6’6 Azahren Earnest will lead the way while 6’0 G Tyriq Matthews provides plenty of outside scoring.
Hamilton Christian will once again be led by a pair of 2017 guards in 6’3 Camren Hare who has sneaky athleticism and a nice jumper and 6’1 Kenan Fontenot who will run the show and bully smaller defenders. Both teams are Top 28 contenders once again.
East Ascension vs Scotlandville – 5 PM, Mini Dome
Scotlandville is also coming off a loss in the state finals but in 5A while East Ascension was the surprise team making a run to the Top 28 last season before losing in the semifinals. Scotlandville is still led by the Team USA member Javonte Smart (6’4 PG, 2018) and will be looking for Lamarq Williams (6’5 PF, 2017) to bring more to the table this year.
East Ascension returns most of their roster including the starting backcourt in LeAaron Cain (6’1 SG, 2017) who can light up the scoreboard and Jimel London (5’9 PG, 2018) who has proven on the EYBL 16u circuit that he can run the show. It’s likely both teams start in the top 5 in 5A this year with a big chance at reaching the Top 28.
Dunham vs University High – 7 PM, Mini Dome
The three time defending champions in 3A, UHigh Cubs, lost a lot of talent but still have plenty enough to make noise in 3A again while Dunham is a team on the rise with a young core in 2A. UHigh will look much different this year and will be led by John Jones (6’0 G, 2017) who is a knock down shooter and Spencer Mays (6’3 G, 2018) who will have to step up this year.
For Dunham, there is no doubt the leadership and talent starts with Jordan Wright (6’5 G, 2019) who despite his young age has proven he can carry a team both with his play and leadership. Tyveon Spurlock (5’10 PG, 2019) will have to step up even more this year. Both teams may be a year away from really challenging for a state title.