Louisiana Rankings Breakdown: 2017 Guards
Guard play in Louisiana is always impressive with the combination of quick twitch athletes and their ability to get into the lane at will. This class isn’t much different even if the top players in the state aren’t guards this…
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Continue ReadingGuard play in Louisiana is always impressive with the combination of quick twitch athletes and their ability to get into the lane at will. This class isn’t much different even if the top players in the state aren’t guards this year. There is still tremendous depth at the guard position.
The majority of these players see most of their time at the point guard position whether it’s running a team or as a scoring guard. While quite a few excel in catch and shoot situations, there aren’t many who don’t cause numerous issues for opposing teams when it comes to getting paint touches.
At the top is two completely different guards in Cedric Russell (6’3 G, Peabody) and Davontavean Martin (6’4 G, Ellender). The only thing they have in common is both have decommitted from LSU and UNO respectively. Russell is a scoring machine who has an extremely pure jump shot while Martin is a high flying athlete that finds most of his buckets around the rim.
The top two true lead guards are Romin Williams (5’10 PG, Country Dat) and Lamont Berzat (5’8 PG, Landry-Walker). Williams can score and does so at a high level but is best running a team and putting pressure defensively on opposing guards. Berzat is the lone commit in the class (Univ. of New Orleans) and is a terror on defense. He’s well built and extremely tough to keep out of the lane.
Maxmillion has the frame and skill set to become a problem.Casey Jones Jr. (5’10 G, Wossman) made himself known quickly in the playoffs and has risen up the rankings big time. The coaches son can score, is a great leader, and gets everyone where they need to be on both ends. Tylan Dean (6’0 G, Grambling Lab) is one of the better shooters in the class and has continued to improve his ball handling. He’s great in the passing lane as well on the defensive end.
Another fast riser is Davantre Vitor (6’1 G, Washington Marion) who put up numerous massive scoring outputs in the Spring. He’ll likely play off the ball primarily but can score with the ball and defends with his 6’5 wingspan. One of the more intriguing names in the class is Cephus Gix (5’9 G, Ouachita). There is little he can’t do when he’s on the court but has had issues staying on the court. He’s even referred to as a 5’9 Kobe by numerous northern Louisiana coaches.
Two players who will be sharing the backcourt in July are Raylon Hardy (5’11 PG, Hahnville) and John Maxmillion III (6’4 G, Edna Karr). Hardy is another one of those guards that defenders really struggle to keep out of the lane and get into you on the defensive end. J-Max defends with his length and has a pure looking lefty jumper. His work ethic is incredible and it’s only a matter of time before it all comes together.