Div. IV Top 28 Preseason Picks
With basketball heading into a brand new space in Louisiana following the select/nonselect split when it comes to the playoffs, there is still much confusion about what teams fit under which group and who will be at the top of…
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Continue ReadingWith basketball heading into a brand new space in Louisiana following the select/nonselect split when it comes to the playoffs, there is still much confusion about what teams fit under which group and who will be at the top of each. We will be taking a look at all of the playoff classifications. (For more in depth look, I suggest checking out an article written by new contributor Brett Hudson taking a general look at each class https://prephoops.com/2016/11/analyzing-impact-new-playoff-system/ ) We will start by taking a look at Div IV, which is the select side of 1A last year.
1. Lafayette Christian Academy (Last season: 31-4. Lost in Top 28)
LCA is coming off a trip to the Top 28, that ended in disappointment after being the odds on favorite to win the title, yet falling short in the semi-finals to eventual champion, Arcadia. Despite the losses to three starters from last year, including both Kaleb and Jacob Ledoux now playing for McNeese St., this year’s Knight’s team has the potential to be the best in team history. Including a starting line-up of three legit D-1 players in 2017 Galen Alexander (LSU) and Caleb Starks (Northwestern St.) as well as the third ranked prospect for 2018 in Greg Williams, there is a ton of talent across the board. For a more in-depth look into the Knight’s check out: https://prephoops.com/2016/11/comeaux-lca-david-thibodaux-scrimmage-scouting-report/
2. Southern Lab (Last season 26-8. Lost in State Championship)
You can say whatever you want about him, but regardless of where he goes, coach Devan Clark wins. After leading Northside to four Top 28’s in 8 seasons, he left to take the head coaching job at his alma mater, a school where he won 5 state championships as a player and 3 more as an assistant coach. In just his second season at the helm, Coach Clark lead them just one game shy of the promised land, falling in the state title game to Arcadia. Despite losing 6’6 big man Bladrick Veal now playing for Southern University, the Kittens bring back three players we have ranked in the top 100 for 2017, in Dexter Dennis, Tyriq Matthews, and Tyreon Payne. With that much veteran leadership, there’s no doubt Southern Lab will be in the mix for the state championship.
3. Grambling (Last season:23-9. Lost in quarterfinals)
While heading into the season we have Grambling ranked as the 3rd best team in Div. IV, there is little doubt in my mind that they have the talent to be holding a trophy at season’s end. The Kitten’s are going to go as far as their two best players are able to take them. 2017’s Kaedrick Williams and Tylan Dean are perhaps the highest scoring tandem returning this season after averaging nearly a combined 40 points per game. The two spent the summer as teammates on a very successful Team Milsaps, which can only further the obvious chemistry the two have on the court.
4. Hamilton Christian (Last season:20-12. Lost in quarterfinals
After a very successful season for the Warriors, they are returning their two highest scorers from last season, in 2017’s Kenan Fontenot (13.5) and Cameron Hare (14.7). I expect their high-powered offense to be back once again this season, and with the intensity that coach Dexter Washington brings on the bench, I would not be surprised if they eclipse the 20 win mark that they set a year ago.
PHLA Pick: LCA– After a highly successful regular season last year that saw them crack the Top 25 nationally at one point, the Knight’s just couldn’t get the stops on defense needed to hold a trophy come march. With a full season of Galen Alexander protecting the rim, as well as a renewed effort on the defensive end of the ball in the preseason, there is just too much talent for LCA to not finally get over the hump after getting so close the last couple of seasons.