All-North Louisiana Team (Summer Edition)
Now that Labor Day has come and gone, it is time to put a nice bow on the summer that was in prep basketball. North Louisiana players had a lot of exposure and success during the summer and on into August. Because of their success and hard work, it is only fitting that we name the best of the best from north Louisiana during that time period.
All-NLA 1st Team
Chanse Robinson / 6’0″ / Lincoln Prep & LA Elite / 2020
Mylik Wilson / 6’3″ / Rayville & Woodz Elite / 2019
LaDamien Bradford / 6’5″ / Jonesboro-Hodge & LA Elite / 2020
JaMarkus Wilson / 6’4″ / Rayville / 2019
Tramichael Moton / 6’1″ / Woodlawn-S’port & LA Elite / 2019
This collection of players were already all district and all state performers and then went out during the summer and got better playing elite competition. They have Division One offers from the SWAC, SEC, BIG 12, and other conferences far and near. Mylik and Chanse have been at the top of their respective rankings all year while Moton and Bradford moved up from their summer play. Jamarkus was so impressive this summer that he got the stamp of approval from All-Sun Belt and former UALR guard Josh Hagins about how well he performed.
All-NLA 2nd Team
Dante Bell / 6’8″ / Bossier & LA Supreme / 2020
Jacoby Decker / 5’9″ / Bossier & LA Select Millsap / 2019
Jamichael Wilson / 6’5″ / Rayville / 2019
E’maryeon McDonald / 6’1″ / Red River & LA Supreme / 2021
Darius Smith / 6’3″ / Peabody & Cenla Storm / 2019
This group might out shoot anyone in the country. Decker and McDonald are known for their ability to shoot and showed it all summer. Smith improved his three point shooting greatly while Wilson seemingly knocked down every corner three he saw. Bell came on strong in the latter portion of summer league and grassroots play by performing well when the lights shined brightest.
All-NLA 3rd Team
Cody Dean / 5’9″ / Bossier & Nike Pro Skills / 2020
Kyron Gibson / 6’1″ / Peabody & Cenla Storm / 2019
C. J. Carpenter / 6’2″ / Natchitoches Central & LA Roundballers / 2019
Kalaas Roots / 6’1″ / Bossier & LA Select Team Millsap / 2019
Delatrion Moton / 6’4″ / Woodlawn-S’port & LA Supreme / 2021
This group of players are probably the grittiest of any of the teams. They do not mind playing defense on the best player from the other team and take challenges head on. These five do not mind taking the big shot either. I have seen them all take (and make) threes while they were down to take the lead, win a game, or seal the game. No five represent toughness better than this group.
All-NLA 4th Team
Marcus Jones / 6’3″ / Peabody & Cenla Storm / 2020
Sadarionne “SD” Ellis / 6’3″ / Southwood & LA Roundballers / 2019
Paul King / 5’11” / Ouachita / 2019
Christian Caldwell / 6’6″ / Southwood & All 4 Sports Dream Team Elite / 2020
Calep Krane / 6’2″ / Simsboro
These players showed that they are some of the most exciting players that north Louisiana posses. Ellis can flat out score and is improving defensively. King is a true play maker and makes things easier for his teammates on the floor. Krane and Jones can score, defend, and facilitate. Caldwell is a highlight reel waiting to happen at any moment (see the Off the Bench Sports replay of his game against Woodlawn-S’port). They might not be as high profile as some others but they get the job done.
All-NLA Honorable Mention
D’Ante Hall / 6’5″ / Calvary Baptist & LA Select Team Millsap / 2020
Jaylon Teal / 6’3″ / Minden Elite / 2019
Daniel Ortiz / 6’0″ / Southwood / 2021
Deven Melancon / 6’3″ / Loyola College Prep & LA Select Team Millsap / 2019
Marvin Young / 6’3″ / Captain Shreve & LA Select Team Millsap / 2019
The honorable mention crew are some guys who are under the radar as far as the prep scene goes but are very good players none the less. Melancon is a dead eye shooter from the perimeter. Young is a nifty play maker with the ball in his hands. Ortiz is an up and coming guard who has flash in his game with plenty of scoring punch. Hall is going to be a beast on both backboards and Teal is a slasher-shooter combo who can play multiple positions. These five will be noticed once the upcoming season ends.
I wish I could have made every game of every team this summer. There are players who will be on the fall list that did not play a lot between June and August. With that said, I and Prep Hoops LA will be there to catch the action we can from across the northern part of the Boot.