Louisiana 4A Player of the Year Contenders
Tylan Pope 6’7 F Franklinton (Stephen F. Austin commit)
This season, Tylan Pope has a chance to be the dominant force in high school in Louisiana. He has the potential to average close to 25 and 15 for Franklinton this year. He is a high flyer on the offensive end, and any miss that his team has this year has the potential to turn into a spectacular putback. He is a dominant force in the post, and is capable of getting a bucket down there anytime that he chooses. He has definitely transitioned his game more along the perimeter in recent years, and I think that he is going to be able slip seamlessly between the post and perimeter all year this season. However, in order for him to win POY for 4A this season, he is going to have to lead Franklinton to more team success than they have had in years past. If he is able to do that, he is going to put up impressive enough numbers to walk away as the best player in 4A.
Jacoby Decker 5’9 G Bossier (Grambling commit)
There is little doubt in my that Decker is capable of getting a bucket any and every time he steps onto the court. He is one of the most impressive bucket getters in the state this year regardless of class. He can score at all three levels, and is a much better finisher around the rim than you would expect from a player of his stature. However, he still has some room to improve as far as facilitating in the offense. I think this season Bossier has a chance to be one of the top teams in the state, if not the top team. However, they only reach their potential with Decker leading the way and making the talent around him even better.
Tra’Michael Moton 6’1 G Woodlawn Shreve
The last time we saw Moton playing, he played one of the best games of his career, but came up just a bucket short from winning the state championship against Carencro. He finished with 31 points, and did one heck of a job defending Carencro’s impressive guards. Tra’Michael is the prototype as far as combo guards go, and does just as good a job getting his teammates involved as he does scoring for himself. Woodlawn Shreve is losing an elite scorer off of last year’s team in Jalen Brooks, so they are going to need Moton to take a step forward this year. If he is able to do that, and lead Woodlawn back to the same heights they reached last season, Moton will definitely be in contention for POY.
De’Antray Hughes 6’5 F Edna Karr
Hughes might be able to earn one of the most coveted awards in Louisiana this season, and that is the highest flyer in the state. He is one of the best athletes in a state that is absolutely loaded with world class athletes. As a result, he has an incredibly high ceiling, but is still adding skills to go along with his elite athleticism. He has definitely gotten better at playing along the perimeter, and has added a solid mid range shot and ball handling ability. Edna Karr always has the potential to contend for a state title, if only for their toughness and consistent defensive ability every season. If Hughes is the best player, and Karr is one of the best teams in 4A, then Hughes has as good a shot of anyone to win POY in 4A.