Point Guards from Marsh Madness: Unsigned Senior Edition
During Marsh Madness, there were many great performances which came from the point guard position. Juniors Reece Beekman and Jalen Cook played remarkably well at the point. There were some seniors who gave their all, as well, during the championships.…
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Continue ReadingDuring Marsh Madness, there were many great performances which came from the point guard position. Juniors Reece Beekman and Jalen Cook played remarkably well at the point. There were some seniors who gave their all, as well, during the championships. Being that many of the senior point guards from Marsh Madness are unsigned, we will look at a few of them and where they might land on the next level.
De’eron Brown / 6’0″ / Rayville
Brown was the fourth senior in the Hornets starting lineup. He provided stability during their wins against Ville Platte and Port Allen by being that person who steadied the ship. De’eron was also the one who made key defensive plays when needed. Brown would pick up opposing guards full court during spells during each game. He would come up with a key steal or layup that would push the lead further. His willingness to pick up the opposing point gave star guard Mylik Wilson rest during various points of the game. Brown can also shoot the outside shot as well. His combination of willingness to defend and timely playmaking will be an asset going forward to a college campus.
Next stop: De’eron would be a good fit at a junior college that will give him a chance to show off his skill set on a nightly basis. I believe he would benefit by getting more reps at that level than he would at a four year institution. He comes from a winning pedigree so he has something to offer programs. If he can get into a situation like that, he will be a desired player when it becomes time to change schools.
Jaron Davis / 5’9″ / Jehovah-Jireh
Jaron was a key cog as the Warriors repeated as Division V state champions. While his stat line was low in reference to points, his steal and assist numbers were championship worthy. Davis caused havoc on the defensive end creating turnovers with his stellar man-to-man defense. During the closing moments of the final, he made his most important plays. His tough defense was an asset to Jehovah-Jireh not just in the final, but during the season. As a point guard, his defense may be the trait that wins him playing time at the next level.
Next stop: Jaron Davis would be a good change of pace point guard duing his initial years at a Division II, Division III, or NAIA program. His ability to change the game defensively is what schools will need. The fact that he has a champion pedigree is nothing to take lightly either. Couple his defense and his background of winning, I believe one of the schools at these levels will take a shot at bringing him in.
Kyron Gibson / 6’0″ / Peabody
Gibson had to be one of the least talked about senior point guards going into Marsh Madness. For someone with his resume’ and had helped lead the Warhorses back to the semifinal, Kyron did not get any of the recognition he probably deserved. That said, he went out and had his usual game of scoring and defending the opposing point guard as he had time and time again. Only this time, Peabody did not come out the victor. What coaches will see during the loss to Wossman is a player who is not afraid of the moment and a point guard who leads through his play. Gibson can score on three levels, defend 1-3, and find the right guy in the offense. He is a true point guard who makes teams better when he plays.
Next stop: Gibson is another point guard that will be an asset to a team from Division II to NAIA. On those levels he might be able to step in and play big minutes as a freshman due to his experience leading Peabody. I would not be surprised if a low DI school swoops in late and brings him in. He has done nothing but win with Peabody and he will bring that with him in his next stop.
Kaleb Jenkins / 5’9″ / Country Day
While Kaleb shined playing off the ball during the Country Day victory in the state championship game, he will more than likely be a point guard at the next level. As he also showed during that game, he can be a threat at that position. Jenkins does not shy away from contact within the lane and has the ability to finish when around the basket. He is cat quick with a great basketball IQ as well so staying in front of him is a full time job for any defender. Jenkins is a point guard who can score. That might be just what a school on the next level needs from a guard his size.
Next stop: Kaleb is another guard who fits into that Division II thorugh NAIA realm. I truly think that one of Division III schools that sees him will bring him in as a change of pace guard. With his basketball IQ, he can play anywhere that will give him a shot. I truly think it will be on the DIII level.
Kobi Johnson / 5’9″ / Thibodaux (pictured above)
Johnson made school history as the point guard of the first Thibodaux Tigers team to win a state championship. He also left an impression as one of the defenders that was able to hold Jalen Cook in check duing he 5A championship. Johnson is a heady, quick guard who makes the opposite number work on defense. He puts pressure on defenses by probing the lane or an area of the floor. This happens all the while he is in command of the ball and where everyone is going. Johnson runs a team but will score if need be. He makes defenses conform to him and the way he plays. Johnson is about as tough as they come on both ends of the floor and could be helpful to a team needing great point guard play.
Next stop: Like the rest of the smaller point guards on this list, he could end up anywhere between Division II and NAIA. With the floor game he had during the 5A championship, I would believe that one of the junior colleges that need a steady point guard will be vying for his services. He can truly be a good one going into a situation like that.
Zakary Kingman / 5’10” / Summerfield
Kingman is a true point guard who has learned to get others the ball in the necessary areas to score. He displayed that during the Class C final against Simpson. The othe trait he showed was an ability to blow past defenders whether on the break or in the half court. He is deceptively quick. Because of that, he is able to get into the lane and make the proper read. Unfortunatley, during the championship game, he got to the rim and missed a few too many layups. Even in a losing performance, one could tell that Kingman can be an asset on the next level.
Next stop: I believe one of the Ark-La-Tex junior colleges or Division III schools will bring him in. He is a local player from a traditional power so he knows how to play and play at a high level. That kind of pedigree can surely help one of the local teams who is in need of building a winning culture in their program.
Kaalas Roots / 6’0″ / Bossier
Fouling out of a game is something Kaalas never does. However, in the 4A championship game, that is what happened. Of the point guards on this list, he is the best defender of the group by far. He defends the opposing point guard most of the time but he can defend the 1-3. Roots has one of the best mid-range games of any point and has expanded his range to the three point line. If you disrespect him and play off of him, he will make that defender pay. While he did not have his typical floor game during the loss to Breaux Bridge, one can tell that he is a solid performer. When the chips are down, this is one player who will fight with his team to the end. That trait can only be personified on the next level. Guys like Roots are needed on college level teams.
Next Stop: I can see a low Division I or a DII team with a winning tradition bringing him into the fold. He has interest from two to three of those type schools right now. I can definitely see him at a DII school that likes to recruit guards from Louisiana. Especially with his defensive prowess, he will be highly sought after.
Guards from Louisiana usually end up turning out well for schools that keep them on their roster. Hopefully we will see these players, and other senior point guards, on college rosters next basketball season.