Players to Watch: Class of 2021 Wings & Forwards
During the 2018-2019 season, many players stepped up to the forefront and made a name for themselves. While the prep stars of the 2019 class are about to graduate, prep stars of the next classes are moving more to the…
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Continue ReadingDuring the 2018-2019 season, many players stepped up to the forefront and made a name for themselves. While the prep stars of the 2019 class are about to graduate, prep stars of the next classes are moving more to the forefront. The 2021 class is has many players who are prepared to make that jump into prep stars. In this edition of Players to Watch, we will take a look at some of the names to know at the wing/forward position in the class of 2021.
Joseph Charles / 6’8″ / Carencro
Charles is one of the best inside-outside threats in the state of Louisiana. Even though he is only a sophomore, he can make the mid-range jumper with ease and knock down a three ball when his stroke is going well. Charles can run lanes on the break with the best of them and finishes everything around the rim. On both backboards he is a rebounding machine. He also has an improved handle that makes him a hard guard for the defense. Charles does many things well on the court to say the least. As he continues to get stronger, his potential for the next level will be limitless.
Tyrese Johnson / 6’5″ / KIPP Booker T. Washington
Johnson had a good season for the Lions leading them in scoring. However, his coming out party was his semifinal effort against Delhi during Marsh Madness. His performance against the frontline of Delhi announced that this 6’5″ stud can be a force on the floor. He goobled up rebounds (12) and scored 14 points in route to a double-double. The longer and super athletic Bears frontline could not handle the effort and talent of Johnson. That is what Tyrese brings to the table. He has a workman-like mentality and he exudes it while on the floor. Johnson is hard to keep off the glass. KIPP does not run many sets for him. When he does get the ball, he does something positive with it. Look for Tyrese to come back strong this season and continuing to be a scoring and rebounding force around the rim.
Delatrion “Fat Joe” Moton / 6’4″ / Woodlawn-Shreveport
When it comes to multidimensional players, Delatrion Moton definitely comes to mind. Whatever the Knights have needed him to do over his first two years, he has done. Whether it is rebounding, posting up, shooting the trey, or running the offense, Moton has given all of them a shot. Needless to say he has done well in every capacity. Next year will be different because it will be the first time in his varsity career that he may play more on the ball than off. He should be comfortable with that being a point most of his years before playing with his brother. With the Knights fortunes intermingled with how he plays, look for “Fat Joe” to take the reigns his brother left and propel them to similar heights. A player of his caliber can beat a team in many ways. Look for him to do just that.
Kashie Natt / 6’1″ / Rayville
Natt was a player who came out of nowhere late in the season. This young man played the second semester for the Rayville Hornets and quickly moved into the starting lineup. He added more versatility to a Hornets lineup that already possessed three of the most versatile players on any level in the Wilsons. Natt provided extra ballhanding and scoring down the stretch for Rayville. He is able to take defenders, short or tall, to the basket and finish. Kashie falls in the mode of the Wilson trio as a player who can do everything on the floor. As a defender, he does need to work on staying in front of wing defenders and boxing out. Even with those knocks on his resume’, he is still a player who should help Rayville transition well after their back to back championships.
Thomas Parrie / 6’5″ / Zwolle
In the bright lights of the class B championship game, Thomas Parrie emerged as a player who makes a difference on the floor. Parrie is a legitimate threat under the boards on both ends. He is active around the rim and can score with his back to the basket. Probably the best attribute about Parrie is that he can play defense without fouling. It is funny that I am saying that about him considering he fouled out of this game. However, he knows when to help and plays defense with great positioning. Parrie is an energy player who makes his presence known. Look for Parrie to make strides offensively as he matures physcially. When his offense catches his defense, watch out for this kid going forward.
Derrick Tezeno / 6’3″ / North Central
With the versatility Tezeno possesses, he may end up the top player in the 2021 class. He is really that good. Already a more than adequate rebounder, Tezeno is like a point forward for his team. Tezeno can grab a defensive rebound and take it coast-to-coast. Not only can he finish, he can finish with a rim-rocking dunk. Derrick also reads passing lanes well and can break on the ball like a smaller guard. His combination of rebounding and scoring is unrivaled in 1A. Truthfully, not many on the high school scene can perform on both ends as he can. He was named the MOP of the 1A championship game and his stat line shows than he is definitely a top player of the 2021 class.
Brian Thomas / 6’4″ / Walker (picture above)
A Most outstanding player nod in his freshman season and two state championship appearances have Brian Thomas at the top of the player list of 2021. If his team had won the 5A title this year, he would have probably been names MOP again. Thomas is a streaky and explosive scorer who has the athleticism to score on (or over) anyone. He has improved his long range shooting and become a dynamic inside-outside threat. His leaping ability sets him apart from most. Thomas is super strong and finishes through contact with dunks or layups. Brian is a flat out stud and his recruitment shows it. He is becoming a multi-star wide receiver and wing player at the same time. With another good run left in them, look for Thomas to help lead Walker to another championship game.
The class of 2021 wings and forwards is truly interesting. Look for these players to lead their teams, next season, in a variety of ways. When it is all said and done, they should be players we talk about along with the other greats in the state.