Bossier Summer League Top Performers
The first night of the Bossier Summer League produced some good basketball action. The last three contest of the night were especially top notch. In those three games, Woodlawn, Longview (TX), and Bossier previewed why they are top teams in…
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Continue ReadingThe first night of the Bossier Summer League produced some good basketball action. The last three contest of the night were especially top notch. In those three games, Woodlawn, Longview (TX), and Bossier previewed why they are top teams in their prospective classes. Each school also produced top performers from the initial night’s action at Bossier.
Delatrion Moton / 6’4″ / Woodlawn-Shreveport / 2021 / Wing
The top performer of the night was Delatrion Moton. He put on a display offensively that was not rivaled by another player. Moton showed off a varied offensive game that not many players across the state possess. After starting off slowly with missing his first six shots, he drained a three. That shot seemed to get him going. Once that jumper went, Moton began to probe the lane and find shooters as well as shoot his newly developed floater. If that was not enough, he took guards and bigs off the dribble with a quick first step to his right. There was a three minute stretch in the 2nd half against Bossier where he really appeared unstoppable. Moton also crashed the boards and helped Knight forwards rebound. I will stop short of saying he was dominate. However, he was pretty close.
Cody Deen / 5’9″ / Bossier / 2020 / Guard
When the jumper left his hand with the final seconds ticking off, everyone in the gym thought it was going in. Cody Deen might have missed that three point attempt on Monday night; however, he did not miss much else. Deen was virtually flawless from deep with many of his jumpers not touching the rim. With Deen running the offense this year for the Bearkats, there should be just as many threes flying from the perimeter as in the past. Jacoby Decker is a hard act to follow but I can see Deen fitting into that role nicely. Playing point he past two summers on the EYBL circuit and improvements to his upper body should have Deen more than ready. Lastly, he is a shooter who can finish at the rim so he will be shooting plenty of free throws. He is definitely a top performer.
D’ante Bell / 6’8″ / Bossier / 2020 / Forward
For four years D’ante Bell has been an integral part of the Bossier offense. He will also be this year. If Monday night was a preview, the city (and more importantly class 3A) may be in trouble. Bell still possesses his defensive chops and blocks almost anything around the rim. The Bell that played against Woodlawn displayed an improved handle and was able to draw and kick to shooters if he could not get all the way to the rim. He also had a thunderous dunk off the dribble which got the crowd at Bossier off their feet. Which, again, came off the dribble. His activity on the backboard was impressive also. Bell was definitely an offensive force and an even bigger defensive presence. If he maintains that, Bossier will be the force that they normally are the summer and into the season.
Malik Henry / 6’8″ / Longview / 2020 / Forward
While Bell was dynamic, Malik Henry for the Lobos was a notch above. Henry had several rolls to the basket that ended up in him punishing the rim. He is an intimidating presence on defense as well. Several attempts were deflected, blocked, or altered. Henry also has another level of athleticism as he went up to catch a couple of alley-oops off of decent offensive sets. At 6’9″, he is even trying to expand his game shooting mid-range jumpers and even a three. However, make no mistake his money is made around the basket. Henry has soft hands, rebounds the ball solidly, and can finish at the rim. He may be under the radar as far as rankings in Texas. Consequently, he showed he can play against some of best in Louisiana on day one.
Michael Jones / 6’6″ / Woodlawn-Shreveport / 2020 / Forward
One player who had a good night was Mike Jones. He played post against two of the top bigs in north Louisiana and north Texas and faired well. Jones was able to face up and shoot a jumper from the free throw line in. He was very successful all night making them. This expansion in his game help him play in the Knight five out offense. If he was not accounted for, he definitely made the defense pay for it. Jones caught several rebounds off the rim for dunks. He was also effective rebounding and blocking shots as well. Even though the before-mentioned bigs are more notable than he, Jones held his own. If Jones continues to expand his game and give Woodlawn-Shreveport anothe option, he may make this team really tough to beat.
Bossier will have day two of their summer league on Thursday. Look for these players, and other prep stars from the surrounding 100 mile radius, to get some action in this Thursdays and during the rest of June. If the action is like it was on Monday night, we will be talking about many top performers from the Bossier summer league.