Southwood Team Camp – All Camp Team
This week Southwood High School held day one of their three week series of one day team camps. The goal of Cowboy coach Eddie Hamilton was to have matchups not normally seen during the summer. He completed this goal with…
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Continue ReadingThis week Southwood High School held day one of their three week series of one day team camps. The goal of Cowboy coach Eddie Hamilton was to have matchups not normally seen during the summer. He completed this goal with well played games from his team and participants New Iberia, Zachary, Captain Shreve, Huntington, and Lakeview. In this article, we will name the twelve players we believe impressed during the day at the camp.
First Team
John Mitchell (6’4″ Jr. Captain Shreve)
Darian Ward (6’5″ Sr. Zachary)
JaQuan Latula (5’9″ Sr. New Iberia)
Kenny Hunter (6’9″ Sr. Huntington)
Ty Washington (5’10” Sr. Lakeview)
Christian Caldwell (6’6″ Sr. Southwood)
Each player on this first team was consistent on both ends of the floor all day. Whether it was scoring, rebounding, or defending, they did it all. Host school Southwood was led by the play of Christian Caldwell. With both Cowboy post players injured, he battled the bigs from the opposing teams and did a good job. Caldwell worked on his point forward skills and often rebounded the ball and began the offense. Many plays ended with him finishing above the rim.
Huntington post Kenny Hunter had a similar day. Hunter was dominate on both backboards in the rebound department while blocking double digit shots on the day. He also scored in double figures in all three games. Ty Washington was a major disruption on the defensive end of the floor for Lakeview. He caused several turnovers and had quite a few uncontested layups due to his defense. Even though the Gators went 0-3 during the day, his defense was a key reason why they were able to compete in each contest.
After a slow start to the day, Darian Ward came on strong during his last two games. Not that he did not score in the first game, it is that he really put in work against the last two opponents. His inside-outside game left defenders off kilter all day. Whether it was from the mid-range jumpers or his work closer in, Ward put the ball in the basket. John Mitchell carried Captain Shreve during parts of Tuesday’s play. He was the top assist guy and scorer in their victory over Huntington. Against Zachary, he scored 22 second half points and almost help pull off the comeback win. His guard skills and 6’4″ frame make him a very difficult player to guard.
Rounding out the top six would be one of the best shooters I have seen in the state. JaQuan Latula might be 5’9″, but he shoots the ball like a big time guard. Latula had a total 16 threes during the course of three games during the day. He has a quick release and does not hesitate to shoot. Latula is also one of the better players using screens to get open. As far as shooters are, he has to be at the top of the list going into next season.
Second Team
Kendal Coleman (6’7″ Sr. Captain Shreve)
Dylan Jackson (5’9″ Sr. Zachary)
Michael Aikens (6’2″ Jr. New Iberia)
Damarion Carter (5’7″ Fr. Huntington)
Nate Braden (5’10” Sr. Lakeview)
Daniel Ortiz (6’0″ Jr. Southwood) – pictured
The second team is filled with three of the better small guards that we have playing in Louisiana. Dylan Jackson is a floor general who scraps on both ends. He can also drain the three with the best of them when he is given room. Daniel Ortiz is as smooth and as solid as it comes. He can rock a person to sleep with his crossover pull up or play bully ball and drive into the lane. Ortiz can finish with either hand whih makes him pretty deadly. Nate Braden got to play in the shadows of a senior led team at Lakeview. This year he is one of those seniors and he is high energy personified. He is a lefty who can shoot from deep, drive left or right, and rebound. During the day, these three guards stuffed the stat sheet with their repertoire.
The smallest guard on the floor, Damarion Carter, was the guard who probably filled in for Rayshun McCullers the best on Tuesday. He broke down the defense when needed as well as made timely shots. His ability to get in and out of traffic was very mature for a small, young guard. Carter definitely made a difference in how Huntington played when he was on the floor.
New Iberia’s Michael Aikens was outsized by most of the post players he played against on Tuesday. That did not stop him from banging with them and rebounding his position. He also scored around the basket on various sets and rebound putbacks. Kendal Coleman dominated the paint at times. He blocked or altered numerous shots while scoring with his 13 foot jumper. Coleman also was able to finish many alley-oop passes from fellow teammates as well. While he was made to work for most of his buckets, Coleman still displayed the ability to be a low post anchor when given the chance.
These players will continue to play and improve as the opportunities continue as the June rolls on. Southwood will host day 2 of their one day camps on Tuesday, June 18th at LSU-Shreveport. Guest will include Calvary Baptist, Peabody, Davi Thibodeaux, and others.