Summer League Sharpshooters
The northeast portion of the state got their summer league going on Tuesday with a six game sleight. All teams participating in this summer league were playoff teams last year so the competition should be high quality. While northeast Louisiana…
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Continue ReadingThe northeast portion of the state got their summer league going on Tuesday with a six game sleight. All teams participating in this summer league were playoff teams last year so the competition should be high quality. While northeast Louisiana is just starting, the Bossier Summer League is in its second week. After observing both, their are some shooters in both leagues who can scortch the nets from deep. In this latest PH article, we will take a look at some of the sharpshooters from three who have played in both.
Jordan Sledge / 5’9″ / Ouachita Parish High / 2020
As a junior, Jordan Sledge was a role player on the Ouachita team that lost in the semifinals to Walker. Now, as a senior, it appears that Sledge is primed and ready to take on a heavy scoring load for the Lions. From the looks of it, he will be known as a three point marksman. Every three that Sledge attempted against Southwood either went in or rimmed out. Sledge was practially automatic from all areas behind the arc. He has a very quick release and does not need much room to get his shot off. Coupled with his shooting ability is his quick first step. If he is the primary ballhandler for the Lions, watch for him to play the role Paul King played last year. One thing is for certain. When he is on the floor, he will be a threat from the three point line.
Marquarius Johnson / 5’9″ / Southwood High / 2022
The Cowboys had a rough go of it playing in Richwood. One of the bright spots was the shooting of sophomore guard Marquarius Johnson. He filled in for starting guard Daniel Ortiz and played quite well. Shooting from three was something he did especially well making four three pointers. Johnson was able to hit most of those jumpers off the catch. While his release could be quicker, his form is pretty good. His shots were on balance and hit nothing but the bottom of the net. Good thing for Johnson is that he is not a one trick pony. He can get into the lane and has a bevy of moves to get him to the rim. With his ability to knock down the three, he will be an asset to the Cowboys this season. Outside of Daniel Ortiz, Johnson will probably need to make quite a few from deep.
Patrick McCraney / 5’10” / Neville High / 2022
Towards the end of last season I began hearing about the freshman who led Neville in scoring. Fast forward to Tuesday and I got a chance to see him first hand. From what I saw, McCraney can absolutely stroke it. For a younger guard, McCraney has the basketball sense of an older player. When a guard is crowding him, he dribbles to create space. If that defender is playing hands up expecting him to drive, they are toast. McCraney has range out to 24 feet legitimately. He makes guards pay when they are not defending him close. I will say this. If McCraney shoots the ball like he shot it on Tuesday, he will lead the Tigers in scoring again.
Cody Deen (5’9″), Tim King (6’0″), & Otis Smith (6’2″) / Bossier High / 2020
I have not seen a trio of players who, at any given time, can shoot the lights out like these three in awhile. These guards are going to carry on the Bearkat tradition this year of having plenty of scoring punch. Deen is the leader of the group. He has a jumper that is flawless forms where every jumper he shoots looks like it is going in. King is deadly from the corner three. He has a quick release also so with any hint of daylight he is knocking it down. Smith might be the streaky shooter but when he is on the defense has to account for him. All of them have the ability to put the ball on the deck as well which makes these three as dangerous as they come. Class 3A will have their hands full with this crew this coming season.
Martin McDowell / 5’10” / Calvary Baptist Academy / 2022
McDowell is about as pure of a shooter as it gets. While he can handle the ball, his shooting ability is what sets him apart. He is very quick when it comes to setting his feet whether spotting up or coming off a screen. If he receives the pass in his shooting pocket, it is pretty much a done deal. His motion is seamless and effortless. While he does not shoot a lot of threes deep behind the line, a person can see that he has the ability to. McDowell can fill up a stat sheet quickly from behind the arc. Look for McDowell to continue his sharp shooting when Calvary continues summer league and team camp play.
There are plenty of sharpshooters around the state of Louisiana. Look for these sharpshooters, and others, during the month of June is when they play in a summer league or team camp nearby.