Summer Review: North Louisiana Top Point Guards (5A & 4A)
The point guard position in north Louisiana is one of the deepest I have seen in awhile. Every classification has a point guard or two that can lead a their team on a deep playoff run. We will take a…
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Continue ReadingThe point guard position in north Louisiana is one of the deepest I have seen in awhile. Every classification has a point guard or two that can lead a their team on a deep playoff run. We will take a look at top point guards from the two highest classifications in Louisiana. Class 5A and class 4A.
Rayshun McCullar / 6’1″ / Huntington High / 2022
McCullar was an enigma during the summer. He participated in the Grambling team camp and other skills camps during the summer but missed many other team camps. There is no denying his talent however. He is a point guard who can take over a game by scoring or distributing the rock. McCullar has a good understanding of what the Raiders try to do offensively and works within the system. He is a complete guard. If you play off, he will bury the jumper. When someone plays tight, he can go by them. McCullar can also hold his own on defense. With the move of Bossier to 3A, Huntington will be one of the favorites to garner a district crown. With McCullar as one of the top point guards in 4A, they have a very good chance to do just that.
Devonte Snow / 6’1″ / Natchitoches Central High / 2020
The Chiefs always have a lead guard who takes on the defensive philosophy of the program while scoring at a high volume. Two years ago it was Brian White (Northwestern St.) and last year it was CJ Carpenter (Blinn). This year, Devonte Snow will be that guard. He is already one of the better man-to-man defenders that 5A has. Now Coach Coleman has given him the green light to score. What I saw this summer was a ultra quick guard who defenders had trouble staying in front of. This penetrating ability was coupled with a more consistent shot from distance. The confidence he exuded carried over to the July grassroots season. With the Louisiana Roundballers, Snow was times a one man fast break. He repeatedly displayed an ability to get to the rim and finish. Look for him to continue this way of play into the new season.
Melvion Flanagan / 5’10” / Peabody High / 2020 (pictured above)
Flanagan has been a steady backup point guard for the past two years for the Warhorses. Playing with and practicing against one of the best point guards in the state (Kyron Gibson) will help your game improve. If the signs from the summer are an indication, Flanagan is ready for the responsibility. I saw him during the AAU state tournament and the 2nd Southwood team camp. He is definitely not afraid to let is go from distance as he has in the past. However, he has a much improved penetration game. Flanagan was able to get into the lane and remain on balance against defenders. This allowed him to find the shooter in the opposite corner for wide open shots. His improved vision and decision making should allow for Peabody to be successful yet again. For their rich heritage, this may mean a 4A state title.
Daniel Ortiz / 6’1″ / Southwood High / 2021
No one was in the gym more than Daniel Ortiz this summer. Whether it was Southwood team camp, a grassroots tournament, elite camp, or late night shooting sessions, Ortiz was there. The work has indeed paid off for him. Ortiz was already know as an adept ball handler and long range shooter. While his jumper consistency improved, he added drawing fouls to his repertoire. The body control Ortiz has with his pro-hop is excellent. He has gotten so good at drawing contact, I would be surprised if he shot less than seven to eight free throws a game. Ortiz has also worked to improve his man-to-man defense. So, while he can punish defenders offensively, he is attempting to stop them defensively. Because of his work, he has picked up one D1 offer. The Cowboys hope he will also be a key piece to a state championship.
Herman Key / 5’10” / Booker T. Washington High (Shreveport) / 2020
Last season, Key was arguably the second best guard in 1-4A. That is how good his season was. This summer, he continued to work on his game. Playing with Louisiana Select, he got a chance to distribute the ball to other all district players which made his load easy in the scoring department. Ironically, that was the part of Key’s game that needed fine tuning. Key can flat out score even though he is not the penetrator that other players on this list are. He scores with his jumper. Key knows how to create separation with his dribble and is money from 17 feet out. He has perfected getting his jumper off against taller players and can score in bunches. In 1-4A’s new configuration, Key will look to lead the Lions back to the playoffs and establish why he is one of the north’s top point guards.
Jordan Sledge / 5’9″ / Ouachita Parish High / 2020
Sledge is a point guard who had an eye-catching summer. At the Prep Hoops Top 250 and various team camps during the summer, he took it to whomever was his opposite number on both ends. He is a streaky three point shooter. When he is hot, there is no cooling him off. Sledge is different from most scorers however. If he makes a bucket, he will turn and pick the opposing guard up fullcourt. Sledge will pick his man up anywhere. Because his defense is impeccable, he creates turnovers on his own. Sledge was the most intense defender I saw this summer. He seems to enjoy playing defense and rebounding more than he likes scoring. During the times I saw Ouachita, he sparked the Lion defense. In his senior season, he and the Lions hope that a third trip to Marsh Madness will result in a championship.
There will be other point guards that step up at Parkway, Benton, Evangel, and Ruston during the season. However, these six are arguable the best point guards 4A and 5A have to offer as we move closer to the 2019-2020 season.