Small School Top 5 (Thanksgiving Edition)
Thanksgiving Week means hoops, hoops, and more hoops going on around the state. With Thanksgiving being the last week in November, it also means that classes B and C have been playing for nearly a month. The top five have…
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Continue ReadingThanksgiving Week means hoops, hoops, and more hoops going on around the state. With Thanksgiving being the last week in November, it also means that classes B and C have been playing for nearly a month. The top five have had some changes as well in that month. After ten games, we will take a look at which schools are apart of the top five in classes B and C.
1. Simsboro Tigers (This season 8-0) (pictured above)
The two-time defending champions have been on a roll to begin the season. They are undefeated with their last two victories coming against the Ruston Bearcats (2-5A) and class C semifinalist Atlanta (4-C). What is probably most impressive about their 8-0 start is that they have won every game by double digits. That includes a 15 point win over LHSAA #1 Doyline. Simsboro has a style of play that puts pressure on players all over the court on offense and defense. Whether it is man-to-man or three quarter court pressure, they turn up the heat. Seniors Jakemin Abney (6’3″) and Kalep Crane (6’1″) are top notch two-way players. They, along with senior Jamarion Cato (6’4″) and junior Braxton Taylor (5’11”) help the Simsboro engine go.
Next game: 12/3 at Family Community
2. Jehovah-Jireh (This season 5-1)
The Warriors have gotten off to their customary start. They ran into a St. Martinville (6-3A) team who has jumped out to a perfect start; however, they bounced back with a win against tournament host White Castle. Jehovah-Jireh is still the head of the class in Division V (per this week’s rankings). John Paul-Ricks (6’0″, 2022) is one of the top floor generals in the state and is one of the unquestioned leaders of this team. In four of their five wins, they have won by 29 or more (points). It is still too early to tell if losing Jaron Davis to graduation will effect them greatly. Business should pick up for them this weekend in reference to scheduling. We will definitely see what they are made of coming up.
Next game: 11/29 versus KIPP Booker T. Washington (at St. Augustine)
3. Doyline Panthers (This season 9-2) (photo cred: JJ Marshall)
When a team has a significant one-two punch on the court, it makes the game easier for everyone. This year’s edition of the Doyline Panthers has just that in Decari Markray (6’4″, 2020) and Jamaria Clark (6’1″, 2023). During this early part of the season, they have been the two best players on the floor the majority of games. That has shown in their record as they have won plenty of close games already. Both players have a willingness to take big shots and are not afraid to step to the free throw line. Their supporting cast is not bad either. Jordan Fuller (6’1″, 2020) can go for double digits any night and their other forwards are solid. Truth be told, they will go only as far as Clark and Markray take them. This season that may just be Lake Charles.
Next game: 12/2 at Cedar Creek
4. Hornbeck Hornets (This season 10-1)
The Hornbeck Hornets are flying high in this early portion of the season (pun intended). They began the season reeling off ten in a row. Hornbeck was hotter than fishgrease. They were cooled off slightly in the Pickering tournament final by a very good Hicks team. Even with that hiccup, they have the ability to runoff another ten in a row with their upcoming schedule. The Hornets best player is Cooper Smith (6’3″). As a senior guard, he can score and distribute with the best. His ability to do multiple things on the floor opens up opportunities for others. Hornbeck has a winning tradition, but they have not been to the state semifinals in the last couple of seasons. If Smith and crew continue to play like this, they may get their this season.
Next game: 12/3 at Converse
5. Pleasant Hill (This season 9-3)
Any team returning their top two scorers, no matter the class, is a tough team to deal with. The Mighty Eagles of Pleasant Hill are one of those teams. Seniors Montonious Burrough (5’11”) and Frederick Ford (6’3″) are the lead returning scorers on this team. They have the ability to control the paint with their rebounding and paint scoring. They have already beaten state runner-ups Zwolle and Summerfield (twice). This team also has the experiene of being in Marsh Madness themselves two consecutive years. So they know what they are doing as well. In order to make another trip to Lake Charles, Burrough and Ford need to continue doing what they are doing. If so, class C champions could be their title at the end of the season.
Next game: 12/3 at C. E. Byrd
Classes B and C new LHSAA polls are out as well. Copy and paste the links below so that you can see the rankings. As the month of December rolls around, we should see more movement by some of these teams due to strength of schedule.
Louisiana class rankings
http://cdn.lhsaa.org/uploads/images/BBB_PR_CLASS_11.26.19.pdf
Louisiana division rankings
http://cdn.lhsaa.org/uploads/images/BBB_PR_DIV_11.26.19.pdf