The Starting 5: Week One Edition
As a former AAU coach, sometimes I say “I wish I could coach that kid.” Going from gym to gym during the season, one can imagine how often that is said. So, to highlight those instances, instead of naming a…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAs a former AAU coach, sometimes I say “I wish I could coach that kid.” Going from gym to gym during the season, one can imagine how often that is said. So, to highlight those instances, instead of naming a player of the week, I will be naming a starting 5. In this first edition, we will shine a light on the five players from week one who epitomized what we think of when we hear the term “starting 5.”
Cody Deen / 5’9″ / Bossier / 2020
Deen made his debut as Bossier Bearkat point guard this week with two fantastic performances. He opened the season with a 21 point performance against a high-powered Southwood team. Then Deen followed it with a 22 point output against Captain Shreve. In both games, he controlled the tempo. Deen broke down opposing defenders with his craftiness and ball handling while dropping dime after dime to his teammates. He also displayed his shooting range by hitting several international line threes. I could not think of a better introduction to the season for a point guard. Deen is one of the elite point guards in the state and looks on pace to prove it all season.
Tim King / 5’11” / Bossier / 2020
Week one, King was a player who showed guts, determination, and the ability to knockdown an open jumper. He and Deen create one of the best backcourts in the state. However, this week, he showed that he can play at a higher level. King scored 17 points in the season opener off corner threes and baseline drives. In the fourth quarter when Bossier pulled away, he gutted through cramping to defend the Southwood guards to the end. A guard like that is someone a coach needs on their team. To finish the week, King made four treys and was the catalyst in a second quarter run that broke the Captain Shreve Gators backs. His shooting, skill, and guts earned him a spot in the starting five this week.
Daniel Ortiz / 6’0″ / Southwood / 2021
Ortiz begins this season as one of the players to watch in northwest Louisiana. This week, he got off to a hot start. Against one of the best teams in the state (the Bossier Bearkats), he scored 17 points before leaving the game due to a gash over his eye. In those three quarters, he drew fouls with his driving ability. He also displayed the ability to catch and shoot behind the arc as well as shoot threes off the dribble. Later in the week, he led the team in scoring against Loyola. Ortiz can score and distribute with the best. This week, he proved that he can bounce back from adversity. Ortiz also showed that he is just as effective on the wing as he is with the ball in his hand. Definitely starting five material.
Otis Smith / 6’2″ / Bossier / 2020
Smith has been the defender that takes on the oppositions top offensive threat from last season until now. He spent this week guarding players like John Mitchell and Daniel Ortiz on the perimeter. Smith played great help defense in both games and had blocks and steals to create extra Bossier possessions. His 11 point defensive effort against Southwood displayed his ability to play on both ends. Against Captain Shreve, Smith flipped the switch on his scoring. He and Tim King took over the 2nd quarter with their scoring. He had a steal and dunk and two threes to spark his team to victory. In both games, Smith played well on both ends of the floor. He is definitely worthy of being on the starting five.
Decari Markray / 6’4″ / Doyline / 2020 (pictured above)
Markray is a walking double-double and he proved it this week at the Don Stahl tournament. From their first game against Homer until the championship game versus Lakeside, he was the most dominant force in the paint. His first two games were 25 and 27 point efforts with double digit rebounds in each. It was not just his scoring from the interior, he took players off the dribble, shot floaters, and pulled treys from deep. He is one of the best all around players that I have seen around the state. His ability to play inside and out makes him a threat anywhere on the floor. Couple those skills with his ability to rebound, Markray is a hard guard for anyone. Winning the tournament MVP only sealed him being in the starting five this week.
Week two should provide a lot of prospects with holiday classics going on at Natchitoches Central, Lakeview, and Booker T. Washington (Shreveport). The Thanksgiving weekend classics should be good as well. I know I will be in a gym or two to see who deserves to be part of next week’s “starting 5.”