Gatorade/Mr. Basketball Candidates
As we get closer to the end of the season, individual and team accolades become a focus on top of the playoff push. Two of the most sought after awards in Louisiana are the Gatorade Player of the Year and…
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Continue ReadingAs we get closer to the end of the season, individual and team accolades become a focus on top of the playoff push. Two of the most sought after awards in Louisiana are the Gatorade Player of the Year and LSWA Mr. Basketball awards presented to the state’s most outstanding player (or players). Usually this contest is highly contested. This season might be similar to last. However, there are a few players who can make a case as the season draws closer to the end.
Two Man Race
The Gatorade player of the year and Mr. Basketball in Louisiana will probably come down to two guards, Jalen Cook (6’0″, LSU signee) and Reece Beekman(6’2″, UVA signee) Cook won both awards last year. This year, as an encore in his senior season, he has put up big numbers. A couple of 50 point outings along with multiple 30-plus point games make his numbers look like they are from a video game. Plus, he has hit the 3,000 point mark in his career. Not many reach that number at all.
Beekman is the leader of the #19 team (Scotlandville) in the ESPN national high school rankings. Because he is the leader of this team, Beekman has had to make sacrifices to his game overall. Instead of just running the point, he has had to play on the block more and become an interior defender. His wing span helps with rebounding and defending down low. On the offensive end, Coach Sample has done a good job of running sets that help Beekman maximize his scoring opportunities. His passing and rebounding abilities are a major plus while Scotlandville pushes for their 3-peat.
Others to Consider
There are a few other players to consider for Louisiana’s player of the year awards. These players might not win but they will probably get some votes of consideration when the time comes.
Derrick Tezeno (6’4″, 2021) – Tezeno will more than likely be the 1A outstanding player when the season is done. He is one of the more explosive players in Louisiana but has an all-around game to go with it. Winning another state title will go a long way in him receiving consideration for Gatorade POY or Mr. Basketball. Honestly, he is likely a year away from being considered heavily for either crown.
Devonte Snow (6’2, 2020) – Natchitoches Central has had a host of players who should have gotten consideration for Mr. Basketball or Gatorade POY. Devonte Snow is the latest in that line. He is one of the top guards Louisiana has and plays both ends of the floor with tenacity. Snow has put up some numbers and is the main cog in this Chiefs team being #1 in class 5A. If he, and his team, wind up beating a team like Walker on route to a state championship, that will probably be the only way he gets strong consideration.
Cody Deen (5’9″, 2020) – Deen is the best shooting point guard in the state. He also happens to be a member of the only Louisiana team to defeat Scotlandville this season. Deen has not gone off for big point like Cook or even Snow for that matter. He has conducted this Bossier train looking to get back to another title game, however. Deen scores in bunches when the team needs him and then closes it out late with his ball handling skills. Winning a 3A title, and being the only team to beat Scotlandville, will be enough to give him consideration. Winning is a different thing totally.
These are the players that I think have the best chances of winning the coveted Gatorade POY and/or Mr. Basketball in Louisiana. Other players like Chanse Robinson (6’0″, Buffalo signee), Kalep Crane (6’1″, Simsboro), and Collin Holloway (6’6″, Port Allen) will be dark horses in this battle. Their teams’ success will play a large role into them being considered. When it is all said and done, the two at the top will battle it out for one, or both, awards.