Class 4A: Who should be All-State?
Class 4A was one of the more hotly contested classes in Louisiana. Talent was spread out amongst the state; so, compiling an All-State team may be difficult. Even with the talent peppered across that state, I will take a look…
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Continue ReadingClass 4A was one of the more hotly contested classes in Louisiana. Talent was spread out amongst the state; so, compiling an All-State team may be difficult. Even with the talent peppered across that state, I will take a look at underclassmen, juniors, and signed (or unsigned) seniors I think will encompass the 2020 All-State team in 4A.
Deandre Hypolite / 6’4″ / 2020 / Breaux Bridge (Unsigned senior)
During Marsh Madness, Hypolite reminded watchers how versatile he can be on the hardwood. He can rebound, score, and dish the rock. At 6’4″, he is a matchup nightmare for most teams because they can not really guard him. He also averaged a double-double for the 2nd best team in 4A. There should a spot on the 1st team with his name on it. (Prediction – 1st team selection)
Carter Domingue Carter Domingue 6'3" | PG St. Thomas More | 2021 State LA / 6’3″ / 2021 / St. Thomas More
Domingue is arguably the best shooter in 4A. He is also the top assist guy and part of the potent, 1-2 punch STM has. Being a three time state champion who performs well under pressure does not hurt either. Carter has a resume’ and the game to be a first team selection. It will be a close call though. (Prediction – 2nd team selection)
Rayshun McCullar Rayshun McCullar 6'1" | PG Huntington | 2022 State LA / 6’1″ / 2022 / Huntington
There is no question that McCullar is one of the best guards the Boot has to offer. When he is on the floor for the Raiders, the team runs a little more efficiently. In a case when the possession breaks down, McCullar can go get his own shot. His team spent a large portion of the season at #2 and he was a district 1-4A selection. I do not know if that spells first team, but it is a good resume to have. (Prediction – 2nd team selection)
Melvion Flanagan / 5’10” / 2020 / Peabody (Unsigned senior)
Rankings have done this young man justice. When the lights come on, Flanagan has consistently been one of the best (if not the best) players on the floor. Peabody reintroduced themselves to class 4A this season and Flanagan led the charge. His title game, 31 point performance was the icing on the cake to the season for him and the Warhorses. He might have played his way into 4A Player of the year also. (Prediction – 1st team selection)
Delatrion Moton Delatrion Moton 6'4" | CG Woodlawn-Shreve | 2021 State LA / 6’4″ / 2021 / Woodlawn-Shreveport
Moton probably began the season not in the best basketball shape coming from the football field. By the end of the season, he was the Knights go-to-guy at the end of games. His basketball IQ is off the charts and his willingness to be “that guy” at the end of games is what stands out the most about Moton. Being 1st team 1-4A and making it to Lake Charles helps too. If he is not first team, it will be because someone has better numbers. (Prediction – 2nd team selection)
Darrell Washington Darrell Washington 6'8" | C Lagrange | 2020 State LA / 6’8″ / 2020 / Lagrange (Unsigned senior)
Washington is one of the more dominant centers in south Louisiana. He is a load in the paint and can score from the block with consistency. His team might have lost in the first round but he left and impression on the Raiders that night. Washington was an honorable mention all state member last year in 5A. I think he makes one of the top two teams this year in 4A. (Prediction – 2nd team selection)
Kenny Hunter Kenny Hunter 6'10" | C Huntington | 2020 State LA / 6’8″ / 2020 / Huntington
The Louisiana Tech signee had a very good year. Hunter was the inside anchor for the Raiders as they sat at #2 for most of the season. It seemed like he played his best in the biggest games. Prior to this year, people felt that he shrunk in big games. Hunter proved those people wrong as he was named an LHSCA all star and 1-4A MVP. A first team nod would tie a nice bow on his senior campaign. (Prediction – 1st team selection)
Jaden Shelvin Jaden Shelvin 6'2" | CG St. Thomas More | 2021 State LA / 6’2″ / 2021 / St. Thomas More
Shelvin was a state titlist and an LSWA 1st team selection in 2019. So, what has he done for an encore in 2020? Practically the same thing is what. He helped St. Thomas More claimed their third straight title by draining the game winning free throws. Being the top player on one of the best teams in 4A, a repeat 1st team selection is definitely in his future. (Prediction – 1st team selection) (pictured above)
Jaden Tyler Jaden Tyler 6'0" | CG Assumption | 2021 State LA / 6’0″ / 2021 / Assumption
Just like the Jaden before him, Tyler practically mirrored his sophomore season. He was named district MVP and led his team to the #4 ranking in 4A ahead of the playoffs. Unfortunately a hot Cecilia team derailed the title hopes of his team. Tyler became more of a leader while carrying the burden of scoring. 2nd team last year. I think 1st team this year. (Prediction – 1st team selection)
Herman Key Herman Key 5'11" | PG BTW-Shreveport | 2020 State LA / 5’10” / 2020 / BTW-Shreveport (Unsigned senior)
Key stated in a tweet that he scored less and got his teammates involved more. What resulted was a better district finish and a first round playoff win. Key can still score when he wants to. However, his maturity as a point guard is what has impressed me more. While Key may sneak onto the 2nd team, there are a lot of talented guards in 4A. I would not be surprised if he got the same recognition as he did on last year. (Prediction – Honorable mention)
Dionjahe Thomas Dionjahe Thomas 6'8" | PF Ellender | 2022 TX / 6’8″ / 2021 / Ellender
A coach said to me earlier this year that “the kid from Ellender is the real deal.” When I looked at him on film, I realized that the coach was not joking. Thomas attacks the rim with a ferociousness. He does have a soft touch which allows him to shoot the ball from outside and to finish around the basket. While he is a force around the basket, I see a repeat of last year for him. (Prediction – 2nd team selection)
Marcus Jones Marcus Jones 6'3" | SG Peabody | 2020 State LA / 6’3″ / 2020 / Peabody (Unsigned senior)
Jones missed the majority of last season with a back injury which cost him to miss out on another chance to play in Marsh Madness. He fought his way back and once again claimed his crown as the top defender on the Warhorse team. He also returned to be a high level scorer along with having his defensive responsibilities. Even with those increases, and a state title to boot, I do not see a first or second team nod in his immediate future. (Prediction – Honorable Mention)
Other notables in class 4A that may compete for :
Jamond Vincent Jamond Vincent 6'2" | SG Landry-Walker | 2021 State LA (Landry-Walker); Michael Pajeaud (Carver), Michael Pryor Michael Pryor 6'5" | PF Woodlawn-Shreve | 2020 State LA (Woodlawn-Shreveport); Dorian Finister Dorian Finister 6'5" | CG Carver | 2022 State #173 Nation LA (Carver); Joe Charles (Carencro), Jamaar Moore Jamaar Moore 6'1" | CG Washington-Marion | 2021 State LA (Washington-Marion), Bennie Amos Bennie Amos 6'0" | CG Landry-Walker | 2021 State LA (Landry-Walker)
4A 1st Team (Projected)
Melvion Flanagan (Peabody), Deandre Hypolite (Breaux Bridge), Jaden Tyler Jaden Tyler 6'0" | CG Assumption | 2021 State LA (Assumption), Jaden Shelvin Jaden Shelvin 6'2" | CG St. Thomas More | 2021 State LA (St. Thomas More), Kenny Hunter Kenny Hunter 6'10" | C Huntington | 2020 State LA (Huntington)
4A 2nd Team (Projected)
Rayshun McCullar Rayshun McCullar 6'1" | PG Huntington | 2022 State LA (Huntington), Carter Domingue Carter Domingue 6'3" | PG St. Thomas More | 2021 State LA (St. Thomas More), Delatrion Moton Delatrion Moton 6'4" | CG Woodlawn-Shreve | 2021 State LA (Woodlawn-Shreveport), Darrell Washington Darrell Washington 6'8" | C Lagrange | 2020 State LA (Lagrange), Dionjahe Thomas Dionjahe Thomas 6'8" | PF Ellender | 2022 TX (Ellender)