2023 Names to Remember
The freshman class in Louisiana made its mark during the season. Some made impacts on championship teams while others just had great individual seasons. In this edition, we will take a look at names to remember in the 2023 class…
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Continue ReadingThe freshman class in Louisiana made its mark during the season. Some made impacts on championship teams while others just had great individual seasons. In this edition, we will take a look at names to remember in the 2023 class as we head towards the summer.
Lakavin Thomas Lakavin Thomas 6'0" | CG Bossier | 2023 State LA | 6’0″ | Bossier
Thomas started the season as a role player for the Bearkats and moved into the rotation early in tournament season. The more he played in important games, the more his confidence grew. By the end of the season, he was a spot starter and key cog in a 3A championship run. Thomas attacks the rim like an upperclassman. While his outside shot was not consistent this year, it is only a matter of time. He will assume Bossier point guard duties next year. These are big shoes to fill but he seems quite capable to do so. (pictured above)
Frederick Payne | 6’1″ | Lincoln Prep
Payne was the second leading scorer on a Lincoln Prep team who ended as the 1A state runner up. While this was his freshman year, he proved that he can be a capable scorer on the varsity level. He has a sweet outside jumper and a quick first step to the rack. Payne is also a lefty, so he keeps defenders off balance. Next season, Payne will be the primary scorer for the Panthers and will be the focal point of defenses. I am sure Coach Hudson will be prepared to put Payne in the best positions possible.
Chris Lockett Chris Lockett 6'5" | CG Isidore Newman | 2023 State #180 Nation LA | 6’5″ | Isidore Newman
Lockett, in all honesty, is probably the most talented freshman in the 2023 class. For an underclassman, he has one of the more advanced floor games on the prep scene. Lockett has the ability to handle like a guard and he understands nuances of the game like how to use leverage and height to his advantage. He has a little cockiness and knows he can score on practially anyone. Lockett will be teamed with Javon Ruffin Javon Ruffin 6'5" | CG Phhoenix Prep | 2021 State #239 Nation AZ for one more season. Hopefully next year will be their time to produce a championship for Newman.
Jamaria Clark Jamaria Clark 6'2" | CG Doyline | 2023 State LA | 6’1″ | Doyline
Clark was part of a dynamic duo, with Decari Markray Decari Markray 6'3" | CG Doyline | 2020 State LA , that brought a state title back to Doyline this season. He was called the “best freshman in the state” by his coach and some think he is right. Clark can handle the rock like a true point guard and shoot it from deep like a true two. He has some deep range and plays with a savvy way beyond his years. Moving into this summer and beyond, he will be the Panthers primary option. I am sure he is up to the challenge and is looking forward to the opportunity.
Juvian Keys Juvian Keys 6'2" | SG Wossman | 2023 State LA | 6’1″ | Neville
For the second year in a row, the Neville Tigers have had an impact freshman on their team. While Patrick McCraney Patrick McCraney 6'2" | CG Neville | 2022 State LA was a major factor on offense last year, Juvian Keys Juvian Keys 6'2" | SG Wossman | 2023 State LA was about the same on defense this year. In just his first season, Keys made significant plays on the defensive end. He has a great ability to interfere in passing lanes and a gift for turning turnovers into points. Look for Keys to improve offensively while still giving the Tigers his stellar defense.
Omarion Layssard Omarion Layssard 6'2" | SG Northwood | 2023 State LA | 6’2″ | Northwood-Lena
Layssard is probably the most explosive player of the 2023 class to date. His rim-rocking dunks have been on social media all season. Layssard is more than just dunks in the open floor. He has shown the ability to attack the lane with fierceness and finishes with regularity. As a freshman, he has even shown the ability to knockdown the outside shot. Layssard will be a focal point in the Northwood-Lena offense and should take them to new heights next season.
Tyler Ringgold Tyler Ringgold 6'7" | SF Legacy Early College | 2023 State SC | 6’5″ | Southern Lab
Tyler is a versatile freshman who can do several things on the offensive end. He can play off the ball on the wing or post smaller players. If that does not work, Ringgold will float into traffic and go get the ball off the glass to finish. His is truly a nightmare on offense because he is dangerous wtih or without the ball. Look for him to handle the ball more as he may handle the ball more as well next season. Ringgold is truly an all-around talent.
Demarcus Singleton Demarcus Singleton 5'10" | CG Thibodaux | 2023 State LA | 5’10” | H.L. Bourgeois
The freshman football star/shooting guard for H.L. Bourgeois is going to be a handful during his high school career. Singleton already has elite level quickness to go along with hands that are strong and quick. He is a defensive nightmare plus he can score. Singleton scored double digits to help Bourgeois make the quarterfinals beating #1 seen Natchitoches Central. Next year, Singleton will more than like assume the point guard duties. If he plays as well as he did this year, watch out.
There are other highly-touted freshman like Corey Skillman Corey Skillman 6'4" | SG Brother Martin | 2023 TX (Brother Martin), Chris Carpenter Chris Carpenter 5'9" | PG Huntington | 2023 State LA (Woodlawn-Shreveport), and Eric Washington (Delhi) that will be super sophomores going into next season. The names mentioned in this article, however, will be big contributors or possible district MVPs next year. Check out the released watch list for 2023 and see if one of the freshman in your area is expected to be one of the freshmen to watch.
Freshman Watch List
Louisiana 2023 Rankings