Who’s New in the Class of 2022 (Rankings that is)
The class of 2022 had the first rankings of the new school year released this week. While there was a shift in the rankings of some of the 80-plus that were there before, new players were added to the list.…
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Continue ReadingThe class of 2022 had the first rankings of the new school year released this week. While there was a shift in the rankings of some of the 80-plus that were there before, new players were added to the list. We will take a look at seven of the newbies in this article. These seven will probably be impact players from now into graduation.
(#19) Jalen Bolden Jalen Bolden 6'5" | SG Zachary | 2022 State LA / 6’4″ / Zachary / G-W
The Zachary rising junior is one of the more versatile players added to the rankings. Bolden is a three level scorer who is an above average rebounder. He has the ability to facilitate and has a innate ability to make the right play when it needs to be made. On the grassroots scene, his defensive play picked up as well. It will be no time before Bolden makes his assault on the top 10. He is a very good player.
(#26) J’Michael Gray J’Michael Gray 6'0" | PG Franklin | 2022 State LA / 5’11″ / Franklin / CG
Gray is one of the top football players in 7-2A but he may be even better on the hardwood. Gray was district MVP and an all-state honorable mention in 2A as a sophomore. Elements of his game are similar to the game of Jacoby Decker. Gray can shoot it from distance, penetrate the paint and score, or dish it to others. He is a threat anywhere on the court to be honest. Gray is a definite all-state lock if he has another season like the last one.
(#34) Quentin Henry Quentin Henry 6'6" | PF Liberty | 2022 State LA / 6’5″ / Librety / F
Henry is a player who is as athletic as they come on a high school floor. Even though he is 6’5″, Henry is the Liberty big man who runs rim-to-rim and also serves as their best paint defender. He is also better off the dribble than one would think and has the ability to dribble past other bigs. Henry can also capable to knockdown a mid-range jumper or two. Thirty-four is a starting point for Henry. He has the potential to be much higher by the end of his high school career.
(#40) Andri Lewis / 6’2″ / Woodlawn-Shreveport / CG
Lewis is another guard who can do so many things on a basketball floor. He is a guard who will rebound and go with the ball in transition or back it out and facilitate the offense. There are times where he can play off the ball and spot up or be a willing slasher. Lewis will also take on tough defensive assignments. While he is still refining his offensive game, Lewis makes it hard for him to be taken off the floor. His skills should translate well for the Knights this year.
(#45) Andre Hill Andre Hill 6'4" | SF Franklin Parish | 2022 State LA / 6’4″ / Franklin Parish / F
Hill plays the post for Franklin Parish and is very good in the paint. He can finish around the rim and is solid with his jumper from the free throw line in. Hill can also get out on the break and run the floor like a sprinter. With those talents down, the only thing left for him to is expand his game. He has a coach in Terry Martin, Jr. that can help him do that. If and when Hill becomes a perimeter threat, his ranking and his ability to play on the next level will increase.
(#56) Elijah Belton Elijah Belton 6'0" | PG Hamilton Christian | 2022 State LA / 6’0″ / Singer / PG
The Singer point guard is new to the rankings but he is not new to facing tough competition. Belton is a battle-tested guard who has routinely played tough class B competition like Anacoco and Pitkin. Because of the level of competition, he has developed the skills to be a three-tier scorer. His ability to shoot passing lanes and finish at the rim are his biggest assets. With his all-around ability, look for Belton to be a breakout player on the class B level this year.
(#79) Dmitry Payne Dmitry Payne 5'9" | PG Lincoln Prep | 2022 State LA / 5’9″ / Lincoln Prep / PG
The Panther point guard is a top notch defender who seemingly loves to disrupt guards when they are trying to initiate offense. Payne has quick hands and ultra quick feet which allow him to move laterally and beat guards to where they are trying to go. His defense creates a lot of his offense and he can make perimeter shots. When he becomes more lethal from the outside, watch his stock begin to grow.
Again, these players may be new to the rankings, but they are not new to competition. Payne was on a state runner-up in 1A, Gray was all-state in 2A, and the others were all district performers. Watch out for these seven this coming season as they navigate their junior campaigns.