Scouting Report: More Ranked & Unranked Guards, Wings, & Forwards
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North Louisiana has some of the hottest teams playing this early part of the season. Some of the ranked players have put on great performances is one reason. The other is unranked performers have stepped up as well. In this…
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Continue ReadingNorth Louisiana has some of the hottest teams playing this early part of the season. Some of the ranked players have put on great performances is one reason. The other is unranked performers have stepped up as well. In this scouting report, we will look at a number of these players and the work they have put in thus far this season.
Parkway Panthers:
Traevian Ware (6’0″ / 2021)
Ware is a guard who has made steady improvements over the years with his handle and his shooting. Now, as a senior, he is a player that has to be accounted for. Against Booker T. Washington (Shreveport), he proved just that. His three point shooting early and his free throw shooting late helped to give the Panthers a 59-53 victory. Ware is almost automatic from deep and knows how to help seal a win by stepping to the line with confidence. His 16 point effort was a major contribution to this win and will be to others going forward.
Bryce Roberts Bryce Roberts 6'1" | CG Parkway | 2021 State LA (6’1″ / 2021)
Roberts got off to a slow start against the BTW Lions as he had five first quarter points and missed three free throws and his last three long range attempts before the half. However, the second half was a different story. He hit his initial three of the second half and then began to attack the paint. Roberts scored 15 second half points to power the Panthers to their victory. He was aggressive going to the whole and more decisive in his decision-making. Roberts had 20 points this game but he makes scoring look effortless at times. BTW found that out this night.
Wossman Wildcats:
Devonte Austin Devonte Austin 6'0" | CG Wossman | 2021 State LA (6’1″ / 2021)
Both times that I have seen Devonte, he has been pretty dominate in the first half of games setting the tone for the Wildcats. Against Southwood and Wossman, he had 20-plus point first halves simply by playing his way. Austin is highly skilled at penetrating and taking contact. His muscular frame helps him finish plays that he probably could not a couple of years ago. He has also been the Wildcats best three point shooter in this early season. He ended up with 30 points in each contest and it is evident he has taken on a lead by example approach this season. Look for Austin to continue this high level of play as the season goes.
Kaleb Raven (6’5″ / 2021)
Raven has grown a couple of inches over the summer and is now a legit low post presence. While he struggled in the Southwood game with foul trouble and never getting into a rhythm, he proved to be worth his weight during the Wildcat matchup with Rayville. Raven had a 20-20 game against the Hornets taking advantage of his height and strength in the paint. He is best scoring from putbacks and effort plays which he had a plethora of during that contest. If Raven continues to rebound and score like he did against Rayville, Wossman will be hard to beat.
Mansfield Wolverines:
Nick Bailey (6’4″ / 2022)
Bailey has been a true contributor during the two games in which I have seen him play. During the Wolverines loss to Lakeview and their win against Minden, he was one of the leaders in scoring. Most importantly, he does all of the other little things as well. Bailey sets screens, rebounds, and plays passng lanes with almost perfect denial technique. He had a steal and breakaway dunk in route to 19 points versus Minden and 13 points against Lakeview. Bailey will be one of the Wolverines most important players as they continue play this season.
West Monroe Rebels:
Dakota Gasca Dakota Gasca 5'9" | CG West Monroe | 2022 State LA (5’11″ / 2022)
Gasca was doing what he does best in the West Monroe win at Airline. He was letting it fly from deep and connecting. His 15 first half points allowed West Monroe to sprint off from Airline and never look back. Gasca is one of those timeless shooters where all of his shots look good when he lets them go. He is very good at spacing the floor and relocating to spots after the ball moves a time or two. West Monroe is atop the LHSAA 5A ranking because of his shooting. He is a player that can not be left open at any time.
Javion Richard Javion Richard 6'3" | PG West Monroe | 2021 State LA (6’4″ / 2021)
Richard only had six points in the win against Airline. However, it was not his dunks for shooting that was impressive this night. It was the way he played the top of the zone on defense and how he facilitated the offense. True enough, he did score two of his buckets on steals. That was from using his length and quickness at the top of the zone. On offense, he found shooters by reversing the ball quickly or finding them by looking over the defense. The Dallas Baptist signee showed why a top Division II wants him by doing the other things on the floor.
Keagan Moncrief Keagan Moncrief 6'5" | SF West Monroe | 2021 State LA (6’4″ / 2021)
While the work Gasca and RIchard did during the Airline win was expected, the growth that Moncrief displayed on the floor was eye-catching to say the least. Keagan has expanded his game to more than just short jumpers and working on the post. He stepped out a nailed a couple of three pointers along with doing the dirty work on the inside. While he still the Rebels best threat down low, he now is a threat on multiple levels. His 12 point night showed that his game has grown and he is another threat to be guarded on the perimeter for this team.
Huntington Raiders:
Rayshun McCullar Rayshun McCullar 6'1" | PG Huntington | 2022 State LA (6’1″ / 2022)
McCullar has evolved into one of the better point guards in his, or any class. During the Raiders victories over Captain Shreve and Calvary, he has really matured with how he manages the game. McCullar gets others into the game and seemed to pick and choose when he attacked early in those contest. However, when the chips were down, he made winning plays to help the Raiders pull out both games. He was clutch at the free throw line against Calvary and made the correct passes and plays against Shreve. His willingness to step up and guard the best player on the opposite team is evident too. McCullar is becoming the point guard teams would love to have on their squad.
Tyrique Taylor (6’4″ / 2022)
Taylor may be the most athletically gifted player on this Huntington squad. He is the player that you do not have to run plays for but will always make an impact play. Taylor did that in the Shreve win when he had a big dunk to give the Raiders some extra momentum. Against Calvary, he had a couple of blocks and another dunk which helped spur the comeback. While he is undersized, he plays big. He scored double digits against Calvary and could have scored more if he hit short jumpers. Taylor will be a factor as Huntington continues to play this season.
Devin Myers (6’3″ / 2023)
Myers may not start for the Raiders. However, in the two wins against Shreve and Calvary, he played plenty of crunchtime minutes for Huntington. He was big at the free throw line in both wins. He nailed the free throw to secure the win at Shreve and was huge in the second and third overtimes against Calvary. Myers has a calm demeanor and it allows him to excel under pressure. His double digit scoring in each game also proves he can put the ball in the basket as well. The Raiders have a good player in Myers. He is definitely one to watch.
Week Six will see these players, and others, on the hardwood before we hit Christmas day. North Louisiana definitely has some ranked and unranked talent to see as we move into the new year.