PDE’s North Louisiana Top 10 Teams

We are midway through the first month of 2021 and the basketball throughout north Louisiana has been full of action. There have been a few teams in the north who have separated themselves from the pack all season while others are catching their footing as district begins. I will take a look at who I think are the ten best teams in the north right now as district begins to heat up. 1 - Wossman Wildcats (Class 3A #1) The Wildcats are the best defensive team in the north and score off of their opponents’ mistakes.  They are also long, athletic, and they beat teams up on the boards.  Kaleb Raven and Pat Williams give them an inside presence that other teams do not have while Devonte Austin Devonte Austin 6'0" | CG Wossman | 2021 State LA has been really good for them this season carrying them at times.  Their only losses have been to Rayville at Rayville and to Calvary Baptist on a last second shot.  This is a team is 2-0 in district already and are primed to make a deep run.  (Next three games:  @ Richwood; vs Carroll: @ Union Parish)  2 - Rayville Hornets (Class 2A #1) The Hornet style of play under Coach West is one that may not knock you out early.  However, in the later rounds you will not have the legs to stand.  Rayville runs, and runs, and runs.  They have a group of guards who can push the ball and run the wings led by Tony Percy and Zyquarius Cowart Zyquarius Cowart 6'1" | SG Rayville | 2021 State LA .  Kashie Natt Kashie Natt 6'2" | SG Rayville | 2021 State LA is a triple threat at the wing position and Jalen Qualls Jalen Qualls 5'10" | PG Rayville | 2021 State LA provides senior leadership on the floor.  Their two loses come from teams on this list while they have defeated eight top five teams in various classifications.  They are poised for another 2A title run.   (Next three games:  @ Beekman Charter; @ Delhi Charter; vs Mangham) 3 - Natchitoches Central Chiefs (Class 5A #1) A new coach, a new starting lineup, yet they are the same ole Chiefs.  Natchitoches Central is the top team in 5A and does not look like they have lost one step.  Junior Justin Aaron and senior Darius Young Darius Young 6'5" | PF Natchitoches Central | 2021 State LA  have been stalwarts so far in their great start.  They are already 5-0 in 1-5A with their win against Southwood and looked poised to be number one going into the playoffs.  (Next three games: @ Captain Shreve; vs Parkway; @ Airline) 4 - West Monroe Rebels (Class 5A #2) West Monroe started the season with two big wins (Simsboro and Bossier) and has not let up since.  They are one of the more mature teams in class 5A with a team of juniors and seniors in the starting lineup.  Dallas Baptist commit Javion Richard Javion Richard 6'3" | PG West Monroe | 2021 State LA  has performed as one of the better point guards in the state beginning the season and his backcourt mate Dakota Gasca Dakota Gasca 5'9" | CG West Monroe | 2022 State LA has been on fire from the perimeter.  The improvements in the game of senior Keagan Moncrief Keagan Moncrief 6'5" | SF West Monroe | 2021 State LA have taken this team to another level.  The Rebels look like a team ready to play into early March.   (Next three games: @ Ouachita; @ Neville; vs West Ouachita) 5 - Anacoco Indians (Class B #1) Anacoco was already going to be a good team this season with the addition of legendary Coach Randy Carlisle.  Senior Landry Alligood and squad were going to compete in class B for a spot in Marsh Madness because they have a bevy of shooters on the roster and their motion offense is hard to defend.  However, adding Shaun Riley Shaun Riley 6'7" | PF Anacoco | 2021 State LA to the mix has made them the class B favorite.  The 6’7", Northwestern State signee raises the talent level and makes them even harder to defend.  Look for them to be in Lake Charles when March rolls around.   (Next three games: vs Pitkin; @ ASH; vs Elizabeth) 6 - Carroll Bulldogs (Class 3A #3) Carroll has always been a team that strikes fear into others because they are one of those Monroe teams that seemed to always be good.  This year they might have a group that will compete to cut down the nets.  They have a group of quick, yet crafty, guards who created turnovers when they pressure.  On the offensive end, they have the twin towers in Deonte Edwards Deonte Edwards 6'6" | PF Carroll | 2021 State LA (6’6") and Randarius Jones Randarius Jones 6'7" | PF Carroll | 2021 State LA (6’7") manning the paint.  Their big-to-big passing from their high-low set has caused teams issues.  If they keep it up, they will be dangerous.   (Next three games: @S terlington; @ Wossman; @ Richwood) 7 - Huntington Raiders (Class 4A #4) The Raiders are this year’s version of the cardiac kids.  They have been down in several situations but have pulled out wins in the final seconds or overtime.  Overtime wins versus Bossier and Calvary attest to their guts and determination when it comes down to the end of games.  Rayshun McCullar Rayshun McCullar 6'1" | PG Huntington | 2022 State LA and Javari Williams Javari Williams 6'0" | CG Huntington | 2021 State LA have been clutch at the end of games and sophomore Devin Myers has been a surprise contributor.  With their athletic front court, the Raiders cause matchup problems for other teams and will be battle tested by playoff time.   (Next three games: @ Evangel; vs Woodlawn; vs North Desoto) 8 - Peabody Warhorses (Class 4A #5) It is almost a given that no matter what classification they are in, the Peabody Warhorses are going to be one of the top teams in that class.  This version might be younger and a little offensively challenged; however, they bring that trademark Warhorse defense.  Senior Amauri Coleman Amauri Coleman 6'0" | CG Peabody | 2021 State LA  brings his state championship experience to the floor and has serious backcourt help from junior Braiden Wagner and Zytarious Mortle.  It would be hard to believe that they will not be around at the end.  I am one who will definitely not bet against them.   (Next three games: vs Bolton; @ Leesville; @ Tioga) 9 - Bossier Bearkats (Class 3A #7) The Bearkats are probably the most travelled team out of any listed.  They definitely go where the competition is and have played across both portions of the state.  Joseph Manning Joseph Manning 6'3" | CG Bossier | 2022 State LA and Shammah Bryant Shammah Bryant 6'5" | SF Bossier | 2021 State LA have been through the wars and being the defending 3A champions, they have a target on their back.  Lakavin Thomas Lakavin Thomas 6'0" | CG Bossier | 2023 State LA has been up and down with his shooting from the perimeter but he usually makes plays when they are needed.  The addition of Sedrick Applewhite might help them repeat.  If they hang their hat on defense, they might pull it off.   (Next three games: @ Green Oaks; @ Woodlawn; @ North Webster) 10 - Woodlawn-Shreveport (Class 4A #7) Woodlawn has a flair for the dramatic and are known for their comebacks historically.  This year they seem to be winning a little bit differently.  Lefties Chris Carpenter Chris Carpenter 5'9" | PG Woodlwan-S'port | 2023 State LA and Donovan Seamster Donovan Seamster 6'1" | SG Woodlawn-Shreve | 2022 State LA  have held it down from the perimeter for the Knights and Andri Lewis Andri Lewis 6'3" | CG Woodlawn-Shreve | 2022 State LA  has done it all on both sides of the ball.  Delatrion Moton Delatrion Moton 6'4" | CG Woodlawn-Shreve | 2021 State LA  has worked his way back into the lineup and had his coming out party for the season with a 25 point outburst against Huntington.  Needless to say the Knights are in the mix again and I will not be surprised if they see Lake Charles yet again.   (Next three games: @ Evangel; vs Bossier; @ Huntington) Teams eleven through twenty-five are very good also.  Teams like Captain Shreve, Simsboro, Parkway, and Rapides are having good seasons and may peak at the right time.  We will see what 11-25 look like at another time in another installment.  However, these ten mentioned here are sure to push for a trip to Lake Charles as the season progresses.