Hybrid Bigs from the ASH Team Camp
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In the state of Louisiana (and abroad), the face of the big man has changed throughout the years. Long gone are the days where a “big man” would come and anchor himself on the block and wait for a pass…
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Continue ReadingIn the state of Louisiana (and abroad), the face of the big man has changed throughout the years. Long gone are the days where a “big man” would come and anchor himself on the block and wait for a pass from the guard. Because the majority of high school big men in Louisiana will become guards, wings, or forwards on the next level, they have to learn to perform multiple offensive and defensive tasks on the floor. During the Alexandria High team camp, those players were littered throughout the day which saw games at the high schools of Pineville, Tioga, and Alexandria Senior High (ASH). We will take a look at a few of those players and how they fit the hybrid big mold in Louisiana.
Jeremiah Evans Jeremiah Evans 6'10" | C Southwood | 2024 State #249 Nation LA (6’8″ | Southwood Cowboys | 2024)
Evans was the best inside scoring presence during the day displaying the ability to be a good offensive rebounder along with facing up and making short jumpers. His offensive putbacks and short shots in the paint kept the Pokes ahead in Southside and Pineville during game play. Evans also protected the rim and gave the Cowboys the defensive presence most teams did not have during the day. If his play is an early preview for next season, the Cowboys will have them an inside scoring threat.
Jordan Mathews Jordan Mathews 6'5" | SF Peabody | 2024 State LA (6’5″ | Peabody | 2024)
Mathews proved to be an offensive and defensive bully during his time on the court with Peabody. His upper body strength is more like that of an upper classman’s and he constantly finished layups amid swipe downs and contact from defenders. Mathews was a man among boys rebounding the ball as well and gave the Warhorses extra possessions time and time again. Jordan is also very athletic and can get out on transition. His ability to catch the ball in traffic is next level type stuff. Peabody has reloaded and Mathews is the anchor and inside threat for the them.
Randarius Morris (6’4″ | Northwood-Lena | 2023)
Morris averaged a double-double last season for Northwood-Lena and may accomplish that feat again. During game play at the Cenla schools, Morris reminded us why he is one of the hybrid bigs. Standing at 6’4″, Morris knows his way around the paint. He attacks with lefty drives to the hoop and gets to the rim consistently. Morris also has a quick second jump so offensive rebounding was something he was very good at on Saturday. Couple that with his face up game and length, Morris made his mark in and around the paint. For class 1A, he is a dominant big.
Theron Johnson (6’4″ | Alexandria Senior High | 2022)
Johnson is a wing that has the man the paint as well. During team camp action, he showed that he can do a little bit of everything for the Trojans. Johnson can rebound and push from the defensive boards. He can also step out and shoot the three. As a high school stretch four, he seemed to be very comfortable with the ball in his hands. Johnson did not really have to set up on the block but he can take others off the dribble. In Louisiana prep circles, if he can do that consistently, he will dominate a lot of games from his athletic ability alone.
Noah Jonker Noah Jonker 6'5" | PF Alexandria | 2022 State LA (6’5″ | Alexandria Senior High | 2022)
Jonker is a rebounding machine as well for the ASH Trojans. He is one of the best hybrid bigs that Louisiana has when it comes to playing high screen and roll. ASH uses it in their offensive attack with Jonker because he is a threat with the roll and with the pick and pop. The rising junior can stroke his lefty jumper from distance and caused offensive mismatches (especially in the ASH win over Southside). While Saturday may have been a small sample size, it was large enough to let me know that ASH is hard to guard with Jonker in the screen-and-roll game.
Marquis Harris (6’4″ | Bossier | 2022)
The Bearkats may have been without Sedric Applewhite Sedric Applewhite 6'6" | SF Bossier | 2022 State LA on Saturday but Harris played the middle well in central Louisiana. During games against Zachary and Northside, Harris was a hard person to guard due to his length and athleticism. Harris gets up the floor quickly running rim-to-rim or on the wing. He was quick off the floor and grabbed rebounds in space or in traffic just because he was more athletic. Harris has improved his handle as well which makes him a threat on the perimeter and in the paint. He was one of the best players at team camp on Saturday.
Bryson Williams Bryson Williams 6'5" | PF Southside | 2023 State LA (6’5″ | Southside | 2023)
Williams is a lot of man to deal with in the post and he likes to bang with other big men. He is one of the bigs from the ASH camp that played more traditionally. Williams was very good at putbacks and manning the paint as a whole. He appeared to enjoy some of the contact during his time playing against some of the other players on this list. Williams can hold his own and proved he could dish some out during his Saturday in Cenla.
If you are 6’4″ or taller in Louisiana, playing the post is something that some just have to get used to. These players are some of the better players at doing so. The sophomores on this list have the biggest upside. With a year of varsity experience in the hole, I can see those two blossoming this fall and winter. For now though, we will watch and see how they continue to grow during team camps.
Team camp play will continue this weekend as Neville wraps up their team camp. All others will begin after Memorial Day.