I spent the weekend in Lafayette, LA at the Louisiana High School Athletic Ass'n Hall of Fame Games. This is an exhibition series held annually with all proceeds going to the LHSAA Hall of Fame. Even the officials donate their services for the game. It's a great cause.
There were 5 games played. The scores, along with a brief snyopsis were as follows (Individual player wrap ups will be in a separate post to follow:) Anyone interested in hearing the broadcasts, and the basketball chatter over the course of the 9 hours can do so by going to http://www.nhsnb.com/ Once there, look for the archived game by the name of the competing teams. Lots of coaches interviews, player interviews as well as commentary on the games by myself and http://www.pelicanpreps.com/ rep Bobby Sibley. I also had a great interview with Nike South's Ron Briscoe.
Point Coupee Central (12-11) 63 Lafayette Comeaux (19-12) 49
This was a heck of a ballgame, with several runs in it. At one point the young host Comeaux squad had a 19 point lead in the middle of the 3rd quarter on the strength of 2011 G Kenry Lewis (19 points) who was connecting from deep and going blow for blow with Comeaux's 2010 G 6'0" D.J. Cobb. The 4th quarter was all Cobb's as he finished with 31 points including a key steal at midcourt and subsequent layup that was a back breaker. Coach Melanson of Comeaux has a heck of a future though as he started 4 sophomores.
Many (26-7) 74 Lafayette St. Thomas Moore (30-2) 67
Many had to battlle at the end as STM kept coming at them, making baskets in a flurry in the last 1:30. Many did what all great teams do, they hit their free throws and never allowed their opponent to see light at the end of the tunnel. STM was led by 2009 G 6'1" Nick Cortese, along with 18 from 2010 6'6" Will Norman, and heralded 2010 F 6'4" Xavier Blackburn with 12.
Many had a great team effort with 2010 P 6'6" manchild Nic Jacobs banging in the post. He's one of Louisiana's top football prospects. 2009 PG 6'0" D.J. Palmer had 21 points and did a great job of distributing the basketball. 2011 F 6'3" Rod Davis (11pts) & 2010 6'3" G Dantrell Thomas (15pts) carried their fair share of the load as well. They were above the rim, with Thomas having a particularly nasty dunk. They play their summer ball with Louisiana Nike Select.
Zwolle 103 Reserve Christian 92
I've seen over 100 high school games so far this season and this may have been the most exciting one so far. Reserve Christian, always a powerhouse with alumni the likes of Tweety Carter (Baylor) had their hands full with Zwolle who at one point won 7 straight Louisiana State Titles. Reserve Christian's impressive outside shooting was no match for Zwolle's high flying show as they had to have somewhere around 15 dunks.
They were led by 2009 Joevoskie Mitchell with 29 points. Interestingly Mitchell has many other famous athletic brothers in 2010 6'6" P JaDarius Davis of Lufkin, TX, Jermichael Finley (University of Texas football) and Jevorskie Lane (Texas A&M football.) He has a bright future ahead of him. JuCo's need to beware, and D-1's take note as we await his test scores.
2009 6'5" Antonio Holmes had 20 points on 10 dunks, 2009 G 6'3" Darius Montgomery had 25, while Northwestern State signee 6'3" PG Eric Cutright had 25. Cutright reminded me of Canadian National star and Marquette signee, Junior Cadougan of Hunble Christian Life (TX).
Reserve Christian could really have used the services of the #1 2012 P in the country, Ricardo Gathers who sustained a broken finger at a tournament in Alaska last month. Having said that, the cupboard wasn't exactly bare for Coach Tim Byrd's crew as 2010 G 6'5" Ed Gallina of Brazil (29 pts) & 2010 G 6'2" Cedric Jenkins (33 pts) can both really play. Frosh F 6'3" Louis Dabney showed a great desire to compete and battled all night in scoring 22. He's one to watch.
New Orleans Country Day 64 Sulphur 46
After the Zwolle-Christian Life affair, it would be hard for anyone to follow that act. The game itslef had no real runs to it with Country Day controlling things from the opening minute however it was fun watching 4 future D-1 guys battle. The edge has to go to Country day, with their twin towers 2009 6'7" Eddie Ludwig who signed with LSU and his 2010 sidekick Matt Derenbecker who's been offered already by LSU & Wichita State. He's seeing his stock rise after dropping 49 v Florida signee Kenny Boynton last month.
Sulphur has two quality guys in 2010 G 6'8" Matt LeBato & 2010 G 6'3" Chip Armelin. I see both these guys as solid mid majors.
Baton Rouge Christian Life (22-6) 63 Lafayette Northside (22-4) 52
Another game chock full of top prospects in Christian Life's high major Langston Galloway, and mid majors 2010 G Corey Self, 2010 W Pat Robinson, 2010 P 6'7" Kaleb Knight & Polish National team member Grajon Suzba. Northside has two tremendous 2011 prospects in PG 5'11" Nick Syrie, and 6'6" Jonathon Tolivar.
There were 5 games played. The scores, along with a brief snyopsis were as follows (Individual player wrap ups will be in a separate post to follow:) Anyone interested in hearing the broadcasts, and the basketball chatter over the course of the 9 hours can do so by going to http://www.nhsnb.com/ Once there, look for the archived game by the name of the competing teams. Lots of coaches interviews, player interviews as well as commentary on the games by myself and http://www.pelicanpreps.com/ rep Bobby Sibley. I also had a great interview with Nike South's Ron Briscoe.
Point Coupee Central (12-11) 63 Lafayette Comeaux (19-12) 49
This was a heck of a ballgame, with several runs in it. At one point the young host Comeaux squad had a 19 point lead in the middle of the 3rd quarter on the strength of 2011 G Kenry Lewis (19 points) who was connecting from deep and going blow for blow with Comeaux's 2010 G 6'0" D.J. Cobb. The 4th quarter was all Cobb's as he finished with 31 points including a key steal at midcourt and subsequent layup that was a back breaker. Coach Melanson of Comeaux has a heck of a future though as he started 4 sophomores.
Many (26-7) 74 Lafayette St. Thomas Moore (30-2) 67
Many had to battlle at the end as STM kept coming at them, making baskets in a flurry in the last 1:30. Many did what all great teams do, they hit their free throws and never allowed their opponent to see light at the end of the tunnel. STM was led by 2009 G 6'1" Nick Cortese, along with 18 from 2010 6'6" Will Norman, and heralded 2010 F 6'4" Xavier Blackburn with 12.
Many had a great team effort with 2010 P 6'6" manchild Nic Jacobs banging in the post. He's one of Louisiana's top football prospects. 2009 PG 6'0" D.J. Palmer had 21 points and did a great job of distributing the basketball. 2011 F 6'3" Rod Davis (11pts) & 2010 6'3" G Dantrell Thomas (15pts) carried their fair share of the load as well. They were above the rim, with Thomas having a particularly nasty dunk. They play their summer ball with Louisiana Nike Select.
Zwolle 103 Reserve Christian 92
I've seen over 100 high school games so far this season and this may have been the most exciting one so far. Reserve Christian, always a powerhouse with alumni the likes of Tweety Carter (Baylor) had their hands full with Zwolle who at one point won 7 straight Louisiana State Titles. Reserve Christian's impressive outside shooting was no match for Zwolle's high flying show as they had to have somewhere around 15 dunks.
They were led by 2009 Joevoskie Mitchell with 29 points. Interestingly Mitchell has many other famous athletic brothers in 2010 6'6" P JaDarius Davis of Lufkin, TX, Jermichael Finley (University of Texas football) and Jevorskie Lane (Texas A&M football.) He has a bright future ahead of him. JuCo's need to beware, and D-1's take note as we await his test scores.
2009 6'5" Antonio Holmes had 20 points on 10 dunks, 2009 G 6'3" Darius Montgomery had 25, while Northwestern State signee 6'3" PG Eric Cutright had 25. Cutright reminded me of Canadian National star and Marquette signee, Junior Cadougan of Hunble Christian Life (TX).
Reserve Christian could really have used the services of the #1 2012 P in the country, Ricardo Gathers who sustained a broken finger at a tournament in Alaska last month. Having said that, the cupboard wasn't exactly bare for Coach Tim Byrd's crew as 2010 G 6'5" Ed Gallina of Brazil (29 pts) & 2010 G 6'2" Cedric Jenkins (33 pts) can both really play. Frosh F 6'3" Louis Dabney showed a great desire to compete and battled all night in scoring 22. He's one to watch.
New Orleans Country Day 64 Sulphur 46
After the Zwolle-Christian Life affair, it would be hard for anyone to follow that act. The game itslef had no real runs to it with Country Day controlling things from the opening minute however it was fun watching 4 future D-1 guys battle. The edge has to go to Country day, with their twin towers 2009 6'7" Eddie Ludwig who signed with LSU and his 2010 sidekick Matt Derenbecker who's been offered already by LSU & Wichita State. He's seeing his stock rise after dropping 49 v Florida signee Kenny Boynton last month.
Sulphur has two quality guys in 2010 G 6'8" Matt LeBato & 2010 G 6'3" Chip Armelin. I see both these guys as solid mid majors.
Baton Rouge Christian Life (22-6) 63 Lafayette Northside (22-4) 52
Another game chock full of top prospects in Christian Life's high major Langston Galloway, and mid majors 2010 G Corey Self, 2010 W Pat Robinson, 2010 P 6'7" Kaleb Knight & Polish National team member Grajon Suzba. Northside has two tremendous 2011 prospects in PG 5'11" Nick Syrie, and 6'6" Jonathon Tolivar.
