Top 150 Camps Coming Soon

Do you want to get noticed, scouted by the top national HS media outlet in the country, play against the best players and more importantly have a shot to make your name and get ranked amongst the best in the country? Well then go to the site below and attend the Future 150 Camp! Scouts from rivals.com will be in attend...ance as well as other media. Last year over 40+ kids who attended were nationally ranked including top 10 2012 Jarnell Stokes of Memphis and top 25 from Baton Rouge Brian Bridgewater(pictured). Everybody from Louisiana Needs to attend. August 14th-15th.

http://www.future150camps.com/

Overcoming All Odds

Joseph Charles is a heck of a basketball player, but as good a player as he is, he is an even stronger person. After overcoming a lot of odds by making it out of Sunset, LA to play college basketball Dodge City Communuty College in Dodge City, KS, but Joe has overcome a near death experience as well in tragic accident back on October 24th of 2008. Below is a story done by Travis Webb of KATC 3 in Lafayette on the miraculous comeback of Joe. Joseph Charles is one of the hardest working players we have ever seen and came across. He has overcame so much and he will be a great asset to coach Brady Trenkle and the Dodge City Community College basketball team. After a two year stint at Dodge, expect Joe to have accomplished some great things at DCC as well as making his dream come true of being a Division 1 basketball player. The Louisiana Basketball Report wants to thank everybody who has helped Joe along his way whether it be the coaches at Carencro, Coach Steve Rachal from Acadiana Prep and Isaac Fontenot-Amedee who visited  Joe when he was in the hospital, to the Louisiana D-1 Ambassadors organization and Coach Max Ivany of the Texas D1 Ambassadors as well for helping Joe get back to an elite player or to his high school coach Roy Young at Beau Chene. Everybody was instrumental in Joe's success. Good luck at Dodge City Joe, they are getting a great kid.

Please Play the video Below to See his Story by Travis Webb KATC 3 in Lafayette, LA

Overcoming the Odds Story

Introducing Class of 2012 Louis Dabney

Player Profile: Louis Dabney
HT: 6'3" WT: 185 lb. Pos.: Point Guard
High School/AAU: Riverside Acad./La. Select
Hometown: LaPlace, LA
College List: LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, Tulane
Offers: Ole Miss, Tulane
Player Analyis: Athletic, strong, physical
tough point guard, who is a lock-down defender
with a very good upside and talented scorer.

"I take pride in my defense. I want to be known as a lockdown defender and a pure point guard"- Louis Dabney

Athletic, strong, physical, tough and a lock-down defender are the attributes you think of when you think of the 6’3” 185 lb. Louis Dabney. Not only is Louis a tough defender but he is very good penetrator and talented passer. An athletic guard, he can also score the basketball in a variety of ways with his strengths being getting to the rim and a 12 foot jumper.

“I am working on it” Dabney said of his shot. “I get in the gym and put up shots and it helps that coach(Timmy Byrd) is pushing me.”

Not only is Dabney working on his shot, he is also working on becoming the best defender in the state. “I take pride in my defense. I want to be known as a lockdown defender and a pure point guard.” Dabney said.

He is close to that, last weekend at the Baton Rouge Community College team camp, Dabney was not just guarding the other teams best defenders but he was locking them down. In the two games we saw, Dabney’s defense was on point. Not only did he keep the opposition in check, but he made them settle for jumpers because of his ability to guard the basketball. To go with his defense, Dabney showed a great ability to run a team.

“Ed McCain(former Reserve Christian star and Ex-Bradley player) and Tweety(former Reserve Christian and Baylor star) helped me out a lot. You know Tweety was a shooter so that helps me and Ed, he was the best.” Dabney said. “Ed took me under his wing and has really helped develop my passing skills.”

With a lot of work being put in, Dabney is slowly putting his name on people’s radars. In a early season tournament in Shreveport in November, one Division 1 coach told us “Dabney was the best player for Riverside tonight” That included nationally known Ricardo Gathers and Southern Miss signee Cedric Jenkins. That was a big time compliment for a then sophomore guard who has received interest from LSU, Ole Miss, Tulane and Georgia Tech. Dabney also claims to have offers from Ole Miss and Tulane.

To stay up with the latest information and the schedule of Louis Dabney for the rest of the month and in July, just contact us at: louisianabasketballreport@gmail.com.

Special thanks to Louis Dabney and Coach Timmy Byrd for allowing us to do this interview.
Extra Questions with Louis Dabney:

Louisiana Basketball Report- What was it like to bring the 1st state title to Riverside Academy?
Louis Dabney- Means a lot to bring it to Riverside, they have never had it before, it meant a lot to the people and fans because they never had basketball success.

LBR- Where will you be playing at in July?
LD- I know I will be at the NIKE Peach Jam with Louisiana Select but not sure where else as of now.

LBR- What does it mean to play for Coach Byrd?
LD- Means a lot, he took me when I was a knucklehead and made me a better player.

LBR- With Ole Miss, LSU, Tulane and Ga. Tech recruiting you, who is your favorite? Why?
LD- LSU is my favorite because it’s close to home. I am a home body. I also like Coach Trent Johnson. I feel he can make me a better player.

LBR- What is the difference between playing at Riverside and Reserve?
LD- Well at Reserve we were more a 3-point shooting team because we had a lot of shooters. This year at Riverside we turned into a inside out team because of Rico(Ricardo Gathers)

1st Annual Baton Rouge Community College Team Camp a Success

Pictured Below: Ricardo Gathers(Riverside) top Left, Gervaughn McGhee(Redemptorist) Top Right, Louis Dabney(Riverside) bottom left and Darius Johnson(Istrouma) Bottom Right.

In what was a great first year showing for the Baton Rouge Community College team camp, head coach Todd Foster and his staff really put on a great 2 day event that included several talented players and teams. The Louisiana Basketball Report wasn't in attendance on friday, but on saturday we saw some very good young players and teams. Let's start with some teams that surprised us.

After losing a host of seniors, The Dunham School of coach Johnathon Pixley has a young team but will be very competitve next season. They have a nice young point guard and a couple of other solid role players with decent shooters that can give a few teams fits next year. We didn't get to catch up with coach Pixley but as soon as we get this pg's name we will let you know it. Another team that looked promising were the Dutchtown Griffins. Ductchtown has a solid PG in senior Jordan Biagas and also a talented scorer in Terrance Cushinberry(who was absent this weekend) as well as a 6'5" sophomore post that will be a factor once he gets some strength and toughness to his game. After defeating Dunham, the Griffins ended the camp with a heartbreaker loss to Covington.

Speaking of Covington, they will be a solid team again next year as long as senior guard Jordan Bickham can follow the scoring prowess that was left by the graduation of BRCC signees Phillip Bickham(his brother) and Jordan Bedford. Another solid 5A team on the day was the 5A runner-up this past year Scotlandville. Scotlandville has a pair of division 1 prospects in 6'1'" senior Levie Wright and 6'8" junior post Zarif Basil. Potential low D1 guards Deshawn Washington and Thaddeus Fortune, also juniors looked very good handling the ball, defending and also making open shots. Wright, showed very good quickness, a knack for scoring off the dribble, with a mid-range jumper and also deep 3 balls. Basil, a little raw offensively, but really rebounds very well, catches the ball in traffic and scores at will when given the opportunity. Scotlandville has all the makings of another potential Top 28 run.

One of the more surprising teams of the day were the Redemptorist Wolves led by junior 6'4" guard Gervaughn McGhee. McGhee, the younger brother of Ronald McGhee(a North Texas signee) showed potential to be better than his brother. Not as good of a shooter, but he can knock down the 3, the mid-range or score on smaller or taller posts with very good post moves. Not only can he score, but he is a very talented passer. With improved strength and quickness, he can be a mid major D1 prospect. Also making a good showing were the Istrouma Indians led by junior PG Darius Johnson. A quick and efficient guard, Johnson ran the show, defended at a high level and showed deep range. With a hard to defend crossover, Johnson was a tough guard for opposing defenders including one of the top defenders in the state in Louis Dabney of Riverside.

The final two teams that played in the event were Christian Life and Riverside Academy, both defending state champions and both well-known powerhouses with good performances on the weekend.. After losing 7 seniors that included 3 division 1 signees, the top 28 MVP, and 5 of the state's top 50 seniors, CLA showed a lot of promise. Led by sophomore Frank Bartley and a solid duo of freshman in Will Jones and Johnathon Stove, the Crusaders may take some bumps and bruises this summer and early next season, but don't count them out. If the freshmen can mature quickly, the Crusaders can make their 5th straight Top 28. Now, the best team of the event with the top player of the event in Ricardo Gathers, the Riverside Rebels looked very strong. While losing a nice group of seniors in Southern Miss signee Cedric Jenkins, Ed Gallina, Kyle McClue and Franklin Francois, the Rebels looked very strong as they easily dominated Redemptorist and Istrouma. With several highlight dunks by nationally known Ricardo Gathers and tenacious defense by Louis Dabney and Lucas Martin, the Rebels looked every bit of one of the top teams in Louisiana next year along with Bossier and St. Augustine.
In what was the first event of its kind for BRCC, the 1st annual team camp was a great success. We want to personally thank head coach Todd Foster of BRCC and his assistant James Rix for hosting a great event that was first class. Also want to thank all the teams and coaches for attending. Everybody had nothing but great things to say of this event. Speaking with Coach Foster saturday he had this to say "It was a great day yesterday(friday) and the matchup of Basil and Gathers was fut to watch." Foster said. "All the coaches were impressed with our facility and said they would love to come back. I expect this event to grow next year and we expect maybe 20 teams or so in the future."

Top Players at the Event:
1. Ricardo Gathers- Riverside Academy LaPlace, LA 6’7” 225 lbs. Junior Forward
2. Gervaughn McGhee- Redemptorist HS Baton Rouge, LA 6’4” 180 lbs Junior Guard
3. Louis Dabney- Riverside Academy LaPlace, LA 6’3” 185 lbs. Junior Guard
4. Darius Johnson- Istrouma HS Baton Rouge, LA 6’2” 180 lbs Junior Point Guard
5. Levie Wright- Scotlandville HS Baton Rouge, LA 6’1” 170 lbs Senior Guard
6. Frank Bartley- Christian Life Baton Rouge, LA 6’2” 185 lbs. Sophomore Guard
7. Jordan Bickham- Covington HS, LA 5’10” 165 lbs Senior Guard
8. Zarif Basil- Scotlandville HS Baton Rouge, LA 6’8” 240 lbs Forward
9. Johnothan Stove- Christian Life, Baton Rouge, LA 6’2” 180 lbs Freshman Forward
10.Lucas Martin- Riverside Academy, LaPlace, LA 6’2” 180 lbs Sophomore Guard

Baton Rouge Community College 1st Annual Team Camp

The 1st annnual Baton Rouge Community College classic will be kicking off today and whil feature two defending state champions and a state runner-up. Riverside Academy and Christian Life will both be taking the floor today as defending champions. Scotlandville HS will be in attendance as well with the majority of their 5A runner-up team back minus 5A MVP J-Jay Thomas. Some of the top players to watch are:

Christian Life: Jr. Frank Bartley(Pictured below) and Freshman Will Jones and Johnathon Stove

Riverside Academy: Jr's Ricardo Gathers(below left), Louis Dabney(below right), Lucas Martin and Donald Thomas

Scotlandville: Sr. Levie Wright(pictured below left) and Jr's DeShawn Washington(bottom), Thaddeus Fortune(below center) and Zarif Basil(pictured below right)

Redemptorist: Jr. Gervaughn McGhee

Central: Senior LaQuin Turner

Istrouma: Senior Joel Jackson and Junior Darius Johnson(below)

BRCC 1ST ANNUAL TEAM CAMP GAME SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, JUNE 4

COURT 1

3:00-3:45 CLA VS. PARKVIEW BAPTIST

3:50-4:35 REDEMPTORIST VS. DUTCHTOWN

4:40-5:25 RIVERSIDE VS. SCOTLANDVILLE
5:30-6:15 CENTRAL VS. REDEMPTORIST
6:20-7:05 DUTCHTOWN VS. RIVERSIDE
7:10-7:55 DUNHAM VS. ISTROUMA

COURT 2:
3:00-3:45 ISTROUMA VS. SCOTLANDVILLE
3:50-4:35 BRUSLY VS. BELAIRE
4:40-5:25 DONALDSONVILLE VS. DUNHAM
5:30-6:15 PARKVIEW BAPTIST VS. BRUSLY
6:20-7:05 BELAIRE VS. CLA
7:10-7:55 COVINGTON VS. DONALDSONVILLE



SATURDAY, JUNE 5

COURT 1
10:00-10:45 DUTCHTOWN VS. DUNHAM
10:50-11:35 COVINGTON VS. SCOTLANDVILLE
11:40-12:25 RIVERSIDE VS. REDEMPTORIST
12:30-1:15 CLA VS. DUNHAM
1:20-2:05 COVINGTON VS. DUTCHTOWN
2:10-2:55 ISTROUMA VS. RIVERSIDE

COURT 2:
10:00-10:45 CLA VS. BRUSLY

10:50-11:35 PARKVIEW BAPTIST VS. BELAIRE
11:40-12:25 ISTROUMA VS. DONALDSONVILLE
12:30-1:15 BRUSLY VS. SCOTLANDVILLE
1:20-2:05 BELAIRE VS.REDEMPTORIST
2:10-2:55 PARKVIEW BAPTIST VS. DONALDSONVILLE

Interview with Oklahoma State Signee Markel Brown

Louisiana's Final Top 50 Class of 2010 Players

With the 2009-10 season now in the books, Louisiana Basketball Report and Louisiana Prep Insider has decided to list the top 50 players in the senior class. In what has been long awaited and much needed list, we have officially released what we feel is a list of the top 50 players in this years 2010 class. In the coming days and weeks, we will also list the top 20 for the 2011, 2012, and 2013 classes. We will also introduce the top 10 for next years crop of freshman for the 2014 class. So enjoy, and stay tuned. Now it is time for the rankings.

In a class that has had several Division-1 players sign this year, none stood out more in 2009-10 than Peabody’s Markel Brown. The 6’5” 180 lb senior and Oklahoma State signee really made his presence felt this year as he led the Warhorses to a 40-0 record and the 4A state title. With two highly impressive games in the Cajun Dome in March, Brown was clearly the best player at the Top 28 and all season as he led Peabody with a 32.5 ppg scoring average as well as a 41-0 record.  Brown is a super-athletic combo-guard that can handle the ball very well, defends, gets to the rim and finishes very well with acrobatic dunks and has a developing and very good 3-point shot. Brown was also named 4A State Player of the Year as well as the Louisiana Mr. Basketball winner as well as ESPN Rise All-American 2nd team.

The state’s #2 rated player is Christian Life Academy’s Langston Galloway from Baton Rouge, a St. Joseph’s (PA) signee. What really separated Galloway, a 6’3” 185 lb guard from the rest of the top five players is his ability to make his teammates better and the fact the he does all the little things so well that helps his team win. Yes, Galloway is an elite scorer and very good defender, but what he does when his shot isn’t falling is special. His ability to defend the basketball is impressive. He can score almost at will and can get to the rim with the best of them, but to dive on floors for loose balls, take a key charge, make the extra pass and also make the big shot, that is what makes him the state’s second-rated player. For the season Galloway averaged 26 ppg as well as 6 rebounds and 4 assists as he helped CLA and himself to get the Crusaders 4th state title in five years.

Coming in as the #3 rated player is LSU signee Matt Derenbecker from Metairie Park Country Day in Metairie. Derenbecker is a 6’7” 195 lb sharp-shooting guard that can flat score the basketball. At 6’7” his ability to look over the defense and pass the ball is really one of his strong points. He also handles the ball well enough to play the point at times. A two-time winner of the Gatorade Player of the Year award in Louisiana, the lefty led the 2009 Cajuns of Country Day to the state title along with current LSU player Eddie Ludwig. One of Derenbecker’s best skills is the way he gets his teammates involved. Everybody knows he can score but when he is doubled and tripled teamed, he passes the ball to open teammates extremely well. An underrated ball-handler, he can also get to the rim and finish as well. For the season Derenbecker averaged 25.5 ppg in his senior season.

The 4th rated senior in this year’s 2010 class is one of the state’s most successful players in terms of win/losses and state titles. Cedric Jenkins, the 6’2” 180 lb. scoring machine from LaPlace and Riverside Academy led the Rebels to their first state title in basketball in 2010. The Southern Mississippi signee helped lead a team that also boasted the state’s top rated sophomore Ricardo Gathers. Jenkins is a kid that battled through several injuries during high school and still had great seasons while at Reserve Christian and now Riverside. Coach Timmy Byrd called Jenkins “one of the best players I have ever coached” after the senior led his team to the state title. Besides being able to shoot the basketball, he can also handle it, defend it and is an underrated passer as well. With unlimited range on his shot, he was also defended tight, which allowed him to show his improved athleticism. Cedric really improved his stock this year. Always considered a top 10 player he really proved in the Cajun Dome that he is worthy of the #4 spot. On a team that had several talented players Jenkins averaged 19.9 ppg and 6 assists.

Rounding out the top five is another Oklahoma State signee in Brian Williams from Glen Oaks High School in Baton Rouge. Williams is an athletic wing that can really get up and down the court and isn’t afraid to make a highlight reel dunk or take a big shot. The 6’5” 200 lb guard is definitely going to be a great fit for the Cowboys of OSU and coach Travis Ford.  A bouncy kid, who can score the basketball with the best of the state, Williams was battled with injuries this year, which may have kept him from being a top 3 player. Even with a stress fracture in his shin, Williams still averaged 18.0 ppg and led his team to its 2nd straight Top 28 berth.


For the rest of the top 50 click here

For Our Scout.com Article click here

Unsigned Senior Showcase May 22nd at Baton Rouge Comm. College 10:00 A.M.

UNSIGNED SENIOR SHOWCASE

BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

201 COMMUNITY COLLEGE DRIVE

BATON ROUGE, LA 70806

SATURDAY May 22, 2010

9:00 to 10:00 A.M. REGISTRATION DON’T BE LATE!

BONNE SANTE’ WELLNESS CENTER ARENA

COST: $20 NO REFUNDS

BRING YOUR OWN GEAR

ALL SENIORS OR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES(LA., MS, AL, AR, TX, AL, TN, FL) WHO ARE INTERESTED IN HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE SEEN BY COLLEGE COACHES ARE WELCOMED

ALL PLAYERS WILL PLAY IN 3 GAMES

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL 225-216-8043 OR EMAIL fostert@mybrcc.edu Or contact Bobby Sibley of the Louisiana Basketball Report at louisianabasketballreport@gmail.com or 225-400-5209.

New Orleans' Jarvis Ray signs with TCU

Jarvis Ray 6'6 " 180 lbs. 

New Orleans, Louisiana

O. Perry Walker High School)

Ray comes to the Frogs from O. Perry Walker High School where he led the City of New Orleans in scoring average - 21.6 points per game - during his senior campaign. The 6-6 guard capped off his final prep season with second team All-Louisiana Class 4A accolades in addition to a first team selection to the Times-Picayune All-Metro squad.

The newly-inked Frog played AAU ball with Fleur de Leis All-Star that finished third overall in the Louisiana State Tournament. In addition, Ray also guided his prep team to a 5-1 record in the Super Elite Summer League where he finished with a team-high 10.0 points per game.

"I really felt comfortable on my visit, hanging out with the players and talking with the coaching staff. I felt that TCU was a place that was going to take care of me, and I'm excited about that opportunity. I really consider myself a team player, and I like to get everyone involved on the floor. I'm excited to work with Coach Christian, and he told me that I need to get stronger, but that he really liked my all-around game," said Ray.

"TCU really did an excellent job in recruiting Jarvis. I'm not only excited for Jarvis, but I'm excited for TCU because they are getting one of the top-five players in Louisiana. In addition to being a very athletic player, Jarvis is very skilled, versatile and can play multiple positions," said O. Perry Walker High School basketball coach Brian Gibson.

"Jarvis is a long, athletic wing and has a lot of upside and potential. He is another multi-faceted guard who can dribble, pass and shoot. He is very explosive and possesses very good range," said Christian.

Courtesy of Go Frogs.com

Two Players set to Sign Today

Also Check Our Article out on Scout.com

With the signing day set to begin today with two kids that are expected to sign today are Istrouma’s Ronald McGhee with North Texas, Cedric Jenkins of Riverside Academy with Southern Miss. McGhee’s ceremony is set for 1:00 p.m. today at Istrouma High. Jenkins will sign at 12:15 today in a ceremony at Riverside.

McGhee is a 6’5” sharpshooter who really saw his stock skyrocket as a result of playing with the Texas D-1 Ambassadors last summer of Coach Max Ivany. Along with a stellar senior season this year in which McGhee brought Istrouma to the quarterfinals where they lost to eventual champion Peabody, he has really improved his all around game this year. Thought of prior to last summer as just a shooter, McGhee improved in all assets of his game. McGhee has now shown that he can defend at a high-level as well as get to the rim and finish. McGhee, the former University of New Orleans commit also had interest from Tulane, Louisiana-Lafayette, Nichols State, Wright State, Murray State, Western Carolina, Western Illinois, Moorehead State, Xavier (LA), and Texas State also since Jan. UCLA has came to watch him once as well.

Jenkins is 6'2" Shooter that can run a team as a point guard and is similar to Memphis guard Roburt Sallie but with a more consistent shot and better feel for the game. That is a big time comparison for the guard from Reserve, LA. Jenkins is a proven winner as he has won 4 state titles in High school along with being a 4-Time all state player. Three years which were at Reserve Christian and this year at Riverside Academy. Jenkins, who’s career has been plagued with several key injuries including the most recent one this past summer in which he tore his ACL, is better than ever. He is a more complete player that can really shoot the basketball, run a team, defend, athletic and is very unselfish. He chose Southern Miss over University of New Orleans,Tulane, Baylor, Texas-El Paso, Louisiana Tech and Virginia Tech.

Cedric Jenkins Commits to Southern Miss

Yesterday we were the first to announce that one of the state's top shooting guards and most successful player to have ever played for Coach Timmy Byrd at Reserve Christian and now Riverside Academy, Cedric Jenkins has officially verbally committed to Southern Miss coach Larry Eustachy.  He is a 6'2" Shooter that can run a team as a point guard and is similar to Memphis guard Roburt Sallie but with a more consistent shot and better feel for the game. That is a big time comparison for the guard from Reserve, LA. If you remember, Sallie is the Memphis guard that scored 31 points in their 1st round NCAA tournament game in 2009 and had 8 3's in that game. Southern Miss is absolutely getting a steal that will be one of the top guards in the C-USA for the next 4 years. After having time to adjust to college ball, Jenkins will be a all-conference player when it is all said and done. Jenkins now joins a class that includes Mississippi Mr. Basketball Rashad Perkins of Starkville HS and Mississippi Mr. Basketball Runner-Up Trency Jackson of Wingfield HS. 

"I am very excited to attend Southern Miss" an excited Jenkins told us. "I am glad I found a place that fits my personality. Southern Miss reminds of myself. Very laid back, straight forward, good enivornment and I love the town of Hattiesburg,MS and its people."

Question and Answer Session with Cedric Jenkins: 

1. How excited are you on signing with Southern Miss? I'm very excited, I'm glad I found a place that fits my personality.

2. In your opinion, what makes Southern Miss the right place for you? Southern Miss reminds of myself... Very laid back, straight forward, good enivornment and I love the town of Hattiesburg,MS and it's people.

3. What set Southern Miss apart from the rest of the school's recruiting you? They were very honest and straight forward.

4. What school's recruited you and did you have offers from? UNO,TULANE,BAYLOR,UTEP,LA TECH, VA TECH,

5. What do you think of Coach Eustachy, Coach Heiar(G.H.) and the Southern Miss family? Coach Eustachy has the same qualities as coach Timmy, G.H. was really nice and I appreciated him showing us around campus. And the guys were very cool and I enjoyed being around them and like always I will continue to work hard.

6. What has being at a programs like Reserve and Riverside done for you and your recruiting if anything? If it wasnt for me attending those programs, who knows where I would be, I'm very thankful for the opportunities that I've been given.

7. What has it been like playing for a great coach in Timmy Byrd?Coach Timmy is responsible for transforming me into an all- around player, leader and not just a three-point shooter.

8. Who do you want to thank for supporting you through your career at Reserve and Riverside? God first, My mom, Coach Timmy, Coach Ronnie Byrd, My friends and family.. St John and St Charles recreation, Louisiana Select, Lake Ponchatrain Elementary and the Students, teammates and parents of both Riverside and Reserve Christian.

9. What are your expectations for your career at Southern Miss and how do you plan on helping them win? Also, how do you see yourself contributing as a freshman? My expectations are to continue my career of winning and touching every person I meet in some kind of way... I see my self contributing as a freshman by accepting my role and giving 110% by working hard towards my degree and by being a positive teammate and USM student on and off campus

10. What will you miss most about being in HS and the recruiting scene?  I will miss all the fans and parents that I have come in contact with in the last four years and also my teammates.

11. What has it meant to you being around a couple of great guards that played RCS in Tweety Carter(Baylor) and Ed McCain(Bradley)? I looked up to those guys, they were a big part in helping me develop my leadership skills.

12. What do you want the S. Miss fans to know about Cedric Jenkins, the player and the person? Honest, hardworking, positive, dedicated, with outgoing personality, with a winning attitude, and with God I know that all things are possible!

13. What family members or coaches or other people have really influenced you and helped you throughout your 4 years of HS?There's a million answers to this question, and I dont wanna leave anyone out but a few names are: My Mom Crystal Jenkins, My AAU coach Mike Theus, Coach Timmy Byrd and Ronnie Byrd

14. What do you want to tell your teammates who you have played with over the last 4 years? I want them to know I love them and they can ask me for anything they need or call me anytime and I will never forget them.

15. What is your expected major at USM? Im still undecided.

16. Give me all your accolades while in High School: 1st All-State 4 times, 4 time all-district, 2008 Mvp of state title game, 4 time top 28 all state, 4 Time State Champ

17. What schools did you visit? Tulane, Southern Miss

18. Favorite food: Gumbo

      NBA player/College player: Joe Johnson and Tweety Carter

      pre-game ritual: Focus, Clown and pray with my teammates

      favorite rapper/singer: Young Jeezy

      favorite TV Show: anything on ESPN

      favorite thing to do in your free time: Chill and Relax

Thank you for your time Cedric and good luck in your future at Southern Miss. God Bless and Stay Humble!! -Louisiana Basketball Report

Breaking News: Cedric Jenkins Commits to Southern Mississippi

It has now been made official. One of the state's top shooting guards and most successful player to have ever played for Coach Timmy Byrd at Reserve Christian and now Riverside Academy, Cedric Jenkins has officially verbally committed to Southern Miss and former Iowa State coach Larry Eustachy. He is 6'2" Shooter that can run a team as a point guard and is similar to Memphis guard Roburt Sallie but with a more consistent shot and better feel for the game. That is a big time comparison for the guard from Reserve, LA. If you remember Sallie is the Memphis guard that scored 31 points in their 1st round NCAA tournament game in 2009 and had 8 3's in that game. Southern Miss is absolutely getting a steal that will be one of the top guards in the C-USA for the next 4 years. After having time to adjust to college ball, Jenkins will be a all-conference player when it is all said and done. Jenkins now joins a class that includes Mississippi Mr. Basketball Rashad Perkins of Starkville HS and Mississippi Mr. Basketball Runner-Up Trency Jackson of Wingfield HS. Congratulations Cedric on your committment.

For the full story stay tuned tonight or early tomorrow after we talk with Cedric and others to get a better feel on his commitment.

Peabody Duo signs with Kansas City Community College

It wasn't too surprising that Peabody star Kalvin Balque Jr.(right) would sign to play basketball at a higher level, as he did Thursday in signing with Kansas City (Kan.) Community College.


But it was surprising too see Brandon Morris, who split time as the team manager and cameraman for the Class 4A state champion Warhorses, do the same.

Balque averaged 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals per game as a No. 3 (small forward) player for unbeaten Peabody as a senior, but Morris, who went to Aiken Optional School after too many no-shows at class as a freshman at Bolton, hadn't played high school basketball in two seasons. Even so, he played somewhere, he said, "every day" and sharpened his game the last two summers on Peabody's AAU team.

Balque's father, Kalvin, said his son had a "rocky start, too" to his high school career when Kalvin Jr. spoiled his freshman year at Alexandria Senior High with bad grades.

Balque transferred to Peabody as a sophomore and on the second day of school, he asked Peabody coach Charles Smith if he could play basketball.

"I told him to bring me his report card," Smith said, "and I think he had one A, in phys. ed., and the rest Fs. I told him he'd have to get his grades up as he sat out the first semester, and he pulled them up to a C average. He played JV ball the rest of the year and the next year he made the varsity.

"He needs to go to a junior college, though, to develop skills at the 1 or 2 guard," Smith added.

The 6-foot Morris, whom Smith coached the last two summers, was one of a group of players who played in a scrimmage that served mostly as a KCCC tryout for Balque (pronounced BAL-q), but he caught the attention of KCCC coach Bill Sloan just as Smith thought might happen, after nailing a couple of 3-pointers, making a dunk and getting a couple of steals.

"Coach Sloan asked me, 'Who is that?' And I told him, 'That's my manager.' He couldn't believe it. 'Manager?! If we'd have had him this year, we could've won the championship.'"

Sloan came to get one player at Peabody, and he got two.

Morris said he completed his required credits to graduate from Bolton High School on Tuesday, and he said his mother (Tammy Butler), coach Smith and friends from the Peabody team helped him get this "golden opportunity."

Balque said he remembered coach Smith telling him as a new sophomore on campus "that he wanted a student first, that he could get a player from across the street." He said he hoped to "continue to make better grades" at KCCC and use the experience as a "stepping stone" to play for a university.

Smith said both young men showed that, "By sticking with it and working hard, you can overcome your mistakes."

Courtesy of the Alexandria Town Talk

Three of the Lafayette Area's Best Headed to Baton Rouge Community College

Foster in 2008 while  at Christian Life

Former Christian Life coach Todd Foster continues to get off to a fast start in building the Baton Rouge Community College's men's basketball program.

Foster is expected to sign arguably three of the top five players in the Acadiana area in first-team All-Acadiana selections Xavier Blackburn of St. Thomas More, Jacoby Colbert of Westgate and Keelon Lee of Abbeville on Wednesday.

Colbert was honored as the All-Acadiana Most Valuable Player with Blackburn being the runner-up to that award. Colbert and Blackburn were both second-team All-State selections on the Class 5A All-State team, while Lee was a first-team All-State selection on the Class 3A team.


Louisiana Basketball Report's Assessment on each player:
 

Jacoby Colbert- Westgate High School 6'3" Guard
District 4-5A MVP and All-Acadiana MVP
2nd Team 5A All-State 21 ppg. 5.5 rpg 3.6 apg

• Colbert is a quick, athletic wing that can handle the ball and has great range. One of the top shooters in the Lafayette area and has developed as a player each year he has been at Westgate. Colbert was dual-sport athlete and was also a star on the Westgate football team

Keelon Lee- Abbeville High School 6'7" Forward
District 5-3A MVP and All-Acadiana 1st Team
1st Team 3A All-State 17.2 ppg. 10 rpg

• A physical athletic post that beat you with athleticism, speed, quickness or just pure toughness. Lee is still a little raw offensively but can finish at or above the rim with ease. Very good shot blocker and defensive rebounder, Lee is a versatile big that can step out to hit an occasional jumper.

Xavier Blackburn- St.Thomas More 6'4" Guard/Forward
District 4-5A 1st Team and All-Acadiana First Team
2nd Team 5A All-State 17.8 ppg. 8 rpg.

• Blackburn is combo type player. A mixture of a wing and a forward. Blackburn has good enough handles to be a wing but has more natural skill on the low block as a post. A kid with a developing skill-set that once he gets in the gym with Coach Foster could be a heck of a player. A hard-worker that is coming from a great program and legendary coach in Danny Broussard

Helpful Coaching Information, Plays, Drills and Motivational Quotes

In what will be our newest edition to the Louisiana Basketball Report we will be adding a page for coaching tips, plays, drills and motivational quotes. Our first post is a 20 minute workout by Steve Nash for ALL guards and versatile, athletic forwards that can handle and shoot the ball. I hope you all enjoy this new p...age on our site that will continue to set us apart as the best in the state. This page is an idea brought to us by Coach Mike McGuire of Country Day in Metaire. You can find the link under our "site navigation" column to the left or you can click on the link below. Also Below you will see the five key points that Steve pointed out before doing his workout.

Helpful Coaching Information, Plays, Drills and Motivational Quotes

 

Steve Nash 20-Minute Workout

1. In basketball, teams are made during the season; individual players are made in the offseason.
2. Don’t come to the gym counting how many shots you take.
3. Count how many you make.
4. Don’t end on a miss.
5. Stay on balance and use your legs when you’re tired.