Pre - Season 5A Big 5 | Prep Girls Hoops

With the 2021-2022 season well behind us in the state of Louisiana, teams are back in school and gearing up for the 2022-2023 season. With a rule change this year, teams are able to start practicing earlier then normal to make their title runs. Last year in 5A it was nothing short of a show. With a balance in the landscape you had strong teams from both, the north and the south with no clear cut favorite. This year is a little of the same. Parkway, Ponchatoula, Walker, and Lafayette which where all Top 28 (final four) participants last year will still be in the conversations this year. Will there be a sleeper to shock the state? Will there be any teams to come out of nowhere and upset one of the teams mentioned? Here we will rank our 5A Big 5 teams coming into this season. This includes Division 1 which is 5A private schools.   <ol><li>Parkway - (34-2 2021-2022 State Runner Up) </li></ol>   The Lady Panthers of Parkway enter the season as our Pre Season Big Five number one team in 5A. After a deep playoff run last year losing in the title game the Lady Panthers return the core of their line up Featuring the countries number 1 player and (LSU) commit, [player_tooltip player_id='484802' first='Mikaylah' last='Williams']. This years Panthers team will be much of the same as last. A team that's capable of beating you in a variety of ways, that maybe playing fast, playing slow, pounding you on the inside, or having 2024 PG, [player_tooltip player_id='484922' first='Chloe' last='Larry'] killing you from deep. With only one lost in state last year and 2 overall the schedule has been beefed up as they will compete in the Sandra Meadows Classic in Duncanville Texas. District 1-5A will be down this year so look for the Lady Panthers to test themselves early and often in the regular season. Also, look for Sophomore Forward, [player_tooltip player_id='484980' first='Savannah' last='Wilson'] to have a big year for the Lady Panthers the 5'10 hybrid is a mismatch problem for opposing teams as she can play inside and out and start the break. Primed for another title appearance look for the Lady Panthers to be back in Hammond.   2. Ponchatoula - (35-2 2021-2022 State Champions)   EXPERIANCE is the word here! The defending state champion Lady Wave return five seniors to a team that went 35-2 last year while capturing a state title in our biggest classification. Amongst those five seniors is transfer [player_tooltip player_id='484857' first='Myan' last='Barthelemy'] who comes over from Loranger High. Myan gives the Lady Wave a go to bucket getter on the perimeter to go along with the inside play of senior [player_tooltip player_id='484897' first='Taylor' last='Jackson'] who can simply dominate a game on the glass. Not to mention the return of 2023 Forward, [player_tooltip player_id='484859' first='Libby' last='Thompson'] who's one of the states best long ball shooters and has been offered by McNesse State. The big question for the Lady Wave will be depth and who will play the point position this year? Seniors, Amaya Graves and Lilianna Bush will be given the task of handling the point this year where they will have to be more then lock down defenders. Look for sophomore Alyssa Hillard to be a contributor for the Lady Wave this year also. The Lady Wave should run through district 6-5A again this year and be on their way to another Top 28 (Final Four) appearance.   3. Walker - (33-4 2021-2022 State Semifinalist)   What will this year's version of the running Korey Arnolds look like? The Lady Cats return everybody from last years state semifinal team where they lost to eventual champion Ponchatoula. With that, the Lady Cats suffered two big time losses over the summer in 2024 guards [player_tooltip player_id='484925' first='Ray'Onna' last='Sterling'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484930' first='Kennedi' last='Ard'] both tearing ACL'S. last years team who pressed for 32 minuets relied on its depth this year that will be tested. Led by (Loyola New Orleans commit) and 1st team all- state PG [player_tooltip player_id='484850' first='Caitlin' last='travis'], who's a dynamic scorer. The Lady Cats lack of size will be in question against the likes of Parkway and Ponchatoula. Sophomore stud, [player_tooltip player_id='484971' first='Arionna' last='Patterson'] (Offers from Memphis, Louisiana Tech) to name a few and Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='484945' first='Ja'miya' last='Vann'] will have to up their scoring along with Sophomore guard, [player_tooltip player_id='485531' first='Leah' last='Eddards']. Defensively in their pressing style of defense, look for Sophomore guard, [player_tooltip player_id='484990' first='Lashantae' last='Clay'] and Sr guard, [player_tooltip player_id='486154' first='Keira' last='Gross'] to be at the forefront of the pressure. In a new district this year look for the Lady Cats to still finish atop of it while testing themselves with another trip to Texas for the Sandra Meadows Classic where they went 2-2 last year against some of the best teams in the country. It will be tough, but with their style of play look, for another Top 28 appearance for the kids from 9677 Florida Blvd. The Sophomores will have to step up.   4. Lafayette - (24-6 2021-2022 State Semifinalist)   Last year's Lady Lions team led by Seniors Breyionce George and Jahniya Brown who are now long gone advanced to the state final four in the 5A public division losing to eventual state runner up, Parkway. This years version of the Lady Lions will be led by big guard, [player_tooltip player_id='484843' first='Chrysta' last='Narcisse'] (Offers from Coastal Carolina and Lamar) to name a few the big time guard will have to do more with the departure of [player_tooltip player_id='484853' first='Dacia' last='Jones'] who transferred to Lafayette Christian. Sophomore Lead guard, [player_tooltip player_id='484977' first='Kira' last='Johnson'] should be handed the keys to the ship. The 5'7 guard is coming off of a great summer and has an improved jumper to go along with a crafty handle. 6'2 2024, [player_tooltip player_id='484948' first='Grace' last='Paul'] will see an increase in minutes this year as well. The big question for Lafayette is, will 5'11 super athlete, [player_tooltip player_id='486155' first='Dalayla' last='Blackwell'] play basketball this year seeming as though she is committed to South Alabama for volleyball. The Lady Lions have the team capable to win the Division 1 state tittle since they moved to the private side. Look for them to contend with the likes of Southwood, Warren Easton, and perennial power John Curtis.   5. Barbe - (18-6 2021-2022 First Round Exit)   Another year under Head Coach Trey DiGiglia this years Lady Bucs team will be in the hunt for a state title. Led by (ULM Commit), [player_tooltip player_id='484847' first='Mikaylah' last='Manley'] and her versatile game, the big guard who gets to the rim at will, will look to lead the Lady Bucs to Hammond. Although, Barbe is not just Manley while she is the force that makes them go look for 2025 sharp shooter, [player_tooltip player_id='485530' first='Mia' last='Colston'] to have a big impact on this year's team. Also, in the running to help the Bucs get to Hammond will be lefty 2025 Pg, Maleigh James. James is in ultra confident Pg with a good feel for the game as she see's the floor well and can create for herself and others. And lets not forget 2023 guard, Megan Colston as well. Yes, there's two of them! I can't wait to see this years Lafayette High vs Barbe match up for the district title. Look for the Lady Bucs to make it well beyond the first round of the playoffs.   NEXT UP: John Cutis, Southwood, East St. John, Liberty

With the 2021-2022 season well behind us in the state of Louisiana, teams are back in school and gearing up for the 2022-2023 season. With a rule change this year, teams are able to start practicing earlier then normal to make their title runs. Last year in 5A it was nothing short of a show. With a balance in the landscape you had strong teams from both, the north and the south with no clear cut favorite. This year is a little of the same. Parkway, Ponchatoula, Walker, and Lafayette which where all Top 28 (final four) participants last year will still be in the conversations this year. Will there be a sleeper to shock the state? Will there be any teams to come out of nowhere and upset one of the teams mentioned? Here we will rank our 5A Big 5 teams coming into this season. This includes Division 1 which is 5A private schools.