Louisiana Hoopers: Go See Them Now

Louisiana has a lot of talent, and the skill covers all different ranges depending on what a coach may be looking for. This next article will be about some players that if a coach is looking for a specific skill set, these players are perfect for them to take a look at. We have a shooters, defenders, post players and high IQ players that will surely play at the next level. The next 365 days will only determine where they got the opportunity to improve a program.    Baker may be put in the best situation this season to showcase her skills as she steps into the role of primary scorer at Parkway High School. She will be paired with a traditional point guard which will give her plenty of opportunities thrive on the court. "Z" is a well-known name around the state, because she plays the game with passion. She is a champion and is following in the footsteps of some great players and now it is her turn to step and assist with the heavy lifting. Over the years she has improved in the mid-range and three-point shooting, and she is also a willing facilitator. She is a supremely confident player that is exciting to watch in the open court because of her elite ball handling skills. Baker is a college level player with offers on the table, but I think more will come as the season gets started.     Redman is a traditional post player who excels in the lane on both offense and defense, consistently protecting the paint with aggressive play. A strong and competitive rebounder, she will be a key asset this year as she assumes a dominant role with the defending 5A Select Champions. Redman is a long and athletic post player who leverages her size and athleticism to overpower opponents. She is a high-level rebounder capable of finishing effectively on either side of the basket. Coaches seeking an athletic post player willing to contribute in all facets of the game should evaluate Redman.     Douglas is a shooter. If there was a player that is considered a specialist, it would be Douglas. Every team, and every situation that she is in, when she goes in the game, just know there is a play being ran for her, and her job is to knock down shots. She is not a volume shooter, but as a specialist she will come in and shoot you out of a sticky situation. In addition to her high-level shooting abilities, she is also a willing defender and can get to the rim, when the long ball is not available. Douglas will have to choose between Basketball and Track and Field as one of the top discus throwers in the state, but there is still time to get her while she is making a decision. Coaches looking for a tough defender with the ability to knock down shots from distance, stop by Ruston and see [player_tooltip player_id='874361' first='Journi' last='Douglas'].     Cooley is a shooter. She can stand behind the three point line and shoot all day, but her super skill may be leadership. She has been a primary scorer and facilitator for Ouachita for three years and every year she gets more dangerous and adds to her bag. Cooley is a relentless competitor on both sides of the ball, and it seems that the more physical the game, the more she enjoys it. She plays with a smile but competes like it is all out war. She is a three-level scorer, and I am not sure at which level she is the most efficient, because she is efficient at all levels. Plenty of coaches have taken notice, and her offer count rises almost daily. Cooley is the player that opposing coaches game plan to stop, making her dangerous in any game. She will play college basketball at the next level.     At 6'0 Branch is arguably the most skilled post player in North Louisiana, and this season she will have the keys to the program to showcase her diverse skill set. My first time watching her was at a tournament in Saline, and she was impressive. She is a first team level player in any District along with 18pts and 12 rebounds. She has all of the tools for next level play if that is her chosen path. She has consistent ball handling skills, high basketball IQ and physically possesses all of the attributes that coaches look for at the next level. Her game is grounded in fundamentals, and she can fill a stat sheet in every way. She can shoot, rebound, defend, block shots and finish at the rim. Coaches looking for a hidden gem in Louisiana, take a trip to Haughton and get a good look at Branch. She will not disappoint.

Louisiana has a lot of talent, and the skill covers all different ranges depending on what a coach may be looking for. This next article will be about some players that if a coach is looking for a specific skill set, these players are perfect for them to take a look at. We have a shooters, defenders, post players and high IQ players that will surely play at the next level. The next 365 days will only determine where they got the opportunity to improve a program.