Pre-Season 4A Big 5

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 there title runs. Last year in 4A it was wide open with no clear cut favorite to win the title eventually AJ Ellender High School claimed the state title on the public side while St. Louis Catholic took the Division 2 title. This year in 4A on the private and public side there's a lot of added depth with some schools moving up in classification. Last years Public champion Ellender will be back for another run at a tittle along with state runner up Warren Easton and new comer to 4A state Semifinalist in 3A Brusly High School, all Top 28 (final four) participants last year will still be in the conversation this year. On the private side this maybe the most competitive playoff bracket in the state this year with the likes of Huntington, Lafayette Christian (2022 State Champion in Division 3) and young Vandebilt Catholic squad. Here we will rank our 4A Big 5 teams coming into this season. This includes Division 2 which is 4A private schools.   <ol><li>Lafayette Christian - (25-7 2021-2022 Division 3 State Champion)</li></ol>   Moving up in class the Lady Knights are in the conversation for best overall team in the State of Louisiana regardless of class. Returning 2024 Pg [player_tooltip player_id='484918' first='Jada' last='Richard'] (Offers from Ole Miss, UCF, Houston and Tulane) to name a few is the key to the knight train, a three level scorer and the number one ranked player in the class of 2024. Along with Richard is 2024 post Eve Alexander (Offers from Nicholls State and ULM) the rebounding machine and rim runner will be back after a great summer where she garnered a lot of attention from mid major schools. To take the load off of Richard is 2025 Pg [player_tooltip player_id='484986' first='Taylen' last='Taylor'] who gets in the lane at will and has become a better finisher at the rim also in the mix is Lafayette high transfer [player_tooltip player_id='484853' first='Dacia' last='Jones'] who is one of the top Seniors in the state and adds outside shooting and length to the Lady Knights. The biggest factor maybe 2026 freshman Kaliyah Samuels and how she adapts to high school ball and if its anything like what I seen over the summer she will be just fine. The Lady Knights always play a tough schedule and this years playoff run shouldn't be a cake walk like last year where their average margin of victory was 48 points.   2. Huntington - (21-9 2021-2022 Semifinalist)   All Coach Shyne does is win and it will continue for the Lady Raiders. Last years state semifinalist will get a boost with 2026 Pg Kyndal Graham stepping foot on campus, while small in stature Graham is a pure point with a legit handle and great understanding of the game for her age. She will not be alone in the backcourt 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='489461' first='Jamari' last='Bell'] is back and looking to build off of a great freshman campaign for the Lady Raiders. Senior Nijeh Grant will lead Coach Shyne's Lady Raiders this play maker is another guard that will lead the Lady Raiders up-tempo system. Mind you Huntington this year has moved to the private side of the bracket and could possibly see the likes of Lafayette Christian, Northside, Vandebilt etc. I'm curious to see if the Lady Raiders can put it all together and bring another title to the 318.   3. Brusly - (26-4 2021-2022 3A Semifinalist)   This might be the Lady Panthers best chance to bring a title to the west side. After loosing in the 3A state semifinals a year ago the pride of the westside returns everyone from last years run. In the mix and leading the charge will be 2023 wing [player_tooltip player_id='484862' first='Tia' last='Anderson'], the senior was a first team all district selection a year ago and lead the squad in scoring and rebounds. To help Anderson and the Lady Panthers to the next level 2024 guard and first team all district selection [player_tooltip player_id='487816' first='Laila' last='Clark'] will have to have a big year, a strong shifty tough guard Clark will need to score more and more consistently for the Lady Panthers. Coach Bradford will also need a strong year from 2025 guard Aliah Jarrell who seen limited minuets as a freshman but should have a bigger role this year and will hopefully capitalize off of a strong summer. Brusly is to me the favorite on the public side along with the likes of Ellender and LaGrange.   4. Vandebilt Catholic - (26-4 2021-2022 Semifinalist)   The kids that came out of nowhere last year are no longer a secret. While making it to the semifinals last year without there best active player 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='484985' first='Makayla' last='Charles'] who got hurt late in the year they also made it without possibly there best player 2026 CG Journee Johnson who had to sit out the entire year. Add those two to 2025 Pg [player_tooltip player_id='489502' first='Tryian' last='Johnson'], 2025 sharp shooter [player_tooltip player_id='489501' first='Maddie' last='Dufrene'], 2025 F [player_tooltip player_id='485532' first='Makensie' last='Charles'] and 2026 Tyanna Stewart the Lady Terriers are young athletic physical and deep. With there style of play they will be a problem all year for whoever they play. Again no longer a sleeper in the state I'm anxious to see what there schedule will look like and will the young pups get tested early and often. We will be on hand when they travel to Walker high to participate in Walkers annual tournament where I'm sure they'll get tested.   5. AJ Ellender - (19-11 2021-2022 State Champs)   Where they the favorite, nope but After capturing the 2021-2022 State Championship in 4A public the Lady Patriots earned there respect. A traditional power down on the bayou this years version of the Lady Patriots will future a familiar face in 2023 dynamite Pg [player_tooltip player_id='484902' first='Jamia' last='Singleton'] who finished the state champion game with 12 points on the night and multiple assist. Also returning for the Lady Patriots will be 2024 post Laijah Rockward who was the most outstanding player of the state championship game finishing with a double-double 13 points and 10 rebounds. at the end of the day the kids from the bayou will only go as far as Singleton can take them. A big test will come when they face bayou foe Vandebilt Catholic it will be one you don't wanna miss.   Next Up: Warren Easton, Northside, LaGrange, St. Thomas More

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 there title runs. Last year in 4A it was wide open with no clear cut favorite to win the title eventually AJ Ellender High School claimed the state title on the public side while St. Louis Catholic took the Division 2 title. This year in 4A on the private and public side there's a lot of added depth with some schools moving up in classification. Last years Public champion Ellender will be back for another run at a tittle along with state runner up Warren Easton and new comer to 4A state Semifinalist in 3A Brusly High School, all Top 28 (final four) participants last year will still be in the conversation this year. On the private side this maybe the most competitive playoff bracket in the state this year with the likes of Huntington, Lafayette Christian (2022 State Champion in Division 3) and young Vandebilt Catholic squad. Here we will rank our 4A Big 5 teams coming into this season. This includes Division 2 which is 4A private schools.