This season, numerous leading teams in Louisiana’s Class 5A girls high school basketball showcase exceptional talent across various grades.
These athletes have distinguished themselves with their remarkable skills, determination, and sportsmanship, playing pivotal roles in their teams’ successes. From scoring prowess and defensive tenacity to leadership both on and off the court, these players are making significant impacts and elevating the level of competition.
Let’s take a closer look at the players leading their teams to greatness this season:
Amijah Price, sr, Woodlawn-BR
LBR Basketball has recognized Price, a 5-foot-8 guard, as Louisiana’s top player. Last season, she averaged 26 points per game during the Division I select state tournament, leading the fifth-seeded Panthers to a surprising 71-58 victory against No. 1 Huntington in the semifinals, eventually finishing as a runner-up to John Curtis. Price, who has committed to the UL Ragin’ Cajuns, scored 22 points in a recent triumph over the undefeated University Lab, steering Woodlawn to a 15-6 overall record.
Cherie Spencer, sr, Northshore
The North Texas signee averaged 23.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 4.2 steals in her junior campaign, according to Joseph Halm from The New Orleans Advocate. Spencer set a new career scoring record for her school with 2,104 points in January, netting 28 points in that game and 32 in her prior match, leading Northshore to a solid 15-5 record.
Carley Hamilton, sr, Huntington
Hamilton, who has signed with Southern Miss, heads a team brimming with scorers, averaging 19.2 points per game. She boasts an impressive 52% shooting percentage from the field—ranking second overall—and also contributes 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 steals, and 1.7 assists. The Southern Miss women’s basketball site noted she is “a favorite for the highly sought-after Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year award.”
Sanaa Bean, sr, Edna Karr
On National Signing Day, the future Texas-San Antonio Roadrunner expressed to Louisiana vs. All Y’all, “the emotion I’m probably feeling the most is gratitude.” The 6-foot-3 senior, who made the switch from Newman to Karr, has been instrumental in propelling the Cougars to a remarkable 20-3 record, while averaging 13.1 points per game that puts them at the No. 3 spot in Division I select power rankings. “I felt like the (UTSA) coaching staff were very serious about winning,” Bean commented during an interview with WGNO-TV.
Dakota Howard, sr, Parkway
Howard, a Southeastern Louisiana signee, has played a key role in the Panthers’ consecutive state championships. In her junior year, she averaged 14.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.5 steals, as reported by Russell Hedges of the Bossier Press Tribune. Recently, she led Parkway with 15 points in a District 1-5A victory against Huntington, now averaging 19 points per game for the top-ranked team in the Division I nonselect power ratings.
Arionna Patterson, sr, Walker
Patterson enjoyed an unbeaten regular season last year, and they are off to a 25-1 start this season. The 6-foot-0 senior, a signee of the UL Ragin’ Cajuns, averages 17.4 points per game while maintaining a shooting percentage of 54%. She also leads her team with 6.1 rebounds and 3.9 steals, in addition to contributing two assists each match.
Kira Johnson, sr. Lafayette High
Johnson has been a crucial contributor for the Lions for several seasons. As a sophomore, she posted a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds during a 52-46 win in the state championship, halting John Curtis’s title streak since 2017. Described as “a phenomenal floor general who plays with a high IQ,” Johnson scored 23 points in a recent victory over Opelousas, as noted by Shannon Belt of The Lafayette Daily Advertiser. Despite a challenging schedule, the Lions’ record stands at 10-9 and they are set to compete fiercely against Barbe and Sulphur in District 3-5A.
Imani Daniel, sr, John Curtis
Daniel has consistently been a part of state championship teams during her time with the Patriots, including last season’s title game victory over Woodlawn-BR, where she contributed 17 points (11 of 14 from the free-throw line), 10 rebounds, five assists, and four steals. This season, she averages 12.5 points and 8.3 rebounds, contributing to the Patriots’ impressive 12-3 record, which places them at the top in the Division I select power rankings.
Tiarra McPipe, sr, Zachary
A seasoned 1,000-point scorer, McPipe also excels as a fierce defender, leveraging her strength and agility to challenge the opponent’s top shooter. The 5-foot-10 senior partnered with junior Ava Raymond, leading the Broncos to a 60-54 victory over Southern Lab, accumulating 22 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, as reported by William Weathers of The Baton Rouge Advocate. Zachary holds a solid 17-3 record and ranks third in the Division I nonselect power ratings.
Akeelah Wade, sr, Natchitoches-Central
The 5-foot-11 forward has been recognized by NxtPro-Puma lead basketball scout Derrick Beechum on X for her “post-up proficiency” and abilities as a “skilled finisher” and “defensive disruptor.” In her junior year, Wade averaged 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals, helping the Chiefs achieve an impressive 18-3 record this season.
Alyssa Hillard, sr, Ponchatoula
The Green Wave is boasting a 15-9 record against some of the toughest competition within the state, with Hillard scoring 20 and 28 points against reigning state champions Lafayette Christian and John Curtis, respectively. She managed a total of 67 points across three games within just two days in December. Jarryd Boyd from The Hash It Out Show referred to Hillard as “the hidden secret” among underrated college prospects.
Mia Colston, sr, Barbe
The 5-foot-9 guard faces aggressive defense as soon as she arrives at the venue, as noted on the Barbe Lady Bucs Basketball Facebook page. In a recent 57-23 victory over LaGrange, Colston scored 16 points, including four 3-pointers. Recognized on the Women’s Hoops Hidden Gems X page, Colston is described as “a hidden gem who would be a great fit for any program at the next level.” Barbe currently holds a 20-2 record, landing at No. 5 in the Division I nonselect power ratings.
Kaylee Dublin, sr, Archbishop Chapelle
The 6-foot-0 senior is leading the Chipmunks with an average of 12.8 points per game, shooting 51% from the field while also pulling down 7.9 rebounds, blocking 3.1 shots, and averaging 2.3 assists per game. Currently, Chapelle’s record stands at 16-4, placing them at No. 8 in the Division I select power ratings.
Alanna Benoit, jr, Mandeville
The Skippers are riding a five-game winning streak that has advanced their overall record to 17-6 and 3-0 within district play. Benoit is leading her team in points (21.9), rebounds (9.2), steals (5.8), assists (5.2), and blocks (1.2). She also leads in both field goal and free throw percentages. As a sophomore, Benoit averaged 20 points per game.
Shaniya Perkins, jr, Haughton
The 6-foot-3 forward frequently leads the Bucs in scoring, scoring a total of 25 points, including 10 during a decisive third quarter, helping Haughton secure a victory over Ouachita Parish at the West Monroe Tournament, according to Russell Hedges of the Bossier. The Buccaneers boast an impressive record of 22-1, currently ranking No. 4 in the Division I nonselect power ratings.
Kezyriah Sykes, jr, Airline
The 6-foot-0 forward earned recognition as an “Eye Catcher” by LBR Basketball during the Louisiana High School Basketball Coaches Association event in the summer of 2024. Sykes led Airline to a 57-44 victory against Plain Dealing, scoring 23 points, as reported by Jimmy Watson of The Shreveport Times. The Vikings hold a record of 16-3 and stand at No. 13 in the Division I nonselect power ratings.
Payton Rowbatham, jr, Slidell
Rowbatham reached the milestone of 1,000 career points earlier this season in a game against French Settlement. Joseph Halm from The New Orleans Advocate noted her journey, which started at Northshore High, continued at St. Thomas Aquinas, and now shines at Slidell, where the team has a record of 17-5. “Having played for different teams and different coaches, she understands the game,” commented Slidell coach Kristin Twillie to Halm.
Koi Ursin, sr, Destrehan
Ursin earned All-Metro recognition from The New Orleans Advocate as a junior, averaging 16.9 points per game. “She is communicating and playing well at both ends of the floor,” stated Destrehan coach Twalla Powell to Ryan Arena of The St. Charles Herald Guide in December after the Wildcats handed Slidell its first defeat. The Wildcats also secured a win over John Curtis.
Thamerin Balthazar, sr, Alexandria
Balthazar leads the Trojans in scoring at 14.2 ppg and maintains a free throw percentage of 69%. Additionally, she averages three steals and 2.1 assists per game. Alexandria’s record stands at 18-5, placing them at No. 10 in the Division I select power ratings. Balthazar contributed 14 points in a January victory against 2023-24 Division V select runner-up Oak Hill.
Taylor Smith, sr, Denham Springs
On Friday, Smith’s 19 points led the Yellow Jackets to their first triumph against Walker in eight encounters, as noted by William Weathers of The Baton Rouge Advocate. Smith scored 12 points in the first half, all from three-point range, enabling Denham Springs to take a commanding 38-11 lead at halftime against the previously undefeated Walker. Smith leads her team with an average of 12.8 ppg for the Yellow Jackets, who hold a record of 17-8 and sit at No. 10 in Division I nonselect.
Amyja Clark, jr, Terrebonne
Clark is making a significant impact for the 19-4 Tigers, who rank No. 16 in the Division I nonselect power ratings. She averages a team-best 12.3 points and nine rebounds each game while also leading in free throw and field goal percentage, blocks (1.2), and averaging 3.7 steals.
McKenna Cooley, jr, Ouachita Parish
Cooley was recognized as an “Eye Catcher” by LBR Basketball during the Louisiana High School Basketball Coaches Association event in the summer of 2024. Since her freshman year, she has consistently averaged double figures, scoring 13 ppg. She achieved first team all-district (1-5A) honors as a sophomore with an average of 14 ppg and 5 rpg and is also a standout in softball and track and field. Ouachita stands at 16-5, ranking No. 19 in the competitive Division I nonselect ratings.
Jalyn Newman, sr, Warren Easton
Newman has been a vital member of the varsity team since the start of her career. She earned the title of an LBR Basketball MLK Main Event Standout in January 2022. Described by Prep Girls Hoops as “a dynamic player who can control the pace,” Newman was also an LSWA Class 4A honorable mention all-state selection during her junior year.
Rhian Comery, jr, St. Amant
The 5-foot-11 forward was pivotal in her team’s victory over Salmen last season, scoring 34 out of the team’s 65 points. She also recorded 14 rebounds, six steals, and three assists, according to Chris Chapple from The Baton Rouge Advocate. In 2022, LBR Basketball noted that Cornery “dominated the paint” and had a penchant for physical play following her performance at the Lake Charles Pre-Fab 50. Cornery has been integral in leading the Gators to three wins in their last five games, including triumphs over Division III nonselect No. 1 French Settlement and Division II nonselect No. 4 Sterlington.
Kennedi Smith, sr, Captain Shreve
Smith’s contribution of 12 points propelled the Gators to a 55-40 victory against a strong Airline team that boasts a record of 16-3, in an important District 1-5A match-up on Friday, according to Jimmy Watson of The Shreveport Times. The Gators now hold a record of 20-4, ranking them No. 6 in the Division I select power ratings.
