Top 4A Boys Basketball Players of the 2024-25 Season in Louisiana

Hannan Drew Timmons went off in Home Opener

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Louisiana’s Class 4A boys’ high school basketball scene is brimming with extraordinary talent this season.

From towering forwards to dynamic guards, these athletes have demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and determination on the court.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout players making headlines across the state.

Drew Timmons, sr, Archbishop Hannan

Standing at 6-foot-6, Timmons made headlines by committing to the Navy Midshipmen in August 2024. He delivered a phenomenal performance with 34 points and 11 rebounds during an 85-82 double overtime victory against Division I No. 1 Zachary. In another nail-biter, a 60-59 win over John Curtis, Timmons recorded 36 points. He was honored as the top scorer at the Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions in December and has played a pivotal role in leading the Hawks to an impressive in-state record of 16-6, achieving a No. 3 rating in Division II select.

Kobe Butler, sr, Archbishop Shaw

A 6-foot-7 small forward heading to Jackson State, Butler excels in academics with a GPA of 3.94 and an ACT score of 31. His team, Shaw, recently handed Zachary their first Division II select and Division I nonselect loss, winning 80-70, with Butler contributing 20 points, 14 rebounds, and seven blocks. During a matchup against Archbishop Hannan, which could foreshadow a state tournament rematch, he tallied 15 points, seven rebounds, four blocks, and three assists.

Jaiden Garrett, sr, Franklinton

Garrett is a formidable force at 6-foot-7 and 215 pounds, having played a key role as a standout for the Division II nonselect No. 1 team, the Franklinton football squad, which reached the state finals. Notably, Garrett maintained straight “A” grades while following an advanced curriculum. He has propelled the Demons to a 14-8 record, currently riding a five-game winning streak. Franklinton has achieved a 2-0 record in district play following a victory at 15-7 Lakeshore.

Ja’Vontre Charles, sr, Beau Chene

At 6-foot-3 and weighing 170 pounds, guard Charles was recognized as co-Player of the Game by analyst Clifton Dixon after leading the Gators to a victory over George Washington Carver with 18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in January. In December, Prep Hoops Louisiana spotlighted Charles, who scored 29 points against Church Point, in its Top 10 Shooting Guards in Louisiana article.

Jordan Matthews, sr, Vandebilt Catholic

The Terriers’ point guard, a 2,000-point scorer, has a knack for putting points on the board. During a triumphant three-game stretch in December, the 6-foot-1 senior averaged an impressive 37 points, along with five rebounds, four assists, and three steals. In January, Prep Hoops Louisiana named Matthews among its Top Unsigned Point Guards. Currently, Vandebilt Catholic stands at 19-6 and ranks No. 9 in the Division II select power ratings.

Isaiah Jones, sr, Peabody

Jones impressed analyst Clifton Dixon in 2023 with his dynamic perimeter defense, showcasing “a high level of toughness, fire, and grit.” Recently, he scored 26 points in a victory over rival Alexandria Senior High and has been instrumental in leading the defending state champion Warhorses to a 20-3 record, securing a No. 2 power rating in Division II select.

Edrick Snearl, sr, Brusly

Last year, Snearl and the Panthers achieved one of the state’s best overall records and made a deep run in the Division II nonselect state tournament. This year, they are maintaining that momentum, showcasing a record of 19-3 and ranking No. 5 in the power ratings. The 6-foot-4 Snearl is averaging over 20 points a game, per The Baton Rouge Advocate. Last year, Dixon highlighted Snearl’s unique blend of size, scoring prowess, and defensive intensity.

Darnell Morris, sr, Minden

The Crimson Tide has been on fire, winning 17 of their last 20 games and achieving the No. 3 power rating in Division II nonselect. Morris, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 190 pounds, tallied 20 points, seven rebounds, six steals, four assists, and a block in just one half during a 50-point blowout of North DeSoto. He also had an impressive double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) in half a game in a 30-point victory against Woodlawn-Shreveport, where he added five steals.

Zion Weeks, sr, Wossman

The 6-foot-1 point guard, who maintains a commendable 3.5 GPA, shone during a December matchup against West Monroe, scoring 32 points along with six rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Weeks was highlighted in a January Prospect Focus article by Clifton Dixon, and after a stellar 34-point performance alongside five assists and four steals against Neville, The Basketball Tribune X page described him as “dynamic.” Wossman, the reigning Division II nonselect champions, currently sits at No. 1 in the power ratings.

Monte Farmer, jr, Washington-Marion

Farmer has been a consistent double-digit scorer for the Charging Indians over the past two seasons. Currently, he’s averaging 15.7 points per game, including a standout 22-point effort in a 59-53 district win over Eunice. After Washington-Marion’s victory over Catholic New Iberia, The Tour Basketball praised Farmer (6-foot-8) as “a big-time shot blocker and rim protector with extremely high upside.” In a recent game, he showcased his skills with 16 points, 13 rebounds, five blocks, and four assists against Catholic-NI’s impressive 6-foot-8 and 6-foot-10 duo.

Tallion Rideau, jr, Opelousas

Rideau, who also contributes to the Tigers’ football team, is capable of dropping 20 points on any given night, as Opelousas coach Rayvon Gray informed Eric Narcisse of The Acadiana Advocate. He was honored as co-Player of the Game at Mal Mundy’s Lafayette Classic after contributing 11 points and 10 rebounds in a 46-39 victory over Lafayette High. The Tigers (16-4, ranked No. 4 in Division II nonselect) are on a remarkable 11-game winning streak.

De’Von Warren, jr, Teurlings Catholic

A 6-foot-8 forward, Warren was recognized as a Standout Player on Day 2 of the Teurlings Catholic Rebel Roundball Classic by Shannon Belt from The Lafayette Daily Advertiser after scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a 49-39 triumph over St. Louis. Belt remarked that Warren “soared over defenders.” He has also been nominated for the Advertiser’s Midseason Player of the Year award while helping the Rebels to a 16-10 record.

Elijah Guidry, sr, St. Thomas More

As a three-year starter for a competitive program, the 6-foot-2 forward is known for his defensive skills, which have been complemented by an emerging scoring ability this season. He scored a career-high 19 points in a victory over Sulphur at STM’s Sunkist Shootout, during which he successfully defended Tors’ LHSBCA/LHSCA all-star Ian Malone. “That was the best game of Elijah’s career,” noted coach Danny Broussard, whose team boasts a record of 20-3 and holds the No. 3 position in the Division I select power ratings.

Malik Joseph, jr, Cecilia

Standing at 6-foot-0, Joseph was a key player on the Bulldogs’ Division II nonselect championship football team. Known for his scoring prowess, he routinely racked up 20 or more points, highlighted by a 27-point performance in a matchup against Helix Mentorship. Joseph is an excellent shooter from beyond the arc, hitting 6-of-8 in a game while finishing with 20 points in a victory over Lafayette High.

Jaydon Francis, soph, Northside

Francis thrives under pressure, eager to take crucial shots when the game is on the line. He confidently drove into the lane to deliver the winning basket.in a narrow two-point triumph over Lafayette High. Northside’s coach, Ross Rix, commented on Francis, who scored 10 points in the fourth quarter against Lafayette: “One of the things we talked about coming into the new year is taking his game to another level.” The Vikings are currently sitting at 20-5 and ranked No. 7 in the Division II select power ratings.

Sean Hicks, sr, David Thibodaux

Standing at 6-foot-6, Hicks has been averaging a double-double through his first 18 games this season, as reported by Eric Narcisse of The Acadiana Advocate, contributing 11 points alongside 10 rebounds, four assists, and two blocked shots. The Bulldogs, with an impressive record of 21-5, hold the No. 6 spot in the Division II select power ratings and are well-prepared for the postseason following challenging matchups against teams like Liberty, Zachary, and Madison Prep.

Rodrieon Dillard, soph. Booker T. Washington-Shreveport

In December 2024, Prep Hoops Louisiana highlighted Dillard as a rising player in the Class of 2027 rankings. Earlier in 2023, The Hoopfest Tour recognized Dillard as a Freshman Standout, noting that he “caught everyone’s attention from the start” of its Prep Hoops Showcase. He scored 21 points to lead the Lions (16-9) to a thrilling 99-95 four-overtime victory against Rayville.

Kerel Dean-Woods, sr, Bossier

The Xavier University-New Orleans signee is considered the top player in Bossier Parish, according to Preston Edwards from Prep Hoops Louisiana. The 6-foot-7 small forward, also named an LHSCA/LHSBCA All-Star, earned first-team all-district (1-4A) recognition during his junior year. He scored 24 points, leading the Bearkats to a 67-54 victory against Good Vision (TX). Bossier (12-10) is on a roll, having won six consecutive games, including a 14-point district win over Minden in their most recent game.

Sean Brown, sr, St. Michael

Brown, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound combo guard, received the District 6-4A MVP honor as a junior, averaging 19 points and six rebounds while achieving a shooting percentage close to 50%. Earlier this month, he passed the significant milestone of 1,500 career points. Recently, Brown’s 15 points propelled the Warriors (21-8) to their seventh consecutive win against Broadmoor.

Jamond Jacobs, sr, McKinley

At 6-foot-4 and weighing 180 pounds, he is recognized as an elite athlete, holding multiple school records in the 400 meters, high jump, and long jump. He contributed 19 points to lead the Panthers to a 66-45 win over Tara and also played football. McKinley (15-7) is currently enjoying a six-game winning streak, which includes recent victories against Scotlandville, LB Landry, and a notable 22-point district road win at Plaquemine.

Wayne Nevels, soph, George Washington Carver

Nevels made his way into the starting lineup as a freshman for the Rams, a top-tier program in the state. The 6-foot-0 guard boasts an impressive 4.25 GPA and scored 14 points during his team’s overtime win against McDonogh 35, including a crucial lay-up right before the end of regulation, as reported by Chris Dabe of The New Orleans Advocate. This win kept Carver’s district record perfect at 5-0.

Kaydhn Hardie, soph, Tioga

The Indians secured their first 20-win season in seven years on Friday with a victory over Grant Parish, where Hardie scored 20 points as a group of sophomores contributed to 61 of Tioga’s 65 total points. Hardie averaged 12 points per game as a freshman. “He’s never down, he’s always picking somebody up. He might not be the loudest person in the room, but he shows it with actions every day,” remarked Tioga coach Christavious Gill during an interview with KALB-TV in the summer of 2024.

Jakyris Jenkins, jr, Plaquemine

Jenkins recorded 20 points in a recent win over White Castle and matched that tally in a district showdown against rival Brusly. The Green Devils currently hold a record of 14-7 for the season.

Kam Thomas, sr, Breaux Bridge

Thomas has taken charge during games this season, scoring 22 of his team’s 40 points in a matchup against St. Martinville and finishing with 26 points in a 50-37 victory over Church Point. The Tigers, led by the versatile 6-foot-2 Thomas, achieved a streak of seven consecutive wins from late December through January.

  1. Athletic Highlights

    Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais Joins 2026 Polynesian Bowl Roster

    2026 Englewood Cherry Creek DL offer Tufanua Umu-Cais

    2026 Englewood Cherry Creek DL offer Tufanua Umu-Cais

    Englewood (Colo.) Cherry Creek defensive lineman Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais has received an invitation to participate in the 2026 Polynesian Bowl, as announced on Tuesday.

    The standout player from Colorado expressed his excitement about this honor.

    “Being selected to the Polynesian Bowl is a huge honor,” stated Umu-Cais. “It’s a recognition of all the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices I’ve made, and it means even more knowing how much pride and history are connected to the game. I have seen many players in the Poly Bowl and even players that are in the league now. It is truly special to be a part of something like that.”

    Umu-Cais is eager to immerse himself in the experience in Hawaii.

    “I’m extremely excited,” he said. “The Polynesian culture is so rich, full of pride, family, and tradition. I’m looking forward to learning more, meeting new people, and embracing everything the experience has to offer. I am extremely excited to immerse myself in the Poly community because it’s my culture. I can’t wait to really put on for my family as well as my community.”

    This will mark his first visit to the Aloha State.

    “I haven’t been to Hawaii yet, so this will be my first time,” Umu-Cais shared. “I’m really looking forward to it—the beauty, the culture, and the experience of a lifetime.”

    Additionally, Umu-Cais is enthusiastic about the opportunity to compete alongside some of the nation’s top talents.

    “I do not know the roster yet and what players are going to be attending, but I look forward to meeting them and also competing,” he noted.

    The roster for the 2026 Polynesian Bowl includes early invitees such as Immanuel Iheanacho, Faizon Brandon, DJ Jacobs, Myson Johnson-Cook, Brandon Arrington, Chris Henry Jr., Kendre Harrison, Cederian Morgan, Honor Fa’alave-Johnson, Xavier Griffin, Kelsey Adams, Jamier Brown, George Toia, and Jett Washington.

    The 2027 Polynesian Bowl will feature early invites including Elijah Haven, Trent Seaborn, and Marcus Fakatou.

    Launched in 2017, the Polynesian Bowl saw its first Offensive MVP awarded to former Stanford all-purpose back Connor Wedington, while Buffalo Bills defensive lineman A.J. Epenesa earned the Defensive MVP. The following year, Kyler Gordon from the Chicago Bears and Tanner McKee from the Philadelphia Eagles were named Co-MVPs.

    The 2019 contest awarded co-MVP honors to Daniel Heimuli, a linebacker from Arizona, and Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams. In 2020, Sol-Jay Maiava, the quarterback from BYU, and Meki Pei from Hawaii won co-MVP awards.

    The 2021 edition saw Travis Hunter from Colorado take home the offensive MVP title, while Jaishawn Barham of Michigan earned defensive MVP honors. In 2023, Nico Iamaleava, a quarterback from Tennessee, was named offensive MVP, and linebacker Andrew Harris garnered defensive MVP accolades.

    The 2024 game awarded offensive MVP to Mike Matthews from Tennessee and defensive MVP to David Stone of Oklahoma. Lastly, the 2025 contest featured co-MVPs on offense in Husan Longstreet from USC and Dakorien Moore from Oregon, while 2026 defensive lineman Deuce Geralds earned the defensive MVP honor.

    The tenth Polynesian Bowl is scheduled for January 16, 2026, in Honolulu and will be broadcasted by NFL Network.

    For more details on the 2026 Polynesian Bowl roster, go here.

    The eleventh Polynesian Bowl is slated for January 22, 2027, in Honolulu and will also be aired by NFL Network.

    For insights on the 2027 Polynesian Bowl roster, go here.

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  2. Athletic Highlights

    Creighton Secures Former MEAC Player of the Year Blake Harper

    DMV Hoop Session Interviews Suburban All Star Blake Harper

    DMV Hoop Session Interviews Suburban All Star Blake Harper

    Blake Harper, a standout freshman basketball player from Howard University, confirmed his transfer to Creighton University on Sunday through social media.

    Harper, who garnered both the MEAC Player and Rookie of the Year honors, shared his decision on Instagram @_bharp.

    “you can’t say i ain’t earn it??” he wrote. “RDJ”

    A Washington, D.C. native who previously played at Gonzaga College High School, Harper entered the transfer portal on March 24 and ultimately chose Creighton, turning down offers from LSU and Ohio State. Standing 6-foot-8, he also had the choice to return to Howard.

    Harper is set to join a Creighton team coached by Greg McDermott, who led the Bluejays to an impressive 25-11 overall record, including a 15-5 performance in the Big East Conference during the 2024-25 season. The Bluejays secured an NCAA Tournament spot and concluded the season ranked 24th in the USA Today Coaches poll.

    Throughout the 2024-25 season, Harper made an impact at Howard, starting in all 32 games and averaging 19.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, contributing to the Bison’s 12-20 record, which included a 7-7 performance in the MEAC.

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  3. Athletic Highlights

    Which Teams Are Leading Michigan High School Baseball This Week?

    Bay City Western baseball ready for state semifinals

    Bay City Western baseball ready for state semifinals

    The Michigan high school baseball season has kicked off, and we’re here to deliver weekly rankings of the top teams across the state during the spring and summer months.

    Check out this week’s standout teams in the Mitten region.

    Michigan High School Baseball Rankings: Apr. 29

    1. Bay City Western (12-1)

    Bay City Western triumphed over Flint Powers Catholic 9-0 last Thursday but faced a setback with a 4-1 loss against Midland on Monday. The Warriors are gearing up for their next games against Lapeer on May 1 and Grand Blanc on May 5.

    2. De La Salle (12-2)

    The Pilots swept Auburn Hills Avondale on Saturday, winning both games 15-0, with game one ending after four innings and game two after three. De La Salle’s next challenge comes in the form of a doubleheader against Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice on April 30.

    3. Northville (14-1)

    The Mustangs notched wins against Hartland and two over Utica last week, followed by a victory against Howell on Monday. Northville is poised for a rematch against Howell on April 30.

    4. Dakota (11-4)

    After a heavy 10-0 loss to Rochester Adams last weekend, the Cougars bounced back with decisive wins against Sterling Heights Stevenson, claiming victories of 10-0 on Monday and 14-2 on Tuesday. Dakota is slated to face Stevenson two more times to wrap up their four-game series.

    5. Birmingham Brother Rice (11-6)

    The Warriors pulled off a sweep against Detroit Edison last week (2-0) and secured a 10-6 victory over Hartland on Friday. Up next, Brother Rice will face rival De La Salle for a doubleheader on April 30.

    6. Grosse Pointe South (18-2)

    With a win over Detroit Edison on Saturday, the Blue Devils set a new school record with their 15th consecutive victory. Although they stumbled against Anchor Bat on Monday, they have a chance for revenge on April 30 and May 1.

    7. Saline (15-1)

    The Hornets swept Chelsea in two games on Saturday and achieved a similar result against Ann Arbor Huron on Monday. With a five-game winning streak, Saline is stepping into the final match of their three-game series against Ann Arbor Huron on April 30.

    8. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (10-8)

    OLSM traveled to Ohio over spring break, where they faced three games: an 8-7 defeat against Anthony Wayne, a 3-2 loss to Defiance on Saturday, and an 8-3 loss to Perrysburg later that day. The Eaglets are set to resume their Catholic League schedule on April 30 with a doubleheader against U of D Jesuit.

    9. Romeo (16-2)

    The Bulldogs are on an impressive seven-game winning streak, recently sweeping Stoney Creek on Saturday. They’ll look to maintain their momentum with a visit to Utica Ford next on May 1.

    10. Sterling Heights Stevenson (12-2)

    Stevenson is riding a three-game winning streak after defeating Anchor Bay twice on Saturday and mercying Dakota on Monday. The Titans will meet Dakota again on April 30 and May 1 before a brief pause, then face Utica Ford on May 5.

    11. Hudsonville (12-2)

    The Eagles wrapped up last week with a strong 5-1 record, including victories against Jenison and Rockford. Hudsonville is set to take on Rockford again on May 1 before hosting a doubleheader against Maple Valley the following day.

    12. Jenison (8-2)

    The Wildcats dominated Muskegon with a 15-0 win but narrowly lost to Hudsonville 9-8 last week. They split a doubleheader against Caledonia on Tuesday (W, 10-0; L, 3-2), with a rubber match scheduled for May 1.

    13. New Boston Huron (16-0)

    The Chiefs kept their unbeaten record intact last week with wins over Allen Park and Milan. They are set to play Flat Rock next on April 30 and have a matchup with Dearborn Divine Child on May 2.

    14. Detroit Catholic Central (10-6)

    The Shamrocks are currently on a four-game winning streak, most recently sweeping Portage Central on Tuesday. Up next, Detroit Catholic Central will face St. Francis de Sales in a doubleheader on April 30.

    15. West Bloomfield (8-3)

    The Lakers split a doubleheader with Rochester last week and followed that up with back-to-back wins against Groves, including an 8-1 victory on Tuesday. West Bloomfield will meet Groves once more on May 1 before taking on Stoney Creek on May 3.

    16. Dexter (13-6)

    The Dreadnaughts have struggled recently, dropping four of their last six games, including both matches in a doubleheader against Ann Arbor Skyline on Monday. They have another opportunity against Skyline on April 30 before heading to Adrian on May 3.

    17. Woodhaven (15-5)

    The Warriors have secured consecutive victories after experiencing two losses in a row, with their latest triumph coming against Dearborn Edsel Ford, winning 2-1 in a dramatic nine-inning game on Monday. Woodhaven’s upcoming opponents include Wyandotte on April 30, followed by Taylor on May 1.

    18. Rochester Adams (15-4)

    Rochester Adams holds a 2-2 record over its last four games, having recently suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Stoney Creek on Tuesday. The Highlanders have another chance to face Stoney Creek on May 2 before taking on Grosse Pointe North in a doubleheader on May 3.

    19. Trenton (13-3)

    The Trojans went 2-1 at the 9th Bob Kreszyn Classic on Saturday, achieving victories over Wayland and Flint Powers Catholic, with their only setback against Utica Ford. Additionally, Trenton triumphed over Taylor on Monday, and their next matchup is against Dearborn Edsel Ford on April 30.

    20. Midland (6-2)

    Midland upset the top-ranked team in the state, securing a 4-1 victory over Bay City Western on Monday. Despite a number of canceled games this season, the Chemics’ schedule is about to heat up, starting with a game against Davison on April 30.

    21. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (9-5)

    Pontiac Notre Dame Prep faced a tough doubleheader against Flushing on Saturday, resulting in two losses, but bounced back on Monday with a solid 9-2 win over U of D Jesuit.

    22. Detroit Western (13-5)

    After a 12-7 win against Grosse Pointe North on Saturday, the Cowboys suffered an 8-3 loss to Grosse Pointe South later that day. However, they regained their momentum with a 5-2 victory over Cass Tech on Tuesday. Detroit Western is set to face Livonia Stevenson next on April 30.

    23. Grand Ledge (13-5)

    The Comets faced a tough defeat in a doubleheader against Okemos on Monday, breaking a four-game winning streak. Grand Ledge will aim to bounce back during a doubleheader against Lansing Everett on May 1.

    24. Mattawan (8-2-3)

    Mattawan has triumphed in four of its last five outings, although they faced a setback against Grandville, losing 4-3 on Saturday. The Wildcats will take on Gull Lake next in a doubleheader on April 30.

    25. Allen Park (8-5)

    The Jaguars managed to avoid a third consecutive loss by overpowering Lincoln Park with a decisive 15-0 win on Monday. Allen Park will look to build on this momentum as they prepare to host Taylor for a doubleheader on April 30.

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