The high level of talent and competition from every corner of Louisiana reflected itself in this year’s LSWA’s Class 5A All-State team.
Seventeen schools achieved first- or second-team representation, including nine different schools with players on boys ‘or girls’ teams alone.
And the four superlative awards recognized two of the state’s most talented and highly recruited players at any level and two young coaches who prepared their teams to peak in time for memorable postseason races.
CLASS 4A ALL-STATE:Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 4A all-state high school basketball team for 2022
CLASS 3A ALL-STATE:Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 3A all-state high school basketball team for 2022
Zachary senior Jalen Bolden was the headline on the boys ‘list as an excellent player for his starring role in the Broncos’ second row of the Class 5A title race.
The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists per game in his second consecutive all-state campaign, including District 4-5A, Class 5A championship and LHSAA tournament MVP honors.
The ball has signed on to play at ULM.
CLASS 2A ALL-STATE:Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 2A all-state high school basketball team for 2022
CLASS 1A ALL-STATE:LSWA unveils 2021-22 Class 1A all-state high school boys and girls basketball team
Parkway junior Mikaylah Williams achieved the best bill on the girls’ side as a single player.
The 6-1 guard led her Panthers to a record of 33-3 and the programme’s first state championship game with her average of 22.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals.
Williams added the latest award to an already notable resume that included an MVP and gold medal performance for the United States in the FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup last summer in Hungary and this year’s Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year Award.
She is also a finalist for the Naismith Award as the nation’s best high school player and is ranked No. 1 in the recruiting class in 2023 by HoopGurlz and ProspectsNation.com
Josh Carlin was named Boy Coach of the Year after leading Northshore to its first state championship game in its first season at the school.
CLASS B ALL-STATE:Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class B all-state high school basketball team for 2022
CLASS C ALL-STATE:Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class C all-state high school basketball team for 2022
The son of longtime Salmen coach Jay Carlin helped the Panthers improve from a record of 20-13 and a quarterfinal appearance last year to 28-7 and a Class 5A number two that included three consecutive disruptions of higher seeded opponents: twice away and then in the semifinals in neutral.
Ruston coach Ryan Bond and John Curtis coach Bill Lewit also received votes for the award.
Krystal Flowers received the award as Girls’ Coach of the Year in his second season back at the helm of McKinley’s program after a two-year absence.
She led her Panthers to a record of 19-10 and the first Division I title game since she did so in 2017 and 2018.
John Curtis coach Temeka Johnson and Ponchatoula coach Patricia Landaiche also got votes.
LSWA CLASS 5A ALL-STATE BASKETBALL SCHEMES
BOYS
First team
Jalen Bolden, Zachary, 6-5, Sr., 20.0
Brandon Rogers Hardy, Zachary, 6-2, Jr., 16.0
Rayvon Smith, Scotlandville, 6-1, Sr., 17.1
Cameron Johnson, Shaw, 5-9, Sr., 20.3
Kohen Rowbatham, Northshore, 6-3, Sun., 23.0
Second team
Braylan McNeal, Ruston, 6-5, Jr., 12.0
Dorian Booker, Scotlandville, 6-10, Jr., 18.3
Sterry Leonard, Ouachita, 6-0, Sr., 14.0
Warren Young Jr., Walker, 6-1, Jr., 19.0
Zach Fenn, St. Paul’s, 6-2, Sr., 16.9
Excellent player: Jalen Bolden, Zachary
Coach of the year: Josh Carlin, Northshore
Honorable mention: Jabbari Barry, Barbe; Wayne Randall-Bashay, New Iberia; Christian Walker, New Iberia; Noah Jonker, Alexandria; Dakota Gasca, West Monroe; Jadais Richard, West Monroe; Rashad Davis, Ouachita; Kyron Reed, Captain Shreve; Mar’Quarius Johnson, Southwood; Justin Aaron, Natchitoches Central; Greg Manning, Benton; KJ Allen, Haughton; Laythan Delaney, Haughton; Kylon Harris, East St. John; Bryce Weinmunson, Mandeville; De’Juan Barrow, HL Bourgeois; Jamadrion Lillard, Ruston; Matthew Knight, Jesuit; Rodney Phillips, Shaw; LaRon Louis, John Curtis; Corey Skillman, brother Martin; Korey Newman, West Jefferson.
GIRLS
First team
Mikaylah Williams, Parkway, 6-1, Jr., 22.8
Caitlin Travis, Walker, 5-7, Jr., 14.8
Chrysta Narcisse, Lafayette, 5-8, Jr., 15.1
Jaylee Womack, Ponchatoula, 5-10, Sr., 28.0
Terren Coffil, John Curtis, 5-8, Sun., 15.0
Second team
Mikaylah Manley, Barbe, 5-9, Jr., 18.3
Jermesha Frierson, Southwood, 5-6, Jr., 23.0
Ty’Reona Sibley, McKinley, 5-9, so., 18.5
Pashonnay Johnson, West Monroe, 5-11, Sr., 17.0
Jasmine Mathews, East St. John, 5-10, Jr., 26.0
Excellent player: Mikaylah Williams, Parkway
Coach of the year: Krystal Flowers, McKinley
Honorable mention: Jahniya Brown, Lafayette; Deniya Thornton, St. Amant; Shamiya Butler, West Monroe; Faith Lee, Ouachita; Kennedy Ard, Walker; Taylor Jackson, Ponchatoula; Chloe Larry, Parkway; Enrea Bougere, HL Bourgeois; Jaliyah McWain, Ruston, saw; Emerald Parker, Ruston, Jr .; Aryana Peak, Thibodaux.