2013 Jarell Martin from Baton Rouge with big time Dunk

2013 Jarell Martin
Baton Rouge, LA

Madison Prep Academy

(photo courtesy of rivals.com)

Written by Bobby Sibley @CoachB_Sibley on twitter

It has been an amazing summer for the 2013 stud from Madison Preparatory School in Baton Rouge, LA, Jarell Martin. The 6'7" 210 lb. small forward has really blown up over the past few months. We have been told about this kid for a year now. First by his high school coach, Jeff Jones. Coach Jones told us he had a kid that was very raw(with ability) that could shoot and was very athletic, and coach was right as always. Another person, EJ Avery, one of Martin's first AAU coaches and kind of a close mentor, said Martin was not too strong but talented. He was right as well. So, after several months of wait, we finally got our first peak of the rising star at a tournament in Baton Rouge back in late March.

The first game he played was against La. Tech signee Michael Kayser. Jarell was very impressive, scoring on post moves, mid-range jumpers, 3-pointers, and transition dunks. The next game was the same as they played a highly talented team from Mississippi featuring 6'8" Jamal Hester (C/O 2012 Madison Ridgeland HS) and Twymond Howard (Rivals.com Top 100 player for 2012). Martin continued to do work in his 2nd game of the night as he had close to 30 points and 15 rebounds in a close loss. The 3rd game he played was the one that really caught our attention as he was playing against the Dallas Mustangs-Booker featuring top 10 Keith Frazier in the 2013 class. As the game started, you could see Martin was about to go off. He opened with a 3 deep, followed by some key blocks, rebounds and nice assists. As the 1st half went on, Martin was just amazing, looking at my notes from that day, he had 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks in the 1st half to go with 3 steals and assists. In the second half and overtime it was Martin vs. Frazier. The unknown star went even with and more often than not got the best of Frazier. The two traded deep 3's, mid-range pull-ups, dunks, including a Martin dunk on top of the Mustangs 6'6" post Soma Edo. In consecutive possessions, Frazier hit a 3 over Martin, Martin then returned the favor with a corner 3 over Frazier, Frazier followed with a miss and Martin then hit the go ahead triple over Frazier. Martin's team got the win, while Martin got what he wanted, somebody with credibility to get his name on the national radar.

As the game was going on, we tweeted Martin's fantastic game. Tweets were sent to rivals.com analysts Jerry Meyer and Eric Bossi, scout.com's Evan Daniels and Brian Snow, ESPN's Dave Telep and Van Coleman of Top 100 Hoops. All responded in awe and all asked for Martin's summer schedule. After the game, we spoke with Martin and coach EJ Avery. Both told us to do what we had to do to get him known. To say the least, we believe we did. The credit doesn't go to us, but to Jarell, Coach Avery, Coach Jones and to Brandon Bass Elite founder Scooter Owens. Three weeks later, Jarell got invited to the Nike Top 100 camp, had an article on rivals, scout, Top 100 and ESPN. A month later, was nationally ranked by Rivals at 89. With all the accolades coming to Jarell, he was so humble when we asked how he did. He said, "Coach, I just did ok. I was coming off an ankle injury and I kind of struggled. I did show athleticism and my shot off though." Martin is such a humble and hardworking kid. After his performance in Arkansas at the Real Deal in the Rock, Martin's next stop was the Memorial Day Classic in New Orleans where he led the New Orleans Elite to a championship finish with wins over the Houston Defenders(they have 3 top 50 players, Aaron and Andrew Harrison and 6'9" Shaquille Cleare), ATL Celtics and a few others. The team features Javan Felix(2012 PG with tons of high major offers), Craig Victor, one of the top 2014 players nationally and Martin. During that weekend, Martin avg. 17 and 8. Following this event, Martin was featured in a Slam Magazine Online article.

His next stop was his biggest and most important, it was the NIKE top 100 event in St. Louis, MO. The two weeks leading up to the event, we got to watch Martin in summer league action with his HS team. It was a nice change of pace for Martin as he was put on the low block because he was his teams biggest player. He didn't look too comfortable down there but he was still able to score on turnaround jumpers and hook shots. In transition he was amazing as one game he threw down a windmill and on the next possession a dunk on top of a kid. After the last game we saw him play, we spoke with Martin on being aggressive, not taking plays off and being able to dominate no matter the competition. It sometimes seemed like that in HS basketball he was being complacent, instead of being the aggressor. Also, when he got to camp, he had to be the aggressor too, defensively and offensively and not be passive. He must have taken the advice because in the next scout.com 2013 rankings Martin was placed in the top 40 at 37. A major jump for an unranked kid. Since the event and the release of the rankings, Martin has continued to excel. He went up to the Adidas Invitational with Brandon Bass Elite and did well again and on Friday of this past week, he had perhaps the dunk of the summer as he went between the legs in transition. The proof, well it is below, thanks to the website Yay Area's Finest and BallisLife for both capturing this dunk. 

It was simply amazing. The sky is the limit for this kid out of Baton Rouge, LA. He is humble, hungry and a hard worker. He is Jarell Martin!!

1st Annual Baton Rouge Community College Team Camp a Success

Pictured Below: Ricardo Gathers(Riverside) top Left, Gervaughn McGhee(Redemptorist) Top Right, Louis Dabney(Riverside) bottom left and Darius Johnson(Istrouma) Bottom Right.

In what was a great first year showing for the Baton Rouge Community College team camp, head coach Todd Foster and his staff really put on a great 2 day event that included several talented players and teams. The Louisiana Basketball Report wasn't in attendance on friday, but on saturday we saw some very good young players and teams. Let's start with some teams that surprised us.

After losing a host of seniors, The Dunham School of coach Johnathon Pixley has a young team but will be very competitve next season. They have a nice young point guard and a couple of other solid role players with decent shooters that can give a few teams fits next year. We didn't get to catch up with coach Pixley but as soon as we get this pg's name we will let you know it. Another team that looked promising were the Dutchtown Griffins. Ductchtown has a solid PG in senior Jordan Biagas and also a talented scorer in Terrance Cushinberry(who was absent this weekend) as well as a 6'5" sophomore post that will be a factor once he gets some strength and toughness to his game. After defeating Dunham, the Griffins ended the camp with a heartbreaker loss to Covington.

Speaking of Covington, they will be a solid team again next year as long as senior guard Jordan Bickham can follow the scoring prowess that was left by the graduation of BRCC signees Phillip Bickham(his brother) and Jordan Bedford. Another solid 5A team on the day was the 5A runner-up this past year Scotlandville. Scotlandville has a pair of division 1 prospects in 6'1'" senior Levie Wright and 6'8" junior post Zarif Basil. Potential low D1 guards Deshawn Washington and Thaddeus Fortune, also juniors looked very good handling the ball, defending and also making open shots. Wright, showed very good quickness, a knack for scoring off the dribble, with a mid-range jumper and also deep 3 balls. Basil, a little raw offensively, but really rebounds very well, catches the ball in traffic and scores at will when given the opportunity. Scotlandville has all the makings of another potential Top 28 run.

One of the more surprising teams of the day were the Redemptorist Wolves led by junior 6'4" guard Gervaughn McGhee. McGhee, the younger brother of Ronald McGhee(a North Texas signee) showed potential to be better than his brother. Not as good of a shooter, but he can knock down the 3, the mid-range or score on smaller or taller posts with very good post moves. Not only can he score, but he is a very talented passer. With improved strength and quickness, he can be a mid major D1 prospect. Also making a good showing were the Istrouma Indians led by junior PG Darius Johnson. A quick and efficient guard, Johnson ran the show, defended at a high level and showed deep range. With a hard to defend crossover, Johnson was a tough guard for opposing defenders including one of the top defenders in the state in Louis Dabney of Riverside.

The final two teams that played in the event were Christian Life and Riverside Academy, both defending state champions and both well-known powerhouses with good performances on the weekend.. After losing 7 seniors that included 3 division 1 signees, the top 28 MVP, and 5 of the state's top 50 seniors, CLA showed a lot of promise. Led by sophomore Frank Bartley and a solid duo of freshman in Will Jones and Johnathon Stove, the Crusaders may take some bumps and bruises this summer and early next season, but don't count them out. If the freshmen can mature quickly, the Crusaders can make their 5th straight Top 28. Now, the best team of the event with the top player of the event in Ricardo Gathers, the Riverside Rebels looked very strong. While losing a nice group of seniors in Southern Miss signee Cedric Jenkins, Ed Gallina, Kyle McClue and Franklin Francois, the Rebels looked very strong as they easily dominated Redemptorist and Istrouma. With several highlight dunks by nationally known Ricardo Gathers and tenacious defense by Louis Dabney and Lucas Martin, the Rebels looked every bit of one of the top teams in Louisiana next year along with Bossier and St. Augustine.
In what was the first event of its kind for BRCC, the 1st annual team camp was a great success. We want to personally thank head coach Todd Foster of BRCC and his assistant James Rix for hosting a great event that was first class. Also want to thank all the teams and coaches for attending. Everybody had nothing but great things to say of this event. Speaking with Coach Foster saturday he had this to say "It was a great day yesterday(friday) and the matchup of Basil and Gathers was fut to watch." Foster said. "All the coaches were impressed with our facility and said they would love to come back. I expect this event to grow next year and we expect maybe 20 teams or so in the future."

Top Players at the Event:
1. Ricardo Gathers- Riverside Academy LaPlace, LA 6’7” 225 lbs. Junior Forward
2. Gervaughn McGhee- Redemptorist HS Baton Rouge, LA 6’4” 180 lbs Junior Guard
3. Louis Dabney- Riverside Academy LaPlace, LA 6’3” 185 lbs. Junior Guard
4. Darius Johnson- Istrouma HS Baton Rouge, LA 6’2” 180 lbs Junior Point Guard
5. Levie Wright- Scotlandville HS Baton Rouge, LA 6’1” 170 lbs Senior Guard
6. Frank Bartley- Christian Life Baton Rouge, LA 6’2” 185 lbs. Sophomore Guard
7. Jordan Bickham- Covington HS, LA 5’10” 165 lbs Senior Guard
8. Zarif Basil- Scotlandville HS Baton Rouge, LA 6’8” 240 lbs Forward
9. Johnothan Stove- Christian Life, Baton Rouge, LA 6’2” 180 lbs Freshman Forward
10.Lucas Martin- Riverside Academy, LaPlace, LA 6’2” 180 lbs Sophomore Guard

Baton Rouge Community College 1st Annual Team Camp

The 1st annnual Baton Rouge Community College classic will be kicking off today and whil feature two defending state champions and a state runner-up. Riverside Academy and Christian Life will both be taking the floor today as defending champions. Scotlandville HS will be in attendance as well with the majority of their 5A runner-up team back minus 5A MVP J-Jay Thomas. Some of the top players to watch are:

Christian Life: Jr. Frank Bartley(Pictured below) and Freshman Will Jones and Johnathon Stove

Riverside Academy: Jr's Ricardo Gathers(below left), Louis Dabney(below right), Lucas Martin and Donald Thomas

Scotlandville: Sr. Levie Wright(pictured below left) and Jr's DeShawn Washington(bottom), Thaddeus Fortune(below center) and Zarif Basil(pictured below right)

Redemptorist: Jr. Gervaughn McGhee

Central: Senior LaQuin Turner

Istrouma: Senior Joel Jackson and Junior Darius Johnson(below)

BRCC 1ST ANNUAL TEAM CAMP GAME SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, JUNE 4

COURT 1

3:00-3:45 CLA VS. PARKVIEW BAPTIST

3:50-4:35 REDEMPTORIST VS. DUTCHTOWN

4:40-5:25 RIVERSIDE VS. SCOTLANDVILLE
5:30-6:15 CENTRAL VS. REDEMPTORIST
6:20-7:05 DUTCHTOWN VS. RIVERSIDE
7:10-7:55 DUNHAM VS. ISTROUMA

COURT 2:
3:00-3:45 ISTROUMA VS. SCOTLANDVILLE
3:50-4:35 BRUSLY VS. BELAIRE
4:40-5:25 DONALDSONVILLE VS. DUNHAM
5:30-6:15 PARKVIEW BAPTIST VS. BRUSLY
6:20-7:05 BELAIRE VS. CLA
7:10-7:55 COVINGTON VS. DONALDSONVILLE



SATURDAY, JUNE 5

COURT 1
10:00-10:45 DUTCHTOWN VS. DUNHAM
10:50-11:35 COVINGTON VS. SCOTLANDVILLE
11:40-12:25 RIVERSIDE VS. REDEMPTORIST
12:30-1:15 CLA VS. DUNHAM
1:20-2:05 COVINGTON VS. DUTCHTOWN
2:10-2:55 ISTROUMA VS. RIVERSIDE

COURT 2:
10:00-10:45 CLA VS. BRUSLY

10:50-11:35 PARKVIEW BAPTIST VS. BELAIRE
11:40-12:25 ISTROUMA VS. DONALDSONVILLE
12:30-1:15 BRUSLY VS. SCOTLANDVILLE
1:20-2:05 BELAIRE VS.REDEMPTORIST
2:10-2:55 PARKVIEW BAPTIST VS. DONALDSONVILLE

Louisiana's Final Top 50 Class of 2010 Players

With the 2009-10 season now in the books, Louisiana Basketball Report and Louisiana Prep Insider has decided to list the top 50 players in the senior class. In what has been long awaited and much needed list, we have officially released what we feel is a list of the top 50 players in this years 2010 class. In the coming days and weeks, we will also list the top 20 for the 2011, 2012, and 2013 classes. We will also introduce the top 10 for next years crop of freshman for the 2014 class. So enjoy, and stay tuned. Now it is time for the rankings.

In a class that has had several Division-1 players sign this year, none stood out more in 2009-10 than Peabody’s Markel Brown. The 6’5” 180 lb senior and Oklahoma State signee really made his presence felt this year as he led the Warhorses to a 40-0 record and the 4A state title. With two highly impressive games in the Cajun Dome in March, Brown was clearly the best player at the Top 28 and all season as he led Peabody with a 32.5 ppg scoring average as well as a 41-0 record.  Brown is a super-athletic combo-guard that can handle the ball very well, defends, gets to the rim and finishes very well with acrobatic dunks and has a developing and very good 3-point shot. Brown was also named 4A State Player of the Year as well as the Louisiana Mr. Basketball winner as well as ESPN Rise All-American 2nd team.

The state’s #2 rated player is Christian Life Academy’s Langston Galloway from Baton Rouge, a St. Joseph’s (PA) signee. What really separated Galloway, a 6’3” 185 lb guard from the rest of the top five players is his ability to make his teammates better and the fact the he does all the little things so well that helps his team win. Yes, Galloway is an elite scorer and very good defender, but what he does when his shot isn’t falling is special. His ability to defend the basketball is impressive. He can score almost at will and can get to the rim with the best of them, but to dive on floors for loose balls, take a key charge, make the extra pass and also make the big shot, that is what makes him the state’s second-rated player. For the season Galloway averaged 26 ppg as well as 6 rebounds and 4 assists as he helped CLA and himself to get the Crusaders 4th state title in five years.

Coming in as the #3 rated player is LSU signee Matt Derenbecker from Metairie Park Country Day in Metairie. Derenbecker is a 6’7” 195 lb sharp-shooting guard that can flat score the basketball. At 6’7” his ability to look over the defense and pass the ball is really one of his strong points. He also handles the ball well enough to play the point at times. A two-time winner of the Gatorade Player of the Year award in Louisiana, the lefty led the 2009 Cajuns of Country Day to the state title along with current LSU player Eddie Ludwig. One of Derenbecker’s best skills is the way he gets his teammates involved. Everybody knows he can score but when he is doubled and tripled teamed, he passes the ball to open teammates extremely well. An underrated ball-handler, he can also get to the rim and finish as well. For the season Derenbecker averaged 25.5 ppg in his senior season.

The 4th rated senior in this year’s 2010 class is one of the state’s most successful players in terms of win/losses and state titles. Cedric Jenkins, the 6’2” 180 lb. scoring machine from LaPlace and Riverside Academy led the Rebels to their first state title in basketball in 2010. The Southern Mississippi signee helped lead a team that also boasted the state’s top rated sophomore Ricardo Gathers. Jenkins is a kid that battled through several injuries during high school and still had great seasons while at Reserve Christian and now Riverside. Coach Timmy Byrd called Jenkins “one of the best players I have ever coached” after the senior led his team to the state title. Besides being able to shoot the basketball, he can also handle it, defend it and is an underrated passer as well. With unlimited range on his shot, he was also defended tight, which allowed him to show his improved athleticism. Cedric really improved his stock this year. Always considered a top 10 player he really proved in the Cajun Dome that he is worthy of the #4 spot. On a team that had several talented players Jenkins averaged 19.9 ppg and 6 assists.

Rounding out the top five is another Oklahoma State signee in Brian Williams from Glen Oaks High School in Baton Rouge. Williams is an athletic wing that can really get up and down the court and isn’t afraid to make a highlight reel dunk or take a big shot. The 6’5” 200 lb guard is definitely going to be a great fit for the Cowboys of OSU and coach Travis Ford.  A bouncy kid, who can score the basketball with the best of the state, Williams was battled with injuries this year, which may have kept him from being a top 3 player. Even with a stress fracture in his shin, Williams still averaged 18.0 ppg and led his team to its 2nd straight Top 28 berth.


For the rest of the top 50 click here

For Our Scout.com Article click here

Class 2A Playoff Preview and Predictions

Brian Bridgewater of Episcopal(left) and Dantrell Thomas of Many(right) will look to start the playoffs with a win tonight in the Bidistrict Round

Just like Class C, 2A will have a new champion in 2010 with the 2009 champion Springhill not qualifying this year. There could possibly be a few players and a coach that could win their 6th straight title with the Reserve Christian kids and longtime coach Timmy Byrd now at Riverside Academy. Riverside, led by the nation's #9 ranked sophomore Ricardo Gathers and senior standout Cedric Jenkins, Riverside goes from a not so good team to a powerhouse in less than a year. With Riverside taking the 1 seed, last years state runner-up Many is the 4 seed and 2007 and 2008 champion St. Thomas Aquinas has the 2 seed while Many's district rival Red River is the 3 seed. STA has already beaten Riverside once this year.  With Riverside and STA the favorites, Many, Mamou, Red River, Episcopal, Dunham, Donaldsonville, Pointe Coupee Central and Evangel may all have a say in the race to the Top 28 as well. In what was clearly the toughest district in 2A, the district 9 teams of Episcopal who is led by the nations #1 ranked freshman by HoopScoop.com Brian Bridgewater, Dunham led by senior trio of Dantrail Butler, Jasper Caine and Kyle Planchard, Pointe Coupee Central with DJ Cobb and Idrakery Lewis and Donaldsonville is another team to look at from district 9. Mamou is also a team to watch with 5'8 senior Zach Baty leading his team with a almost 30 ppg average. With these teams as possible sleepers, you also need to look at the front runners. Many will be lead by seniors Dantrell Thomas, Nic Jacobs(LSU football), DJ Palmer and junior Rod Davis. Red River will look to the Cordarius' Johnson and Smith while STA will look at a some younger kids in junior Zay Jackson and sophomore Stephen Wronkowski. 

Cedric Jenkins of Riverside(left) and Cordarius Smith(right) of Red River will lead their teams tonight

First Round Predictions

1. Riverside over 32. Sterlington

17. Ville Platte over 16. Port Barre
9. Anacoco over 24. Lakeview
8. Springfield over 25. South Beauregard
5. Evangel over 28. North Caddo
12. Dunham over 21. Lakeside
20. Welsh over 13. F.A. Douglass
4. Many over 29. Pickering

Bottom Bracket

3. Red River over 30. Calvary Baptist
19. Farmerville over 14. Newman

11. Episcopal-BR over 22. St. Helena Central
6. Mamou over 27. Lusher Charter
7. Donaldsonville over 26. Pope John Paul II
10. Pointe Coupee Central over 23. Rosepine
18. Capitol over 15. Jonesboro-Hodge
2. St. Thomas Aquinas over 31. John Curtis

Christian Life, Riverside Ranked in Pre-Season Rivals 100 Rankings

Rivals 100 Complete Rankings
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With 3 Division 1 signees led by Langston Galloway(St. Joseph's) (pictured right) Patrick Robinson(Northwestern State) and Kaleb Knight(Grambling State) the Crusaders of coach Carlo Maggio enter the 2009-10 season the highest rated team in Louisiana for 2009 at 77. Last season Christian Life under former coach Todd Foster, now the Baton Rouge Community College coach, lost in the state semi-finals to LSU-signee Matt Derenbecker and current LSU player Eddie Ludwig which ended a string of 3 straight 1A titles for the 'Saders.  CLA has also revamped the roster with the addition of former University High star McCall Tomeny and former McKinley High starter Marlon Bell. They also return point guard Corey Self and 3-year starter Avery Prince. To start the season CLA will get heavily tested as they will be in a tournament in Shreveport on November 18th that features teams such as Riverside Academy, Richwood(last season's 3A State Champ) and Loyola,  a top team in 4A the Bossier Bearkats. Those are just 5 of the 8 teams.

With that said let's move on Riverside Academy and Coach Timmy Byrd who have also been recognized as a nationally ranked team coming in at 96. The Rebels have truly came into their own. Last year, a team that didn't even make the 2A playoffs got really good, really fast. Reserve Christian, the tiny Class C school that has been a powerhouse in Louisiana since 1999 closed down. This move landed Coach Byrd and his Class C state champions at Riverside. With this move almost all of the players followed Byrd to Riverside to make the Rebels a highly unknown team to a nationally ranked squad with load of talent. That talent is lead by senior's Cedric Jenkins (pictured above), Kyle McClue, and Ed Gallina all of whom will sign in the late signing period with division 1 schools. The anchor of this group though is the most important, that would be 6'6" 225 lb. man-child Ricardo "Rico" Gathers (pictured right) Gathers, the nation's 9th rated prospect on Rivals.com's 2012 rankings will have a lot to do with the Rebels success. Last year, this RA team that was at Reserve Christian won their 5th straight state title. This year could also end the same way but they will get tested in 2A which is a lot tougher than class C but if any team can make the jump 3 classes and still win, it will be Riverside. They are well coached, talented, disciplined and deep. They will be able to play about 10 players consistently and not lose a beat. Other teams that got mentioned for the national rankings but got caught on the outside looking in are Glen Oaks HS, St. Augustine HS and Richwood. Do not be surprised if these teams make noise as well and get in the rankings at some point during the season.

Riverside Coach Timmy Byrd(below)

With this being said, congratulations to Christian Life and Riverside on your national rankings. Let's make Louisiana proud and represent that ranking well. Stay humble and do well. Good Luck on your season.