2013 Jarell Martin from Baton Rouge with big time Dunk

2013 Jarell Martin
Baton Rouge, LA

Madison Prep Academy

(photo courtesy of rivals.com)

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 Workout with the Stars



Garrett Temple(left) Tyrus Thomas(center) Glen "Big Baby" Davis (Right)



On July 5th Elevated Heights will be hosting its 1st annual Workouts with the Stars program. This is the opportunity to give kids around Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas, an inside look on what it takes to play on the highest levels of basketball in the world. The workouts will feature some of Baton Rouge’s best athletes that are on display every year to the entire world. Some athlete’s that will be attending these workout are 2008 NBA Champion Glen Davis, the Charlotte Bobcats Tyrus Thomas and Garrett Temple and many many more. This will give the kids an opportunity of a lifetime to learn from professional athletes that love the game of basketball with a passion. Workouts will start at 9am until 12pm. Then the players will break for lunch and come back to play some pick up games from 4pm to 7pm. The places these workout will be held will vary. Don’t mess this opportunity that many of us never got a chance to be a part of!

For more information email Shawn Bridgewater at coachbridge@gmail.com or call (225)733-8240.

We're Back!!!

After taking a few months off just evaluating talent and doing a lot of other projects, the Louisiana Basketball Report is back!! We are excited to announce that the LHSAA has again provided us with media credentials to cover the final Top 28 that we have grown to know and love that included semi-finals and finals for the boy's in all classifications. As sad as it is that the 28 will no longer be the same, it could still be a great success in Shreveport! With that said, it is going to be another great Top 28 in Lafayette, LA at the Cajun Dome! We are super excited to see all the teams and top players in the state. Should be a great week!

Top 150 Camps Coming Soon

Do you want to get noticed, scouted by the top national HS media outlet in the country, play against the best players and more importantly have a shot to make your name and get ranked amongst the best in the country? Well then go to the site below and attend the Future 150 Camp! Scouts from rivals.com will be in attend...ance as well as other media. Last year over 40+ kids who attended were nationally ranked including top 10 2012 Jarnell Stokes of Memphis and top 25 from Baton Rouge Brian Bridgewater(pictured). Everybody from Louisiana Needs to attend. August 14th-15th.

http://www.future150camps.com/

Overcoming All Odds

Joseph Charles is a heck of a basketball player, but as good a player as he is, he is an even stronger person. After overcoming a lot of odds by making it out of Sunset, LA to play college basketball Dodge City Communuty College in Dodge City, KS, but Joe has overcome a near death experience as well in tragic accident back on October 24th of 2008. Below is a story done by Travis Webb of KATC 3 in Lafayette on the miraculous comeback of Joe. Joseph Charles is one of the hardest working players we have ever seen and came across. He has overcame so much and he will be a great asset to coach Brady Trenkle and the Dodge City Community College basketball team. After a two year stint at Dodge, expect Joe to have accomplished some great things at DCC as well as making his dream come true of being a Division 1 basketball player. The Louisiana Basketball Report wants to thank everybody who has helped Joe along his way whether it be the coaches at Carencro, Coach Steve Rachal from Acadiana Prep and Isaac Fontenot-Amedee who visited  Joe when he was in the hospital, to the Louisiana D-1 Ambassadors organization and Coach Max Ivany of the Texas D1 Ambassadors as well for helping Joe get back to an elite player or to his high school coach Roy Young at Beau Chene. Everybody was instrumental in Joe's success. Good luck at Dodge City Joe, they are getting a great kid.

Please Play the video Below to See his Story by Travis Webb KATC 3 in Lafayette, LA

Overcoming the Odds Story

Introducing Class of 2012 Louis Dabney

Player Profile: Louis Dabney
HT: 6'3" WT: 185 lb. Pos.: Point Guard
High School/AAU: Riverside Acad./La. Select
Hometown: LaPlace, LA
College List: LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, Tulane
Offers: Ole Miss, Tulane
Player Analyis: Athletic, strong, physical
tough point guard, who is a lock-down defender
with a very good upside and talented scorer.

"I take pride in my defense. I want to be known as a lockdown defender and a pure point guard"- Louis Dabney

Athletic, strong, physical, tough and a lock-down defender are the attributes you think of when you think of the 6’3” 185 lb. Louis Dabney. Not only is Louis a tough defender but he is very good penetrator and talented passer. An athletic guard, he can also score the basketball in a variety of ways with his strengths being getting to the rim and a 12 foot jumper.

“I am working on it” Dabney said of his shot. “I get in the gym and put up shots and it helps that coach(Timmy Byrd) is pushing me.”

Not only is Dabney working on his shot, he is also working on becoming the best defender in the state. “I take pride in my defense. I want to be known as a lockdown defender and a pure point guard.” Dabney said.

He is close to that, last weekend at the Baton Rouge Community College team camp, Dabney was not just guarding the other teams best defenders but he was locking them down. In the two games we saw, Dabney’s defense was on point. Not only did he keep the opposition in check, but he made them settle for jumpers because of his ability to guard the basketball. To go with his defense, Dabney showed a great ability to run a team.

“Ed McCain(former Reserve Christian star and Ex-Bradley player) and Tweety(former Reserve Christian and Baylor star) helped me out a lot. You know Tweety was a shooter so that helps me and Ed, he was the best.” Dabney said. “Ed took me under his wing and has really helped develop my passing skills.”

With a lot of work being put in, Dabney is slowly putting his name on people’s radars. In a early season tournament in Shreveport in November, one Division 1 coach told us “Dabney was the best player for Riverside tonight” That included nationally known Ricardo Gathers and Southern Miss signee Cedric Jenkins. That was a big time compliment for a then sophomore guard who has received interest from LSU, Ole Miss, Tulane and Georgia Tech. Dabney also claims to have offers from Ole Miss and Tulane.

To stay up with the latest information and the schedule of Louis Dabney for the rest of the month and in July, just contact us at: louisianabasketballreport@gmail.com.

Special thanks to Louis Dabney and Coach Timmy Byrd for allowing us to do this interview.
Extra Questions with Louis Dabney:

Louisiana Basketball Report- What was it like to bring the 1st state title to Riverside Academy?
Louis Dabney- Means a lot to bring it to Riverside, they have never had it before, it meant a lot to the people and fans because they never had basketball success.

LBR- Where will you be playing at in July?
LD- I know I will be at the NIKE Peach Jam with Louisiana Select but not sure where else as of now.

LBR- What does it mean to play for Coach Byrd?
LD- Means a lot, he took me when I was a knucklehead and made me a better player.

LBR- With Ole Miss, LSU, Tulane and Ga. Tech recruiting you, who is your favorite? Why?
LD- LSU is my favorite because it’s close to home. I am a home body. I also like Coach Trent Johnson. I feel he can make me a better player.

LBR- What is the difference between playing at Riverside and Reserve?
LD- Well at Reserve we were more a 3-point shooting team because we had a lot of shooters. This year at Riverside we turned into a inside out team because of Rico(Ricardo Gathers)

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