Northwood-Lena’s Na’Kiya Allen won state Class 1A Outstanding Player honors to highlight seven Rapides Parish high school basketball stars who have been recognized so far on the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s All-State teams.
In addition to Allen, two more Northwood girls received All-State recognition. The first team for Class 1A also included Rhianna Battles and teammate Da’Zya Johnson was on the All-State second team.
It was a fantastic season for Northwood as the boys also captured the state championship and the Gators’ star, Omarion Layssard, was a first-team All-State pick in Class 1A. Teammate and senior classmate Randarius Morris made the second team after averaging 13 points a game for the most dominant team in the state in their class.
In Class 2A, Menard’s Marilyn Seeling was a second-team All-State selection announced by the LSWA. The senior guard averaged 14.1 points for the Lady Eagles, who reached Marsh Madness and were edged 44-42 in the semifinals by Episcopal.
Zakelveon Gadison of Rapides won All-State second-team honors in Class B. The junior guard averaged a parish-best 24 points per game.
It took a little extra time on the clock, but Allen and Northwood-Lena battled defending Division IV Select champion Southern Lab into overtime, capturing the state crown with a three-point victory. Northwood was the 1A champion in 2022.
The Kilgore College signee averaged 22 points and 12 rebounds per game during a dominant senior season. Battles contributed 12 points per game and was a shutdown defender, while Johnson averaged 16 points for the Lady Gators.
Layssard’s scoring average for the season was 21 per game, but he stepped it up in the big games, notably the state finals, getting 34, to go with 11 rebounds, three assists and three steals. “Diddy” Layssard was an obvious choice to win the Marsh Madness Division IV Select Most Outstanding Player award.
LSWA All-State teams in 3A, 4A and 5A will be announced in the coming days.
LSWA CLASS 1A BASKETBALL ALL-STATE
BOYS
First Team
Player School Ht. Cl. Avg.
Omarion Layssard, Northwood 6-1 Sr. 21.0
Bralyn Mayfield, Lincoln Prep 6-4 Sr. 18.3
De’Vion Lavergne, North Central 6-3 Sr. 26.9
Isiah Stevens, Crescent City 6-0 So. 22.8
Jalan Washington, White Castle 6-2 Sr. 18.0
Second team
Player School Ht. Cl. Avg.
Bryson Colbert, Hamilton Christian 6-2 Sr. 16.5
Damondrick Blackburn, Central Catholic 5-10 Sr. 17.9
Randarius Morris, Northwood 6-4 Sr. 13.0
Mckennis Savoie, North Central 6-2 Jr. 20.8
Matt Weaver, St. Martin’s 6-2 Jr. 18.1
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: DE’VION LAVERGNE, NORTH CENTRAL
COACH OF THE YEAR: ANTONIO HUDSON, LINCOLN PREP
HONORABLE MENTION: Dwight Magee, Crescent City; Ja’Marcus Fisher; Magnolia Charter; Rodtrevious Crawley, Arcadia; Spencer Dunn, Homer; Joe Metoyer, St. Mary’s; Ayden Warren, St. Mary’s; Benjamin Case, Central Catholic; Brandon Heard, Lincoln Prep.
GIRLS
First Team
Player School Ht. Cl. Avg.
Na’Kiyah Allen, Northwood 5-11 Sr. 22.0
Rhianna Battles, Northwood 5-5 Jr. 12.0
Laurielle Bias, Central Catholic 5-5 Jr. 21.5
Shaila Forman, Southern Lab 5-9 So. 17.8
Kiara Comeaux, Highland Baptist 5-7 Sr. 18.2
Second team
Player School Ht. Cl. Avg.
Anna Dale Melton, Ouachita Christian 5-5 Sr. 15.0
Da’Zya Johnson, Northwood 5-11 So. 16.0
Allie Furr, Cedar Creek 5-6 Sr. 18.0
Layla Tell, Haynesville 5-11 So. 15.0
Kori Wesley, White Castle 5-1 8th 21.3
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: NA’KIYA ALLEN, NORTHWOOD-LENA
COACH OF THE YEAR: EDWIN COLBERT, HAMILTON CHRISTIAN
HONORABLE MENTION: DeAsia Alexander, Arcadia; Z’Riah Buggs, Homer; Asia Patin, Southern Lab; Lila Lewis, East Beauregard; Jade Oliney, Central Catholic; Alainah Felton, Riverside Academy; Lizzie McAdams, Cedar Creek; Asijah Wright, Lincoln Prep; McKenzie Deville, Hamilton Christian; Myracle Revon, Riverside Academy.
