Walker standouts Jalen Cook, Tiara Young headline Class 5A All-State basketball squads

By KELLY MCELROY 
Written for the LSWA 
When it comes to the four major honors presented by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association on its Class 5A All-State basketball teams, two players from Walker High School and two coaches who led their respective programs to their first hoops state titles in school history earned the accolades.

Walker junior Jalen Cook was voted the Outstanding Player on the boys squad, while Walker senior Tiara Young was selected as the Outstanding Player on the girls team. Tony Clark of Thibodaux High claimed boys Coach of the Year and Kevin Greene of Captain Shreve garnered the Coach of the Year honor for the girls squad.

In leading Walker to the state title game for the second year in a row, the 6-foot Cook averaged 29.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.8 steals per game this season.

Young, an LSU signee, averaged 29.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 steals, 1.9 assists and 1.1 blocked shots per game and led Walker to the state semifinals. She was also the LSWA Class 5A Outstanding Player last season while playing for Evangel Christian Academy.

Clark, in his 18th season as a head coach, took home his first LHSAA boys basketball title. Clark’s Tigers were the No. 1 playoff seed, despite returning one. Thibodaux finished 33-2 and ended the year with a 19-game winning streak.

Greene took over at Captain Shreve four years ago and built a program that has advanced to the LHSAA tourney three straight years. Green’s team, as the No. 9 seed, took the final step and ended the 2018-19 season with the first state title in program history and a 31-4 record.

Joining Cook on the boys first team is Kobi Johnson of Thibodaux, Paul King of Ouachita, Elijah Morgan of Jesuit and Reece Beekman of Scotlandville.

Joining Young on the girls first team is Niya McGuire of Ouachita, Jerkalia Jordan of John Curtis Christian, Kennedi Head of Captain Shreve and Alexis Horne of Denham Springs.

LSWA CLASS 5A CHART

BOYS

First team
Player  School  Ht. Cl.  Avg.
Kobi Johnson  Thibodaux  5-9  Sr.  10.3
Jalen Cook  Walker  6-0 Jr.  29.5
Paul King  Ouachita  5-9  Sr.  15.4
Elijah Morgan  Jesuit  6-1 Sr. 19.8
Reece Beekman  Scotlandville  6-3 Jr. 22.1

Second team
Player  School  Ht. Cl.  Avg.
Marvin Robertson Jr.  Thibodaux  6-1  Sr.  14.2
CJ Carpenter  Natchitoches Central  6-1 Sr. 24.0
Rodney Munson  Bonnabel  5-11 Sr.  21.2
Kalil Thomas  Holy Cross  6-3 Sr.  15.4
Kentrell Garnett  Catholic  6-1 Jr.  19.3
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: JALEN COOK, WALKER
COACH OF THE YEAR: TONY CLARK, THIBODAUX

Honorable mention
Anthony Ruffin, Terrebonne; Kendrick Delahoussaye, Lafayette; Jaqualon Lovette, New Iberia; Quez Owens, Ouachita; Shadon Green, Landry-Walker; Dywan Griffin, Landry-Walker; Devon Jefferson, St. Augustine; Tai’Reon Joseph, Scotlandville; SD Ellis, Southwood; Daniel Ortiz, Southwood; TJ Robinson, Airline; Deondre Buggage, H.L. Bourgeois; Ja’Khi Douglas, Terrebonne; Rashaud Winslow, Thibodaux; Alex Sanders, Central Lafourche, Rashod Robinson, Thibodaux, Rodney Pete, Barbe; Darrell Washington, LaGrange; Gary Smith, Dutchtown; Brian Thomas Jr., Walker; Collin Holloway, Catholic; Gary Smith Dutchtown.

GIRLS

First team
Player  School  Ht. Cl.  Avg.
Niya McGuire   Ouachita  5-11  Sr.   19.7
Jerkalia Jordan  John Curtis  5-9  Jr.  17.0
Kennedi Heard  Captain Shreve  5-9  Sr. 13.8
Tiara Young  Walker  5-10   Sr.  29.3
Alexius Horne  Denham Springs  5-9  Sr. 18.0

Second team
Player  School  Ht. Cl.  Avg.
Jil Poullard   Sam Houston  5-6  Sr. 18.0
Haley Giaratano   Ponchatoula   5-9  Sr.   23.0
Abryhia Irons  John Curtis  5-7  Sr. 15.0
Jordan Berry  Mt. Carmel  5-5 Sr.  17.0
Diniaa McZeal  East Ascension 5-4  Sr.  13.0
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: TIARA YOUNG, WALKER
COACH OF THE YEAR: KEITH GREENE, CAPTAIN SHREVE

Honorable mention
Bre Owens, Ruston; Faith Robinson, West Monroe; Antiesha Griffin, Alexandria; J’unti Franklin, Natchitoches Central; Jeriah Warren, LaGrange; Nashalie Dominguez, H.L. Bourgeois; Kayland Jones, Thibodaux; Marianna Charles, H.L. Bourgeois; Bren’nasia Adams, Thibodaux; Salma Bates, John Curtis; Alana Donaldson, Chalmette; Addison Martin, Captain Shreve; Aaliyah Stevenson, Captain Shreve; Kayla Hampton, Airline; Kyla Hamilton, Sam Houston; Aasia Sam, LaGrange; Erica Lafayette, McKinley; Tristen Washington, East Ascension; Desiree Jones, Denham Springs; Brandy Scott, Hammond; Amoura Graves, Ponchatoula; Kate Thompson, Denham Springs.