The boys game typically attracts the most attention during the Louisiana High School Basketball Coaches Association’s All-Star weekend.
With LSU signee Mikaylah Williams of Parkway set to play in the girls game set for 1 p.m. Saturday at the Louisiana Christian gym in Pineville, the roles will be reversed.
“You don’t usually talk about somebody being overshadowed,” LHSBCA vice president Christopher Kovatch of Carencro said. “But I think the premier event this year is undoubtedly the girls game with the No. 1 player in the nation.
“She (Williams) also has incredible cast around her too. What an incredible gift for those people who are going to come out and go to the game. And also for the people of Cenla to see her. She is a generational talent.”
Williams, also a USA Basketball gold medalist in 3-on-3 competition, leads the West girls squad into its game against the East two weeks after powering Parkway to the Division I nonselect title.
The girls game tips off Saturday’s action at 1. The boys games follows at 3 p.m. Teams report for practice on Friday, a day that also includes an LHSBCA banquet.
“The unfortunate thing that we’ve seen is that a few of the bigger names on the boys side pulled out late,” Kovatch said. “It happens … but I also think that is one of the things that makes what Mikaylah is doing so special.
“She has nothing to prove as a player. Doing this, speaks volumes about her as a person she is.”
Louisiana Tech signee Paris Guillory of St. Louis, post player Ni’Kiyah Allen of Northwood-Lena and Chrysta Narcisse of Lafayette are among the other players to watch on the West squad.
Division I nonselect runner-up Ponchatoula has two players on the East squad, Taylor Jackson and Libby Thompson.
Byrd, Jinks induction
Former Reserve Christian and Riverside Academy boys coach Timmy Byrd and Fairview girls coach Kyle Jinks are being inducted into the LHSBCA Hall of Fame Friday night.
Byrd won 12 LHSAA titles, averaged 32 wins a year and finished with a career record of 786-247. His teams won 7 national tournaments.
Jinks also has 12 LHSAA titles, an 88-14 playoff record, has advanced to 16 straight final fours and won 20 or more wins the last 21 seasons. His career is 950-130.
Locally speaking
The boys East squad features six local players: Jake Forbes of Holden, Chance Martin of Family Christian, Dylan Dominique of Madison Prep, Dennis Hebert III of Catholic, Brandon Hardy of Zachary and St. Amant’s Latavian Crockett.
Port Allen’s Elliot McQuillan and Isaiah Howard are part of the West squad.
Brusly’s Tia Anderson is the lone local player on the West girls roster.
Walker’s Caitlin Travis and Aneace Scott are part of the East squad along with Alissa O’Dell of Zachary, Deniya Thornton of St. Amant and Ja’nae Southall of Donaldsonville.
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