Check out these 27 girls basketball players in Northwest Louisiana this season
Here’s a look at 27 of the top returning girls basketball players in Northwest Louisiana as the 2023-24 season kicks off this week. The list includes several athletes who were selected to the 2022-23 Shreveport Times All-City and All-Area girls basketball teams such as Parkway's Chloe Larry and Gibsland-Coleman's Samora Sampson.
Ta’vionna Anderson
Southwood, Jr.
Ht: 5-8, Guard
The skinny: “Ta’vionna has a high IQ and high motor as a combo guard who can score on all three levels. She’s a very good on-ball defender who disrupts opposing teams’ offenses from the point of attack.” Coach Marcuz Johnson
Alexis Baker
Green Oaks, Jr.
Ht: 5-9, Forward
The skinny: "Alexis “Lex” Baker is a tenacious rim protector and shot blocker who shoots a high percentage from the field. She is also strong on the offensive glass with the put-back action.” Coach Gideon Scarbrough
Skylar Branch
Haughton, So.
Ht: 5-11, Forward
The skinny: “She was our leading scorer last season as a freshman. She runs the floor and finishes well.” Coach Jenna Bolin
SILENT ASSASSIN: Chloe Larry silently is on a mission to bring Parkway girls basketball a state championship
FEMALE KICKER: Evangel Christian senior Grace Shurley is getting her pigskin kicks on Friday nights
Z’Riah Buggs
Homer, Jr.
Ht: 5-5, Guard
The skinny: Buggs was solid for the Lady Pelicans’ on both ends of the floor last season leading the team most nights with 13 points, four assists, five rebounds and three steals.
Chelsie Davis
Mansfield, Sr.
Ht: 5-8, Forward
The skinny: Davis averaged 15 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last season. “She shoots and handles the ball well. She is aggressive and a leader on the court. She has been a part of our team for four years. She will definitely make an impact this season.” Coach Kendra Jones
Ava Errington
St. Mary’s, Sr.
Ht: 5-6, Guard
The skinny: “Errington averaged 16 points and was second team All-District last season. She runs the point and plays both sides of the ball well.” Coach Brooke Jones
Makayla Gallien
Natchitoches Central, Sr.
Ht: 5-9, Guard
The skinny: She averaged 17 points in 2023. “She’s a guard who can score from the three or anywhere on the floor. Also, one of our top rebounders.” Coach Nikki Jones
Kyndal Graham
Huntington, So.
Ht: 5-3, Guard
The skinny: This speedy guard was one of the top scorers in the state last season averaging 23 points each game.
Hallie Harmon
Glenbrook, Jr.
Ht: 5-10, Post
The skinny: “She works hard and plays hard — a real force inside the paint.” Coach Valerie Ricord
Lanetta Hill
Logansport, So.
Ht: 5-2
The skinny: Hill leads the Lady Tigers with 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds and 3.6 steals per night.
Makaylin Jones
Evangel, Fr.
Ht: 5-9, Forward
The skinny: “When it’s all said and done, she’ll be a very good player. She has really good size and a really good understanding of the game.” Coach Eric Shepherd
ZaNiaya Kingsby
Haynesville, Sr.
Ht: 5-8, Forward
The skinny: Kingsby averaged 11 points and three steals per game last season.
Jakiyah Lane
Captain Shreve, Sr.
Ht: 5-6, Guard
The skinny: The returning leading scorer for the Lady Gators, Lane made the All-District 1-5A team last season.
Chloe Larry
Parkway, Sr.
Ht: 5-8, Guard
The skinny: Larry averaged 15 points, 4.2 assists and 2.4 steals for the LHSAA Non-Select Division I state champions and was a Shreveport Times All-City first-team member.
Jaliyah McWain
Ruston, Sr.
Ht: 5-5, Guard
The skinny: McWain was the MVP of District 2-5A last season averaging 16 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists. “Jaliyah is a proven point guard who can make an impact on both sides of the ball.” Coach Meredith Graf
Hannah Mouton
Northwood, Sr.
Ht: 5-6, Guard
The skinny: Mouton moved to Shreveport from Lafayette over the summer and played wide receiver on the Falcon football team. “Hannah treats everyone with respect, is a perfect example of the type of human being we want to build our program around — and is also a great athlete.” Coach Will Burton
Brianna Newton
Plain Dealing, So.
Ht: 5-10, Forward
The skinny: “Bri has started since her seventh-grade year. She can play any position on the floor and is an old-school gym rat. I have to tell her she needs to take a day off sometimes.” Coach Robby Lockwood
JaNasura Richardson
Florien, So.
Ht: 5-5, Guard
The skinny: Richardson averaged a double-double of 11.1 points and 12.6 rebounds in 2022-23.
Avery Ryan
Benton, So.
Ht: 6-0, Post
The skinny: “A returning starter from last year, Avery is one of the quickest players and tallest players on the court. She is a force inside on the boards and posting up.” Coach Mary Ward
Samora Sampson
Gibsland-Coleman, Jr.
Ht: 6-1, Guard/forward
The skinny: The LHSAA Class C All-State athlete averaged 22.0 points each game last season.
Leah Sutherland
Cedar Creek, Sr.
Ht: 5-7, Forward
The skinny: “The power forward started every game last season. She crashes the boards on offense and defense and has the ability to step outside and shoot threes.” Coach Katie Hall
Ke'Zyriah "Zy" Sykes
Airline, So.
Ht: 5-10, Forward
The skinny: "She brings a boost of length and athleticism to our roster. She's a monster on the boards and is developing more to her game every day." Coach Tucker Cox
Timberlyn Washington
Lakeview, Jr.
Ht: 5-5, Guard
The skinny: A Shreveport Times All-Area player last season, Washington averaged 21 points, eight assists and three steals each night.
Tobiria Washington
Bossier, Jr.
Ht: 5-9, Guard
The skinny: “Tobiria is a very versatile offensive player. She can handle the ball very well and score from all three levels on the floor. She’s a very smart defensive player who takes the challenge of getting stops.” Coach Drake Smith
Keirstyn Williams
Many, Jr.
Ht: 5-5, Guard
The skinny: This underclassman was solid for the Lady Tigers in 2022-23 with 10.1 points and 6.8 rebounds each game.
Asjiah Wright
Lincoln Prep, Sr.
Ht: 5-10
The skinny: Led the Lady Panthers into the LHSAA Non-Select Division IV playoffs while earning All-District honors.
Justice Young
Arcadia, Sr.
Ht: 6-0, Post
The skinny: She is dominant in the post averaging a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds. She is a major reason why the Lady Hornets advanced to Hammond last season.
Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Here's 27 Shreveport area girls basketball players to see this winter
