Four of LA’s strongest teams represent Central Louisiana on Saturday
by Marshall Loeffler
(photos courtesy of FastBreak ENT)
ALEXANDRIA – The Charles Smith Classic will take place tomorrow at Peabody Magnet High School, featuring eight of the state’s best teams competing in The Emerald Palace, the top-notch gym that Coach Smith has built into one of the state’s best hoops venues. Four of those teams, from right here in CENLA, have also been building, and have racked up plenty of wins and high rankings in the non-district season. The fourth and final game of the day features the host team, with the gym and event bearing the name of their legendary coach, teacher, administrator, and mentor.
At 23-2, the Warhorses trail only Madison Prep in the Division II Select Power Rankings, and they climbed to that top-2 ranking with a mix of experienced forwards and two freshman starters, who have made quick impacts both in the backcourt and down in the paint. #5 Devontre Sword and #11 Malachi Anderson are the senior leaders of.this Peabody squad, and Braden Durant anchors
At 23-2, the Warhorses trail only Madison Prep in the Division II Select Power Rankings, and they climbed to that top-2 ranking with a mix of experienced forwards and two freshman starters, who have made quick impacts both in the backcourt and down in the paint. #5 Devontre Sword and #11 Malachi Anderson are the senior leaders of.this Peabody squad, and #32 Braden Durant helps to anchor a frontcourt that ASH Coach Lance Brasher called “possibly the best offense and defensive rebounding team in the state” before his team’s January matchup with Peabody.
The two freshman, #1 Corey Blake, Jr. and #35 J.D. Holden, have garnered lots of attention this season as reliable starters during their first year on campus, and their games have fit in well next to the upperclassmen. Other than the matchup with ASH and a Texas showdown with Kimble, the Warhorses have otherwise outmatched everyone this season.
Charles Smith has been the Head Coach at Peabody Magnet since 1985, and this event is yet another accomplishment in his storied career of service to Alexandria. Speaking with KALB Sports this week, Smith said one of the goals of the day is to “bring basketball back to Central Louisiana on a large scale, and hopefully the attendance and the support for the community could bring back girls or boys championships to Central Louisiana.” The Rapides Coliseum was once host to the state tournament, which has been played in Lafayette, Lake Charles and on campuses in recent years.
The Bossier Bearkats are another one of Louisiana’s juggernaut programs, and they are the #2 ranked team in Division II Non-Select. They will be the lone representative from North Louisiana, and are no stranger to high profile road games.
The game is scheduled for 7:30 PM, to conclude the Charles Smith Classic at the Emerald Palace.
