What happens when you take the best player in the nation and the most improved player in Louisiana and put them together?
You get the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Class 5A All-State basketball teams led by Mikaylah Williams of Parkway and Dorian Booker of Scotlandville.
Williams, an LSU signee and the nation’s top recruit in 2023, is the Outstanding Player on the LSWA’s 5A girls squad for the second straight year. The 6-foot-10 Booker, an UNO signee and a returning all-state pick, is the Outstanding Player on the 5A boys squad.
Williams’ coach, Gloria Williams, is the 5A girls Coach of the Year, while Derrick Jones of Division I select champion Catholic of Baton Rouge claims the 5A boys Coach of the Year honor.
Mikaylah Williams (6-1) averaged 19 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game while leading her team to a Division I nonselect title. In the title game, she scored 34 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Parkway finished with a 26-1 record for Gloria Williams.
Booker displayed refined skills in the lane and added confidence while averaging 22.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.3 blocked shots per game for Division I select runner-up Scotlandville. He made 74 percent of his field goal attempts.
Jones coached his alma mater to the first basketball title in school history. Catholic (28-6) lost to District 4-5A rival Scotlandville twice before beating the Hornets in the title game.
LSWA CLASS 5A ALL-STATE TEAMS
BOYS
FIRST TEAM
Braylan McNeal, Ruston
Dorian Booker, Scotlandville
Brandon Hardy, Zachary
Allen Graves, Ponchatoula
Kohen Rowbatham, Northshore
SECOND TEAM
Jonathan Bradshaw, Ouachita
Christian Walker, New Iberia
Warren Young Jr., Walker
Dennis Hebert, Catholic
Jeremiah Evans, Southwood
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: DORIAN BOOKER, SCOTLANDVILLE
COACH OF THE YEAR: DERRICK JONES, CATHOLIC
HONORABLE MENTION: Jabbari Barry, Barbe; John Kelly, John Ehret; Turner Duncan, St. Augustine; Jyrin Sowell, Captain Shreve; Colby O’glee, Airline; Trevon Jackson, Airline; Cam Lumar, Hahnville; Jordan Davis, Ouachita; Evyn Goree, Pineville; Ja’quise Richmond, Barbe; Chris Coleman, H.L. Bourgeois; Kylan Billiot, Terrebonne; Evan Griffin, Central Lafourche; Aidan Anding, Ruston; Reese Seichshnaydre, St. Paul’s; Letavian Crockett, St. Amant; C’Zavian Teasett, Scotlandville; Howard Gaskins, Liberty.
GIRLS
FIRST TEAM
Mikaylah Manley, Barbe
Mikayah Williams, Parkway
Taylor Jackson, Ponchatoula
Chrysta Narcisse, Lafayette
Caitlin Travis, Walker
SECOND TEAM
Jasmine Matthews, East St. John
Chloe Larry, Parkway
Jaliyah McWain, Ruston
Imani Daniel, John Curtis
Whitney Hart, Liberty
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: MIKAYLAH WILLIAMS, PARKWAY
COACH OF THE YEAR: GLORIA WILLIAMS, PARKWAY
HONORABLE MENTION: Marissa Schoth, Benton; Makayla Gallien, Natchitoches Central; Kaysha Hurd, Alexandria; Heaven Jordan, John Curtis; Elizabeth Thompson, Ponchatoula; Chikae Desdunes, John Curtis; Kameira McDonald, Scotlandville; Jade Spikes, Ouachita; Areil Williams, Barbe; Aryana Peak, Thibodaux; Caroline Loupe, Central Lafourche; Alissa O’Dell, Zachary; Thamerin Balthazar, Alexandria; Morgan Elie, Pineville; Deniya Thornton, St. Amant; Alissa O’Dell, Zachary; Kira Johnson, Lafayette High; Sara White, Haughton; Paige Marshall, Airline; Morgan Young, Byrd; Jania Holmes, John Curtis; Baylie Carroll, Chapelle; Nya Miller, Dutchtown; Ja’Miya Vann, Walker.