By: Jerit Roser
Written for the LSWA
Both Louisiana’s girls and boys high school basketball seasons ended with down-to-the-wire Division-I non-select thrillers.
Coaches and players from each of the four teams that waged those memorable battles combined to sweep the superlative honors of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Class 5A All-State teams.
Ruston forward Ahmad Hudson, who led his Bearcats to the Division-I non-select title game, was selected as the boys’ Outstanding Player.
Hudson, a 6-foot-8 junior, earned his third first-team selection in three high school seasons. This time he captured the top award with averages of 19.7 points, 13.4 rebounds and 2.7 blocked shots.
He wrapped the season with 32 points, 24 rebounds, seven blocks and four assists in the championship matchup that Zachary emerged with a 63-60 victory.
Zachary guard Ava Raymond, who lifted the Lady Broncos to a title repeat with a game-winner in the final seconds, was voted the girls’ Outstanding Player.
The McNeese State signee was the lone returning rotation player, a second-team all-stater from the program’s 2025 championship team. She led this year’s team with 17.4 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two assists per game.
She scored a game-high 27 points in the title bout, including the final basket in the lane, and grabbed nine rebounds and five steals.
Zachary joined rare company this year by completing simultaneous repeats in both boys and girls basketball, including becoming the first Class 5A school to do so.
Jonathan McClinton was named the boys’ Coach of the Year after leading the Broncos to a 34-3 record, multiple 10-game winning streaks and a fourth title in six years.
Slidell coach Kristin Twillie drew girls’ Coach of the Year honors after leading the Lady Tigers to a 30-2 record, including two 15-game winning streaks. It was program’s first state tournament and title game appearance, falling to Zachary by one point.
Boys
First Team
Player, School, Ht., Cl., Pts.
Ian Edmond, Zachary, 6-1, Jr., 19.7
Darren Ford, Ruston, 6-2, So., 20.7
Ahmad Hudson, Ruston, 6-8, Jr., 19.7
Autrail Manning, John Curtis, 6-1, Sr., 14.2
Aaron Miles, St. Augustine, 5-8, Jr., 18.0
Second Team
Player, School, Ht., Cl., Pts.
Jarvell Bordelon, Alexandria, 6-1, Sr., 16.7
Jace Conrad, Central, 6-2, Sr., Central, 16.8
Jadell Demery, Natchitoches Central, 6-4, Sr., 18.3
Kahlil Fisher, Karr, 6-3, Jr., 17.6
Jeremy Williams, Denham Springs, 6-1, Jr., 15.0
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: Ahmad Hudson, Ruston
COACH OF THE YEAR: Jonathan McClinton, Zachary
Honorable mention
Jayden Austin, Neville; Jordan Bedford, Covington; Jerry Birdlow, Slidell; Ja’Vardes Brazile, St. Augustine; Braylon Carter, Barbe; Jude Chamberlain, Catholic; Cole Doucet, Sulphur; Kaden Downing, Hahnville; Hudson Gautreaux, Thibodaux; Da’Sean Golmond, Denham Springs; Kingston Jarrell, Woodlawn-Baton Rouge; Jace Johnson, Terrebonne; LeSean Jones, Covington; Ethan Kimmie, Zachary; Zach LaGraize, Jesuit; Noah McDaniel, Brother Martin; KeShun Malcolm, Ruston; Thomas Molette, Bonnabel; Ronald Navarre, Rummel; Amod Randolph, Thibodaux; DJ Schonberg, St. Amant; Jayden Simmons, Scotlandville; Tyrie Spencer, Northshore; Jonnie Walker, John Curtis; Trevez Walker, Destrehan; Justin Ward, H.L. Bourgeois; Kevin White, Airline; Roger Williams, Northshore.
Girls
First Team
Player, School, Ht., Cl., Pts.
Alanna Benoit, Mandeville, 5-9, Sr., 23.7
Rhian Comery, Prairieville, 5-11, Sr., 22.9
Kyndal Graham, Huntington, 5-5, Sr., 22.5
Ava Raymond, Zachary, 5-10, Sr., 17.4
Bailey Timmons, John Curtis, 5-7, Sr., 14.0
Second Team
Player, School, Ht., Cl., Pts.
Asia Bell, Zachary, 6-1, So., 12.6
Erynn Felton, Neville, 5-6, Sr., 11.0
Prai’ Nelson, Denham Springs, 5-9, Sr., 19.0
Madyson Parker, Slidell, 5-8, So., 17.2
Janyiah Williams, John Curtis, 5-9, So., 18.0
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: Ava Raymond, Zachary
COACH OF THE YEAR: Kristen Twillie, Slidell
Honorable mention:
Jayla Albert, John Curtis; Allayah Aubert, Liberty; Molly Avrard, Chapelle; Skylar Branch, Haughton; Shiloh Brokenberry, Captain Shreve; Jayla Carmouche, Acadiana; Urijah Carmouche, Southside; A’myja Clark, Terrebonne; McKenna Cooley, Ouachita; Kaylie Dupree, Huntington; Jaelynn Elliott, Slidell; Joy Fisher, Neville; Trista Gallien, Slidell; Harmony Howard, Destrehan; Maryah Joseph, Riverdale; Akayla McMooian, Salmen; Kennedy Mahoney, Terrebonne; Davelyn Richard, Barbe; Deon’ce Theriot, Thibodaux; Kendal Thomas, Salmen; Jayla Thompson, H.L. Bourgeois; Skylar Washington, Scotlandville; Kameya West-Robinson, Neville; Londyn White, Terrebonne; Lauren Williams, Sam Houston; Markayla Williams, West Monroe; Kearra Wilson, Ruston.