By: LaMar Gafford
Written for the LSWA
The boys and girls in Class 3A had some of Louisiana’s top basketball teams and top players this season.
That was reflected on the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Class 3A basketball teams with University Lab junior Kennedy Aldridge and Sterlington senior Cooper Nelson were named as Most Outstanding Players.
Westlake girls coach Gloria Fontenot and Marksville boys coach Antonio “O’Kie” Benjamin earned Coach of the Year honors.
Aldridge received Class 3A Most Outstanding Player honors after averaging 23.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 5.3 steals. Aldridge and the Lady Cubs lost to District 6-3A rivals Madison Prep and Parkview Baptist during the regular season but defeated both squads en route to the Division II select title and a 30-5 record.
Fontenot nabbed girls Coach of the Year honors after leading it to a 23-4 record and the Division III non-select title. This was Westlake’s third straight trip to the LHSAA state tournament, defeating No. 2 seed Oak Grove before falling to top-seeded French Settlement in the final.
Nelson was selected as the Class 3A Most Outstanding Player after becoming the Panthers’ all-time leading scorer with 2,972 points. Nelson, who recently committed to ULM, averaged 27 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals this season to lead Sterlington to the Division II non-select quarterfinals.
Benjamin earned boys Coach of the Year honors, leading Marksville to the Division III non-select title for the second time in three years. The Tigers finished with a 27-5 record.
Benjamin previously won a pair of titles with Avoyelles Charter in 2023 and 2024 but went back to his alma mater this season with his son Armonii, a senior guard that was named to the All State first team.
Boys
First Team
Player, School, Ht., Cl., Pts.
Armonii Benjamin, Marksville, 6-2, Sr., 13.3
Quinnton Dabney, Donaldsonville, 6-1, Sr., 21.5
Elijah Garner, Madison Prep, 6-3, Jr., 18.0
Lavell Lane, III, Richwood, 6-6, Sr., 24.0
Cooper Nelson, Sterlington, 5-10, Sr., 27.0
Second Team
Player, School, Ht., Cl., Pts.
Kaden Irwin, Parkview Baptist, 6-3, So., 19.0
Gentry James, Port Allen, 5-11, Sr., 27.0
Greg Johnson, Patterson, 6-6, Jr., 13.0
Devin Lavalais, Marksville, 6-1, Jr., 10.8
Reginald Lavergne, Northwest, 6-1, Sr., 15.4
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: Cooper Nelson, Sterlington
COACH OF THE YEAR: Antonio Benjamin, Marksville
Honorable mention:
Kayde Acosta, Berwick; John Ambrose, St. James; Chase Barker, De La Salle; Joseph Bernardez, John F. Kennedy; Kenny Brown, Madison Prep; Chase Burches, Springfield; Evan Burkes, Lake Charles Prep; Marquan Cobbs, Richwood; Chayson Gray, Abbeville; Logan Futch, Buckeye; Donte Haywood, Patterson; Malik Lonzo, John F. Kennedy; Demonte Lumar, St. James; Dreylon O’Key, St. Louis; Ron Patterson, Bunkie; Jarrison Reese, Church Point; Dayne Small, Marksville; Javon Vital, Lake Charles Prep; Joshua Wilkins, Jefferson Rise; Courtlan Young, Northwest; Manny Young, De La Salle.
Girls
First team
Player, School, Ht., Cl., Pts.
Kennedy Aldridge, University, 5-8, Jr., 23.2
Jaleeyah Alford, Sterlington, 5-8, Sr., 18.0
Y’Mari Brown, De La Salle, 5-10, Fr., 19.7
Auri Ray, Madison Prep, 5-7, Sr., 16.0
Anna Richerson, Parkview Baptist, 5-8, Sr., 17.0
Second Team
Player, School, Ht., Cl., Pts.
Bri’telah Freeman, Ville Platte, 5-5, So., 12.7
Azyria Garrison, Berwick, 5-9, Jr., 18.6
Alyssa Randle, Sterlington, 5-5, Sr., 16.0
Laila Rousell, Westlake, 6-1, Fr., 15.0
Leah Varisco, Sacred Heart-NO, 5-7, Sr., 13.5
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: Kennedy Alridge, University
COACH OF THE YEAR: Gloria Fontenot, Westlake
Honorable mention:
Mikayela Billiot, Haynes; Ella Boseman, Berwick; Addy Broden, St. James; Alyssa Carter, Richwood; Austin Carter, Sterlington; Lybi Cross, Buckeye; Alicia Cuppens, Westlake; Gabrielle Dodson, Madison Prep; Libby Fitzpatrick, Sacred Heart; Keira Gordon, Abbeville; Natalie Graves, Buckeye; Jamie Hunter, Richwood; Hailey Hurst, University; Ellie Johnson, Albany; Faith Johnson, South Beauregard; Janiah Leday, Ville Platte, Ella LeFors, Parkview Baptist; Nickaiya Martin, Springfield; Dynistie Minor, Carroll; Alana Myles, Bastrop; Za’Ny Nelson St. James; Raylan Smith, Springfield; Lyric Warner, Vidalia; Mackenzie Watson, Vidalia; Allie West, Buckeye; Triniti Williams, Jena; Kayleah Wilson, Bastrop.