From Carlos Bazert to London Williams, here are 22 Alexandria area athletes to watch in 2022
LaMar GaffordHere are 22 high school athletes to watch in the Alexandria area in 2022
Carlos Bazert
Avoyelles, Jr.
Sport: Football
An injury cut Bazert’s 2021 season short, however the 6-foot-2, 262-pound back should return in 2022 to add to his career totals of 3,497 yards and 48 touchdowns.
RUNNIN' WILD:Avoyelles football running wild to first semifinal trip with bevy of running backs
Ally Clear
Pineville, Sr.
Sport: Soccer
As Pineville enters the second half of the season, Clear leads the Lady Rebels with 14 goals, but had 41 last season as the All-Cenla girls soccer Player of the Year for big schools.
Rylee Cloud
Fairview, Sr.
Sports: Softball, Basketball
The Arkansas softball signee has had a long journey since tearing her ACL in 2019, but she hit 11 home runs and batted .611 to get the Lady Panthers to the regional round. Cloud is also one of Fairview’s go-to players in basketball – averaging 23 points per game last season for second team All-State honors.
Tackett Curtis
Many, Sr.
Sport: Football
Easily Central Louisiana’s top football prospect for the Class of 2023, Curtis has a long list of Power 5 schools courting him for his services. Curtis had 128 tackles in 2021, while helping the Tigers reach their third straight championship game.
Braylin Demars
Natchitoches Central, Sr.
Sport: Track and Field
With his twin brother, Caylin, starring as the Chiefs’ running back, Braylin took second in the Class 5A boys 400 meters in the 2021 state meet with a time of 47.52 seconds.
Grant Ducote
Rosepine, Jr.
Sports: Football, Baseball
Not only is Ducote a terrific leadoff hitter for the Eagles after batting .443 and stealing 32 bases, but he is the lone 2,000-yard running back in the area that is returning for the 2022 season.
TITLETOWN:Rosepine football looking to pair baseball title with one for football
JaNaiya Fisher
Lakeview, Fr.
Sport: Basketball
Already with over 1,000 career points, Fisher averaged 20.1 points and 6.1 assists last season and has Lakeview as a top two team in Class 2A.
Ethan Frey
Rosepine, Sr.
Sport: Baseball
Whether its making history for Rosepine in baseball or football, chances are that Frey is front and center for either moment. Frey earned the All-Cenla baseball MVP in June by batting .446 with nine home runs and 45 RBIs and it was his 12-strikeout gem against Doyle that gave the Eagles a long-awaited title.
Princis Goff
Atlanta, Sr.
Sport: Basketball
Atlanta may be hovering around .500 in Class C, but Goff is a player to watch as its leading scorer with two 50-point games this season, including 57 in a 63-59 win against Saline on Nov. 16.
Peyton Hines
Avoyelles Charter, Sr.
Sport: Basketball
Hines averaged 20.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.9 steals to put the Lady Vikings in state tournament for the first time last season and has Charter at 8-6 and No. 4 in Class 2A this season.
Tia Holmes
Many, Sr.
Sport: Softball
The LSUA signee was 19-4 with a 2.10 ERA as the defending Class 2A champions’ pitcher, but batted .505 with 15 home runs and 65 RBIs in 2021.
Noor Isa
ASH, Sr.
Sport: Soccer
Isa is the reigning All-Cenla boys soccer Player of the Year for the big schools and he is picking up where he left off. The Trojans opened 9-1-1 and Isa is the midfielder of a strong senior class.
Omarion “Diddy” Layssard
Northwood, Jr.
Sport: Basketball
Layssard’s upside is high and has tons of athleticism with his dunking ability, as he leads the Gators with 20.5 points and 6.6 rebounds this season.
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT:Northwood Gators gain much-needed experience future in first trip to Marsh Madness in 18 years
Lina Mills-Zacapa
Leesville, So.
Sports: Cross country, track and field
The two-time All-Cenla girls cross country MVP is coming off a fifth place finish in the state meet, but also finished third at the state track meet in the 1,600 with a time of 5 minutes and 32.69 seconds.
Lauren Quinn
Hicks, Sr.
Sport: Basketball
After averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds last season, the Nicholls signee has not lost a beat with the Lady Pirates off to a 17-4 start.
FROM PIRATE TO COLONEL:Hicks forward Lauren Quinn commits to Nicholls State basketball
Linzay Taylor
Pineville, So.
Sport: Swimming
The Lady Rebels swimmer placed fifth at the LHSAA state meet in the 100 backstroke (1:01.19) and 100 freestyle (55.23).
Haydan Toal
Tioga, Sr.
Sport: Baseball
Pitching is plentiful and while Tioga lost a good one in Ole Miss freshman Blake McGehee, it was Toal that assumed the duties of ace last season by going 9-3 with an 0.97 ERA and 101 strikeouts.
DIAMOND DOG:Tioga pitcher Haydan Toal commits to Louisiana Tech baseball
Braiden Wagner
Peabody, Sr.
Sport: Basketball
Wagner is a big reason why the Warhorses are off to a 12-2 start as he leads the team with 21.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
Alex Walsh
ASH, Jr.
Sport: Baseball
Along with Toal, Walsh is a top prospect that can throw a fastball in the low 90s. Despite a 3-3 record last season, Walsh had a 2.65 ERA and 67 strikeouts through 37 innings.
TROJAN BASEBALL ON THE RISE?:How sophomores have carried ASH baseball to regional round for first time since 2014
Aly Jo Warren
Menard, Sr.
Sport: Track and field
The reigning All-Cenla girls track and field MVP and LSU signee has dreams of being a heptathlete one day and that explains why Warren excels in the pole vault, 200 meters, 300 hurdles and long jump – winning 10 postseason meets in 2021.
Kairah Williams
Tioga, Sr.
Sport: Softball
The Southern signee was 16-3 last season and hit 16 home runs as the cleanup hitter to help Tioga reach Sulphur for the first time since 2003.
London Williams
Many, Sr.
Sport: Powerlifting
The Northwestern State commitment rushed for 2,646 yards and 47 touchdowns this season for the Tigers, but he is also a returning state powerlifting champion – winning the 165-pound class in Division IV.