10 multisport eye-catchers from Louisiana’s basketball playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Louisiana is loaded with talented athletes who excel in multiple sports throughout the school year, and several have been doing so the past couple of weeks as the basketball playoffs continue to ratchet up the level of competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone Louisiana caught four games live during the first three rounds, including several multisport standouts of note as potential football prospects — including a few already ranked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at 10 of those notable football athletes who stood out during those four matchups covering teams from four of the state's five area codes: Carencro vs. Bonnabel, French Settlement vs. Avoyelles, Donaldsonville vs. Rayville and French Settlement vs. Marksville. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Armonii Benjamin — 6-2, 180 WR/DB — Marksville (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='934563' first='Devin' last='Lavalais'] — 6-1, 165 ATH — Marksville (2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>and <strong>Jaden Price — 6-1, 155 WR — Marksville (2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three of the big names to know for one of the state's top teams in any classification lived up to those expectations with a big quarterfinal performance in their final home game of the season to roll past French Settlement and to the program's third straight state-tournament appearance. The trio highlighted a dogged defensive effort by the team overall, flying around to disrupt the Lions and set up several transition opportunities. Price, who enjoyed a breakout junior campaign as a pass-catcher, tipped the night off with hot shooting for an early offensive spark. And Benjamin, an intriguing late 2026 sleeper after having focused on basketball most of his high school career, took over and loaded the stat sheet with his quickness and athleticism to continue attacking the rim. And Lavalais, a longtime highly ranked Prep Redzone prospect, led all players on the boards with his strength and springy leap. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1238190' first='Kendrick' last='Bernard'] — 5-10, 185 WR/DB — Carencro (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409932' first='Hayden' last='Monroe'] — 6-4, 220 EDGE/TE — Carencro (2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior receiver and sophomore tight end and edge rusher were two of the leaders of the Golden Bears' first-round win against Bonnabel. Bernard got hot from deep early and went on to 21 points, including a couple key baskets late to hold off the Bruins' rally, plus seven rebounds and three assists. Monroe, dealing with a back injury, came off the the bench and provided a nice spark on both ends of the court with 11 points and a game-high eight rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1357863' first='Kobe' last='Smith'] — 6-2, 260 EDGE/DL — Avoyelles (2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The highly ranked football prospect, whose recruitment has started to take off this offseason, was among the biggest bright spots in Avoyelles' second-round loss to French Settlement. Smith dominated the boards with 12 rebounds in all, particularly in the first half as his physicality, but also agility at his size helped give his Mustangs control that aspect of the game and build and hold a lead deep into the third quarter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1631508' first='Jaden' last='Allen'] — 6-1, 205 RB/LB — Donaldsonville (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>and <strong>Quinnton Dabney — 6-1, 190 RB/WR — Donaldsonville (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>and <strong>Skyler Garison — 6-5, 200 QB/ATH — Donaldsonville (2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers came up short up short in their second-round matchup against Rayville, but not for lack of effort from their senior multisport standouts, who led their team's charge the bulk of the contest, and intriguing young quarterback, who continued to battle for baskets even into the final possessions. Allen and Dabney's physicality and hustle set the tone for a strong Donaldsonville start to the game, including Dabney finishing with game-highs of 23 points and 13 rebounds. Garrison meanwhile was the tallest, longest player on the court and showcased his athleticism, footwork and hands on his way to 10 points, five rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kenyon Harper Jr. — 5-11, 160 DB — Bonnabel (2028) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore wasn't one of the names on the Prep Redzone Louisiana radar yet, but was among the bright spots in his young Bruins' first-round loss to Carencro with 12 points, two rebounds, two assists and at least two steals. Harper is listed as a safety on the school's football roster and could be an athlete to keep an eye on in both sports with two more years remaining.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->