By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – One’s a big man that led his team to the two winningest seasons in his school’s history. Another’s a  relatively diminutive point guard who led his team to a state championship ring in his first season as starter.

But one thing East St. John center Elex Carter and Riverside point guard Von Julien have in common is their status as St. John the Baptist Parish basketball MVP, as this year the two share the top honor on the annual L’Observateur All-Parish boys basketball team.

Julien was stellar in his first season as Rebels starting point guard, posting an eye-popping four to one assist to turnover ratio on the back of an 8.1 assists and less than two turnovers per game. He averaged 14 points and over four rebounds and four assists and earned recognition state-wide: Julien was voted as the MVP of the Allstate Sugar Bowl tournament and was named Class 2A’s Outstanding Player by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. He led Riverside to a 26-5 overall record, a share of the District 10-2A title and, finally, the Class 2A state championship.

Carter was perhaps the state’s preeminent defensive force. He was East St. John’s lone returning rotation player after the Wildcats lost 10 starters from a team that set the program’s high mark for wins in a season. Yet this year, with Carter’s defense in the middle anchoring the team, ESJ matched that win total (24) and advanced to the state quarterfinals while earning the outright District 8-5A championship. Carter averaged 7.8 points, 12.1 rebounds, 5.3 blocks and 2.7 steals a game.

Riverside coach Timmy Byrd is this season’s St. John Coach of the Year after leading his Rebels to reclaim the Class 2A state championship. The Rebels defeated defending state champion John Curtis three times in four games this season and became one of the youngest teams in state history to capture a state crown, with just one senior and nobody else in the starting lineup older than a sophomore.

Three other Rebels join Julien on the team in Malik Crowfield, Jordan Andrews and Herb McGee. All topped 13 points per game this season and gave Riverside a group of players who could all get to the basket and shoot the 3.

Tre’Von Jasmine joins Carter on the team to represent East St. John. Jasmine averaged over 16 points per game, leading the Wildcats in scoring as a sophomore.  

West St. John’s Jordan Hamilton rounds out the All-Parish roster. Hamilton averaged 15 points per game as the Rams point guard and floor general.