In order to kick the year off right, we wanted to highlight some of the best returning players coming back this season. Of the 27 All-State Selections last year, only 5 return to the league for 2020. Omissions were not intentional, and there is no guarantee being named on this list will result in future honors; but we wanted to highlight who we expect to be the power players for the upcoming season.
If you disagree with the rankings, let your play shine on the field. We have no problem eating crow as the year moves along.
Methodology: We spoke with numerous current LHSLL coaches (at least one from each district), college coaches who actively recruit players from the LHSLL, travel club coaches who work with players from many programs in the offseason, a few district commissioners, and watched a lot of film. Stats from last season, when available, were also reviewed. The final selections and edits were made by James Dicken- Sports Information Director of the LSHLL
Without further ado; The 2020 LHSLL Preseason All-State Teams
FIRST TEAM ALL STATE
ATTACK: Paxton Ballard: St. Paul's: Catholic Senior
Ballard returns to 2019 LHSLL Champions St. Paul's Catholic as one of its most important pieces. Many are pegging him as the favorite for offensive player of the year. Gone are Ian Varney and Chris Flood, the dynamic duo who put up 170 points for the Wolfpack last season. With that said, Ballard is no slouch himself. As a Junior, he had 34 goals and 31 assists. His 5 points per game average last season leads all returning players this year. If he can take next step to lead the offense, St. Paul's will once again be a favorite to make it to Final Four Weekend.
ATTACK: Andrew Brown: Jesuit: Junior
A senior leader for Jesuit, Brown had just 20 points for the Blue Jays last season. Make no mistake, he is poised to dominate this season. A do-it-all type of player on offense, Brown is shifty enough to create for himself, but keeps his head up and consistently makes the right decision with the ball in his stick. Rarely flashy, Jesuit never lacks for playmakers. Brown might be the best of the bunch.
ATTACK: Noah Susano: Caddo Magnet: Senior
In what will be his fourth year starting, Susano is the unquestioned leader of Caddo Magnet this season. As a junior, he compiled 44 goals and 12 assists, and averaged 4.31 points per game. The loss of 2019 Seniors Josh Armond and Cameron Strait will surely put more pressure on Noah, but he has all the tools necessary to put up a monster point total this season.
MIDFIELD: Jarmone Sutherland: Isidore Newman: Senior
Sutherland isn't just a 2019 LHSLL 1st Team All-State Selection, but also a Division 1 football recruit. As a junior, this dynamic two-way player had 38 total points on the season, but he really shined doing yeoman's work. His 128 ground balls lead the league. His production at the midfield should provide great balance with a dynamic attack this season.
MIDFIELD: Jack Unger: Jesuit: Junior
Just as he was last year as a sophomore when he won 2nd Team All-State honors, The Blue Jays standout Unger will be relied upon even more this season. The balanced attack and general defensive dominance/ ball control of Jesuit generally keeps gaudy stats down, but make no mistake, Unger has the talent to take over a game when necessary. His ability to step in big moment might just get Jesuit back to Final Four Weekend.
MIDFIELD: Mitch Gillem: Catholic: Junior
Catholic is a dark horse to win it all this year, and if they do it will be largely based on the offensive production from Gillem at the midfield. His ability to take face-offs when necessary means he rarely comes off the field, making the 6'2" shooter a nightmare for opposing coaches everywhere. With his size and strength, Gillem might be the biggest mismatch in the league this season.
DEFENSE: Joseph Sentilles: Brother Martin: Senior
The only returning All-State selection on defense from 2019, it would be a crime to leave off Joseph Sentilles from this list. Anchoring what might be the best defense in the league, Sentilles will be asked to keep pressure off a new keeper now that All American goalie Jake Bodino is playing at the next level.
DEFENSE: Hector Negron: CE Byrd: Junior
By many accounts, Hector might have had the best offseason of any defender in the league. A transfer from Caddo Magnet this summer, minutes were tough to come by on the Mustangs roster playing behind All-American Jack Howell and All-State Mark Warren in 2019. Now at Byrd on an up and coming team, Hector has an opportunity to shine.
DEFENSE: Hawkins Head: Isidore Newman: Senior
Of all returning defenders, Hawkins Head had the most groundballs and takeaways in the league last year. He will anchor a Newman defense that will face many high-flying offenses. Brother Martin probably boasts the best collection of poles in the South District, but Head deserves to be recognized as one of the best in the league to start the season.
FOGO: Clark Romig: Jesuit: Senior
The easiest selection of this whole list. Romig is simply dominant at the X. In 2019, he was a 1st Team All-State Selection having won 72% of all his draws. Additionally, he was second in the state in groundballs and put up 24 points. His ability allows the Blue Jays to continually possess the ball on offense, and not allow opponents to get on easy scoring runs. Of all the title contenders, Romig might be the most important player to his team's success.
LSM: Luke Powers: Jesuit : Senior
As one opposing coach puts it, Powers and Romig form the most dynamic face-off unit in the league. A 2019 All-District selection, Powers had 50 ground balls and 9 takeaways as a Junior and will look to add to these totals as he takes on more of a leadership role this season. The stat totals for any Blue Jay will never be tops of the league based on their playing style, but Powers would be a dominant force for any team.
Goalie: Garrett Lauterbach: St. Paul's: Junior
Separating the top 3 or 4 keepers proved to be incredibly difficult, but ultimately Lauterbach gets the nod. As a sophomore, he split time with Senior Julian Contreras as St. Paul's cruised to perfection and a league championship. In front of him, St. Paul's needs to replace some poles. Gone is Hyde Healy from last year's title winning team, but the 6'2 keeper and the rest of the Wolfpack should reload without much setback.
SECOND TEAM ALL-STATE
ATTACK: Charlie November: Isidore Newman: Senior
November returns as one of the best players in the South District. Arguably the best pure finisher in the league, November put up 40 goals and 5 assists as Junior. It will be interesting to see how opposing teams guard November this year, but if he can work past the inevitable double teams, he might lead Newman to their first Final Four appearance.
ATTACK: Thomas Roth: Airline: Junior
Thomas enters the year as the best player few have heard of. Airline lost a lot to graduation, and the Vikings might not be the District power they were in the past, but the cupboard is not bare. The 6'2" and growing Roth, who averaged 3.71 points per game last year, is a fundamentally sound as they come and will make opposing defenders pay for lazy mistakes. It will be interested to see how Airline facilitates the ball to their best player.
ATTACK: Sellers Hixson: Lower Alabama: Sophomore
The biggest offensive threat for Lower Alabama, Hixson will carry the weight of an offense looking to take the next step this year. As a freshman, he put up 3.77 points per game- tops for the Bayhawks last year. Running mate Tucker Milteer has graduated, leaving more opportunity for Hixson to increase his impressive stat line from a year ago.
MIDFIELD: Lake Bradford: Loyola: Junior
You won't find many gaudy states from Bradford last season. Points from the midfield were dominated by then senior Clay Holmes. Everyone in the know believes this season should be coming out party for the impressive Junior. Size, speed, athleticism- Bradford has it all. College scouts are giddy about his potential. Now it's time for the youngster to put it all together on the field.
MIDFIELD: Layton Avant: St. Thomas More: Junior
St. Thomas More lost a ton of points to graduation. A good bet to replace many of them is Avant. The 5'9" junior has speed for days. Comfortable playing defense and transitioning to offense, Avant will be a tough cover for anyone trying to sub on the fly. Also adept at shooting on the run, Avant is a more than worthy inclusion on this list.
MIDFIELD: Treat Judlin: CE Byrd: Junior
A move back to Shreveport from Coppell, TX is a blessing for the Byrd Yellow Jackets. Judlin is expected to lead a stacked Byrd midfield in scoring this season. There is legitimate reason to believe Byrd contends for the North District crown, but in order to do so Judlin needs to have a great year.
DEFENSE: Kevin Sentilles: Brother Martin: Senior
The twin of the aforementioned Joseph, Kevin is also very worthy of this accolade. Not as aggressive on ball as his brother, Kevin fills the gaps and might be the best off ball defender in the league. Brother Martin will go as far as these twins take them, which could very well be Final Four Weekend.
DEFENSE: Luke Warner: Lower Alabama: Junior
Not yet a known entity, Warner should lead the Bayhawk defense this season with the graduation of Jack Hixson. A strong, athletic, and fundamentally sound player, Warner had an excellent offseason of play and will look to lead his squad to the Super 8 and beyond this year.
DEFENSE: Logan LeBlanc: Dutchtown: Junior
Arguably the best player on a mediocre team, LeBlanc really started to turn heads this offseason after being an All-District selection during the 2019 season. LeBlanc will be asked to cover every teams best offensive threat this year, and if the chatter around him proves true, he should be up to the task.
FOGO: William Conger: Catholic: Junior
Conger started coming on the scene last year as a sophomore, splitting time at the X with the aforementioned MIllem. Success against former All-American FOGO Ryan Francis last year, and consistently winning draws against high quality opponents, Conger went into the offseason with a lot of promise. By all accounts, he has taken the next step. If he continues to progress, he might just be the next great LHSLL FOGO.
LSM: Steven Beruvides: Loyola: Senior
Beruvides enters his senior year as the best LSM in the North District. A regular last season on the faceoff wing, Steven seemingly comes up with every loose ball and is capable of pushing transition into the offensive end. Listed at 5'9" and 150lbs, what he lacks in true size he makes up for in finesse.
GOALIE: Allen Torres: Chaos: Senior
Of the returning Goalies, Torres might be the most seasoned. The senior makes some high-level plays look effortless. Last year, the Mandeville defense did him no favors, but Torres played at a high level despite the woes in front of the net. Consistency was a small issue in the past, but if he takes the next step after an offseason of further development, Torres might ultimately prove to be the league's best keeper.
Also Considered: Luke Rau: Brother Martin: Senior: Attack
Hayden Hasell: St. Paul's Episcopal: Junior: Attack
Ethan Hudson: CE Byrd: Senior: Attack
Luke Domain: Dutchtown: Senior: Attack
Braxton Parchman: Captain Shreve: Junior: Attack
Sergio Romero: St. Paul's: Sophomore: Attack
Cayden McCoy: Brother Martin: Senior: Midfield
Dickson Chamberlin: Jesuit: Junior: Midfield
Anthony Bennett: Renegades: Senior: Midfield
Alex Rupp: Brother Martin: Senior: Defense
Sebastian Tabor: CE Byrd: Senior: Defense
Logan Campbell: St. Thomas More: Junior: FOGO
Emory Duggar: Catholic: Senior: Goalie
Cameron Kent: Caddo Magnet: Senior: Goalie