The Lakeview Gators have completed another great season with a third straight trip to Marsh Madness. Lakeview finished the season with a 29-5 record and with back to back district titles. The Gators are carving their way into a basketball power house in the area.
Lakeview, under its current coaching staff, have presented themselves as a district power house as well as a State Contender year in and year out. In the past eight years Lakeview has yet to miss a play-off appearance, have a losing season, and has numerous other accolades listed below:
• 2015 – #2 ranking in Class 2A, State runners-up, 31-5, District Champions, District MVP – Tivonte Hardy, District Coach of the year – Brian Williams, college signees – Tivonte Hardy, Malik Metoyer, & Brenton Toussaint, All Area Honors – Tivonte Hardy & Adrio Bailey, All State Honors – Tivonte Hardy
• 2016 – #15 ranking in Class 2A, Regional Finalist, 20-10, District MVP – Adrio Bailey, college signees – Adrio Bailey, Cameron Pottain, All -Area Honors – Adrio Bailey, All State Honors – Adrio Bailey
• 2017 – #12 ranking in Class 2A, Regional Finalist, 14-12
• 2018 – #8 ranking in Class 2A, Quarter Finalist, 22-9, District MVP – Zarious Lewis, college signee – Demondre Young, All Area Honors – Zarious Lewis, All State Honors – Zarious Lewis
• 2019 – #5 ranking in Class 2A, Quarter Finalist, 31-6, District Champions, District MVP – Zarious Lewis, District Coach of the Year – Brian Williams, college signees – Christopher Small Jr., All Area Honors – Zarious Lewis, All State Honors – Zarious Lewis
• 2020 – #4 ranking in Class 2A, Semi-Finalist, 24-10, District MVP – Nate Braden, college signees – Nate Braden, All Area Honors – Nate Braden, All State Honors – Nate Braden
• 2021 – #6 ranking in Class 2A, Semi-Finalist, 22-6, District Champions, District MVP – Javonte Howard, District Coach of the Year – Brian Williams, All Area Honors – Javonte Howard, All State Honors – Javonte Howard
• 2022 – #1 ranking in Class 2A, Semi-Finalist, 29-5, District Champions, District MVP – Javonte Howard, District Coach of the Year – Brian Williams
Lakeview has continued this tradition with numerous individual district accolades for the 2021-2022 Season:
• Sr. Javonte Howard Bask to Back District 3-2A MVP (16 ppg 5.5 rpg 3.3 apg 3.3 spg)
• So. Alonzo Driver 1st Team All District 3-2A (11.7 ppg 5.3 rpg 1.7 apg 1.3 spg)
• So. Andre Sowell 2nd Team All District 3-2A (10.7 ppg 2.7 rpg 0.7 apg 1.5 spg)
• Jr. Dillon Pikes All Defensive Team District 3-2A ( 5.8 ppg 5.4 rpg 2.2 apg 2.4 spg)
• Jr. Clifton Jones District 3-2A Honorable Mention ( 6.7 ppg 7.2 rpg 0.9 apg 1.2 spg)
• Sr. Cameron Holden District 3-2A Honorable Mention (3.0 ppg 2.0 rpg 1.2 apg 0.5 spg)
• Fr. Jamarcus Reliford District 3-2A Honorable Mention (9.4 ppg 5.0 rpg 1.8 apg 1.5 spg)
With a history like this, Lakeview is arguably one of the best basketball programs in Louisiana. Lakeview has a young team that is predicted to win a State title in the near future. “We have to get over the hump. It’s going to take a team effort and not a super star to get us there,” stated Coach Williams. Lakeview fights hard on the court and play with a lot of heart even when undersized. Lakeview presents an exciting brand of basketball and a true meaning of up-tempo. Many coaches over the state commend Lakeview on their team speed. “We will get in the lab over the spring and summer and you will see a much-improved team from this year. If we continue to get better and improve, we will get over the hump. We were two games away. Our motto this summer and spring will be, two games,” stated Coach Williams. It may be disappointing to many but, to the Natchitoches community, Lakeview represented the district very well. Until next year, Lakeview basketball is signing out.
