LAPLACE — It’s not easy to stand out on a team that’s usually the best of the best. Somehow, Malik Crowfield did.

The 6-foot-3 senior guard for the Riverside Rebels certainly made an impression on his coach, Timmy Byrd, and not just for his 20-points-per-game scoring average.

“He’s probably the best player I’ve ever had in terms of the way he practices and the way he plays the game,” Byrd said.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a game or a practice, he’s going to give it everything he’s got. He’s got the God-given ability, he’s got the work ethic, he plays hard. He’s just a winner.”

Crowfield is one of three players from Class 2A state champion Riverside to make the team, but he stood out enough to be L’OBSERVATEUR’s All-St. John Player of the Year.

East St. John coach Yussef Jasmine told his assistants before the season that this just might be one of the most rewarding seasons ever.

With one returning starter and several new senior starters, Jasmine’s team took some time finding its rhythm. When it did, there was virtually no stopping it. East St. John cruised to the District 7-5A championship — its fifth in six years.

Jasmine is L’OBSERVATEUR’s All-St. John Coach of the Year.

ALL-ST. JOHN PARISH BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM

F Javon Antonio, East St. John, 6-5, So.

The big man on the court, Antonio averaged. 10.7 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.   

PF Jordan Arceneaux, St. Charles Catholic, 6-2, Jr.

He averaged 15 points, seven rebounds and shot 69 percent from the free throw line for the Comets.

F Trevon Borne, West St. John, 6-0, Sr.

A stand-out on a struggling team this season, Borne averaged 17 points, 11 rebounds and four assists per game.

G Jared Butler, Riverside, 6-2, So.

The apparent future leader of the Rebels, Butler averaged 21 points, four rebounds, seven assists and two steals per game.

G Malik Crowfield, Riverside, 6-3, Sr.

On a team loaded with talent, Crowfield still managed to stand out to become the District’s MVP. He averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and 3.5 steals. He has committed to Virginia Commonwealth University.

F Troy Green, East St. John, 6-3, Sr.

The main returning starter on this year’s District 7-5A champion squad, Green averaged 17.4 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game. He was named the district’s co-MVP by the coaches.

PG Jobe Kelly, St. Charles Catholic, 6-0, Sr.

A standout on a team that struggled at times, Kelly averaged 14 points and three rebounds. He shot 75 percent from the free throw line.

G Herb McGee, Riverside, 6-2, Sr.

McGee averaged 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists and 2.75 steals per game. He has committed to South Alabama.

G Raekwon McKnight, East St. John, 5-9, Sr.

McKnight only participated in 12 games this season but he still averaged 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and shot 75 percent from the free throw line.

G Amere Oubre, West St. John, 5-9, Sr.

A standout on a struggling team, Oubre averaged 16 points, seven assists and three steals per game.

Player of the Year:

Malik Crowfield,

Riverside Academy

Coach of the Year:

Yussef Jasmine,

East St. John