Baton Rouge Athletes Named to LSWA Class 3A All-State Basketball Team

Several athletes from the Baton Rouge area have earned first-team all-state honors on the Louisiana Sports Writers Association (LSWA) Class 3A basketball teams for the 2025-2026 season.

The honors include three players from the girls’ side and one from the boys’ side, highlighting a season of significant talent across the region’s Class 3A programs.

Girls Class 3A Honors

University High junior Kennedy Aldridge was named the Class 3A Most Outstanding Player and earned a spot on the first team. This marks the second consecutive year Aldridge has been named to the LSWA all-state first team.

Aldridge averaged 23.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 5.3 steals during the season. She led the Lady Cubs to a 30-5 record and the Division II select state title, where she scored 27 points in the championship game against Madison Prep and was named the outstanding player of that game.

Madison Prep senior Auri Ray also secured first-team honors. Ray averaged 16 points, four rebounds, and two assists this year. Her performance earned her the District 6-3A MVP title and helped the Chargers reach the Division II select state title game.

Anna Richerson, a senior at Parkview Baptist, earned first-team honors after previously receiving second-team honors the prior year. Richerson, who has signed with Loyola-New Orleans, averaged 17 points, 5.6 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 steals during the season.

Boys Class 3A Honors

On the boys’ side, Madison Prep junior Elijah Garner was named to the first team. Garner led the Chargers to the Division II select semifinals and averaged 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals per game.

In addition to his first-team all-state selection, Garner earned District 6-3A MVP honors.

Wider Class 3A State Recognition

Beyond the Baton Rouge area, the LSWA recognized several other standout players and coaches in Class 3A. Sterlington senior Cooper Nelson was named the boys’ Most Outstanding Player after becoming the Panthers’ all-time leading scorer with 2,972 points and averaging 27 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals.

Coach of the Year honors were awarded to Gloria Fontenot of Westlake for the girls’ side and Antonio O’Kie Benjamin of Marksville for the boys’ side.

Benjamin led Marksville to the Division III non-select title with a 27-5 record. His son, senior guard Armonii Benjamin, was also named to the All State first team, averaging 13 points per game.

Fontenot led Westlake to a 23-4 record and the Division III non-select title, defeating Oak Grove before losing to French Settlement in the final.