Peabody's Russell chooses Cajuns
Peabody senior swingman Cedric Russell did not have the Ragin' Cajuns in his final four, but they were his final choice.
With LSU, Texas Tech, Houston and Virginia Commonwealth making the cut, Russell changed course and committed to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Friday.
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"It's just the best situation," Russell said. "I let everything play out and took my time. When I did my home visit, it was the only school that came in well-dressed and presentable — that meant a lot to me."
A finalist for the All-Cenla boys basketball MVP award and last season, Russell averaged 23.1 points per game, while shooting 52 percent for the floor to place him on the LSWA All-State Class 3A second team.
The potential had been there for Russell from the start — as he originally committed to LSU following his freshman year, before decommitting in July.
"Ced came in and he just followed suit with some of the guys we've had here previously," Warhorses coach Charles Smith said. "When he came in, we had guys in college like Markel Brown, Reggie Rambo and Marcus Simmons. They talked to these guys and encouraged them to go to the next level."
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Russell added, "Coach Smith is like the grandfather of it all. He was a big help in my decision."
Russell said a big factor in his decision was based on playing time as he expects to crack the starting lineup as a freshman.
"They actually mapped out how they were going to use me and how I was going to fit into that program," Russell said. "Playing time is very much vital to me. They were the only school that was focused into my playing time. Coming in as a freshman, they projected me to start as a two-guard for my freshman and sophomore year and then transition to the point guard role for my junior and senior year."
Russell also credited a constant communication with Cajuns coach Bob Marlin, who led UL Lafayette to the NCAA Tournament in 2014 with current Orlando Magic point guard Elfrid Payton.
"Coach Marlin and I would text and talk day in and day out," Russell said. "It was a vibe I got from him. He told me, 'We need you. You're our missing piece'. At the end of the day, that's what you want to hear. You don't want to go anywhere where you're just fitting in and thrown into a mix. You want to go somewhere where someone wants, needs and loves you. He came down to our first pep rally and we sat in the coaches' office and talked for a little bit. On his way out, I dapped him and coach (Kevin) Johnson up and he said, 'Alright, Ced, I love you'. Right there, I knew it was real."
With the recruiting process over with, Russell can now focus on helping Peabody return to the LHSAA Top 28 and win its first LHSAA title since 2012.
"I never was the type to get overly excited, but it is a big relief," Russell said. "I can got out there now and just play."
Tioga ace chooses Southeastern
Tioga junior pitcher Dylan Coburn has steadily improved in his first two seasons — growing into one of the top pitchers in Central Louisiana.
After a strong offseason, including playing a pair of tournaments with Perfect Game, Coburn verbally committed to Southeastern Louisiana Wednesday on Twitter.
Coburn drew interest from Kentucky, but decided that the Lions were a perfect fit.
"I loved every school it went to, but Southeastern just felt like home to me and it was close to home, so I could have my family come with me."
Coburn was an honorable mention to the 2016 LSWA All-State Class 4A team and a first-team selection to the All-Cenla baseball team after recording a 0.60 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP.
Two-time All-Cenla track MVP picks LSU
In 2014 and 2015, Correion Mosby was one of the top track athletes in Central Louisiana.
Thursday, Mosby committed to one of the top programs in the nation as he gave a verbal commitment to LSU.
He originally signed with Northwestern State in April 2015, but attended Hinds Community College, where he finished first in the 200 meters with a time of 20.29 seconds and second in the at the 100 and 200 relays at the NJCAA DI Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championship.
An alumnus of Natchitoches Central, Mosby was the 2014 and 2015 All-Cenla boys track and field MVP.