The Louisiana Blue Jays, a travel ball team composed of members of local and area high school varsity basketball teams and coached by Jackson Parish resident Wayne Thomas, completed their summer season by claiming the championship of the East Texas Hoops 17U Tournament of Champions. By winning all seven games of the tourney held July 9-11 in Tyler, TX, the Blue Jays ended their season with a 16-5 record. Adding to the success at the tournament was Thomas being named Coach of the Year.

Leading the team in scoring with an 18.0 average over the seven games was Taden Thomas of Quitman High School (QHS), with Brayden Martin, also from QHS, checking in with 14.1 points per game (ppg). Shane Reed, the third QHS representative, averaged 9.1 ppg and a team-leading 7.3 rebounds per game (rpg). Additional contributors from area high schools were Clarence Mayweather (Choudrant) with 10.1 ppg, Jackson Bougues Saline) with 5.0 ppg, and Cash Ingram (Ruston) at 3.9 ppg.

Louisiana Blue Jays 17U Team Roster

Taden Thomas – Quitman
Brayden Martin – Quitman
Shane Reed – Quitman
Jackson Bougues – Saline
Cash Ingram – Ruston
Clarence Menyweather – Choudrant
Chris Harrell – Simsboro

Louisiana Blue Jays 16U Team Roster

Jack Thomas – Quitman
Kaleb Maxwell – Quitman
Braydon Robinson – Saline
Turner Rhodes – Choudrant
Hayden Seymore – Quitman
EJ Jackson – Quitman
Tristan Smith – Jonesboro- Hodge
Luke Rowe – Quitman
Pike Thaxton – Hot Springs, AR

Tournament of Champions Recap

Blue Jays 99, ETX Game Changers 42 (Pool Play): Taden Thomas scored 26 points, and Shane Reed scored 16 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to help pace the Blue Jays 17U to a season-high in points. Clarence Menyweather and Brayden Martin also had big games with 22 and 17 points, respectively. Jackson Bogues added 11 points, and Cash Ingram had a team-high six assists.

Blue Jays 59 Texas Fury 54 (Pool Play): After 9 lead changes, the Blue Jays emerged victorious, with Brayden Martin (16 pts) and Shane Reed (8 pts/9 rbs) each hitting multiple three-pointers. Clarence Menyweather led the team with 19 points, including 10 in the first quarter, helping pace the Blue Jays to a 37-26 halftime advantage. Taden Thomas chipped in with 9, and Jackson Bougues added 5 points. Cash Ingram also had a basket.

Blue Jays 38 North Hopkins 29 (Pool Play): Despite scoring a season low in points, a great defensive effort that set a new season-best points allowed paved the way. Brayden Martin scored 15 points to lead the team, and Shane Reed compiled a team-best 9 rebounds and 4 blocked shots, adding 5 points. Taden Thomas and Clarence Menweather chipped in with 9 and 8 points each, and Jackson Bougues made a free throw.

Blue Jays 67 Elite 54 (Pool Play): Taden Thomas scored 23 points, and Brayden Martin had a “double-double” with 21 points and 10 rebounds in the intense battle that saw the Blue Jays control the paint with 26 rebounds. Jackson Bougues contributed a tournament best 9 points, Shane Reed added 6, and both Clarence Menyweather and Cash Ingram scored 4 points apiece.

Blue Jays 46 Neighborhood Heros 30 (Bracket Play): Exploding to a 22-4 first quarter lead, the Blue Jays never looked back to win the opening game of bracket play. Taden Thomas led the way with a team-high 19, while Shane Reed added 10 points and a team-high 7 rebounds. Brayden Martin scored 9 and had a team-best 6 assists, while Jackson Bougues scored 4, and Clarence Menyweather and Cash Ingram each made a basket.

Blue Jays 55 Chapel Hill MP 52 (Bracket Play): After spotting Chapel Hill the first 8 points of the game, the Blue Jays went on a 13-1 run in the second quarter to take control. Taden Thomas once again led the team in scoring with 18 points, while Shane Reed and Brayden Martin added 12 and 11 points, respectively. Cash Ingram had a tournament-best 8 points and Clarence Menyweather added six.

Blue Jays 58 Elite Ballers 37 (Championship Game): For the first time in the tournament, the Blue Jays were behind at the half (31-27), but by scoring at will in the paint in the second half, a 16-point run in the third quarter led the way to the championship game victory. Taden Thomas made 11 of 11 free throws to lead the team in scoring with 22 points, while Clarence Menyweather and Brayden Martin added 10 and 9 points, respectively. Shane Reed had 8 points, Jackson Bougues made 5, and Cash Ingram chipped in with 4 points and a team-best 8 rebounds.