By Malcolm Butler
Both Choudrant High School basketball programs are coming off successful seasons that included second-round playoff appearances.
But both the Aggies and Lady Aggies will have some big shoes to fill when the 2026-27 season tips off next month.
Choudrant released its basketball schedules as both programs prepare for the challenge of replacing significant contributors from last year’s squads, including three District 2-B MVPs.
The Aggies must replace district MVP Braden Pye, while the Lady Aggies lost co-district MVPs Sadie Jones and Reese Brown to graduation. Despite those losses, head coaches Ryan Smith and Brandy Roberson are optimistic about their respective teams.
The Aggies are coming off a 21-12 campaign that included a District 2-B championship and a trip to the second round of the state playoffs.
“We are very excited heading into this season,” Smith said. “We lost a lot off of last year’s team with that big senior class, but our guys have worked hard this offseason.”
The Aggies will feature a young roster with just one senior in Ben Rinehart, who Smith believes will play an important role in helping guide a team dominated by underclassmen.
“Ben has strong leadership skills and plays with a high motor,” Smith said.
Sophomore Turner Rhodes is another player Smith will count on heavily after gaining valuable varsity experience a year ago.
“Turner is coming off a freshman season where he started a lot of games,” Smith said. “We will rely on his experience to lead us through the early stages of the season.”
The Aggies’ 12-player varsity roster includes seven sophomores, two freshmen and eighth-grader Lukas Bandy.
Despite the team’s youth, Smith likes the chemistry and potential of his squad.
“This group plays really well together on both sides of the floor,” Smith said. “Even though we might lack some game experience, this group has what it takes to get the job done. They are committed to doing what they need to do to prepare us for another late-season run.”
The Lady Aggies face a similar challenge after graduating four starters from last year’s squad, including Jones and Brown. Choudrant advanced to the second round of the Division V nonselect playoffs last season before falling 51-48 to Anacoco in a heartbreaker.
Roberson’s 13-player varsity roster features just one senior in Madison Breslin, along with four juniors, six sophomores and two freshmen.
“I am very excited about this upcoming season,” Roberson said. “We have a young, but very talented group of girls who aren’t afraid of hard work.”
Breslin will be joined by juniors Hannah Bryan, Katherine Hernandez, Lila Marlette and Kami Young as the team’s upperclassmen. Bryan, Hernandez and Young all gained valuable experience during last year’s postseason run.
Roberson said there could be some bumps along the way as her young players adjust to expanded roles.
“I know that there is a chance we will have some growing pains from some early inexperience due to graduating four starters last year,” Roberson said. “However, I do feel like we will figure out roles and how to compete as we gain experience over the season.”
Both teams will have opportunities to gain experience during a busy early-season schedule.
Following preseason scrimmages, Choudrant travels to Elizabeth on Nov. 10 before hosting its annual tournament Nov. 12-14. The Aggies and Lady Aggies will also participate in several tournaments during November, December and January.
One of the more anticipated dates on the schedule will be Jan. 19 when Choudrant hosts Lincoln Parish rival Simsboro.
The district tournament is scheduled for Jan. 21-22 at Downsville.
