Iowa (Louisiana) boys make another strong statement after defeating Lafayette Christian in Cajundome Classic

Yellow Jackets building momentum after first trip to state semifinals last season

LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA - Several strong statements have been made over the past 12-15 months by the Iowa High boys basketball team. 

The Yellow Jackets delivered another message on Saturday - loud and clear - as Iowa handed Lafayette Christian its first loss to an in-state opponent at Brad Boyd's Cajundome Classic at the University of Louisiana. 

"That's real big to win in their backyard," Iowa coach Rob Melancon said.

The Knights' campus sits a scant 3.5 miles north of the Cajundome - not even a 10-minute walk north on University Avenue.

Louisiana high school boys basketball Top 25 rankings (1/17/2024)

Iowa (18-3) reached the state semifinals for the first time in school history last season under Melancon, who is in his 10th year at the helm of the Calcasieu Parish school, which lies a few miles east of Lake Charles along Interstate 10.

The Yellow Jackets own wins over Madison Prep, Wossman, Lafayette High, Alexandria, Dunham, Huntington, St. Louis Catholic and Beau Chene, among others. Madison Prep is 12-1 and Lafayette, which the Jackets beat by 18 points, is 16-2.

"It's the hardest schedule I've ever played," Melancon said. "There is a reason we're playing it. I think we have a good team this year, not only at the guard spot. We have the bigs.

"We didn't play as many today off the bench (as usual), but we have been."

Iowa has two tremendous 6-foot-3 senior guards in Dashawn Ceaser and Desa'Monte Gradney. The latter scored 14 points in the 58-50 win over the Knights.

Desa'Monte Gradney

Ceaser, who was 0-for-4 from the field in the first quarter, scored all 21 of his points over the next three periods. He never missed a field goal after the first quarter, shooting 7-for-7 with four consecutive 3-pointers to ignite the spurt.

"Dashawn is that type of player," Melancon said. "He can shoot it. People need to wake up (on Ceaser and Gradney). They're being recruited, but it's mostly by JUCOs.

"Kids like that are who the transfer portal is killing. Those two kids can play at the next level."

Dashawn Ceaser

Luke Guillory, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound senior forward, made 4-of-6 field goals and finished with 10 points for Iowa. 5-foot-11 senior guard Cameron Washington also scored 10 points. Washington hit a long 3 at the buzzer to extend his team's lead to 45-37 at the end of the third quarter.

"(Guillory) is a man-child on the floor," Melancon said. "He controlled the inside like a big man and made a couple of nice moves.

"Cam is the type of player that when he gets hot, you have to feed him. He started off hot in our district game (on Friday, an 86-56 rout of Jennings).

Josiah Bushnell, the starting quarterback on the football team, is one of six seniors on the roster. Cohen Charles, listed as a 6-foot-1 junior forward, was named MVP of the game for his defensive efforts against 6-foot-8 Tulane signee Kam Williams.

Williams, who is recognized by Prep Hoops Louisiana as the No. 1 in-state player, scored 15 points. Senior guard Deon Wheeler, who was coming off a 30-point performance in Friday's win over Westgate, added 13 points.

Trae Grogan, a 6-3, 195-pound forward, scored nine points while converting all four of his field goal attempts. Grogan, a senior football star as a receiver, has been elevated to a starting role with 6-foot-4 senior Jeremy Bargky reportedly unavailable for the remainder of the season.

"The Charles kid deserved that award," Melancon said of his defensive wizard. "I thought he did a good job on the Williams kid. (Williams) is a special ballplayer, but we have some special ballplayers at Iowa, too."

Iowa's Cohen Charles (left) poses with Brad Boyd, the organizer of the Cajundome Classic, on January 20, 2024. Charles was named the MVP of the Yellow Jackets' win against Lafayette Christian

The Yellow Jackets raced to a 6-0 lead. The Knights countered with 10 straight points but found themselves trailing by eight (26-18) ahead of another 10-0 run to conclude the first half ahead to lead Iowa at intermission, 28-26.

The Yellow Jackets obtained the lead for good, 33-30, on a 3-pointer from Ceaser early in the second half.

Iowa built its largest lead, 42-32, near the end of the third quarter. The Knights got within three, 51-48, on a second-chance bucket from Williams late in the final period before the Yellow Jackets scored seven of the game's final nine points.

"We showed everybody we're a top team in the state," Ceaser said. "No doubt."

"Our schedule gets tougher," Melancon added. "We play (Division I non-select No. 1) Zachary next week."

The Yellow Jackets will take on Zachary (16-3) at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, at Madison Prep's Charger Classic in Baton Rouge.

"We lost in the (Division II non-select) semifinals last year to Carroll," Melancon said. "Our goal this year is to take it one step further. Our bench kids are the key. We're not going to win with five players."

Iowa's only losses are to Peabody Magnet (17-3), Vandebilt Catholic (18-3) and Isidore Newman (9-3).

Photo of Iowa coach Rob Melancon (right, with player Dashawn Ceaser) by Kirk Meche, Lake Charles American Press 

-- Mike Coppage | @SBLiveLA