Ava Raymond Elevates Her Game, Leads Zachary Into Playoffs as Top Seed
by Robin Fambrough // GeauxPreps.com Contributor
Just when it looked like opponents might figure out Ava Raymond, she changed her game.
The move is just one of the reasons why defending champion Zachary is the top-seed on the LHSAA’s Division I nonselect girls basketball playoff bracket.
“This is a different team than last year,” ZHS coach Tami McClure said. “They’re so young, and they are fun to coach. Even with Ava … she has always been the younger player with seniors around her.
“She’s always been able to just go out and do her job. And I’m asking her to do more, too. She’s a guard, but she is so tall and athletic, so I’ve got her playing in the post some.”
It comes as no surprise that the 5-foot-10 McNeese signee has excelled for the Broncos (23-3). She averages 18.8 points, eight rebounds, and two assists per game. Zachary (23-3) opened the 2026 playoffs Monday night with a 72-25 regional-round win over familiar foe No. 17 Walker.
The teams have a long history together that includes being district rivals for many years. The Broncos beat Walker in the semifinals a year ago and 51-46 two months ago.
“That was a long time ago,” Raymond said of the early-season win over WHS. “We do know each other … there is history. We’ve got to be prepared.”
For Raymond, being prepared for her final high school season involves more than just game plans and skill improvement. After years of being surrounded by other strong guards, including her older sister Bria and others, Raymond is charged with be the Broncos’ leader.
“Well … that’s not my favorite thing,” Raymond said. “But I know it’s something I need to do for this team.
“We have a lot of young players who are playing a lot for the first time. I just try to help them see what we need to do as a team.”
Focusing on team goals has not prevented Raymond from achieving some notable individual goals. She scored her 2,000th career point, was the only Louisiana senior on the McDonald’s All-American list, is set to play in the LHSCA all-star game, and is a nominee for Louisiana’s Gatorade Player of the Year.
“At the beginning, I wasn’t shooting too many threes (3-pointers), but I am doing that more,” Raymond said. “I continue to work on my defense.”
In turn, the evolution of Raymond’s game has fit with and expedited the growth of the current Zachary team that has two other double-digit scorers.
Sophomore Asia Bell, one of Louisiana’s top prospects in 2028, adds 13.7 points per game, and Kennedi Whitfield is at 10.2 ppg. Marcia Robinson adds 9.5 ppg for a roster that features just one junior.
“She has always been able to shoot outside,” McClure said of Raymond. “It’s her midrange that has really developed now, along with her post game.
“Now she has learned to take advantage of mismatches inside. Ava really put in more time in the weightroom and got stronger. She can battle inside with the post players we face.”
Both McClure and Raymond understand there is pressure for this ZHS team to repeat as champions. McClure understands the process because she went through it while leading St. Michael to back-to-back titles in Class 4A in 2008-09.
“It is the hardest year because even though this is not the same team, you still have a target on your back every day,” McClure said. “It’s a grind. It’s amazing how they have been able to come into games and just play.”
And just playing is one of the things Raymond does best.
“I think this team is confident,” Raymond said. “They want that (championship) feeling.
“But you take nothing for granted. We have to be focused and play our best.”