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2026 Team Preview: Brusly High School

January 1, 2026
Alex Armand
Louisiana Scouting Director

The 2026 high school baseball season is right around the corner, and as always, excitement is building across the Bayou State. Programs from every corner of Louisiana have been hard at work this offseason—honing skills, building chemistry, and setting their sights on a return trip to Sulphur for the LHSAA State Championships. As is tradition, the state is once again loaded with talent, from seasoned veterans to rising underclassmen ready to make their mark.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll take an in-depth look at teams from every region as part of our comprehensive season preview series. These previews will lead right up to Opening Day, followed by the release of our Power 25 Rankings and the return of our always-popular Game of the Week feature.

Throughout the spring, Prep Baseball Louisiana will continue to be your one-stop source for everything related to high school baseball across the state. Be sure to check back weekly for our Player and Pitcher of the Week honors, updated Power 25 Rankings, and plenty of additional coverage highlighting the stories, performances, and programs that make Louisiana baseball special.

*Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.  If you have not received a questionnaire and would like to fill one out, please email State Director Alex Armand at [email protected]

High School Name: Brusly High School

Head Coach: Jason Lemoine

Classification: Class 4A (Non-Select D-II)

District: 6-4A

2025 Record: 36-7

2025 Playoff Finish: State Runner-Up 

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 4

No. of Returning Pitchers: 5

Team Strengths: Pitching, Defense, & Veteran Leadership

Top Upperclassmen (2026 & 2027 Class): 2026 RHP/INF Aubrey St. Angelo (Nicholls State), 2026 UTIL/RHP Coy Purpera (LSU-Eunice), 2026 C/RHP Brayden Ray, 2027 INF/RHP Aiden Harris, 2027 INF Brandon Blanchard

Top Underclassmen (2028 & 2029 Class): 2028 OF/RHP Isaiah Dailey

Team Preview

Few programs in Louisiana have been as consistent — or as hungry — as the Brusly Panthers under Head Coach Jason Lemon. After a historic 36-win campaign and a trip to the 4A State Championship series in 2025, Brusly returns in 2026 with a hardened edge, a veteran core, and an identity rooted in toughness, discipline, and purpose. The Panthers fell one game short of their ultimate goal last spring, but their response was immediate: back to work, together, with one mission.

The Panthers return the bulk of a dominant pitching staff, a defense capable of impacting the game every inning, and a leadership group built on experience and accountability. With a renewed motto — “Doing it for the B” — Brusly enters 2026 focused not only on winning games, but on representing its program, families, school, and community with pride.

Team Strengths

• Elite Pitching Depth: Brusly brings back 80% of its innings from one of the most dominant staffs in the state — a group that collectively posted a sub-1.50 ERA last season. Not many teams in Louisiana can match that type of returning production. Multiple arms can start, relieve, or matchup situationally, giving Coach Lemon tremendous flexibility.

• Exceptional Defense: The Panthers defend at a high level across the field, anchored by veteran infielders, athletic outfielders, and experienced catchers. They play clean, fundamental baseball and value every out.

• Veteran Leadership & Strong System Identity: This program has a clear identity: disciplined, blue-collar, and built around pitching, defense, and execution. That style of play has been refined over years and continues to put the Panthers in winning situations.

Team Weaknesses

• Replacing Offensive Production: Brusly lost a significant portion of its run production to graduation. The approach at the plate may shift in 2026 as the staff tailors its offensive style to the current roster.

• New Hitters in Expanded Roles: Several players who thrived in supporting roles will now be asked to produce consistently in the middle and bottom of the order. Their development will shape the team’s offensive ceiling.

Top Returning Players

• Senior 1B Coy Purpera

2025 Stats: .429 AVG | 51 H | 12 2B | 3 HR | 45 RBI

A four-year starter, Purpera is a "team-first" type of guy and a tone-setter for the club. A steady leader who can play multiple positions, he consistently puts together quality at-bats and embodies the program’s team-first mentality.

• Senior 3B/RHP Aubrey St. Angelo

2025 Stats (Hitting): .355 AVG | 44 H | 11 2B | 6 3B | 4 HR | 42 RBI

2025 Stats (Pitching): 5-3 record, 1.46 ERA

Another four-year starter, St. Angelo is a true two-way force. He’s one of the best pure competitors in the state — elite baseball IQ, high motor, and a presence on both sides of the ball. He will again anchor the rotation and play a major role in the middle of the lineup.

• Senior RHP/C Brayden Ray

2025 Stats (Hitting): .324 AVG, 35 H

2025 Stats (Pitching): 10-2 record, 1.06 ERA

Ray was one of the most reliable arms in Class 4A last season, posting elite numbers while also contributing behind the plate. He gives Brusly a battle-tested, high-efficiency pitcher with the toughness to handle big moments.

 

• Junior RHP/INF Aiden Harris

2025 Stats: 4–1 record, 3.12 ERA

A versatile junior with a live arm, Harris gives Brusly another dependable option on the mound and the infield. His continued growth will help stabilize both units.

 

• Junior INF Brandon Blanchard

A two-year starter, Blanchard is one of the most athletic defenders on the roster and the likely anchor at shortstop. Elite speed, versatility, and experience make him a key piece at the top of the defensive alignment.

• Sophomore OF/RHP Isaiah Daley

2025 Stats: .320 AVG, 31 H

A breakout freshman in 2025, Daley brings impact speed, athleticism, and a strong arm. A switch-hitter with real upside, he could be a major addition to this year’s pitching staff as he continues to mature.

Outlook

Brusly’s run to the state finals last spring was historic, but not satisfying. The Panthers wasted no time turning the page, attacking the offseason with discipline and intent. Weights, reps, conditioning, skill work — everything has been purposeful and tied back to their identity and their motto:

“Doing it for the B.” The 2026 team understands that every practice, sprint, bullpen, and at-bat represents more than themselves — it represents the players before them, the families that support them, and the community that rallies around this program.

While the Panthers will need to replace key offensive playmakers, the returning pitching staff and defensive foundation give them a championship-caliber starting point. Younger players who have waited their turn now have an opportunity to carve out meaningful roles, and the coaching staff believes their hunger and preparation will shine.

The goals are clear: take each day as its own challenge, be the best version of themselves, and control only what they can control. The bitter taste from last year’s finish remains, but Brusly understands the journey comes first. With their blend of experience, toughness, and character, the Panthers once again look like a serious state title contender.

 

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