Class 5 State Quarterfinals: Lindenwood’s Saturday Standouts
Missouri Prep Hoops was at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo for the Class 5 state quarterfinals. In the first game Chaminade defeated Hazelwood Central 79-72 in a hotly contested, emotional game. In the evening session, defending state champion Webster Groves steamrolled Fort Zumwalt South 78-45 to return to the Final Four.
Here are some of the individual standouts from Saturday’s quarterfinal action at Lindenwood.
Jericole Hellems 6’7″ Chaminade: The North Carolina State recruit had 27 points and 12 rebounds in the victory over Hazelwood Central. Hellems is a tough, physical competitor who has a versatile skill set that is tough to match up with. He can score inside at will against smaller defenders, but he can step outside and knock down 3-pointers as well. He’s tough and he wants the ball in the big moments.
Courtney Ramey 6’4″ Webster Groves: The five-star prospect had 26 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the Statesmen’s convincing victory over Fort Zumwalt South. With Mizzou HC Cuonzo Martin and Texas HC Shaka Smart in the house, Ramey set the tone for the blowout early with 14 points in the first quarter, including a pair of pull up 3-pointers. He did pretty much what he wanted against an overmatched South team. He was also strong on defense against South’s E.J. Bellinger, who came in averaging 25 points a game.
Carte’are Gordon 6’8″ Webster Groves: The Saint Louis U. recruit was a force inside with 21 points, five rebounds and five assists against Fort Zumwalt South. He controlled the paint with short jumpers and emphatic slam dunks, but he also displayed his passing skills has he found the open man on numerous occasions. He’s a dominant player on the offensive end, but a very unselfish one as well.
Cameron Williams 6’4″ Hazelwood Central: The 2018 guard scored a game-high 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the loss to Chaminade. Nobody raised his stock more over the course of the season than Williams did. He was as good as any player was in St. Louis during the last two months of the season and he put up some big numbers against some great teams such as Vashon, Webster Groves and Chaminade. He’s always had the high motor, but he emerged as a knock down shooter from 3-point range late in the season.
Shaun Williams 6’3″ Hazelwood Central: The Kansas State recruit had 23 points and seven rebounds in the loss to Chaminade. Williams is an excellent offensive player who can get buckets at all three levels. He can get to the rim, but he can knock down mid-range jumpers and 3-pointers off the dribble. He is also one of the most explosive guards around and he displayed it with an emphatic slam dunk in transition in the first half.
Harrison Vickers 6’3″ Chaminade: The 2020 forward was an unsung hero in the Red Devils’ victory over Hazelwood Central with 16 points and six rebounds. Pressed into a starting role with an injury to starting center Henry Gladson, the young southpaw provides production with his high motor and activity around the basket. His offensive put-back and three-point play with less than two minutes left gave the Red Devils the lead to stay at 69-67.
(Jericole Hellems photo courtesy of Wiley Price, St. Louis American)