Five Takeaways: Coaches vs. Cancer Semifinals
Prep Hoops Missouri was in the house at St. Louis Community College at Meramec for the semifinals of the Coaches vs. Cancer Holiday Tournament. Here are five takeaways after watching Webster Groves defeat Mehlville and DeSmet defeating McCluer North to…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Missouri was in the house at St. Louis Community College at Meramec for the semifinals of the Coaches vs. Cancer Holiday Tournament. Here are five takeaways after watching Webster Groves defeat Mehlville and DeSmet defeating McCluer North to advance to Sunday’s championship game.
Webster Groves is a threat to three-peat
The prevailing preseason talk around St. Louis was that the Statesmen would have a hard time trying to win a third consecutive state title after losing the dynamic duo of Courtney Ramey and Carte’are Gordon to graduation and the Division I ranks. The talk may have been a little premature as the Statesmen are currently undefeated heading into tonight’s championship game against DeSmet.
There was already plenty of backcourt firepower returning in 2019s Amorey Womack and Ray Adams, but the addition of 5’10” 2019 transfer Joe Jones has really bolstered the team’s chances of making another deep postseason run. Forwards Stevie Wright and Malachy Simpson are a pair of seasoned forwards up front who are also playing well. Are the Statesmen as good as their last two state championship teams? No. But are they good enough to be including in the mix of contenders in Class 5 again. That would be a Yes.
DeSmet is jumping the shark
The Spartans were thought to be possibly a year away from being a serious contender with all of the young talent they have on hand. However, the Spartans have already shown signs that they are interesting in getting some special things done this year. They made a big statement two weeks ago when they came from 21 points down to stun Chaminade on the road on a dramatic halfcourt shot from 2019 guard Evan Asleson. He and fellow 2019 guard Colin Goodwin are the vets on a young and talented team.
The Class of 2021 has four excellent prospects 6’1″ guard Jeremiah Walker, 6’9″ Yaya Keita, 6’10” Sekou Gassamma and 6’4″ guard Thomas Redmond. They also feature 6’4″ 2020 forward Michael Skoff who is a versatile forward who can pass it and shoot it from distance.
Mehlville is a legit contender in Class 5
The Panthers have not been a major player in boys basketball for quite some time, but that is about the change in the next couple of years. Many fans at Meramec got to see their first look at the Panthers’ loaded Class of 2020, which includes 6’5″ guard Dylan Branson, 7’0″ center Davion Bradford, and 6’7″ Lamontay Daugherty, who are all Division I prospects with scholarship offers in hand. They figure to get better after the holiday break as they are expected to regain the services of 6’2″ 2020 guard King Waller, who has been out with an injury suffered during football season. Waller was Mehlville’s leading scorer as a freshman two seasons ago.
Quality bigs in the tournament
The Coaches vs. Cancer has come quality young big men in the field. Mehlville features 7’0″ 2020 center Davion Bradford while DeSmet has a pair of 2021 twin towers in 6’10” Sekou Gassama and 6’9″ Yaya Keita. All three bigs are already getting their share of recruiting interest from Division I programs around the country.
McCluer North has quietly built a contending team
Despite the thumping they took from DeSmet in last night’s semifinals, the Stars have been enjoying a nice season at 9-1 after having a losing record last year. They are small, but their are a senior-laden team with a lot of quickness, athleticism and competitive spirit. The all Class of 2019 starting five of 6’2″ A’Tavian Butler, 6’3″ Patrick Evans, 5’8″ Mekai Ray, 6’2″ Steve Lee and 5’9″ Aaron Daniels have played a lot of basketball together during their careers. The Stars have already posted some impressive wins over Rock Bridge and Francis Howell in winning the Troy Tournament title.