With Earl Austin Jr.
Of the St. Louis American
Despite falling short in their bids for state championships in football, special congratulations must go out to CBC football coach Bob Shannon and the community of Kirkwood. CBC was 2-8 last year, but behind the legendary Shannon, the Cadets were on the brink of their first state title, only to be bested by a nationally-ranked Blue Springs South team. Also, it was nice to see a program with a proud tradition, like Kirkwood, finally get to the Show-Me Bowl after several heartbreaking losses in the semifinals. Kirkwood nation was out in full-force and decked out in red on Saturday night. A loss to three-time state champion Raymore-Peculiar should not temper what these young men did for the Kirkwood community this year. And I know, I still owe my St. Louis American colleague Alvin Reid a turkey leg for the whipping the Pioneers layed on my McCluer North Stars in the semifinals.
High school basketball season is underway and we have some special showcase events on the horizon. The 26th Annual Shootout will be held on Thursday, Dec. 7 at the Scottrade Center. There are six games scheduled for the Shootout, but event director Keith Pickett says a seventh game may be added. The highlight of the event will be a Missouri-Illinois border war game between Vashon and Alton. They will play in the event’s finale at 8:15 p.m. The Shootout begins with Lafayette vs. Vianney at 11 a.m. De Soto vs. Riverton (Ill.) at 2 p.m., St. Charles West vs. San Diego Hoover at 3:30 p.m., McCluer North vs. Pickneyville (Ill.) at 5:15 p.m. and nationally-ranked DeMatha vs. Decatur Christian at 6:30 p.m. Another contest featuring local teams may be added to the field and tickets are on sale at the participating schools.
The St. Louis Gateway Classic Foundation will present its 15th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Shootout on Monday, Jan. 15 at East St. Louis Senior High School. The four-game lineup includes Cardinal Ritter vs. University City at 1:30 p.m., McCluer North vs. Gateway Tech at 3 p.m., a battle between girls powerhouses Metro and Hazelwood East at 4:30 p.m. and the annual border war between Vashon and East St. Louis at 6 p.m.
My special basketball publication, Earl Austin Jr.’s Awesome 20 Years of St. Louis Prep Basketball, is finally on the street. You can purchase a copy from me at any high school game I attend (and there are many). I will also be appearing at AfroWorld (7276 Natural Bridge) on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 4-6 p.m. Tabloids will also be available for purchase. Plans are also in the works to make tabloids available at Sportsprint and Johnny Mac’s Sporting Goods stores.
Tickets for the 15th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Shootout are eight dollars in advance and $10 at the door and are on sale at participating schools. For more information, call the Gateway Classic Foundation at (314) 621-1994.