It was one week ago that the East St. Louis Flyers and Althoff Crusaders played an instant classic in front of 3,500 fans and a standing room only crowd at the Prairie Farms Collinsville Tournament.
More than 1,500 fans were turned away as Althoff defeated East St. Louis 83-80 in overtime in the semifinals.
The second of a possible three meetings will take place this weekend at the prestigious Highland Optimist Shoot-Out Classic in the feature game. Tip-off is set 8:15 p.m. on Saturday night at Highland High.
That semifinal game featured two of the top players in the state of Illinois in Althoff’s Jordan Goodwin and East St. Louis’ Jeremiah Tilmon. Neither one disappointed the overflow crowd as they both posted double-doubles.
Goodwin had a game high 31-points and 11 rebounds, while Tilmon 26-points and 12-rebounds. In addition, Godwin broke the tournament scoring record last week by scoring 128 points in the four games. The previous record was held by former East St. Louis Lincoln star and current University of California head coach Cuonzo Martin.
Everyone talks about Jordan Goodwin and deservedly so, but the player that makes everything go for the Crusaders is senior guard C.J. Coldon.
In the victory against East St. Louis, Coldon was the difference-maker for his team and his statistical line proves it. Â Coldon finished with 20 points and was 10-19 from the field with eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals while logging 35 minutes that night.Â
If that wasn’t impressive enough, the hustle plays for loose balls and his overall floor game was spectacular with only three turnovers.
For East St. Louis to be successful on Saturday night, it will need to continue to get help for Tilmon with the play of Arthur Carter, Reyoundus Estes, and the continuing progression of 6’5 sophomore Terrance Hargrove Jr. The talented Hargrove has emerged as one of the top sophomores in the state, earning All-Tournament team honors at Collinsville.
Carter’s play at Collinsville should have garnered All-tournament team honors as well as he averaged 19-points per game. But with the lack of legitimate black press attending the games in Collinsville, you figure it out.
The first meeting had 12 lead changes, and nine-ties. East St. Louis outscored Althoff 64-46 in the paint, so it will be huge to keep Terrance Hargrove Jr. (10 points, 11 rebounds) out of foul trouble for East St. Louis. Hargrove only played 26 minutes, and only had 10 field goal opportunities due to foul trouble in the epic match-up.
Guard Reyoundus Estes propelled the Flyers leading up to the semifinals, but like Hargrove succumbed to foul trouble playing only 19 minutes yet scoring 9-points and had 4-assist.  Estes is a major key for the Flyers to beat Althoff because of his leadership and toughness when he’s on the floor.
The Flyers will have to continue to get great play off the bench from Zachary Forest and Travion Vickers, both outscoring the Crusaders bench 11-0.
So, the rematch really won’t be about what Tilmon and Goodwin do. They are going to get their share of buckets. The key match-up will be senior point guards Estes and Coldon battling it out.
Other keys for an East St. Louis win will be to continue to keep sharp shooter Marvin Bateman in check, and limit Edwyn Brown’s play especially from the perimeter.
The keys for Belleville Althoff will be to neutralize Estes and the bench play of Vickers and Forest. In addition, super sophomore Terrence Hargrove Jr. must stay out of foul trouble.
Scott’s Prediction: East St. Louis 78 – Althoff 73.
