The Jennings Warriors have continued to post winning seasons on a regular basis.
This year is no different as the Warriors are currently 17-2 and headed for another 20-victory season. The won the championship of the Denver Miller Tournament at Kirkwood and also finished second at the Pattonville Tournament. The Warriors have victories over excellent teams such as Trinity, Cardinal Ritter, Kirkwood, plus two victories over Duchesne.
Jennings finished the 2017 season with a 24-5 record and advanced to the Class 4 state quarterfinals before losing to Parkway Central. The Warriors are looking to take that next step and advance to the Final Four this season.
Leading the way for the Warriors is Kyle Younge, Jr., a fearless 5’9” senior guard who is averaging 14.9 points and 3.6 steals a game. Junior forward Elijah Hicks, a 6’3” forward is averaging 12 points a game. Senior guard Terran Jackson averages 8.8 points while 6’6” senior forward Jordan Brown averages 8.6 points.
Webster Girls’ Classic features a loaded field
The Webster Winter Challenge is a girls’ basketball tournament that features some of the top programs of the state on an annual basis. This year’s tournament will be held from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 at Webster Groves High.
Heading the field is perennial powerhouse Incarnate Word Academy, the defending Class 4 state champions. They are joined by defending Class 5 state champion Kirkwood and fellow 2017 Class 5 Final Four participants St. Joseph’s Academy and Columbia Rock Bridge. Rounding out the field are Parkway Central, Washington, Cor Jesu and host Webster Groves.
There will also be a number of talented future Division I players in the tournament, including Sonya Morris of Incarnate Word (DePaul), Jayla Everett of Kirkwood (New Mexico), Jaidah Stewart of Webster Groves (Minnesota), KK Rodriguez of Webster Groves (Tulsa) and Rickie Woltman of Incarnate Word (Purdue).
The semifinals of the Webster Winter Challenge will be held on Friday, Feb. 2 at 7 and 8:30 p.m. The championship game is set for Saturday, Feb. 3 at 4:30 p.m.
Prayers up for Coach Lowe
Sending out prayers to Lutheran North boys’ coach Darron Lowe, who had brain surgery last Friday to remove a tumor. Best wishes to Darron for a complete and speedy recovery. As well as being an excellent young basketball coach, he is an even better gentleman who truly cares for his kids. Get well, Darron.
Chaminade repeats as Belleville East Tourney champions
For the second year in succession, the Chaminade Red Devils outlasted a talented field of teams to win the championship of the Chic-Fil-A Classic at Belleville East.
Last season, the Red Devils defeated Belleville Althoff 87-81 in a thrilling championship game. This year, Chaminade took on Belleville West in the finals and came away with an 81-77 overtime victory in a battle of two of the top teams in the St. Louis metro area.
Senior forward Jericole Hellems was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament after averaging 23 points a game in the three victories, including 19 points in the championship game. Junior guard Keyyaun Batchman scored a team-high 21 points in the finals, followed by sophomore guard Luke Kasubke with 16 points, senior guard Jadis White with 11 points and senior forward Henry Gladson with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
On Tap this weekend
The Ameritime Tournament at Parkway West will conclude with the championship game on Friday at 8:30 p.m. Top-seeded Hazelwood Central is seeking another tournament title.
Some of the local powerhouse teams will be taking on teams from Illinois this weekend. Chaminade will host Chicago Whitney Young on Saturday at 7 p.m. Vashon will travel to Chicago to take on Orr High on Saturday at 7:30 while Webster Groves will travel to Quincy, Illinois to take on the host Blue Devils in a big showcase event on Saturday evening.
