The Vashon Wolverines returned to their standing as a Missouri statewide powerhouse last season when they won the Class 4 state championship.
Early in this season, Vashon has already managed to put themselves on the national map in starting the season with a 4-0 record. Vashon’s biggest early win came on November 26 when it defeated Marietta Wheeler 69-67 in a big shootout event in Atlanta. Wheeler was ranked No. 2 in the country at the time.
Thanks to that huge victory, Vashon has now cracked the Top 25 national rankings by USA Today. The Wolverines trailed Wheeler by 11 points in the fourth quarter, but rallied behind guards Daniel “Peanut” Farris and sophomore Mario McKinney. Farris finished with 22 points, while McKinney finished with 17.
McKinney was so impressive in Atlanta that he earned six new Division I scholarship offers after the game, including one from the University of Missouri. Senior forward Levi Stockard also added 16 points for Vashon. Stockard has already signed with Kansas State.
The trip to Atlanta was just part of a rugged schedule that the Wolverines will play this season.
Belleville West enjoys productive weekÂ
It was quite an impressive week for the Belleville West Maroons. West won the Vianney tournament, defeating the host Golden Griffins 58-43 in Friday night’s championship game. The following night, the Maroons went back on the metro east and knocked off a powerful Edwardsville team 59-53 at the Vadalabene Center at SIU-Edwardsville.
The victory by Belleville West broke a 12-game losing streak against Edwardsville. Sophomore standout E.J. Liddell scored 15 points to lead the Maroons while senior forward Dalton Fox added 14 points. Senior forward Tyler Dancy added 10 points, including the 1,000th point of his career.
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Jennings takes home Pattonville titleÂ
The Jennings Warriors won the Pattonville Tournament with a trio of impressive victories over McCluer, Pattonville and Whitfield. Junior guard Kyle Younge averaged 18 points a game in the tournament while senior forward Rajae Johnson averaged 12 points a game.
St. Mary’s and Cardinal Ritter win tourneysÂ
Archdiocesan Athletic Association teams St. Mary’s and Cardinal Ritter won championships of early-season tournaments. St. Mary’s went over to the metro east to win the Alton Tip-Off Tournament. The Dragons defeated host Alton 60-59 in the championship game.
Cardinal Ritter ventured to Washington, Missouri to win the St. Francis Borgia Turkey Tournament. The Lions defeated McCluer North 67-62 to win the championship, avenging a loss to the Stars’ in last year’s Borgia championship game. Junior guard Jared Phillips scored 22 points in the championship game to lead Ritter. Phillips was selected the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
Webster Classic highlights weekendÂ
This weekend’s Webster Groves Classic features a very talented six-team field with a lot quality talent. Joining host Webster Groves in the tournament are Chaminade, Champaign Central, Lee’s Summit, Marquette and Maplewood. Some of the front line talent includes Webster Groves junior Courtney Ramey, Chaminade juniors Jericole Hellems and Karrington Davis and Champaign Central junior Tim Finke. The tournament begins on Thursday with round-robin games with more coming up on Friday. Saturday’s final day will include the consolation game at 12:30 p.m., third-place game at 3 p.m. and championship game at 4:30 p.m.
Top games this weekendÂ
St. Mary’s at CBC, Thursday, 6 p.m.
Westminster at MICDS, Thursday, 7 p.m.
CBC at DeSmet, Friday, 7 p.m.
Rock Bridge at Miller Career Academy, Friday, 7 p.m.
Belleville West at East St. Louis, Saturday, 7 p.m.
