Of the St. Louis American
It was another memorable year for high school athletes in 2005. As we gear up for another great year in prep sports, here is a look back at the top athletes and events that shaped 2005.
*Aleshia Usery: The McCluer South-Berkeley freshman enjoyed one of the most impressive debut performances in the history of area prep sports. She was the Class 3 state champion in the 100, 200 and 400-meter dashes while establishing state records in all three events. She has already posted some of the fastest times in the history of the state meet.
*All St. Louis Final: For the first time, two teams from St. Louis played for the Class 6 state championship in football as DeSmet and Hazelwood Central took the field at the Edward Jones Dome. DeSmet won the title 48-31 as quarterback Tommy Corwin went wild and sophomore Wesley Kemp sets new records in receiving. Central’s Marvin McNutt also had a big day, passing for more than 300 yards. For once, the state-title stranglehold from the Western side of the state was broken.
*The Showdown: It was the most highly anticipated state basketball championship game in years. Vashon came in ranked No. 1 in the country with a 60-game winning streak while Poplar Bluff came in as the defending champions with All-American Tyler Hansbrough leading the way. Behind 29 points and 16 rebounds from Hansbrough, the Mules repeated with a 70-54 victory. Vashon is back with a vengence, starting the season at 7-1 in their quest for their first Class 5 state title and 10th title under coach Floyd Irons.
*Blake Strode: The Pattonville High senior concluded a stellar tennis career by winning an individual state title and going undefeated in the process. Now a freshman at the University of Arkansas, Strode is already the Razorbacks’ No. 1 player during the fall portion of the schedule.
*From the East Side: The East St. Louis Flyers dominated the rest of the field in winning the IHSA Class AA state championship in track and field. The Flyers scored 30 points more than their nearest competitor. It also marked the end of a great career by sprinter Tim Allen, who had 11 state medals.
*Ram Tough: The Ladue girls won their first state title in track as the Rams won the Class 3 state title. The Rams clobbered the rest of the field with its overall talent and depth. Ladue was led by senior sprinter Azraa Rounds, hurdler Orie Ibie and three state-championship relay teams.
*A Championship Crusade: After struggling to a 7-7 record, the Lutheran North Crusaders caught fire down the stretch and ended up as the Class 3 state championship in boys basketball. Lutheran North outhustled a bigger Charleston team 75-62 for the title behind the play of talented sophomores Rolandis Woodland and Larico Martin.
*Paul Chaney: The fastest runner in the state caught everyone’s attention by posting times of 10.2 seconds in the 100 and 21.2 in the 200 at the Clayton Invitational. He went on to win both events at the Class 4 state championships while finishing second in the 400. Along with teammate Stephen Simmons, they led the Junior Billikens to a third-place trophy in the team standings.
*Cahokia Mounds: The athletic program at Cahokia enjoyed a great 2005. Senior Terronn Williams was an undefeated state champion wrestler. The Comanches also won a regional title in basketball and finished third in the IHSA Class AA state track championships for their first ever state trophy. In the fall, Cahokia advanced to the semifinals of the Class 5A state football semifinals.
*Recruiting in the ‘Lou: The St. Louis area has been ripe with top recruiting targets in high school football this year. So far, a dozen players have committed to NCAA Division I-A schools with a dozen more still being recruited actively. Players such as Adrian Clayborn (Iowa), Jeremy Maclin (Missouri), Munir Prince (Notre Dame), Paddy Mullen (Notre Dame), and Stephen Simmons (Northwestern) are at the head of the class.
