The Midwest Showcase concluded its two-week run last weekend in Columbia as the girls took center stage.
Nearly 100 top girls’ high school basketball programs from a six-state region competed in front of hundreds of college coaches in what has become one of the top June live-period events in the country.
The event featured schools from Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Arkansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. The St. Louis area was represented by some of its best programs, led by national powerhouse Incarnate Word Academy, which has won nine consecutive state championships. The Red Knights will feature many new players after losing five graduating seniors to NCAA Division I schools, but they will be formidable once again. They will be led by 6-foot-3 junior Bridget Fitzgerald, who is one of the top prospects in the country.
Missouri Class 5 state champion Lift for Life and Class 3 state champion Principia were also in Columbia. Lift for Life welcomes back talented senior twins Amaya and Cara Manuel, who both missed the 2025-26 season due to injuries. Both were back in action and playing very well. Principia returns a strong nucleus of players, led by 6-foot-2 senior forward Dasia Scott.
Many of these top girls’ programs will have a new head coach on the sidelines as well. Lift for Life is now led by Don Boyce, formerly the head coach at Cardinal Ritter. Tony Condra, who previously served as Ritter’s head coach, will take Boyce’s place at the school. Ursuline Academy tabbed Tyler Ituen as its next head coach. Ituen was the head coach at John Burroughs. Petra Jackson, a Hall of Fame player who also coached the St. Louis Surge women’s professional basketball team, is taking over the John Burroughs program.
Bailey Hensgens wins gold medal at USATF U20 Championships
Congratulations to Incarnate Word Academy girls’ track star Bailey Hensgens on winning the gold medal in the high jump at last weekend’s USATF U20 Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
The rising senior cleared 6 feet to win the event and earn a spot on the USA Team that will compete in the World U20 Championships, which will also be held in Eugene from Aug. 5-9.
Hensgens is coming off a tremendous junior season at Incarnate Word, where she won three individual state titles at the Missouri Class 4 Championships in Jefferson City. She won the high jump, long jump and triple jump. She also set a state record by winning the high jump.
Principia vs. Vashon will highlight this weekend’s Edwardsville Live event
St. Louis area boys basketball powers Principia and Vashon will be the featured teams at this weekend’s Edwardsville Live basketball event, held at Edwardsville High School in Metro East Illinois.
The two teams are scheduled to meet Friday evening at 6 p.m. Although it is not a regular-season game, there is great anticipation for this summer showdown, especially after both teams dominated during their appearances at the Midwest Showdown in Columbia two weeks ago. Both teams finished 4-0, winning each game by double digits.
College coaches will be front and center for this game because both teams are loaded with Division I prospects. Principia features 6-foot-11 senior Tyran Frazier, 6-foot-9 senior Sekou Cisse, 6-foot-9 sophomore Majok Ater, 6-foot-3 senior Gassim Toure and 6-foot-3 senior Kingston Money. Vashon will be led by 6-foot-2 senior Jimmy McKinney III, 6-foot-6 senior Leon Powell Jr. and 6-foot-8 senior Jaylan Mitchell.
Several other schools from both the Missouri and Illinois sides of the river will compete in Edwardsville. They include Webster Groves, Vianney, MICDS, CBC, Westminster, Lift for Life, McCluer North, Belleville East, Belleville West, Collinsville, O’Fallon and Mascoutah.
Jordan Goodwin inks new contract with Phoenix Suns
Former Belleville Althoff and Saint Louis University basketball star Jordan Goodwin is expected to sign a new three-year, $19 million contract to remain with the Phoenix Suns. ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported the news. The 6-foot-3 Goodwin has been grinding it out in the NBA with multiple franchises for the past five years, but he seems to have found a home in Phoenix after a very productive 2026 season.
Goodwin entered the season with a non-guaranteed contract, but he not only made the roster during training camp but also became a starter for a team that made a surprise run to the NBA playoffs. Goodwin averaged 8.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists while recording 109 steals, which ranked ninth in the league. He has also become a fan favorite in Phoenix with his high energy and nonstop hustle.