The big game in area basketball this week takes place on Friday night when Chaminade pays a visit to CBC in a Metro Catholic Conference showdown. It will be the second meeting between the two schools.
CBC took the first game 80-73 on Dec. 12 at Chaminade. The Cadets withstood a Chaminade 3-point shooting barrage to take home the victory. The Red Devils hit 14 3-pointers in that game, but CBC prevailed behind 22 points from senior forward Jordan Barnett.
CBC is currently in first place in the MCC. The Cadets are 14-6 while playing a national schedule. Chaminade is currently 15-1 with three tournament championships to its credit. Sophomore sensation Jayson Tatum leads the Red Devils at more than 25 points a game.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Get there early, folks.
Another excellent season
The Cardinal Ritter girls have quietly put together another excellent season under the guidance of head coach Darren Wade. The Lions are currently 11-0 after two big victories last week over McCluer North and Archdiocesan Athletic Association rival Lutheran St. Charles.
The Lions are led by senior guard Chastity Franklin, who is averaging 12.4 points, seven assists and five steals a game. A four-year starter, Franklin has displayed a keen ability to take over games in the fourth quarter, which she did last week against McCluer North and Lutheran. Franklin is the only senior on a young team.
Junior Cayla Yates is averaging 10.9 points a game while junior forward Romekia Wallace is averaging 8.1 points, 13 rebounds and 2.6 blocks a game. Wallace is among the St. Louis area leaders in rebounding. Juniors Jayla Davis and Kdjah Brown are averaging 8.3 and 5.3 points a game, respectively.
First losses
The area’s two undefeated nationally ranked girls’ teams suffered their first losses of the season against nationally ranked opposition.
Incarnate Word was defeated 58-49 by Blackman (TN) on Saturday in Louisville. It was a rematch of the championship game of the Naples Holiday Tournament in Florida, which was won by IWA 53-44 on Jan. 1. The loss snapped the Red Knights’ 47-game winning streak dating back to last season. IWA was ranked No. 1 in the country.
Edwardsville went down to defeat for the first time last Friday night at Columbia Rock Bridge 60-34. The Tigers are now 17-1 on the season.
Both Incarnate Word and Rock Bridge are on a collision course to meet in the upcoming Webster Groves Classic. They are the top two seeds and barring upsets, should meet in the championship game on Saturday, Feb. 9.
Big week for Suggs
Washington High’s Ronnie Suggs enjoyed a big week in leading the Bluejays to victories over GAC Central Division rivals Fort Zumwalt North and Fort Zumwalt South. The 6’6” Mizzou commit had 21 points, 9 rebounds, five assists and three steals in Washington’s 52-42 victory over Fort Zumwalt North. He added 35 points in a 75-66 victory over Fort Zumwalt South. Washington is now 4-0 in the GAC Central. Suggs is averaging more than 22 points a game on the season.
Cross-town rivals
In a battle of cross-town rivals, Belleville East defeated Althoff 70-61 to win the championship of the Belleville East Tournament. Senior guard Darreon Reddick scored 27 points to lead the Lancers while senior forward Cameron Hunter scored 17 points. Althoff was led by sophomore forward Brendon Gooch with 22 points and freshman Jordan Goodwin with 20.
(You can follow Earl Austin Jr.’s basketball reports daily on his website, www.earlaustinjr.com or on twitter @earlaustinjr.)
