The St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation will host its 16th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Basketball Shootout at the Mark Twain Recreational Center on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis on Monday, January 21.
The shootout will include premier matchups such as Cardinal Ritter College Prep vs. Normandy, McCluer North vs. Gateway Tech, and the girls of McCluer South- Berkeley taking on Metro High.
The popular holiday Shootout will also include the prime time “Border War” game featuring East St. Louis High School and Vashon High School. Head coach Dennis Brooks will lead the Flyers against the Wolverines who are coached by Anthony Bonner. The Border War will hit the court at 6 p.m.
“We’re proud to be able to say that this is the 16th year for the MLK Shootout benefiting the foundation’s scholarship program,” said Earl Wilson Jr., president and CEO of the St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation.
“It’s become somewhat of a St. Louis tradition on the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday, and while it’s a fun and exciting time for the teams and basketball fans, we encourage everyone to remember the importance and significance of the day.”
The event will feature a couple of reigning state championship teams. The McCluer North Stars, coached by Randy Reed, return to the Shootout after conquering the Missouri Class 5 state title. The Stars are ranked 25th in the country by Rise Magazine. Metro High girls also return after conquering state championships in both 2006 and 2007.
Proceeds from the Basketball Shootout will benefit the St. Louis Gateway Classic’s scholarship program. To date, the Foundation has awarded more $2 million in scholarship funding. Its scholarship program has awarded more than 100 scholarships to St. Louis area youth and more than 55 students have graduated with a college degree as a result of the scholarship program.
Tickets purchased in advance of game day are $10 each and can be purchased at the Gateway Classic or any of the participating schools: Vashon 314/533-9487, Cardinal Ritter 314/446-5500, Gateway Tech 314/775-3300, Metro High 314/534-3894, Hazelwood East 314/953-5600, East St. Louis 618/646-3700, Normandy 314/493-0600, McCluer South – Berkeley 314/506-9800, and McCluer North 314/506-9200. Ticket prices will increase to $12 each on game day.
For more information about the Shootout, call the Gateway Classic office at 314/621-1994.