The members of the 2013 St. Louis American “Fab Five” Boys All-Star Basketball Team can be best described with one word: Versatility. These talented young men are capable of playing anywhere on the floor and they proved it by leading their respective teams to excellent seasons.
For all-around brilliance, you have Malcolm Hill of Belleville East and Deshawn Munson of East St. Louis. Senior Garret Covington of Edwardsville and Keenan Minor of Cahokia can shoot it as well as anyone in the Midwest region. Meanwhile, senior Martavian Payne of Madison Prep brought all-around excellence to the court every night in leading the Bears to a state championships.
Here is a capsule look at the members of the 2013 St. Louis American “Fab Five” Boys All-Star Team.
Garret Covington (Edwardsville) – The 6’5” senior was one of the shooting stars for the Tigers, who finished with a 31-3 record and finished third in the Illinois Class 4A state tournament. A tremendous 3-point shooter, Covington connected on 105 treys this season. For the season, he averaged 18.3 points and eight rebounds a game to lead a very talented Edwardsville team. Covington has signed to play at Western Illinois University.
Malcolm Hill (Belleville East) – The 2013 St. Louis American Player of the Year, the 6’7” Hill concluded his stellar career as the all-time leading scorer at Belleville East. A fantastic all-around player, Hill averaged 25.3 points a game. He also averaged 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.9 blocks in leading the Lancers to a 24-4 record and the Southwestern Conference championship. Hill was also a finalist for the prestigious Mr. Basketball award in the state of Illinois. He will continue his career at the University of Illinois next season.
Keenan Minor (Cahokia) – One of the premiere shooters in the St. Louis metropolitan area, the 6’2” Minor finished his career by leading the Comanches to a school-record 33 victories and a berth in the Illinois Class 3A state-championship game. Minor averaged 21 points a game as a senior and made 101 3-pointers. His shooting range was unlimited, plus he had an old-school style to his game. A four-year starter for Cahokia, Minor left his mark as one of the great players in the school’s history.
DeShawn Munson (East St. Louis) – One of the most versatile players in the area, the 6’4” senior was a “triple-double” machine for the Flyers this season. At one point, Munson had registered eight consecutive triple-doubles, with double figures in scoring, rebounds and assists. For the season, Munson averaged 17.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 4.1 steals in leading East Side to a 21-8 record and a Class 3A regional championship. Munson was also an electrifying performer in the open court with his acrobatic swoops to the basket.
Martavian Payne (Madison Prep) – The solidly built 6’2” senior was the top player on a stellar Madison Prep team that finished with a 30-2 record and won the Missouri Class 3 state championship. “Tae Tae” could score from anywhere on the court. He could post up in the lane, drive to the basket or hit the 3-pointer with ease. On a team without much size, he played everywhere on the court. He averaged 17.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals. Payne has signed at Southeast Missouri State.
First Team
Garret Covington 6’5″ (Sr.) Edwardsville)
Malcolm Hill 6’7″ (Sr.) Belleville East
Keenan Minor 6’2″ (Sr.) Cahokia
DeShawn Munson 6’4″ (Sr.) East St. Louis
Martavian Payne 6’2″ (Sr.) Madison Prep
Second Team
Kevin Baker 6’0″ (Sr.) Madison Prep
Tre Harris 6’5″ (Sr.) Edwardsville
Rashad Lindsey 5’10” (Jr.) McCluer North
Jayson Tatum 6’7″ (Fr) Chaminade
Tyrin Williams 5’9″ (Sr.) Riverview Gardens
Third Team
Jordan Barnett 6’8″ (Jr.) CBC
Marquis Borney 6’2″ (Sr.) Madison (Ill.)
Kahlid Hagens 6’3″ (Sr.) Maplewood
Ronnie Suggs 6’5″ (Jr.) Washington
Anthony Virdure 6’0” (Sr.) Lutheran North
Austin Achievement Awards
Player of the Year: Malcolm Hill (Belleville East)
Coach of the Year: Tony Irons (Madison Prep)
Team of the Year: Madison Prep
Game of the Year: Cahokia 76 East St. Louis 74 (IHSA Class 3A Sectional Finals)
Freshman of the Year: Jayson Tatum (Chaminade)
Breakthrough Player: Josh Robinson (St. Mary’s)
