The ninth annual Midwest Showdown Shootout will be held on Saturday, December 19 at CBC. The annual basketball smorgasbord is presented by Terrell Ramey of Rameybasketball.com. It has become one of the top showcase events in the region.
This year’s six-game event features top teams from the St. Louis metropolitan area, Chicagoland area and one top team from the state of Tennessee.
Here is the lineup for the Midwest Showdown Shootout:
Alton vs. Soldan, 1 p.m. – Alton is one of the top teams from the powerful Southwestern Conference. The Redbirds feature the potent scoring duo of 6’2″ senior Marcus Latham and 6’1″ junior Maurice Edwards. Soldan is one of the top contenders in the Public High League. The Tigers are led by 5’11” senior Christian Simms, 6’1″ senior Rashaun Amos and excellent freshman guard Jesse Little.
Whitfield vs. Fayette Ware (TN), 2:30 p.m. – Whitfield is one of the area’s top teams in Class 3. The Warriors are led by 6’4″ sophomore guard Torrence Watson, who is averaging 20 points a game. Seniors DeVaughn Rucker (6’5″) and 6’0″ Bryce Berry are excellent scoring threats. Fayette Ware is led by 6’2″ senior guard Mikkel Norment and 6’5″ junior forward D.J. Jackson.
Riverview Gardens vs. Cardinal Ritter, 4 p.m. – An excellent matchup featuring two of the area’s top teams. Riverview Gardens is led by 6’7″ senior guard Zeke Moore (pictured), who has signed with Saint Louis University. Moore is averaging 24 points a game. The Rams also feature 6’7″ senior K’Quan Carter, 6’3″ guard Malik Barnett and 5’8″ sophomore Kyle Younge. Cardinal Ritter features a standout trio of seniors in 6’3″ guard Sterling Wooten, 6’7″ senior Brandon Jackson and 6’2″ leaper Alvin Thompson.
SLUH vs. Chicago Bogan, 5:30 p.m. – The Junior Billikens are off to a fine start, including the championship of the Pattonville Tournament. SLUH is led by its stellar backcourt of 6’2″ junior Brandon McKissic and 5’11” senior Matt Nester, who is headed to Washingon University. The Jr. Bills also feature 6’7″ juniors B.J. Wilson and Brett Smith up front. Bogan is one of the top teams in the Chicago area. They are led by 6’4″ senior guard James Jones, who has signed with the University of Buffalo, and 5’10” point guard Bryce Barnes.
CBC vs. Chicago Currie, 7 p.m. – Another big-time matchup featuring top teams from St. Louis vs. Chicago. CBC is paced by Division I signees Jordan Barnes (Indiana State), Christian Willis (Arkansas State) and Duane Clark (UMKC). The Cadets also have one of the area’s top sophomores in 6’5″ forward Kale Catchings. Currie is led by 6’2″ senior guard Devin Gage, who will stay at home to attend college at DePaul. Currie also features 6’6′ junior Traveon Franklin and 6’3″ senior Terry Smith.
Vashon vs. Chicago Morgan Park, 8:30 p.m. – It’s a battle of the St. Louis Public High League vs. the Chicago Public League. Vashon is one of the leading contenders for the Class 4 state title. The Wolverines feature the standout junior duo of 5’11” guard Daniel “Peanut” Farris and 6’8″ forward Levi Stockard III. Senior forward Daimon Taylor, junior guard Darren Huntley and freshman Mario McKinney also add to Vashon’s talent parade. Morgan Park features the No. 1 senior in the state in Illinois in 5’11” guard Charlie Moore. The University of Memphis bound guard has already posted a 55-point scoring night this season. Senior guard Jarrin Randall is another standout, who is headed to Western Michigan. Morgan Park also features 6’8″ senior Alonzo Chatman, 6’2″ senior Jamal Burton and 6’0″ sophomore guard Ayo Dosunmie.
Admission for the event is $10 for adults and $8 for students with a valid ID.
GAC-Suburban Shootout
The GAC-Suburban Challenge is a three-day 15-game event that will be held at Missouri Baptist University. The event pits teams from the St. Charles County against teams from the St. Louis Suburban Conference.
Here is the schedule for the event:
Thursday, Dec. 17: Maplewood vs. Fort Zumwalt East, 4 p.m.; Lindbergh vs. Washington, 5:30 p.m.; McCluer South-Berkeley vs. Holt, 7 p.m.; Ritenour vs. Fort Zumwalt West, 8:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 18: Parkway North vs. Liberty, 4 p.m.; Eureka vs. Warrenton, 5:30 p.m.; Parkway West vs. St. Charles West, 7 p.m.; Jennings vs. Fort Zumwalt North, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 19: Northwest vs. Winfield, 10 a.m.; Parkway Central vs. Howell North, 11:30 a.m.; Clayton vs. St. Charles, 1 p.m.; Parkway South vs. Howell Central, 2:30 p.m.; Marquette vs. Fort Zumwalt South, 4 p.m.; McCluer vs. Timberland, 5:30 p.m.; Ladue vs. Troy, 7 p.m.
Pure Sweat Friendship Shootout
Neighboring school districts Kirkwood and Webster Groves have joined together to present the inaugural Friendship Shootout, which is sponsored by Pure Sweat Basketball. Games will be held at both schools on Friday and Saturday. Friday’s game will be at Kirkwood. Webster Groves will face Reavis (Ill) at 6 p.m. followed by Kirkwood vs. Jackson at 7:30 p.m. The scene shifts to Webster Groves on Saturday. Kirkwood will face Reavis at 6 p.m. followed by Webster Groves vs. Jackson at 7:30 p.m.
(You can follow Earl Austin Jr. on his basketball website, www.earlaustinjr.com. You can also follow him on twitter@earlaustinjr; and on Friday nights on 10:20 p.m. on the Fox 2 Prep Zone.)
