The Madison Prep Bears were arguably the top team on the Missouri side of the river in 2013 after winning the Class 3 state championship last season.
Despite the graduation of stellar backcourt stars Martavian Payne and Kevin Baker, the Bears are still rolling to the tune of a 13-2 record. One of the biggest moments of the season was a 51-50 victory at East St. Louis two weeks ago.
Head coach Tony Irons has retooled his team around an improved inside game and some talented young players. Senior forward Arlando Cook has become the focal point of the offense. The 6’8″ Cook is averaging 13.4 points and 9.2 rebounds a game. Cook gets ample support inside from 6’7″ freshman Levi Stockard, who is averaging 7.6 points and 7.6 rebounds. Toss in six more rebounds a game from 6’6″ senior Devonte Dillard and you have some excellent interior play. Senior Courtney Lewis, 6’5″ averages 6.5 points and 5.9 rebounds.
Senior guard Anthony Lee has stepped up to lead the backcourt as he averages 9.8 points while leading the team in steals with 45. Freshman guard Daniel Farris has played with great poise and savvy in his first year of varsity ball. Farris is averaging 7.4 points and a team-high 4.7 assists a game.
The Bears will be competing in the Belleville East Tournament this week.
North Tech 10-1Â
North Tech’s girls are enjoying another excellent season for coach George Merritt. North Tech is currently 10-1 after defeating Chicago DuSable 71-56 in the Martin Luther King Girls Classic at North Tech on Monday. North Tech has one of the top 1-2 combinations in girls basketball in seniors Khalia Miller and Anjanee Miller. The 5’6″ Khalia Miller is averaging 21.2 points while shooting 42 percent from 3-point range. Anjanee Miller is a 5’10” forward who is averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds a game. North Tech finished third in the Class 3 state tournament last season.
CBC wins own tourneyÂ
CBC won the championship of its own D.C. Wilcutt Tournament last week. The Cadets defeated Ladue 81-56 in a rematch of last year’s championship game, which was won by Ladue. Senior forward Jordan Barnett scored a game-high 24 points. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament. Sophomore guard Jordan Barnes added 17 points. In the semifinals, CBC defeated Fort Zumwalt North 76-60 as four players scored in double figures. Barnett scored 19 points while Beau Bommarito added 18 points. Barnes scored 14 points and senior Armon Watts added 10 points.
Chaminade champsÂ
Chaminade won the championship of the Kirkwood Tournament last weekend. The Red Devils defeated host Kirkwood 75-61 in the championship game. Sophomore star Jayson Tatum had 25 points and 16 rebounds while fellow sophomore Mike Lewis added 22 points. Chaminade also defeated Jennings and Riverview Gardens en route to the title. Chaminade will visit CBC in a rematch of Metro Catholic Conference rivals on January 31.
Big comebacks
There were a couple of huge comeback victories in conference rivalry games last Friday night. Alton rallied from a 15-point halftime deficit to stun host Edwardsville 59-56 in a Southwestern Conference showdown. In the process, Alton handed the Tigers their first loss of the season. Senior guard D’Tae McMurray scored 19 points to lead the Redbirds, who trailed by as many as 18 points in the first half. Guard Darrius Edwards added 15 points. On the same night, MICDS rallied for a 21-point deficit to defeat rival John Burroughs 57-52 in front of a raucous crowd at Burroughs. Senior forward Robin Thompson sparked the Rams’ rally by scoring 20 of his 22 points in the second half, including two thunderous dunks. Senior forward Justin Randle had nine points, 14 rebounds and six steals while freshman Alec Spence added 11 points.
