“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;”>One of
the big showdowns on the prep scene this week will be the Suburban
North Conference clash between McCluer North and Hazelwood Central.
The game will be held at North tonight, beginning at 5:30
p.m.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>After winning the Missouri Class 5 state championship last season, the Stars are in the middle of another stellar campaign with an 18-1 record. Despite the graduation of All-American B.J. Young (who is now a top performer at the University of Arkansas), the Stars have come together behind a strong senior class. The Stars have won 16 consecutive games after losing in the championship game of the Borgia Thanksgiving Tournament to the host Knights.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The leader has been 6’8” forward Jordon Granger, who has signed with Auburn. Granger is averaging 13.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. Senior guard Galen Brown has also come up with several prime-time performances. A standout quarterback in football, Brown is a stellar wing player on the basketball court.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Other seniors who contribute greatly are steady guard Tremayne Garrett, point guard Byron Ray, guards Jacari Finley, Darius Clemons and forwards Latron Thomas and Keith Jones. Sophomore Dorian Holland has been steady as a starter throughout the season.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Hazelwood Central is also hitting its stride at the right time. The Hawks won the Ameritime Classic at Missouri Baptist last week, defeating DeSmet for the championship. They have won 10 consecutive games. The Hawks are tall and talented along the front line with 6’8” junior Jordan Martin, 6’6” senior B.J. McLaughlin, 6’6” junior Marcus Hinton and 6’3” athletic senior Marcus Lampley leading the way.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The winner of tonight’s game should win the Suburban North title and also gain the top seed in the upcoming district tournament in late February. “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Public vs. Private School Showcase “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Hazelwood Central will be the host school for a big Public vs. Private School Showcase, which will be held on Saturday. The event features four games with some of the top teams in the St. Louis area. In the first game, DeSmet will take on Parkway South at noon. It will be followed by Vianney vs. Washington at 1:30 p.m. Whitfield will take on Maplewood at 3 p.m. with host Hazelwood Central facing Cardinal Ritter College Prep in the finale at 4:30 p.m. “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Webster Winter Challenge “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Some of the best girls basketball talent will be on display this week at the Webster Winter Challenge, which will be held at Webster Groves High School’s Roberts Gymnasium.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The top two teams in the field are St. Louis area power St. Joseph’s Academy and mid-Missouri powerhouse Columbia Rock Bridge. Both teams are top contenders for the Class 5 state championship in March.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Also in the field are Fort Zumwalt West, Cor Jesu, Hazlewood Central, Webster Groves, Belleville East and O’Fallon. Some of the top players on these schools to watch are Jordan Thompson (Webster Groves), Marina Laramie (Fort Zumwalt West), Mariah Sunkett (Belleville East) and Taylor Klingelhoefer (O’Fallon).
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>First-round games were held on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week with the semifinals scheduled for Friday night at 7 and 8:30 p.m. The championship game is scheduled for Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>(You can follow Earl Austin Jr’s daily basketball reports on his website,
“http://www.earlaustinjr.com/”>
“font-style: normal;”>www.earlaustinjr.com follow Earl on Facebook and at twitter.com/earlaustinjr.)
