The holiday hoops season is wrapping up this weekend, but the new year will begin with a bang with next week’s Highland Optimist Shootout.
The latest edition of the Highland Shootout will be held on Saturday, January 7 at Highland High School in Illinois. The seven-game high school basketball feast features quality teams from St. Louis, the Metro East, Kansas City and Central Illinois.
Here is a look at the seven matchups at the Highland Shootout:
Highland vs. Civic Memorial (girls), 10 a.m. – These two Mississippi Valley Conference rivals are also two of the top girls’ programs in the Metro East area.
Vianney vs. Carbondale (IL), 11:30 a.m. – Vianney features a talented senior forward in 6’6” forward Eric Krus, who is one of the top players in the Metro Catholic Conference. Carbondale features a talented junior duo in 6’3” Darius Beane and 6’5” Kani Acree.
Belleville East vs. Webster Groves, 1 p.m. – Belleville East features one of the area’s top seniors in 6’4” guard Javon Pickett, who has signed with the University of Illinois. Webster Groves features 6’3” junior guard Courtney Ramey, who is being recruited by many major programs around the country.
Highland vs. Kansas City Rockhurst, 3 p.m. – The host Bulldogs are led by talented 6’3” sophomore Sam LaPorta. Rockhurst is led by 6’5” senior guard Chris Teahan and 6’1” junior guard Xavier Rhodes.
Champaign Central vs. Chaminade, 4:45 p.m. – This is a rematch of the championship game of the Webster Groves Classic, which was won by Champaign Central. Chaminade has a talented crew led by 6’4” senior Reginald Crawford, 6’7” junior Jericole Hellems and 6’6” junior Karrington Davis. Central is led by 6’6” junior forward Tim Finke and 6’1” junior guard Bailey Dee.
Peoria Manual (IL) vs. Lincolnshire Stevenson, 6:30 p.m. – Peoria Manual suffered a blow when Illinois recruit Da’Monte Williams was lost with a season-ending knee injury. Manual will be paced by senior wing players A.J. Youngman and Ramon Douglas-Watkins. Stevenson is led by senior forward Justin Smith, who is headed to Indiana.
Belleville Althoff vs. East St. Louis, 8:15 p.m. – A battle between two of the top teams in the Metro East and two of the top players in the Metro East. Althoff is led by 6’4” senior Jordan Goodwin, who is headed to Saint Louis University. East Side is led by 6’11” senior Jeremiah Tillmon, who is headed to Illinois.
Admission for the event is $8 for the first session of three games and $12 for the second session of four games. An all day pass is also available for $12.
