Vashon returns veterans, Sanijay nears career high at Jennings
Of the St. Louis American
The boys’ high school basketball season is underway as everyone hopes to enjoy a little success leading up to March Madness. Here is a list of 15 scenarios to watch during the 2005006 season.
1. The Vashon Wolverines have a chance to run away and hide from everyone in Missouri Class 5. Vashon returns key veterans Leon Powell, James Washington, Bobby Hill and Brian Roach from last year’s 29-1 state runners-up. A talented group of underclassmen are ready to go for the Wolverines.
2. Look for Jennings High senior Sanijay Watts to make a run at the school’s career scoring mark, held currently by former Mizzou standout Kelly Thames. Watts needs 757 points to attain the No. 1 spot. He got off to a good start by scoring 49 points against Pattonville in the first round of the Pattonville Tournament, which set a new record.
3. Look for Career Academy to make a run at its first Final Four appearance in the Class 3 state tournament. The Phoenix have advanced to the state quarterfinals the past two years, only to be derailed by perennial power Charleston, who is good once again. With standout point guard Darrell Stokes leading the way, look for Career Academy to knock on the door again.
4. Belleville East should enjoy the area’s best turnaround season in 2005. The Lancers were 6-20 last season, but they enjoyed a great summer and added 6’6” transfer Jeremy Felton from Althoff High. East should challenge for the Southwestern Conference title.
5. Look for the three-guard lineup of Mo Smith, Marvin McNutt and Sam Pearson to put up some impressive numbers at Hazelwood Central.
6. Look for transfers such as Albury Doss (Vashon), Dustin Maguire (Edwardsville), Ron Waller (Fort Zumwalt West), Jeremy Felton (Belleville East), Daneil Lisch (Belleville West), Kenny Harris (Vashon) and Devon Dace (Webster Groves) to have big impacts on their new teams.
7. Look for area football powers such as Edwardsville, Hazelwood East, McCluer North, Webster Groves, Hazelwood Central, Lutheran North and Kirkwood to enjoy similar success in basketball with many of the same players who made big plays in football during the fall.
8. Look for CBC to defend their Metro Catholic Conference title with the return of Mr. Outside (Jeremy Sharpe) and Mr. Inside (Marcus Taylor). The return of point guard Isaiah Mares for his senior season after not playing last year will be a big key for the Cadets.
9. Look for a group of talented sophomores to step into the spotlight. The list includes 6’6” Scott Suggs (Washington), 6’10” John Brandenburg (DeSmet), 6’3” Torres Roundtree (McCluer North), Kramer Soderburg (St. Charles West), 6’6” Jared Swopshire, 6’2” Ron Waller and 6’0” Courtney Belger (Fort Zumwalt West), 6’6” Jesse Perry (Gateway Tech), 6’0” Anthony James (Normandy) and 6’1” Corneilius Walker (Vashon).
10. Look for several talented freshman to make their mark early in high school. Already in starting positions are 6’8” Tyler Griffey (Lafayette), 6’6” Richard Anderson (Beaumont), 5’11” Brandon Lockhart (Chaminade), 5’2” Jerry Pankey (Parkway West) and 5’11” Bryant Allen (Maplewood).
11. Look for defending Class 3 state champion Lutheran North and Cardinal Ritter to wage a spirited battle in March when the districts roll around. North returns top juniors Rolandis Woodland and Larico Martin while Ritter returns the talented trio of Marquis Jones, Deandre Gilmore and Jonathan Mosley. Whitfield is also part of this group.
12. Is this the year that Kirkwood can step out of the huge shadow of neighbor school Webster Groves and enjoy a big year. Seniors Jeremy Maclin, Cody Green and Bill Brandenburg are three-year starters and have won a lot of games, but they are looking for high-impact victories this year.
13. Look for Bethalto’s Stephen Jones and Michael Elliott to be the area’s highest scoring duo this season. Both could average 20 points a game.
14. Let’s welcome to St. Louis Leroy Wilson, a 6’1” senior guard at Parkway Central and New Orleans native who was displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The young man is also a potent scorer when he gets going.
15. Class 5 Final Four Predictions: Vashon, Webster Groves, Raytown South, Columbia Rock Bridge. IHSA Class AA Super Sectionals: Edwardsville vs. Carbondale.
