Hill, Washington, Powell, Jones, Watts get Earl’s nod
Of the St. Louis American
The first team members of the St. Louis American “Fab Five” Boys’ All-Star Basketball Team know a little bit about winning games.
The Vashon High trio of Bobby Hill, James Washington and Leon Powell have been a part of two state championships teams, three Final Fours and a 60-game winning streak during their careers.
Cardinal Ritter’s Marquis Jones led the Lions to the Class 3 state championship while Jennings’ standout Sanijay Watts led the Warriors to four consecutive 20-victory seasons and four Suburban East Conference championships.
Here is a capsule look at the St. Louis American “Fab Five” Boys All-Star Basketball Team.
Bobby Hill (Vashon): The 6’6” senior was “Mr. Versatility” for the Missouri Class 5 state champions. Whatever the Wolverines needed, that’s what Hill provided on the court. He played all five positions during his four-year varsity career and played them well. As a senior, Hill averaged 13.5 points, a team-high 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.2 steals a game. He also made 58 percent of his shots from the field. In the state championship game against Springfield Kickapoo, Hill had 14 points, 11 rebounds and came up with a last-second steal and game-clinching free throws to preserve the Wolverines 58-55 victory. Hill will play collegiate basketball at Illinois State next season.
Marquis Jones (Cardinal Ritter): The 6’3” senior guard was one-half of a dynamic backcourt scoring duo with junior DeAndre Gilmore for the Lions, who finished 28-3 and won the Class 3 state title. With the graduation of All-State forward Alex Barnett, Jones stepped forward and become the Lions’ top scorer and offensive threat. He knew how to put the ball in the basket. Jones averaged 17.2 points a game while shooting 54 percent from the field, 47 percent from 3-point range and 79 percent from the free-throw line. He finished the season with 56 3-pointers. He averaged more than 20 points a game during the Lions’ postseason run to the state title. He scored 22 in the state semifinals against Cameron and 20 in the state-championship game against Charleston.
Leon Powell (Vashon): The 6’7” junior forward is a repeat member of the “Fab Five” team. Powell was the inside force for Vashon’s state-championship team. A steady performer who could play above the rim, Powell averaged 14 points a game to lead the Wolverines in scoring. He also averaged eight rebounds, two blocks while shooting 52 percent from the field. Powell had 16 points and 10 rebounds in the Wolverines’ 68-65 victory over Kansas City Rockhurst in the state semifinals. A three-year starter, Powell will return for his senior year where he will be one of the top recruiting targets in the state of Missouri.
James Washington (Vashon): The linchpin of the Class 5 state champions, “Baby James” came up big as senior with his leadership and production as Vashon’s point guard. In 2006, Washington averaged 12 points, 5.7 assists, 2.5 steals and 2.4 rebounds a game. He also hit a team-high 50 3-pointers. His all-around floor game made him a tremendous player. Washington scored 17 points in the Class 5 state championship game against Kickapoo. He was also selected the Most Valuable Player of the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield after the Wolverines defeated three nationally-ranked teams to win the title. Washington will attend Western Illinois University next fall.
Sanijay Watts (Jennings): The 2006 St. Louis American Player of the Year, the 6’4” senior forward was a do-it-all performer for the Warriors. He is also making his second appearance on the “Fab Five” First Team. Playing with a largely inexexperienced supporting cast, Watts literally carried the Warriors to a 23-7 record and a berth in the Class 4 state quarterfinals. Watts also finished his career as Jennings’ all-time leading scorer with 2,261 points, passing the great Kelly Thames. For the season, Watts averaged 28.5 points a game to lead the St. Louis area in scoring. He also averaged 10.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists,1.9 steals and 1.7 blocks a game. Watts was a tireless worker who also made his teammates better with his unselfish play. Watts led the Warriors to four consecutive Suburban East Conference championships and a combined record of 83-27.
St. Louis American Fab Five Boys All-Star Basketball Team
First Team
Bobby Hill 6’6” Vashon (Sr.)
Marquis Jones 6’3” Cardinal Ritter (Sr)
Leon Powell 6’7” Vashon (Jr.)
James Washington 5’9” Vashon (Sr.)
Sanijay Watts 6’4” Jennings (Sr.)
Second Team
Kenzie Burke 6’0” McCluer North (Sr.)
DeAndre Gilmore 6’2” Cardinal Ritter (Jr.)
Kavon Lacey 5’11: Alton (Jr.)
Mo Smith 6’4” Hazelwood Central (Sr.)
Justin Taylor 6’1” Webster Groves (Sr.)
Third Team
Kevin Harbour 6’1” Gateway Tech (Sr.)
Tori King 5’10” Maplewood (Sr.)
Jeremy Maclin 6’1” Kirkwood (Sr.)
Cartez Parker 6’2” Lafayette (Sr.)
Jeremy Sharpe 6’5” CBC (Sr.)
Fourth Team
Eric Harris 6’2” East St. Louis (Sr.)
Brian Roach 6’4” Vashon (Sr.)
Chris Stokes 5’7” Career Academy (Jr.)
Scott Suggs 6’7” Washington (Soph.)
Jared Swopshire 6’7” Fort Zumwalt West (Soph.)
Fifth Team
Mustafa Abdul-Hamid 6’2” MICDS (Sr.)
Cornelius Chatt 6’1” Madison (Soph.)
Kenny Leverette 6’1” O’Fallon (Soph.)
Sam Pearson 6’1” Hazelwood Central (Jr.)
Rolandis Woodland 6’4” Lutheran North (Jr.)
All Freshman Team
Richard Anderson 6’6” Beaumont
Bryant Allen 5’11” Maplewood
Lonnie Boga 6’1” McCluer
Gavin Glanton 6’6” Granite City
Brandon Lockhart 6’0” Chaminade
