There is no doubt that Floyd Irons’ Vashon Wolverines have the best high school basketball team in the St. Louis area this year. Most area basketball fans are aware of that fact.
However, there are many fans who will be attending next Monday’s Dr. Martin Luther King Classic (including the promoters) who might not know that the East St. Louis Flyerettes are the best ladies’ basketball team in the metro-east.
The Flyerettes will play Vashon in the third game of the MLK Classic on Monday, Jan. 16 at Vashon High. Tip-off is at 5 p.m. That game will open the second session of the event, followed by the Vashon-East St. Louis boys’ game at 6:30 p.m. In the first session, Normandy will take on University City at 1:30 p.m., followed by Cardinal Ritter and McCluer North at 3 p.m.
Head coach Charles McDonald of East St. Louis Senior High is one of the most gifted basketball coaches in the area. Coach McDonald goes about his business in the shadow of both current and former Flyers’ coaches, but has done a great job teaching basketball during his tenure at both East St. Louis Lincoln and now at East St. Louis Senior High.
Coach ‘Mac’ currently has guided the Lady Flyerettes to an impressive 15-1 and the #2 ranking in last weeks local. However, from the East Side fans have e-mail me here at the St. Louis American unanimously said these lady hoopster deserve some props.
The Flyerettes start three sisters who last year put themselves on the top of many collegiate basketball coaches’ wish list both in 2006, and again in 2008. That’s because of the ‘Sister Act’ in senior twins Veronica Smith, Victoria Smith, and sophomore baby sister Teandra Smith have continued the fine girls’ basketball tradition on the East Side.
Veronica and Victoria, both 5’11”, are four-year starters who have played in virtually every game since stepping on campus at East Side. Last year both received post season honors in guiding the Lady Flyerettes to a 24-5 record and berth in the IHSA Class AA sectional finals. Victoria averaged 12 points and seven rebounds as a junior last year while Veronica averaged 10 points and four rebounds. Meanwhile “little” sister Teandra, at 6’1” averaged 12.8 points and 10 rebounds as a freshman posting honorable mention ‘All- State’ honors, YES A FRESHMAN!
The sister act was merely warming up for this season. With all three of them in the starting lineup, the Flyerettes have compiled a 39-6 record. Teandrea is currently averaging 15.5 points and 8.8 rebounds. Veronica is averaging 13.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists while Victoria is averaging 13.3 points and 12.7 rebounds.
Tuning up for the rugged Southwestern Conference, the Flyerettes traveled during the holiday and won the prestigious Peoria Holiday Tournament at Manual High. Teandra averaged 19 points in the Flyerettes’ four victories en route to heading the All -Tourney Team.
The Flyerettes are currently undefeated in Southwestern Conference play, having already defeated fellow contenders Belleville East, Edwardsville and Collinsville in impressive fashion.
Veronica’s passing skills have been marvelous this season. No Southwestern Conference player has averaged six or more assists per game since Natalie Bennett (9.2) of Belleville East in 1996-97. In addition, no player in the Southwestern Conference has reached the five-assist mark since 1999.
Jennifer Fisher, Amelia Gray, Raven Ward, and Denisha Mitchell round out seven of the best that the Flyerettes run at you with on a given night. Not only is this group a pleasure watching, they like and enjoy one another, something a lot of us adults need too pay attention to.
The Smith girls of course aren’t the entire show. The young ladies impress me in such a way with their off the court mannerisms that I can’t wait to see them perform in-front of the big crowd expected at Vashon. That leads me to wonder, why is this game is being played there anyway?????? That’s another column I guess????
As we celebrate the day of one of our great leaders in the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. we should also pay close attention to the opening game of the second session. These sisters are worth the price of admission to see not only Monday, but for the remainder of the season!
Good Luck, Coach McDonald.
Scott’s Notes:
*Zab “Super” Judah, you talked that you weren’t going to make the mistake (in your view) that Cory Spinks made while fighting at home. Pal, you embarrassed yourself while blowing millions of dollars. Maybe the Gateway Classic Sports Foundation will honor Kevin Cunningham and Cory Spinks in the future now?
* James Ingram, a columnist for the St. Louis American, should start looking at some white folks in East Boogie who are making a mockery of kids.
(Listen to Maurice Scott Jr. on 1380 ESPN Radio as co-host of ‘Tuna Talk’ with Charles “Tuna’ Edwards, Wednesday nights from 10:p.m. – Midnight)
