Different sport, same stars
Of the St. Louis American
Several of the area’s top football players are getting it done on the basketball court early this season. Usually, it takes a little time for these athletes to adjust from their “football legs” to their “basketball legs.” However, these young men have made the transition rather seamless.
Justin Taylor (Webster Groves): The talented wide receiver is currently averaging 20 points a game. He was the Most Valuable Player of the Webster Groves Tournament after leading the Statesmen to the championship.
Adrian Clayborn (Webster Groves): The All-State linebacker is also a potent low-post force for the Statesmen. Clayborn is averaging 13 points and six rebounds a game.
Kavon Lacey (Alton): Lacey led the Redbirds to the IHSA playoffs as a starting quarterback. On the basketball court, Lacey is averaging 16 points a game in leading Alton to a 7-0 start.
Justin Stewart (O’Fallon): A standout defensive back headed to Northern Illinois, Stewart is averaging 11 points, five rebounds while shooting 46 percent from 3-point range.
E.J. Jones and Matt Allaria (Edwardsville): This stud tailback/quarterback combination led the Tigers to the Class 7A state semifinals. Now, they make up two-thirds of Edwardsville’s talented backcourt, combining to average 21 points a game for the undefeated Tigers.
Jeremy Maclin (Kirkwood): The All-State wide receiver is a three-year starter at point guard for the Pioneers. The 6’1″ Maclin is averaging 11 points a game.
Rolandis Woodland (Lutheran North): The athletic 6’4″ junior was an All-ABC selection as a wide receiver. On the basketball court, Woodland is averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds for the 3-1 Crusaders.
Marvin McNutt (Hazelwood Central): The 6’3″ quarterback is still getting into the groove after leading the Hawks to the Class 6 Show Me Bowl. On the basketball court, McNutt is being recruited by schools such as Southern Illinois.
PHL showdown tonight
Beaumont will visit Vashon in a Public High League showdown tonight. The Bluejackets tuned up for the big game by defeating Career Academy in another big PHL showdown last weekend. The junior trio of Willlis Smith (23 points), Jermaine Tabor (14 points) and Orlando Singleton (13 points) had big games as the Bluejackets led by as many as 19 points.
Vashon stormed back from a 20-point deficit to defeat Arlington (Ind.) 71-66 in the featured game of the Perryville Shootout over the weekend. Junior forward Leon Powell led the Wolverines with 26 points.
Big games this weekend
Beaumont at Vashon (Thursday, 6:15 p.m.); DeSmet at CBC (Friday, 7 p.m.), Marquette at Parkway South (Friday, 7 p.m.); Fort Zumwalt West at Duchesne (Friday, 7:30 p.m.); Lafayette at Poplar Bluff (Saturday, 6 p.m.)
Brother act
Festus High brothers Eric and Ryan Lawrence have been a standout duo in Jefferson County for three years. Eric, a 5’11” senior guard, is averaging 17 points a game. Ryan is a 6’2″ junior who is averaging 13 points a game. The Lawrence brothers led the Tigers to a district championship last season.
Patriot games
The Parkway South boys are off to a 4-0 start, including the championship of the Parkway Round-Robin Tournament. The Patriots have an excellent low-post combination in 6’5″ junior Mario Scott and 6’6″ senior James Hicks. Scott is averaging 14 points and nine rebounds a game while Hicks is averaging 11 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. South has a big week with home games against DeSmet and Rockwood Marquette.
