Landmark achievement for local HBCU
Of the St. Louis American
Special congratulations must go to the following folks:
The Harris-Stowe State University women’s team made history last weekend by winning the American Midwest Conference Tournament, thus earning the school’s first-ever berth to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division II National Tournament, which begins next week in Jackson, Tenn. The Hornets defeated Missouri Baptist, McKendree and Columbia on their way to the title. Guards Laniya Stevens (Vashon) and Chanel Ross were named to the All-AMC First Team. Stevens also had her number retired by the school. She scored 23 points in the finals while Ross added 21 points and 10 steals. She led the NAIA in steals.
Former Hancock girls star Sonya Daugherty, who was just named the Most Valuable Player of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament after leading Southeast Missouri State to the championship and the automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. “Sonya Smooth” averaged 18 points a game in SEMO’s three victories, including a team-high 18 points in the Indians’ victory over Murray State in the championship game. The 5’8” sophomore guard was SEMO’s leading scorer this season.
The Forest Park Community College men’s team pulled off a stunner by winning the NJCAA Region 16 Division II championship over the weekend. The Park defeated Meramec and Penn Valley to win the championship. The Highlanders were led by forward Theatrice Boykins (Hazelwood East) and center Demario Smith (East St. Louis). Both came up huge in Forest Park’s 100-91 victory over Penn Valley in the finals. The Park entered the tournament with a 6-24 record before pulling off its three upsets.
Saint Louis University’s Tommie Liddell (East St. Louis) was named to the All-Atlantic 10 Conference Second Team. Liddell averaged 15 points and seven rebounds a game for the Billikens while leading the team in 3-point shooting, minutes played and several other categories. SLU teammate Kevin Lisch (Althoff) was named to A-10 All-Defensive Team.
The Commitments
Three of the area’s top prep players have given verbal commitments to attend the colleges of their choice. East St. Louis Senior High’s Anthony Mitchell committed to Saint Louis University over the weekend. The 6’4” senior guard led the Flyers to a 23-5 record and a share of the Southwestern Conference title with Alton. Mitchell averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds. An explosive athlete, Mitchell is one of the area’s toughest and most relentless competitors.
Also committing to SLU is Kirkwood High girls’ standout Devonna Smith. A 5’10” junior forward, Smith averaged 16.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and two blocks a game in helping to lead the Pioneers to a 20-4 record and the Suburban West title. Smith will sign with SLU in the fall of 2007. Smith joins Althoff’s Alisha Goodwin as area juniors who have already committed to Shimmy Gray-Miller’s rising program.
Edwardsville High junior Anya Covington recently gave the University of Wisconsin a commitment. The 6’2” Covington averaged 14 opints and nine rebounds in leading the Tigers to a 30-3 record and a berth in the IHSA Class AA Elite Eight last weekend.
Vote for your fave
Make sure to fill out a ballot to put your favorite Public High League player on the All-Time Top 100 List, which will be featured in my upcoming book, “The PHL in the STL,” which will be out sometime next year. You can go on to my website, earlaustinjr.com or the American’s website at stlamerican.com and cast your votes. I want the community to get involved in this one. Make your case for your favorite player. Many people have already cast their votes.
Also, if you are a high school basketball player and want to participate in the Earl Austin Jr. Evaluation League, call the St. Louis Basketball Academy at (314) 769-2255 or you can go on-line to the website stlbball.com.
Border War
The annual high school basketball All-Star season gets underway next weekend with the McDonald’s Riverwar, which will take place on Saturday, March 17 at UMSL’s Mark Twain Gymnasium. The All-Star feast will feature three games, including a girls’ Missouri vs. Illinois Game, the 1-70 Challenge between St. Louis and Kansas City and the Riverwar which features the best from St. Louis against the best of Illinois. The actions gets underway at 3:30 with the girls game. Many of the top players from the two-state area will be on hand to participate. For ticket information, you can go to the website, showtymebasketball.com.