With Earl Austin Jr.
Locals beat national All-Stars
Felton pulls down MVP
A team of local All-Stars defeated the National All-Stars 134-126 at last weekend’s U.S. Army/American Airlines National All-Star Basketball Game at Harris-Stowe State University. The event was presented by the Demetrious Johnson Charitable Foundation. It was the third victory by the St. Louis All-Stars in 10 games.
Former Belleville West standout Jeremy Felton scored a team-high 25 points to lead the St. Louis All-Stars. The 6’7” Felton was named the Most Valuable Player of the Game. He had the crowd dazzled throughout the evening with several earth-shattering dunks. He is headed to Mineral Area College.
Felton got plenty of support from his local teammates. Forward Leon Powell (Vashon) and guards Anthony Mitchell (East St. Louis) and Paul Eckerle (St. Francis Borgia) scored 20 points each while guard Sam Pearson (Hazelwood Central) added 19 points. Mitchell and Eckerle are headed to Saint Louis University while Pearson will attend Tennessee-Martin.
The National All-Stars were led by 6’6” forward Terrance Roderick’s 22 points. Roderick is headed to UAB. University of Missouri recruit Justin Safford scored 18 points while SLU recruit Marcus Relphorde added 16 points for the Nationals.
Once again, congratulations to Demetrious and his staff on putting together another excellent All-Star extravaganza. With the Class of 2008 in St. Louis as loaded as it is, I look forward to next year’s All-Star Game with great anticipation. I’ve already told D.J. to really load up the National team like he hasn’t before.
Nash camp
The newly formed Damien Nash Youth Association (NYA) is presenting a special weekend of activities in North County. The organization was started on March 1 in memory of Nash, the former star running back from St. Louis who died on Feb. 24 after participating in a charity basketball game in St. Louis.
A special VIP reception will be held on Friday night. The reception will be hosted by KSDK’s Frank Cusumano. The Second Annual Damien Nash Football and Cheerleader Camp will be held on Saturday at Larimore Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The camp, which will be run by current NFL players Justin Gage and Christian Morton, is for kids between the ages of 7-13. There will be a celebrity flag football game on Sunday afternoon at Larimore Park from 1-4 p.m. The game is for players ages 18 and up. Plus, there will be a special first birthday party for Nash’s daughter, Phaith.
Registration forms for the camps and game can be picked up at all North County Schnucks stores.
Pick big
The National Basketball Association Draft takes place tonight. Former Ohio State star center Greg Oden should be the No. 1 pick, although it might be enticing for Portland to take Texas scoring phenom Kevin Durant with that pick. NOT! Oden is a once-in-a-generation type big man and that is what you need to win a championship. Durant will put up some huge numbers, but if you want to get the ring, you draft the big man. In the post-Michael Jordan-era, a team led by either Tim Duncan or Shaquille O’Neal has won eight of the past 10 NBA championships. Case closed. Welcome to Portland, Greg. Plus, 30 years ago, the Trailblazers won the world title led by, you guessed it, Bill Walton. Another prime-time center.
Femi to SLU
McCluer North basketball standout Femi John gave Saint Louis University coach Rick Majerus a verbal commitment over the weekend. The 6’4” John was the second-leading scorer for McCluer North’s Class 5 state-championship team in 2007. John averaged 15 points a game as a junior. He becomes the fourth player to give an oral commitment to SLU, joining 6’11” Brett Thompson of Vienna (Ill.), 6’11” Willie Reed of Overland Park (Ks.) and 6’0” Kwamain Mitchell of Milwaukee (Wisc.).
I need pics
My latest project, a book entitled, The PHL in the STL, is coming along quite nicely. I have literally hundreds of photos that will help me tell the story of the great Public High League basketball in St. Louis over the years. However, I could use your help in obtaining a few more that I need. I would like to get a photo of these former PHL standouts: Glenn Rowe (Sumner ’83), Bruce Tipton (Vashon ’79), John Taylor (Vashon ’77), Wayne Clinton (Beaumont ’61), Joe Sills (Vashon ’69), Jerome Clayton (McKinley ’81), Robert McField (Sumner ’78), Harry Tyler (Roosevelt ’73), Marty Jenkins (Roosevelt ’83), Alexander Williams (O’Fallon Tech ’82), Simeon Williams (O’Fallon Tech ’84), Wendell Hill (Vashon ’47), Elston Howard (Vashon ’48), Garland Goodwin (Vashon ’63), Wadie Johnson (Sumner ’47), Ben Bumbry (Sumner ’50), Robert Koch (Beaumont ’48), Stanley Woods (O’Fallon Tech ’66), Rueben Shelton (Northwest ’73), Irenetta Henley (Cleveland ’83), Rolanda Gladden (Roosevelt ’89), Angelina Bonner (Southwest ’81).
If you or any of your family members have a picture, you can contact me at (314) 289-5412 at the American, 488-3684 (cell) or email me at eaustin@stlamerican.com.
