Here is a capsule look at the members of the St. Louis American “Fab Five” All-Star First Team:
Carte’are Gordon 6’8” (Sr.) Webster Groves: The Saint Louis University signee enjoyed another dominant season in helping lead the Statesmen to the Class 5 state championship for the second consecutive season. Gordon averaged 18.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.9 blocks. He enjoyed his best game of the season in the state semifinals against Liberty when he scored a career-high 40 points in the Statesmen’s 81-61 victory. Gordon was a member of the Fab Five First Team last season.
Jericole Hellems 6’7” (Sr.) Chaminade: The North Carolina State-bound forward led the Red Devils to a runner-up finish in the Class 5 state tournament. The versatile Hellems did it all on the offensive end as he averaged 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 51 percent from the field, 43 percent from 3-point range and 75 percent from the free throw line. He was dominant in the Final Four, where he topped the 30-point mark in both the semifinals and state championship game.
E.J. Liddell 6’7” (Jr.) Belleville West: The talented forward led the Maroons to the Illinois Class 4A state championship, which was the first in the school’s history. He was a dominant player on both ends of the court. As a junior, Liddell averaged 20.8 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 57 percent from the field and 78 percent from the free throw line. Liddell was equally dominant on the defensive end, where he recorded an incredible 200 blocked shots, which was nearly six per game. He was also named the Player of the Year in the state of Illinois.
Courtney Ramey 6’4” (Sr.) Webster Groves: (pictured in main story photo) The super-talented point guard concluded a spectacular career by leading the Statesmen to its second consecutive Class 5 state championship. As a senior, Ramey averaged 21.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.4 steals. He was also a lock-down defender as well. He ends his career as the school’s career leader in points and assists. Ramey has been listed among the top guards in the country in his class since his grade school days.
Torrence Watson 6’4” (Sr.) Whitfield: The University of Missouri-bound guard was the most prolific scorer in the Show-Me State this season. As a senior, Watson averaged 31 points a game to lead the St. Louis metro area. He topped the 40-point mark nine times and the 50-point mark on three occasions, including a career-high of 58 points against DeSmet in January. In his final game, Watson scored 51 points in the Class 3 state quarterfinals against Charleston. He finished his career with more than 2,500 points.
St. Louis American Fab Five All-Star Teams
First Team
Carte’are Gordon 6’8” (Jr.) Webster Groves
Jericole Hellems 6’7” (Sr.) Chaminade
E.J. Liddell 6’7” (Jr.) Belleville West
Courtney Ramey 6’4” (Sr.) Webster Groves
Torrence Watson 6’4” (Sr.) Whitfield
Second Team
Yuri Collins 5’11” (Jr.) St. Mary’s
Mario McKinney 6’1” (Jr.) Vashon
Cameron Williams 6’4” (Sr.) Hazelwood Central
Shaun Williams 6’3” (Sr.) Hazelwood Central
Kyle Younge, Jr. 5’10” (Sr.) Jennings
Third Team
Deandre Campbell 6’0” (Sr.) Parkway Central
Kale Catchings 6’6” (Sr.) Wentzville Liberty
Brandon Frederick 5’9” (Sr.) Confluence Academy
Terrance Hargrove 6’6” (Jr.) East St. Louis
Jamarr Williams 6’7” (Sr.) Northwest Academy
Fourth Team
E.J. Bellinger 6’4” (Jr.) Fort Zumwalt South
Daylan Dalton 5’6” (Jr.) Francis Howell
Damien Loyd 5’10” (Jr.) Kirkwood
Malachi Smith 6’3” (Sr.) Belleville West
Jaron Thames 6’4” (Jr.) Trinity
Austin Achievement Awards
Players of the Year: Courtney Ramey (Webster Groves) and E.J. Liddell (Belleville West)
Freshman of the Year: Mario Fleming (Cardinal Ritter)
Sophomore of the Year: Caleb Love (CBC)
Junior of the Year: E.J. Liddell (Belleville West)
Senior of the Year: Courtney Ramey (Webster Groves)
Breakthrough Player: Brandon Frederick (Confluence Academy)
Most Improved Player: Cameron Williams (Hazelwood Central)
Defensive Player of the Year: E.J. Liddell (Belleville West)
Team of the Year: Webster Groves
