The members of the 2017 St. Louis American Girls Fab Five All-Star First Team are all familiar with winning championships of some kind this season.
Teammates Lauryn Miller and Jayla Everett of Kirkwood led the Pioneers to their first ever state championship in girls’ basketball. Sonya Morris of Incarnate Word led the Red Knights to the winner’s circle once again in Class 4. Aijha Blackwell led Whitfield to the school’s first ever appearance in a state-championship game. Jadyn Pimentel of Parkway North led the Vikings to a district championship and a second consecutive appearance in the state quarterfinals.
It’s plain and simple. Not only are these young ladies tremendous basketball players, but they are winners.
Here is a look at the members of the St. Louis American Fab Five Girls All-Star First Team:
Aijha Blackwell (Whitfield): The 6’0” sophomore forward stuffed the stat sheet on a nightly basis in leading the Warriors to a second-place finish in the Class 3 state tournament. The versatile youngster averaged 20.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, three assists and two steals a game. She also blocked 51 shots. Blackwell is already on the recruiting radar of several top Division I programs.
Jayla Everett (Kirkwood): The 5’10” junior guard was a major cog in the Pioneers drive to their first state championship. While teammate Lauryn Miller held it down in the low post, Everett was a force on the perimeter with her ball handling, passing and shooting. She averaged 17 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.3 steals for the Class 5 state champions.
Lauryn Miller (Kirkwood): The 2017 St. Louis American Player of the Year, the 6’2” Miller ended her brilliant career by leading the Pioneers to the Class 5 state championship. Miller was a dominant force in the low post, but she also had a versatile skill set which enabled her to go score on the drive and knock down 3-pointers. As a senior, Miller averaged 18.3 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocks while shooting 52 percent from the field. Miller will play collegiate basketball at UCLA next season.
Sonya Morris (Incarnate Word): The 5’8” junior guard returned the Red Knights to state championship glory as IWA dominated the field in winning the Class 4 title. A talented combo guard, Morris could score, handle the ball and play excellent defense. She averaged 15 points, three rebounds and two steals a game while shooting 42 percent from 3-point range. She will return as one of the top guards in the state next season.
Jadyn Pimentel (Parkway North): The 5’3” senior guard is one of the most fierce competitors in the state, the diminutive baller concluded a stellar career at Parkway North by leading the Vikings to the Class 4 state quarterfinals. Pimentel made it happen in all facets of the game. As a senior, she averaged 13.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.9 steals a game. She also blocked 21 shots. Pimentel will play collegiate basketball at Lamar next season.
St. Louis American Fab Five Girls All-Star Teams
First Team
Aijha Blackwell 6’0” Whitfield (Soph)
Jayla Everett 5’10” Kirkwood (Jr.)
Lauryn Miller 6’2” Kirkwood (Sr.)
Sonya Morris 5’8” Incarnate Word (Jr.)
Jadyn Pimentel 5’3” Parkway North (Sr.)
Second Team
Leketor Member-Meneh 5’8” Lutheran South (Sr.)
Addaya Moore 6’0” Granite City (Sr.)
Brooke Flowers 6’4” Metro (Jr.)
Amaya Stovall 5’7” Parkway North (Jr.)
Jaidah Stewart 5’9” Webster Groves (Jr.)
Third Team
Lakeita Chappel 5’9” Hazelwood West (Sr.)
K.K. Rodriguez 5’6” Webster Groves (Jr.)
Pierce Sams 5’10” Clayton (Sr.)
Geena Stephens 5’11” Parkway Central (Sr.)
Madison Buford 5’9” Lutheran North (Soph.)
Fourth Team
Jordyn Brooks 5’8” MICDS (Jr.)
Kortni Collins 5’7” McCluer North (Sr.)
Jordyn White 5’9” Lutheran North (Soph.)
Myriah Noodel-Haywood 6’0” Edwardsville (Jr.)
Kelsie Williams 5’10” Hazelwood Central (Jr.)Â