The 2004-05 high school boys basketball season gets underway this week. Instead of listing top players and teams to watch, here is a list of 20 scenarios to watch as the season unfolds.
1. The Vashon Wolverines have moved up to Class 5 after winning the Class 4 state title in 2004 with an undefeated record. Vashon is once again loaded for another run for state honors. They are nationally ranked in several preseason high school polls.
Look for seniors Johnny Hill, Kenny Daniels, juniors Bobby Hill, James Washington and sophomore Leon Powell to carry the load in 2005.
2. Hazelwood Central junior forward Alex Tyus should emerge as a prime-time player after spending the past two years in a supporting role to standout upperclassmen Kalen Grimes and Aaron Jackson. The 6’7″ Tyus is one of the most versatile players in the state of Missouri.
3. Belleville Althoff moves down to the Illinois Class A level after playing in Class AA for the past several years. Led by All-State guard Kevin Lisch, the Crusaders could make a serious run at a state title in Class A.
4. Francis Howell Central will be one of the most exciting teams in the area to watch. The Mustangs like to run and shoot and they have the guards to do it.
5. The Southwestern Conference race will be as wide open as ever. Belleville West and East St. Louis had heavy graduation losses while basement teams O’Fallon, Collinsville and Belleville East are much better with several key players back. Edwardsville an Alton are still solid teams.
6. Jarod Leonard of DeSmet may play all five positions for the Spartans this season. The 6’5″ junior guard had a tremendous summer on the AAU circuit.
7. Perennial football powers Hazelwood East, McCluer North and Kirkwood should field excellent basketball teams in 2005.
8. The Meremec Christmas Tournament could have its deepest field in years. Webster Groves, Hazelwood Central, Lafayette, DeSmet, CBC, Troy, St. Charles West, Marquette, Kirkwood are some of the top teams featured. The coaches’ seeding meeting should also be entertaining.
9. Jennings should be a strong contender in Class 4 with the return of Sanijay Watts and Matt Akins inside, plus the addition of Lutheran North transfer Jesse Fortner (if he gains eligibility) makes the Warriors even more formidable.
10. Webster Groves added Hazelwood East transfer Lamar Howard to an already strong returning group which includes seniors Eric Jones, Jay Robinson and juniors Justin Taylor and Adrian Clayborn.
11. The area’s most dynamic trio of players resides in Bethalto, Ill. Dustin Maguire, Stephen Jones and Michael Elliott are all capable of going for 20 points a night.
12. Beaumont and Career Academy should field strong teams to give the Public High League a little depth behind perennial state powerhouse Vashon.
13. The sophomore class in St. Louis represents the next top group to come through town. The Class of 2007 has a little bit of everything. If you want athletes, there’s 6’6″ Leon Powell (Vashon), 6’5″ Jeremy Felton (Althoff), 6’4″ Rolandis Woodland (Lutheran North). If you like small point guards, there’s Darrell Stokes (Career Academy), Devon Dace (DuBourg), LaRico Martin (Lutheran North) and Kavon Lacey (Alton). If you like late bloomers, there’s 6’5″ Alfred Nelson (Chaminade) and 6’7″ Mike Baker (Whitfield), 6’4″ Mario Scott (Parkway South). And there’s many, many more.
14. Oakville will boast an impressive inside combination with 6’7″ Parkway West transfer Casey Noll joining 6’7″ senior center Drew Martin.
15. Saint Louis U. head coach Brad Soderberg is starting freshman Dwayne Polk at point guard. Brad’s son, Kramer Soderberg, is the starting point guard at St. Charles West as a high school freshman.
16. Do not sleep on Westminster Christian Academy. WC returns a host of top players from a team that won 24 games last season. Banks Estridge is one of the top point guards that you haven’t heard of.
17. Look for Bishop DuBourg provide a stiff challenge to Cardinal Ritter’s dominance of the AAA. It will be difficult to unseat Ritter with 6’5″ Alex Barnett back for his senior year.
18. Breese Central is seeking its third consecutive trip to the Illinois Class A Elite Eight.
19. Look for these losing teams to show marked improvement in 2005. CBC and Parkway North. CBC junior Jeremy Sharpe is a Tayshaun Prince mini-me.
20. Earl’s Class 5 Final Four: Vashon, Poplar Bluff, Springfield Kickapoo, Raytown South: Class 4: Jennings, Ozark, Kansas City O’Hara, Festus. IHSA Class AA Super Sectional: Carbondale vs. Civic Memorial.
