First year girls’ basketball coach Shardae Butler had the large task of filling the shoes of former head coach Hubert Butler at East St. Louis Senior High.
Perhaps even more challenging was that she was replacing her own father as the coach. Shardae was a former star player at East St. Louis, and grew up in the gym from her childhood days with her father.
After completing her first year in the powerful Southwestern Conference, Shardae proved she belongs with her conference peers. She led the Flyerettes to an overall record of 13-9, (8-6 in SWC). Her team grew and improved as the season went along.
Led by senior Dynesha Powell, the Flyerettes won their first Class 4-A Regional since the 2009-10 season.
Leading the way for the Flyerettes were two underclassman. First Team All-Conference performer Brelannair Cox, the niece of former Flyers’ All- American and NFL All- Pro linebacker Bryon Cox, averaged 16 points a game in the SWC.
In addition to Cox, the Flyerettes have another star returning in 2nd Team All-Conference performer in Janesha Munson, who averaged 8.5 points in SWC play this past season.
The Flyerettes started out like they were going to be a force early in the season with three straight conference wins over Collinsville, Belleville East and Alton, respectively.
Even more impressive, coach Butler won the school’s first class 4A Regional since the 2009-10 season beating both Belleville East, the upset regional favorite Belleville West 42-40 for the Regional Championship on Feb. 20.
During the off-season, Butler wants to work on her team’s defense. They finished last in the conference giving up 50 points per game.
“That’s something we will put a major emphasis on during the offseason: working on our defensive schemes,” she said. “But overall, I was pleased with our year. Winning a regional championship is something we can build on for the future.”
After watching the Flyerettes, the future is very bright for Shardae and her staff.
Wrestling Flyers
East St. Louis Flyers’ wrestling program is back in the area wrestling news.
Led by one of the nation’s best at 145 pounds, Sir Romeo Howard placed 2nd in the state at 145, and was a First Team All-Conference performer. Howard, in my opinion, is the best that the Flyers’ program has ever produced at 145. He’s currently being courted by several big-time program including Mizzou, Nebraska, Illinois among others.
In addition, junior Don Cavitt made the All- Conference Team at 126, and sophomore Antonio James made All-Conference at 285.
Hats off to the Flyers wrestling program that seems to be back after competing in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s under former coach Willis “Dr. Jack” Jackson as one of the premier programs in the Southwestern Conference.
Strong commits to Mizzou
Flyers running back Natereance Strong, the No. 2-rated player in the class of 2015 in the state of Illinois, made an oral commitment to Mizzou. With a rare combination of power and speed, Strong will be a great addition to the Tigers offense. In addition, Strong led the East St. Louis Flyers to a second-place finish in the Illinois Class A Track & Field Championship last season, finishing second in the 100m dash. Strong turned down offers from Ohio State, Florida State, Illinois, Michigan, among others.
