The Missouri Valley Conference for years has produced numerous players who have local ties to area schools. The list of names is quite impressive: Southern Illinois University Hall of Famer and former Jennings High school star Darren Brooks, S.I.U.-Carbondale and Belleville East standout Stetson Hairston, former Alton Redbird star Kavon Lacey, East St. Louis Senior High School and Bradley University star Phillip Gilbert, along with his uncle Alexander Gilbert, who was a starter alongside the great Larry Bird for Indiana State’s 1979 NCAA national runner-up team. In addition, the list extends to local players who are currently playing in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Here is a list of this year’s Missouri Valley Conference local flavor:
Noah Frederking– Evansville Purple Aces
Frederking played for Okawville High School and averaged 22.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists as a senior. Frederking as a senior helped guide his team to the Illinois Class 1A State Championship game.
Jordan Barnes- Christian Brothers College (CBC) – Indiana State Sycamores
Barnes has been a mainstay for Indiana State. The former St. Louis Eagles AAU player was teammates of Jayson Tatum, (Boston Celtics) Tyler Cook (Iowa) Jerimiah Tilmon (Mizzou) when they finished second in NIKE EYBL competition in the summer of 2016.
The 5’11” guard is averaging 14.7 points, and 3.3 assists, while shooting 34 percent from 3-point range. Last season, Barnes was named to the All MVC Team and Captain of the MVC Most Improved Team.
Emondre Rickman– Collinsville High School/ Indiana State Sycamores
Rickman was teammates in middle school at East St. Louis Lincoln with future NFL players Terry Beckner Jr. (Mizzou) and Alabama offensive guard Lester Cotton.
Rickman played his high school basketball at Collinsville High School for coach Darren Lee.
The 6’9” senior has played in every game for the Sycamores, starting 24 of them. In addition, Rickman is averaging 6.3 points and 3.4 rebounds along with 12 steals with an impressive 28 blocks this season. His highlights this season include 13 points against UNLV, and 12 points against Valparaiso University and Evansville respectively. Rickman is a communication major at Indiana State.
Josh Webster- Christian Brothers College (CBC) – Missouri State
Webster played his junior season at Texas Tech for head coach Chris Beard and saw action in the Regional Final against eventual National Champion Villanova.
Webster has played in all 31 games averaging 7.6 points per game, 5.2 assists, with 35 steals and 23 blocks. He was named to the MVC All-Newcomer Team.
Aaron Cook- Westminster – Southern Illinois
The 6’2” junior guard during the 2017-18 was named to the MVC All-Improved Team and the MVC All Academic Second Team. Cook had a 23-point outburst against Southeast Missouri State back in December. In addition, Cook has started 31 games for the Salukis this season.
Armon Fletcher- Edwardsville High School
Last season Fletcher was an All-MVC Second Team member. Fletcher had a season best 34-pt outburst and 24 points in back-back games against Evansville and Illinois State University. In addition, Fletcher had a 34-point outing against Indiana State in January. Armon Fletcher will be a player to watch for the Salukis and Head Coach Barry Hinson. Fletcher was coached in high school by the legendary Mike Waldo.
Brendon Gooch – Belleville Althoff
The 6’5” sophomore has played in 16 games during the 2018-19 season for the Salukis. Season highs are 9 points against Howard University and 32 minutes against Arkansas Pine-Bluff.
Scott’s Notes:
As the prep high school basketball season is coming to a close, look for these names to make a major impact next season at the guard position in the Southwestern Conference in 2019.
Ray’Sean Taylor– Collinsville
The smooth point guard for the Collinsville Kahoks will be one of the premier players returning in the metro-east next season. Look for MAJOR colleges recruiting this kid.
Andrew Jones– Alton
Jones is a starter for the Alton Redbirds this season and can play both guard positions. A deadly 3-point shooter, Jones will garner plenty of interest next season at the next level.
LaShawn Johnson– East St. Louis Senior
The gifted athletic Johnson is a hidden gem in next season’s class. The 6’4” guard is athletic as any combo guard in the state. His 23-point, 10 rebound performance, along with seven dunks against Collinsville during a junior varsity game last month had the crowd of both teams on their feet.
