As the month of September approaches, most of the talk in East St. Louis, Illinois will be about the Flyers’ football program as opening day is only one week away.
However, after coach Darren Sunkett and his staff produces another stellar season, hopefully another state championship, basketball season will be right around the corner.
Enter the newest addition to the Flyers’ coaching staff – Stetson Hairston.
A native of East St. Louis, Hairston played his high school career at Belleville East and was a collegiate standout at Southern Illinois University. He will bring stability to the Flyers’ basketball program after consecutive early post-season losses in regional tournament competition.
Hairston’s hiring comes after former East Side star Phillip Gilbert wasn’t retained after the season as head coach. Gilbert is now working in the Madison, Ill. school district.
A four-year standout for Southern Illinois, Hairston was the catalyst for the program from 2001-2005 in which the Salukis advanced to four consecutive NCAA tournaments, including a Sweet 16 berth in 2002. In addition, the 6’3″ point guard led the Salukis to an impressive record of 104-28 during that span as he started 126 out of 131 games and played for head coach Bruce Weber, now the head coach at Kansas State.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to coach at East St. Louis Senior High School,” Hairston said. “After coaching at the collegiate level with a legend like Jay Harrington at SWIC, and playing for coaches like Bruce Weber, Matt Painter, (Purdue) and the relationships [with] mentors like Cuonzo Martin, I feel I’m ready for the challenge here at East St. Louis Senior High.”
After losing 4 star recruit Jeremiah Tillman (Mizzou ) Reyondous Estes, Kerrion Chairs, Arthur Carter and others on a underachieving 18-8 team last season, Hairston doesn’t seem to think it will be a rebuilding 2017-18 season for East St. Louis.
“I felt the guys played hard this summer and bought in to my system quite well,” he said. “We return one of the top juniors in the state in Terrence Hargrove Jr., who won’t have to play in the shadow of Jeremiah this year. He understands that’s it his team, his year to be a dominant player for us.”
The Southwestern Conference is loaded again this season with the favorite being Belleville West, led by Bradley Beal Elite EYBL player E.J. Liddell.
It’s kind of odd talking basketball when the boys of the fall, the Flyers’Â football team, is set to kick-off their season next Saturday afternoon against Chicago Catholic power Providence Catholic High School.
But it’s a buzz around town about the upcoming basketball season in East St. Louis with the former Saluki great Stetson Hairston at the helm.
However, we’ll talk about more basketball when the season gets closer.
It’s football season in East St. Louis. ENOUGH SAID!
Scott’s notes:
- Former Flyers All American Jeff Thomas has been very impressive in the Miami Hurricanes camp. Look for him to line-up in the slot for the Hurricanes this season.
- Former Flyers wide receiver and Jackson State University star Daniel Williams signed with the New York Jets on Monday.
- The lineup for the 2nd Annual Gateway Scholars Classic lineup is set for Saturday, September 2, 2017 at Clyde C. Jordan Memorial Stadium.
- The triple-header will feature the Cahokia Comanches vs. Camden High Panthers (NJ) at 1 p.m.
- Game #2 will pit the Belleville West Maroons vs Timber Creek Chargers out of New Jersey.
- The feature game will be Darren Sunkett’s East St. Louis Flyers greeting the Evangel Christian Academy Eagles from Louisiana. The Eagles have four players who have already committed to LSU.
- Tickets are $10 for all-day access and be purchased at all the participating schools.
Next week, our East St. Louis Flyers football preview.Â
Listen to Maurice Scott Jr. every Wednesday night on 590-AM “The Fan” on the Charlie “Tuna” Edwards show.
