St. Louisan Caleb Love is a candidate for one of the top postseason awards in college basketball.
The Naismith Hall of Fame announced that the Arizona Wildcat, who starred at CBC, is one of 10 finalists for the Jerry West Award, which is presented to the nation’s top shooting guard.
The 6’4” Love’s Wildcats are ranked No. 8 in the AP Top 25 behind his 19 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Love is shooting an outstanding 46% from the field and 86% from the free throw line.
Arizona began the week at 16-5 and in first place in the Pac-12 Conference. Love scored 38 points in a Wildcats’ 87-78 victory at Oregon, one of the biggest scoring efforts in his career. Love spent the first three years of his career at North Carolina. In 2022, he helped lead the Tarjeels to a berth in the national championship game of the NCAA Tournament.
Love was the St. Louis American Player of the Year during his senior year, and was also selected as a McDonald’s All-American.
*IWA streak reaches 120
The phenomenal winning streak of Incarnate Word Academy reached 120 last weekend after the Red Knights won the championship of the Webster Challenge at Webster Groves. The Red Knights defeated John Burroughs 50-47 in the championship game. It was a rematch of the Visitation Christmas Tournament championship game, which was also won by IWA 50-46.
The Red Knights had to rally for this championship as they trailed 27-22 at halftime, but they took control of the game with a big third quarter. Senior forward Kaylynn Janes scored a team-high 13 points for IWA. She was named the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament. Teammates Zoe Best and Nevaeh Caffey added 12 points each.
The Red Knights are three victories away from tying the state record of 120, which was set by the Strafford Indians from Southwest Missouri.
Incarnate Word and John Burroughs will meet one more time on February 21 at IWA. It will be the regular season finale for both teams.
*Freshmen girls of influence
There are some very talented freshmen girls making a big impact on the basketball court this season. Here are a few of those talented young players who are making it happen in 2024.
Dasia Scott (Principia): The 6’2” forward is averaging 25 points and 13 rebounds a game, which leads the St. Louis area in both categories.
Amaya Manuel (Lift for Life): A dynamic 5’7” point guard who is averaging 16 points, five rebounds and three assists for a 19-2 Hawks team.
Aziza Hendricks (Parkway Central): A 5’11” forward who is averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds a game with 28 blocked shots.
Leighana Shelton (Wentzville Liberty): A 5’9” shooting guard who is averaging 15 points and six rebounds a game in leading Liberty to a 14-6 record.
*On tap this week
Thursday, February 8
Lutheran St. Charles at Vashon, 6:30 p.m. (girls)
Friday, February 9
Chaminade at Vianney, 6 p.m. (boys)
Chaminade at John Burroughs, 7:30 p.m. (boys)
Saturday, February 10
Columbia Hickman at Cardinal Ritter, 2:30 p.m. (girls)
Principia Shootout (boys)
Orchard Farm vs. Hazelwood Central, 1:30 p.m.
CBC vs. Staley, 3 p.m.
Principia vs. University City, 4:30 p.m.
