St. Louisan Derrick Pitts has enjoyed a standout year on the baseball diamond in collegiate and international competition.
The former CBC standout had a breakout sophomore year at the University of Cincinnati. He followed that up this summer with an excellent showing while playing for USA Baseball.
Pitts was a member of the USA Baseball Team that competed in the inaugural World Collegiate Baseball Championships in Taichung City, Taiwan. The talented outfielder helped lead the USA to a 3-1 record and a runner-up finish in the tournament.
Pitts was outstanding during the tournament as the team’s leadoff hitter. He hit safely and drove in at least one run in each of the four games. He finished the tournament with a .500 batting average with four runs batted in and six runs scored.
In the championship game against Japan, he had two hits, scored a run and drove in another run. In the opening game against Korea, he was two for three with one run batted in and two runs scored. In the second game of the tournament against Japan, he went three for five with one run batted in.
During the collegiate season with Cincinnati, Pitts hit .329 with six home runs, 42 RBI, 12 doubles, 49 runs and 17 stolen bases. He helped the Bearcats earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament. He also made some tremendous catches in right field, a few of which were featured on ESPN’s Sportscenter.
Welcome Back Napheesa Collier
The Minnesota Lynx entered the WNBA’s All-Star break with the best record in the league. Right before the break, they received another big boost with the return of star player Napheesa Collier.
The former Incarnate Word Academy star returned to the starting lineup last week in the Lynx’ victory over the Seattle Storm. Collier had missed nearly a year of action after undergoing ankle surgery following an injury sustained during last season’s WNBA Playoffs.
In her first game back, she looked very much like the perennial All-WNBA player, scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the Lynx’ 86-76 victory. The 6-foot-2 Collier enjoyed her big performance despite playing only 22 minutes.
With Collier back in the lineup, the Lynx will be one of the top contenders to win the WNBA championship this season. Collier will now be teamed with star rookie point guard Olivia Miles, who has been brilliant this season.
J’Dyn Lloyd commits to Missouri State
Belleville West basketball standout J’Dyn Lloyd has given a commitment to Missouri State.
The 6-foot-6 rising senior guard is one of the top returning players in the St. Louis metro area. As a junior, he averaged 18.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and two assists while leading the Maroons to a 21-10 record.
Lloyd also delivered some of his biggest performances against the top teams on the schedule. In two games against Illinois Class 3A state champion East St. Louis, he scored 30 and 23 points, respectively. He scored 24 points against Missouri Class 6 state champion De Smet and 30 points against perennial St. Louis power Chaminade.
Missouri State’s head coach is former East St. Louis Lincoln star Cuonzo Martin.
Gateway-Knights win P32 national championship
Congratulations to the Gateway-Knights boys basketball team on winning the New Balance P32 National Championship. Gateway won the national tournament last weekend in Memphis, Tennessee. They also dominated the P32 League throughout the summer with a perfect 18-0 record.
The team featured several talented players from the St. Louis area. The championship team members include Sekou Cisse and Gassim Toure of Principia, Sebastian Bolden (Clayton), Liam Nixon (Kirkwood), CJ Nelson (Miller Career Academy), Kyrese Simpson (Springfield Hillcrest), Mike Acton (Daviess County, Kentucky), Akol Akol (Ivory Coast) and Paul Sama (Hamilton Heights, Tennessee). The head coach is Lamar Colvin, who is also the assistant coach at Chaminade.
Scottie Adkinson named to All-Peach Jam first team
Webster Groves basketball standout Scottie Adkinson was named to the All Nike EYBL Peach Jam first team last week. The 6-foot-3 senior University of Missouri recruit led MoKan Elite to the quarterfinals of the Peach Jam. He averaged a team-high 16.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals.