When the second week of July rolls around, I take my annual trip to Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the action at the Run 4 Roses Classic.
Billed as the world’s largest girls’ basketball showcase, the Run 4 Roses has become a permanent part of my summer travel basketball schedule. Nearly 1,000 girls’ grassroots basketball teams from around the country convene at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
This was the sixth year I attended this event and I’m still amazed at the spectacle. It resembles a huge carnival of basketball activity with games going on at nearly 100 courts inside the convention hall and several exhibits outside to keep the players engaged. It is quite a deal.
The Run 4 Roses also attracts some of the best girls’ high school players from around the country along with a throng of college coaches from every level of competition.
There are many teams from the state of Missouri that also attend, including several from the St. Louis area. That is why I travel to Louisville. I love to watch our local girls compete against the best in the country at this event. One team that received a tremendous opportunity was the Napheesa Collier Elite 17U team, coached by Webster University head coach Jordan Olufson.
The Phee Elite squad played a nationally televised game against Sister’s Keeper from Canada on ESPN2. A big crowd gathered at “Court 49″ to watch Phee Elite battle its way to a 61-58 victory. The team was led by 6’3” junior Bridget Fitzgerald of Incarnate Word Academy, who scored 15 points. Senior guard Nylah Scales of Cardinal Ritter added 10 points, utilizing her dazzling speed and quickness.
I arrived early to make sure I had a good courtside seat to watch our local girls show out on national television. It was fun sitting at the front table, discussing St. Louis area girls’ basketball — which was on full display — with the college coaches.
It is always an enjoyable trip to Louisville to visit with family and also see some great girls’ basketball. It is also fun to see our St. Louis area players perform well on the big national stage.
Catching up on football recruiting
It has been some time since we last updated you on football recruiting around the St. Louis area. As usual, St. Louis is producing some quality high school football talent and many players have already committed to colleges during the spring and early summer. Here are some of those commitments.
Kingston Miles, a four-star running back from St. Mary’s, committed to the University of Missouri. The 6’0″, 195-pound Miles had originally committed to Auburn before flipping to Mizzou. As a junior, Miles rushed for 2,095 yards and 25 touchdowns in leading the Dragons to the Class 4 state semifinals. He also caught 12 passes for 236 yards.
Senior running back Tristan Moss of Lift for Life Academy has committed to Illinois. The 6’0″, 190-pound Moss played at Timberland last season before transferring to Lift for Life. As a junior, Moss rushed for 1,081 yards and 16 touchdowns. He averaged more than seven yards per carry.
Antonio Pinkston, a standout defensive end from Festus, has committed to Lindenwood University. The 6’2″, 250-pound Pinkston had eight sacks and 12 tackles for loss while helping lead the Tigers to the Class 4 state semifinals last season.
Senior wide receiver Royce Searcy of De Smet has committed to Northern Iowa. The 5’8″ Searcy amassed 910 all-purpose yards as a junior as a receiver and kick return specialist.
Senior wide receiver Isaac Hudson of Chaminade has committed to South Dakota State. Hudson is a big receiving target at 6’3″ and 210 pounds. Senior defensive tackle Chase Dixon of Fort Zumwalt West has committed to Missouri State. Dixon is a 6’4″, 325-pound lineman who was an All-Conference performer.
Tarris Reed Jr. making an impact in NBA Summer League
Former Chaminade College Prep basketball standout Tarris Reed Jr. is making a positive early impression in the first week of the NBA Summer League with the San Antonio Spurs.
The 6’10” power forward averaged a double-double in the two games at the California Classic in Oakland. He had 10 points and seven rebounds against the Miami Heat and followed that up with 12 points and 12 rebounds against the Los Angeles Lakers.
In his first game at the Las Vegas Summer League, Reed had 14 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal against the Atlanta Hawks. Reed was the Spurs’ first-round pick, selected with the No. 26 pick of the NBA Draft.