On Wednesday, April 30, I had the opportunity to spend part of my day at the Third Annual St. Louis Public Schools Scholar-Athlete Luncheon. The event is the baby of SLPS Athletic Director Travis L. Brown Sr., a former PHL star basketball player at Sumner in the late 1960s. The event recognizes the PHL athletes who have maintained a grade point average of 3.25 or higher.
Brown’s vision of having a special event to celebrate the academic and athletic achievement of our young SLPS athletes has turned out to be a home run, a slam dunk. Each year, the event gets bigger as more kids are getting honored. Last week’s event honored 473 student-athletes, which was 61 more than 2013 and 161 more than the inaugural event in 2012. As more kids continue to get it done in the classroom, they are going to have to find a bigger room in the Missouri Athletic Club to hold this annual event.
I was honored to be a small part of the event as a table role model. My St. Louis American colleague Wiley Price, the Hall of Fame photographer, was also a table role model. It was a pleasure and an honor to sit with and enjoy some time with some special young kids and learn about them and their plans for the future.
Once again, congratulations to Travis Brown and all of the folks at the St. Louis Public Schools for putting on a great event that celebrates the achievements of young people.
Drafting Desir
The National Football League will be holding its annual draft, which begins tonight and runs through Saturday. As an alum of Lindenwood University, I am looking forward to hearing Pierre Desir’s name called.
The former Francis Howell Central standout cornerback will become the first player in our school’s history to be selected on Draft Day. This is truly exciting. LU has had players make it to the NFL, but all were undrafted free agents.
Also, best of luck to former Hazelwood East standout Walter Powell, who is looking to be drafted after a stellar career at Murray State as a wide receiver and return specialist.
Signed, sealed
Edwardsville High guard Shawn Roundtree signed with Missouri State University. The 6’0” Roundtree was a member of the St. Louis American “Fab Five” First Team after leading the Tigers to a fourth-place finish in the Illinois Class 4 state tournament. Roundtree averaged 17 points and eight assists a game as a senior.
Belleville East standout Darreon Reddick signed with Tennessee State University. The 6’4” Reddick averaged 13.7 points a game in leading the Lancers to a 20-10 record and an Illinois Class 4A regional championship.
Metro High girls’ standout Tayler Miller signed with Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill. The 5’10” Miller was one of the most versatile players in the St. Louis metro area. As a senior, Miller averaged 18.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 4.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. She finished her career with 1,621 points and 1.002 rebounds, which is No. 1 on Metro’s career leader’s list.
Francis Howell Central standout guard Tre Curry is headed to Benedictine (KS) while University City point guard Karvon Owens signed with William Penn (IA).
Famous boxers
The St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation recently inducted 15 individuals into the Gateway Classic Boxing Hall of Fame. The individuals inducted were Tony Pruitt, Kirk Douglas, Jr., Steve Bowen, Mike Stocker, Harold L. Kaid, Ulysses Martin, Robert Goliday, Radford Beasley, Sylvester Kennon, Caesar Forrest, Peter Vaccaro, Mike England, Mercie Mendoza and Boris Powell. Also, Arthur Tyler, Jr. was the recipient of the “Gary Bess Award” for his outstanding contribution to the St. Louis community and amateur boxing. More than 300 people were in attendance at the induction ceremony and dinner, which was also sponsored by Andy’s Seasoning.
3-on-3
The Sixth Annual Anthony Smith 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament will be held on Saturday, May 17 on the grounds of Concordia Lutheran Church (505 S. Kirkwood Road). The event is presented by the Keep Watching 50 Foundation. It is named in honor of Anthony Smith, a former standout player at Kirkwood High from 1999-2001. Smith teamed with twin brother Antoine Smith to lead the Pioneers to a 66-17 record and two district titles during their career. Anthony was the Suburban West Conference Player of the Year in 2001. He and his brother went on to play collegiately at Loyola University in Chicago. Anthony’s life was cut short when he died of leukemia at the age of 24. It was a great loss that is still felt in the Kirkwood community today. Not only was he an outstanding basketball player, but he was an outstanding young man as well. The proceeds from the tournament will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Gateway Chapter and to other local charities. For more information and team registration, go to www.keepwatching50.org.
