The summer sun means another season of high school sports in the St. Louis metropolitan area has reached its end. It is now time to put a bow on it with the annual St. Louis American Prep Year in Review.
Flyers soar to state title: East St. Louis continued its tradition of championship football by winning its 11th title in November. The Flyers defeated Geneva 48-28 to win the IHSA Class 6A state championship. It was also the Flyers’ fourth state championship since 2016. Head coach Darren Sunkett continues leading the program to state and national prominence.
A Spartan effort: DeSmet Jesuit powered its way to the Missouri Class 6 state championship with a 35-20 victory over Nixa. It was the third state title for the Spartans, who were led by quarterback Dillon Duff, running back Jayden McCaster and defensive end Quincy Byas.
Championship Crusade: Lutheran North won its seventh state championship in football with a convincing 46-7 victory over Festus in the Class 4 Show-Me Bowl. The Crusaders scored close playoff wins over Parkway North and Kearney. Quarterback Jonathan Moore and wide receiver Trey Bass hooked up on four touchdown passes in the championship game.
King of the Hill: Belleville Althoff returned to state championship football glory when it won the IHSA Class 1A state title. The Crusaders were led by star senior running back Dierre Hill, who scored seven touchdowns in the 57-14 victory over Lena-Winslow. The Oregon recruit rushed for 438 yards and amassed more than 500 yards of total offense.
V. Get ready to roll: The Vashon Wolverines powered their way to another state championship in boys’ basketball, its fifth consecutive Class 5 state title. It was also the first state title under the direction of first-year head coach Jimmy McKinney, a former star player at Vashon. The Wolverines were led by seniors Trey Williams, Terron Garrett, and Dehrio McCaskill.
IWA dynasty continues: Incarnate Word Academy won its fifth consecutive Class 6 state championship after defeating a talented Staley, Mo., team. The Red Knights also set a new national prep record when they ran their winning streak to 141 games. They were led by the dynamic senior duo of Nevaeh Caffey and Peyton Hill.
Statesmen rise to top: The Webster Groves Statesmen won their fourth state championship in eight years and third in four years in boys’ basketball. Led by sophomore guard Scottie Adkinson, the Statesmen won the Class 5 state championship. Adkinson averaged nearly 30 points in the Final Four and earned Player of the Year honors from Gatorade and the St. Louis American.
Lift for Life, back-to-back: The Lift for Life girls’ basketball team defeated St Teresa’s of Kansas City to win the Class 5 state championship. The Hawks moved up to Class 5 after winning the Class 4 state title last year. Lift for Life was led by its stellar quartet of guards sophomore Amaya Manuel, junior Zha Harris, sophomore Cara Manuel and junior Diamond Polk.
Principia makes history: The Principia Panthers made history in boys’ basketball by winning their first state championship. A dominant 31-1 record was culminated with a victory over KIPP Legacy in the Class 3 state championship. The Panthers featured one of the top players in the state in guard Quentin Coleman.
Ram tough: The Ladue girls track and field team went back-to-back by winning the Class 5 state championship in Jefferson City. Ladue was led by senior standout Delaney Brinker, who won state titles in the 200- and 400-meter dashes while also running a leg on the state champion 4×400-meter relay team that won a state title and set a meet record.
Earl’s World
The Indiana Fever won two games last week without injured star Caitlin Clark. Teammate Aliyah Boston has stepped up in Clark’s absence on offense and currently leads the WNBA in field-goal percentage and is blocking 1.6 shots per game… BYU basketball men’s basketball has announced the signing of Southern Illinois – Carbondale transfer Kennard Davis Jr., who averaged 16.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. He was a second team All Missouri Valley Conference selection…As of Monday, prices ranged from $254 to $691 for a ticket to the Sept. 6, 2025, KU at Missouri football game.