The Vashon Wolverines have been one of the state’s most enduring dynasties in boys’ high school basketball.
The Wolverines have won five consecutive Missouri Class 4 championships and are currently ranked No. 1 in the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Class 4 state poll.
When Hall of Fame coach Tony Irons moved on to become head coach at Mineral Area College, the program was placed in capable hands under former Vashon star Jimmy McKinney. In his first season, McKinney guided the Wolverines on a dominant run to the state championship last season, winning the state semifinal and championship games by a combined 96-point margin.
Vashon is 12-3 this season while playing another challenging schedule. The Wolverines have faced teams from Illinois, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Last Thursday, Vashon earned a 74-57 victory over De Smet in a matchup of perennial St. Louis area powers.
Vashon’s offensive leader is 6-foot-2 junior guard Jimmy McKinney III, the son of head coach Jimmy McKinney. One of the state’s smoothest perimeter shooters, he is averaging 16 points a game while shooting 49% from the field and 44% from 3-point range. He scored a career-high 31 points in the victory over De Smet, including 25 points in the first half. He made five 3-pointers.
Senior guard Kain McCaskill is one of the most explosive athletes in the state. The 6-foot-3 McCaskill averages 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and nearly two steals a game. He also electrifies the crowd with his dunking exploits. He will be playing college basketball at SIU Edwardsville next season.
Vashon’s third top offensive player is 6-foot-6 junior Leon Powell Jr., who is also a legacy player. He is the son of former Vashon standout Leon Powell. He is a versatile athlete who is averaging 11 points and five rebounds a game while shooting 50% from the field.
Providing size inside is 6-foot-8 senior forward Christian Potts, a strong rebounder and shot blocker. He averages five points and three rebounds a game. He had his best game of the season in the victory over De Smet with 15 points, seven rebounds and eight blocks.
Junior Khalil Crain and sophomore Braiden Alford are a pair of guards who are capable offensive players. Alford, a 6-foot-2 guard, averages 7.2 points a game, while Crain, also 6-foot-2, averages 6.2.
Maplewood’s Abraham Nayou commits to UMSL
Standout guard Abraham Nayou of Maplewood has committed to the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
A four-year starter, the 6-foot-2 Nayou recently scored his 2,000th career point. He is averaging 28.4 points a game, currently second in the St. Louis area. He is also averaging seven rebounds, four assists and three steals a game while shooting nearly 40% from 3-point range.
He has scored at least 30 points eight times this season, including a season-high 45 points in a Dec. 11 victory over McKinley.
Top games this week
Boys
CBC at De Smet, Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Vianney at Chaminade, Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Clayton at MICDS, Friday, 7 p.m.
O’Fallon (Illinois) Shootout (Saturday)
Cardinal Ritter vs. O’Fallon, 3:30 p.m.
Decatur MacArthur vs. Webster Groves, 5 p.m.
Vashon vs. Alton, 6:30 p.m.
Bartlett (Tennessee) vs. Bolingbrook (Illinois), 8 p.m.
Girls
Tipton at Lutheran St. Charles, Friday, 7 p.m.