One of the most highly anticipated high school basketball games of the season will be taking place on Saturday night, Feb. 1, 2025, at Vashon High.
Perennial state powerhouse Vashon will host undefeated rising power Principia in the feature game of the Vashon Winter Classic. The defending four-time state Class 4 champion Wolverines are ranked No. 1 in Class 4, while Principia is ranked No. 1 in Class 3. Tip-off time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Vashon has put together another strong season under the direction of first-year head coach Jimmy McKinney, who replaced future Hall of Fame coach Tony Irons who is now the coach at Mineral Area College.
The Wolverines are 14-2 while playing another challenging schedule against several top teams in the state and region. They defeated teams from California, Florida and Illinois in winning the championship at the Tournament of Champions in Washington, Illinois. They also won tournaments in Fayetteville, Arkansas and Poplar Bluff, Mo., during the first half of the season.
They have been led by 6’2” senior guard Trey Williams, who is averaging 17.7 points a game. The Missouri State recruit is a four-year starter who is an elite 3-point shooter. He hit a game-winning shot at the buzzer in the Wolverines 61-59 victory over Millard North (NE) last Friday night.
Vashon is also loaded with excellent talent on the perimeter. Sophomore guard Jimmy McKinney III is averaging 12.9 points while playing for his father. Terron Garrett, a 6’6” senior guard, averages 12 points a game. Dehrio McCaskill is a high-flying 6’3” senior guard who averages 10.5 points while sophomore guard Kain McCaskill averages seven points a game.
Principia has kept its undefeated season rolling with its young and talented nucleus, which is led by 6’3” junior Quentin Coleman, 6’2” sophomore Gassim Toure and 6’9” sophomore Sekou Cisse.
The Vashon-Principia showdown is the final game of an excellent four-game event on Saturday. The opening game will feature McCluer North vs. Lutheran North at 2:30 p.m. McCluer North is currently on a three-game winning streak, which includes victories over Cardinal Ritter and Kirkwood. The Stars are led by 6’3” senior guard Harrison Bailey-Howard. Lutheran North is led by senior guard Barry Benson and sophomore guard Kyren Evans.
Game No. 2 will feature MICDS vs. Chicago Hyde Park. MICDS has a very talented group of perimeter players in juniors Brandon Clemens, Jason Stokes and Keshon Mims. Clemens averages close to 20 points a game.
The third game of the Classic will be University City vs. Springfield (IL). U. City is led by 6’1” senior guard Miyel Taylor, who is averaging 17 points a game. The Lions also feature 6’6” senior forward Jayden Creighton and 6’0” sophomore guard Phillip Jones. Tip off is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Earl’s World
Jayson Tatum reached a special career milestone last weekend in the Boston Celtics victory over the Dallas Mavericks. The former Chaminade College Prep All-American scored 24 points to lead the Celtics to the victory and tallied his 13,000th point. He is the seventh player in NBA history to score 13,000 career points before turning 27. Tatum joins a select group which includes Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Tracy McGrady and Carmelo Anthony… Incarnate Word Academy takes on Metro East power Alton in the Basketball of the Borders event at University City at 1 p.m. Saturday. IWA is looking to get back on track after having its national-record 141-game winning streak snapped last week in Massachusetts. They are led by the stellar senior duo of Nevaeh Caffey and Peyton Hill. After dropping its opening game to Lutheran St. Charles, Alton has won 22 consecutive games. The Redbirds are led by senior forwards Jarius Powers and Talia Norman, who both average 15 points a game.