Here is a look at a dozen basketball players to watch for the 2017-18 season.
Deandre Campbell 6’0” (Parkway Central): A four-year starter who averaged 21 points a game in leading the Colts to a Final Four appearance in Class 4.
Kale Catchings 6’6” (Wentzville Liberty): Harvard recruit who transferred from CBC for his senior season. He averaged 16 points a game as a junior.
Yuri Collins 5’11” (St. Mary’s): Excellent point guard who has the school record for assists after only two seasons. He led Dragons to a Class 4 district championship.
Carte’are Gordon 6’8” (Webster Groves): A dominant big man who averaged 19 points and eight rebounds for the Class 5 state champions. He is a Saint Louis U. signee.
Terrance Hargrove 6’6” (East St. Louis): A versatile swing player who returns as one of the top players in the Metro East area. He has several Division I offers.
Jericole Hellems 6’7” (Chaminade): North Carolina State signee who averaged 21 points a game in leading the Red Devils to a Final Four berth in the Class 5 state tournament.
E.J. Liddell 6’7” (Belleville West): The top returning player in the metro east area. He is a dominant player on both ends who led the Maroons to a Class 4A regional championship.
Mario McKinney 6’1” (Vashon): An exciting open court player who will become the leader at Vashon after being the super sub for back-to-back Class 4 state championship teams.
Courtney Ramey 6’4” (Webster Groves): Five-star point guard who is expected to return from his injury in January. He averaged 19 points and eight rebounds to lead the Statesmen to the Class 5 state championship.
Jamarr Williams 6’7” (Northwest Academy): A pure rebounding force, Williams averaged a double-double in leading the Hornets to the school’s first ever state championship.
Shaun Williams 6’3” (Hazelwood Central): He is a Kansas State signee who averaged 18 points a game in leading the Hawks to the 17-victory season.
Torrence Watson 6’5” (Whitfield): He is a Mizzou recruit who averaged 28 points a game in leading the Warriors to a runner-up finish in the Class 3 state tournament.
Teams to Watch in 2018:
Webster Groves: The Statesmen won the Class 5 state championship with a 29-2 record. Standout guard Courtney Ramey is expected to be back in January as he recovers from a wrist injury. SLU recruit Carte’are Gordon is the dominant big man in the area.
Belleville West: The Maroons are led by 6’7” junior forward E.J. Liddell who dominates at both ends of the court. Guard Malachi Smith is a Belleville East transfer who has signed with Wright State.
Vashon: The back-to-back Class 4 state champions are a young and athletic team led by 6’1” junior Mario McKinney, who will be one of the area’s leading scorers this season.
Chaminade: The Red Devils are led by 6’7” North Carolina State signee Jericole Hellems, who averaged 21 points in leading CCP to the Final Four of the Class 5 state tournament.
St. Mary’s: The Dragons return their top seven players from last year’s 24-5 district championship team, including leading scorers Antonio Burks, Yahuza Rasas and excellent point guard Yuri Collins.
Whitfield: The Warriors were the Class 3 state runners-up a year ago. They return their top player in Missouri signee Torrence Watson, who averaged 28 points a game last season.
Northwest Academy: The Hornets made history by winning the Class Class 3 state championship, the first for the school. They return stellar 6’7” senior rebounder Jamarr Williams and potent guards Wilshon Warren and Rayonte Childs.
CBC: The Cadets are primed for another strong season with good young talent such as 6’6” junior forward Josh Wallace and 6’3” sophomore guard Caleb Love.
East St. Louis: The Flyers return one of the top juniors in the area in 6’6” Terrance Hargrove, who will now team with 6’9” senior Vashon transfer Joe Reece.
Hazelwood Central: The Hawks return a senior laden team led by 6’3” Kansas State signee Shaun Williams and 6’4” athletic forward Cameron Williams.
Parkway Central: The Colts return all of their key players from last year’s Class 4 Final Four team, led by 6’0” senior guard Deandre Campbell.
Cardinal Ritter: The Lions return several key players from last year’s district championship team, including the talented backcourt pair of junior Malek Davis and senior Jared Phillips.
Confluence Academy: A talented team that has a chance to break through this season behind the dynamic pair of 6’7″ senior forward Leon Perry and 5’10” senior guard Brandon Frederick.
