The Webster Groves Statesmen became a much better basketball team once again with the return of elite point guard Courtney Ramey to the lineup.
The 6’4” Ramey had missed the month of the season with a broken wrist and the Statesmen limped along with a 4-4 record. In the two games since Ramey’s return, Webster Groves defeated Marquette 73-43, then, defeated a powerful Wheeler (Georgia) team 74-62 in the Cancer Research Classic in West Virginia.
Ramey had 15 points and 13 assists against Marquette and followed up with 10 points, nine rebounds and six assists against Wheeler. With Ramey back in the lineup, the game has become easier for everyone around him. Senior forward Carte’are Gordon scored 22 points in the victory against Marquette. In the victory against Wheeler, junior guard Ray Adams scored 23 points and made an event-record seven 3-pointers. Senior guard R.J. Wright added 20 points.
Webster Groves will continue its national schedule this week when it competes in the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Missouri. After that, the Statesmen will head to Springfield, Massachusetts to play Mount Vernon (New York) at the Hoop Hall Classic.
MLK Events around the area
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday will bring about many basketball showcase events around the St. Louis area next Monday.
St. Louis University High will be hosting its “Remembering the Dream” Classic with three games. University City will take on Ritenour at 2:30 p.m., followed by DuBourg vs. Hazelwood East at 4 p.m.; and host SLUH vs. St. Mary’s at 5:30 p.m.
Vashon High will also be hosting a triple-header. Confluence Academy will play Huntsville (Alabama) Lee at noon; Hazelwood Central will face Jefferson City Helias at 2 p.m. In the finale, host Vashon will play Bloomington (Illinois) at 4 p.m.
There will also be a big girls MLK Showcase event at Miller Career Academy, which will take place on Monday and Tuesday. It features teams from all over the region. The schedule for Monday is as follows: Hazelwood Central vs. Chicago Kenwood, 11 a.m.; KC Hogan Prep vs. Soldan, 1 p.m.; KC Lincoln Prep vs. Chicago North Lawndale, 2:40 p.m.; Fairdale (Kentucky) vs. Ladue, 4 p.m.; Charleston vs. Kenwood, 5:20 p.m.; Edwardsville vs. Chicago Whitney Young, 6:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, it is Hogan Prep vs. Fairdale at 9 a.m.; Soldan vs. North Lawndale at 10:20 a.m.; Lincoln Prep vs. Gateway STEM at 11:40 a.m.; Bolingbrook vs. Huntsville Lee at 1 p.m.; Ladue vs. Chicago Harlan at 3:40 p.m. and Miller Career Academy vs. Kenwood at 5 p.m.
Another great basketball tradition on MLK Day is the annual doubleheader between Cardinal Ritter and McCluer North. Cardinal Ritter will be the host this year with the girls’ game at noon, followed by the boys’ game at 1:30 p.m.
Belleville East Tournament set for next week
The Chick-fil-A Classic at Belleville East will bring together some of the top programs from both sides of the river. The tournament will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 16 and will conclude with the championship game on Saturday, Jan. 20.
Defending tournament champion Chaminade and Class 4 state contender St. Mary’s will come over from the St. Louis side. Leading the metro east contingent is a powerful Belleville West team while coming from the Central Illinois is a good Champaign Central team.
Some of the top players in the field include 6’7” E.J. Liddell of Belleville West, 6’7” forward Jericole Hellems of Chaminade, who scored 47 points in last year’s championship game; 5’11” point guard Yuri Collins of St. Mary’s, 6’2” guard Malachi Smith of Belleville West and 6’2” Keyyaun Batchman of Chaminade.
Tournament championships this weekend
Several tournaments are being held around the area this week with the championship games set for Friday and Saturday.
- The Denver Miller Classic at Kirkwood will hold its championship game on Friday at 7 p.m. Several excellent teams are in the tournament, including Jennings, Duchesne, Ladue, McCluer North and host Kirkwood.
- The Flyers Invitational at Lindbergh will have its championship game on Friday at 8:30 p.m. Confluence Academy, Jackson and Vianney are the top seeds.
- The Rotating 8 Tournament at Oakville High will have its championship game on Friday at 8:30 p.m. Whitfield, Columbia Battle and Lutheran North are the top seeds.
- The Washington Tournament will hold its championship game on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. St. Charles, Borgia and Westminster are among the top teams.
