The Vashon Wolverines and Trinity Titans are two of the top contenders in Class 3 when the postseason rolls around in about a month.
The two teams will meet each other on Saturday evening in what should be a postseason-like atmosphere at the Vashon Winter Classic at 6 p.m. The event is a double-header that will feature Hazelwood Central vs. Bloomington (Illinois) in the first game at 4 p.m.
Vashon enters the week with a 14-5 record against a very competitive national schedule that has taken them to Florida twice, Massachusetts, Illinois and Texas. The Wolverines are led by 6’2” University of Missouri recruit Mario McKinney and 6’7” junior top 50 prospect Cam’Ron Fletcher. McKinney is averaging 15 points a game while Fletcher averages a team-high 18 points a game.
The deep and talented Wolverines also count on 6’2” senior guard Donyae McCaskill, 6’0” junior Phillip Russell and 6’6” junior Kobe Clark.
Trinity enters the game with a 17-2 record, which includes championships of the Vianney and MICDS Tournaments. The Titans feature an impressive young big post player in 7’0” junior Ryan Kalkbrenner, who is averaging 15 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.2 blocks a game. The Titans are also expected to get back 6’5” senior Jaron Thames, who also averages 15 points a game. Thames has missed the past three weeks with an injury.
Standout football players Marcus Washington and Isaiah Williams have also been four-year starters on the basketball court. Washington is averaging 10 points and five rebounds while Williams averages 8.8 points as the team’s point guard. Junior guard Rashad Weekly is a talented guard who averages nearly 9 points a game.
Confluence is on the move
Confluence Prep Academy is gearing up for a big postseason run with a strong late-season charge. After a 2-10 start, the Titans received a big boost at the semester with the addition of some key players and the results have been smashing.
The Titans have won six of their last eight games, including a five-game winning streak to close the month of January. The main man at the center of the surge is 6’5” senior forward Tavon Graham, who is averaging 18.4 points a game while providing strength and athleticism in the post. Senior guard Tarrel Morris is averaging 16.8 points while 6’4” junior Lyndell Hunt is averaging 15.6 points. Junior point guard Devin Phillips is a speedy performer who scored a team-high 17 points in the Titans victory over Lift for Life last Friday in a big showdown.
Alton standout commits to Valpo
Alton High standout Donovan Clay gave a verbal commitment to Valparaiso University (IN) last week. The 6’7” Clay is one of the top players in the metro east area. A versatile wing player, Clay is currently averaging 20 points a game in leading the Redbirds to a 17-8 record. He was the Most Valuable Player of the Chick-Fil-A Classic at Belleville East after leading the Redbirds to the championship of the tournament.
Ladue Girls making waves
The Ladue Rams girls have been on an excellent roll during the past two seasons. The Rams advanced to a Class 5 district championship game last season and have followed that up with another strong season in 2019. The Rams are currently 13-6 this season with two championship game appearances in tournaments to their credit. Ladue won the MICDS Holiday Tournament in December and finished as the runner-up at last weekend’s Webster Classic against perennial powerhouse Incarnate Word Academy.
The Rams are dominated by a talented group of juniors, led by guard Jordan Peete and forward Mia Collins. The 5’6” Peete is averaging 16.4 points a game while the 5’11” Collins is averaging 15 points and 9.3 rebounds a game. Junior guard Kate Minkler is averaging 13.2 points a game. Senior guard Kourtney Hay averages nearly five assists and three steals a game.
On Tap this Weekend
Friday, February 8
East Louis at Belleville West, 7 p.m.
Alton at Collinsville, 7 p.m.
Timberland at Fort Zumwalt South, 7 p.m.
Priory at Lutheran South, 7 p.m.
St. Mary’s at Cardinal Ritter, 7 p.m.
