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Jim Wiener’s High School Hoops Roundup
HAZELWOOD EAST TAKES 6-GAME HOOP
WIN STREAK TO COLLINSVILLE TOURNEY
By Jim Wieners
After opening the season Nov. 27 with a 77-55 loss to Trinity Catholic at the Pattonville Tournament, Hazelwood East Boys Basketball is doing well, winning six consecutive games as the Spartans prepare for the Collinsville, Ill., Holliday Classic, their 34th annual edition.
The Spartans open the Collinsville Classic Dec. 28 with a 1 p.m. game against the Lincoln Railsplitters, at Vergil Fletcher Gymnasium, named after the legendary Collinsville Boys Basketball coach. It is a four-game, three-day event with two games played on Dec. 29 in two gyms and the final round takes place Dec. 30. Riverview Gardens will also be their as they take on the host Kahoks Dec. 28 at 6:30.
The game against Lincoln, Ill., is two weeks after winning their sixth consecutive game on Dec. 14, defeating Troy, Mo. Buchanan 62-47 in the GAC/Suburban Challenge at Lindenwood University‘s Robert Hyland Arena, St. Charles. The win over Troy comes one day after winning a 77-75 double-overtime game at home, Dec. 13, over Cardinal Ritter. That game came two days after winning the Dec. 11 home opener, rolling over McCluer South-Berkeley 69-25.
East’s win streak began in the Pattonville Tournament as the Spartans defeated Maplewood-Richmond Heights 68-57 on Nov. 29 and the host Pirates 76-56 on Dec. 1 to take the consolation title. Five days after wrapping up the Pattonville Tournament, Dec. 6, the Spartans went to University City’s Ed Crenshaw Gym and defeated the Lions 54-41.
Senior Darrian McBride is averaging nearly 18 points per game, shooting just over 52 percent from inside the three-point arc while leading East in rebounds, averaging nine per game, and steals with 13. Freshman Jonathan Brown averages 10.6 points per game, made over 53 percent of three-point shots and 91 percent of his free throws while making 24 assists. Senior Michael has blocked 23 shots, nearly four per game.
East’s biggest win so far was the double-overtime game against visiting Cardinal Ritter when the Lions led 44-36 after three quarters but the Spartans went on a 21-13 run in the fourth quarter to send the game to overtime tied at 57-57. Going into the second overtime tied at 67-67 East would then outscore Ritter 10-8. McBride scored 21 points including 11 from the free-throw lime, pulled down 11 rebounds while making five assists and three steals.
Hazelwood East opens Suburban XII Conference, North Division play Jan 10, 7 p.m. at Hazelwood West.
HAZELWOOD CENTRAL started the season on a seven-game winning streak before losing 75-69 Dec. 16 to Illinois High School Association Class 2A Champion Chicago-Orr Academy in the Midwest Showdown at Webster Groves High School Roberts Gym. After winning the St. John Vianney Jerry Boeckman Memorial Invitational Tournament, the Hawks won four more games.
The Hawks won the Dec. 5 home opener over Whitfield 74.62 defeated Blue Valley Northwest 55-50 at Glendale (Springfield) on Dec. 9, won 72-54 Dec. 12 at McCluer North in the Suburban XII North opener and defeated Francis Howell 85-82 in a Dec.15 triple overtime game at Lindenwood in the GAC/Suburban Challenge.
Prior to Dec. 20 Senior Shaun Williams averages 16.6 points per game, makes nearly 79 percent of his free throws, makes 45 assists and 19 steals. Senior Cameron Williams has made over 63 percent of his shots inside the three-point art while blocking six shots and senior Xavier Bell has pulled down 56 rebounds
Hazelwood Central finishes play at Waynesville Thursday, Dec. 21, 4 p.m., against Columbia-Father Tolton after playing Poplar Bluff on Dec. 20. The Hawks are in the Coaches versus Cancer Tournament beginning Dec. 27, 6:30 against St. Charles West. Also in the Tournament, which is played Dec.27-30 are McCluer North against St. John Vianney Dec. 27 at 3:30 and DeSmet Jesuit against Jennings at 1:30.
