An early look at the Metro Catholic Conference
The Metro Catholic Conference is arguably the top high school basketball conference in the state. Since 2013, each of the league’s five schools have advanced to the Final Four of the Missouri Class 5 state tournament. The MCC is loaded…
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Continue ReadingThe Metro Catholic Conference is arguably the top high school basketball conference in the state. Since 2013, each of the league’s five schools have advanced to the Final Four of the Missouri Class 5 state tournament. The MCC is loaded again from top to bottom.
Top Player: Jayson Tatum 6’9″ Chaminade – All-American who is headed to Duke.
Dandy Dozen
Tyler Cook 6’8″ Sr. (PF) Chaminade – Signed with Iowa
Carte’Are Gordon 6’8″ Soph (PF) Vianney
Jordan Barnes 5’10” Sr. (PG) CBC – Signed with Indiana State
Ryan Stipanovich 6’7″ (SF) DeSmet
Christian Willis 6’2″ Sr. (G) CBC – Signed with Arkansas State
Brandon McKissic 6’2″ Jr (G) SLUH
Mike Lewis 6’2″ Sr. (G) Chaminade – Signed with Duquesne
Duane Clark 6’7″ Sr. (PF) CBC – Signed with UMKC
Will Gladson 6’10” Sr. (C) – Chaminade
Dillon Gilkey 6’2″ Sr. (G) – DeSmet
Matt Nester 5’11” Sr. (G)- SLUH – Committed to Washington University
Eric Krus 6’6″ Jr. (F) – Vianney
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Predictions
- Chaminade: Led by Jayson Tatum, the Red Devils have embarked on a national schedule with upcoming trips to the City of Palms in Florida and the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield (Mo) and several showcase events in between. The Red Devils are the early favorites to capture the Class 5 state championship. They were upset in the state semifinals by Park Hill South last season.
2. CBC: The Cadets are led by its Division I trio of guards Jordan Barnes, Christian Willis and big man Duane Clark. CBC battled rival Chaminade for three quarters before dropping a 76-63 decision to the Red Devils in their first showdown last week at Lindenwood.
3. SLUH: The Junior Billikens jumped the shark last season when their youthful outfit advanced to the Final Four of the Class 5 state tournament for the first time in 33 years. Most of that nucleus is back, led by the stellar backcourt of McKissic, Nester and sophomore Mike Sanders. Junior post players Brett Smith and B.J. Young are improved. SLUH has already won the Pattonville Tournament. Their only two losses have come to league rivals Chaminade and CBC.
4. Vianney: The Golden Griffins have played in a couple of high-powered tournaments, finishing third in their own tournament and second in a big tourney in Shawnee Mission, KS. They will improve once they regain the services of 6’2″ senior guard Zach Colletta, who has been out with an injury. Sophomore man-child Carte’Are Gordon is one of the nation’s best in the Class of 2018.
5. DeSmet: The Spartans are much improved, but will have to battle to move up in this loaded conference. 2017 forward Ryan Stipanovich has received an offer from Evansville and interest from several other schools. Senior Dillon Gilkey is a scorer and 6’7″ senior Rick Hill is a rebounder-shot blocker with some Division II interest.