10 Best: Webster Groves vs. Vashon
Thursday night’s showdown between Webster Groves and Vashon was one of the most hyped up games in the state for months. At tip off time, Webster Groves was ranked No. 1 in the Class 5 state poll while Vashon was…
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Continue ReadingThursday night’s showdown between Webster Groves and Vashon was one of the most hyped up games in the state for months. At tip off time, Webster Groves was ranked No. 1 in the Class 5 state poll while Vashon was ranked No. 1 in Class 4.
The game more than lived up to the hype as Webster Groves rallied from a 17-point deficit to stun the Wolverines 60-59 before a standing-room crowd at Vashon. The host Wolverines utilized the 3-pointer early and raced to a 25-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. Vashon built its largest lead to 29-12 before the Statesmen started to chip away. They cut the lead to 40-30 at halftime and 50-45 at the end of the third quarter.
The Statesmen managed to take the lead midway through the fourth quarter and the lead changed hands for the rest of the game until University of Louisville 2018 commit Courtney Ramey made a free throw with four seconds left to give the Statesmen the victory. It was a tremendous evening of basketball in front of a packed house at The V. It was also a great way to get everyone ready for the upcoming postseason, which should prove to be just as exciting.
Scoring
Webster Groves (60)
Courtney Ramey 18, Isaiah Ford 16, Carte’are Gordon 13, Cam Potts 12, Ray Adams 1
Vashon (59)
Daniel Farris 13, Joseph Reece 11, Casey Cody-Jackson 11, Koray Gilbert 8, Mario McKinney 8, Levi Stockard 4, Tromon Weston 4
Now, it’s on to the Best of Vashon-Webster Groves
MVP: Isaiah Ford (Webster Groves) – In a game full of star power and Division I recruits on both sides, the 6’3″ 2017 transfer from Affton came through with his best game as a Statesmen. Ford scored 16 points and 10 rebounds and all of his buckets seemed to come at critical times when his team needed them. Ford was also a big factor in the Statesmen’s ability to dominate the offensive boards. He did a nice job of slashing to the basket and scoring in transition and back cuts.
Best Offensive Player: Courtney Ramey (Webster Groves): The 6’3″ 2018 standout scored a game-high 18 points, much of which came on transition and from the free throw line. His first bucket came on an incredible mid-air reverse layup in traffic for a 3-point play. When he wasn’t scoring, he was dropping dimes to open teammates.
Best Shooter: Joseph Reece (Vashon) – The 6’8″ 2018 Stretch 4 continued his hot shooting during the past month when he made three of his five 3-point attempts and finished with 11 points. Reece is one of the biggest stock risers in the Class of 2018 in the state.
Best Defensive Player: Cam Potts (Webster Groves) – The 6’1″ 2017 guard scored 13 points, but he also drew the assignment of guarding Vashon’s stellar point guard Daniel “Peanut” Farris. He did an excellent job of not allowing Farris to get to the basket on straight line drives to the basket. Potts is one of the area’s top defensive stalwarts.
Best Play of the Game: Carte’are Gordon (Webster Groves) – The 6’8″ 250-pound 2018 SLU recruit brought the crowd to its feet in the fourth quarter when he stole a pass, dribbled the length of the floor, went behind his back and scored off the glass for an And 1. It was a show-stopper of a play by one of the state’s best.
Best Bench Player: Mario McKinney (Vashon) – The 6’1″ 2019 guard came off the bench and scored eight points. McKinney dropped a 3-pointer off the catch and also scored on an aggressive drive to the basket. McKinney has already compiled several Division I offers as a sophomore.
Best Young Prospect (2019, 2020): Mario McKinney (Vashon) – McKinney has done an excellent job as Vashon’s sparkplug off the bench for the past two seasons. He will become the focal point of the team next season.
Unsung Player: Casey Cody-Jackson (Vashon) – The 6’2″ 2017 guard is normally a defensive stalwart for the Wolverines, but he came through with 11 points, including three 3-pointers.
(Photo by Leon Algee)