Lindenwood Team Camp Recap (Team Updates)
The Lindenwood University Team Camp featured many top teams from the St. Louis metro area on both sides of the river. In the championship game, Belleville West defeated Whitfield 43-39. Jennings and McCluer North were also the other two teams in the Final Four. Here is a look at some of the top teams at the Lindenwood Shootout:
Belleville West (IL): The Maroons came away with the tournament championship after going undefeated for the weekend. West was led by 6’7″ 2019 power forward E.J. Liddell, who dominated inside with his scoring, rebounding and shot blocking. 6’3″ 2018 guard Malachi Smith gives the Maroons added firepower after transferring from Belleville East. 6’4″ 2019 power forward Keith Randolph provides some added muscle on the interior. West should be bolstered by the transfer of 5’10” 2019 guard Lawrence Brazil from CBC.
Whitfield: The Warriors were the Missouri Class 3 state runners-up and will have all the major pieces back for another state run in 2018. 6’5″ 2018 guard Torrence Watson played his usual role as a bucket-getter, who made jump shots and got to the basket and draw fouls. He has whittled his list down to eight schools. 6’4″ 2019 forwards Cyrus Alexander and Luther Taylor are athletic jumping jacks who were very active around the basket. 5’10” 2018 point guard Amechi Ramsey can make 3-pointers and score in transition while 6’3″ 2019 guard Aurelio Stucco can knock down open 3-pointers off the catch.
St. Mary’s: The Dragons competed in the team camp for the first day and looked quite impressive in its three games. 5’10” 2019 point guard Yuri Collins returned to action after missing the last couple of weeks with an injury and looked quick with his passing and jump shooting. 6’6″ 2018 power forward Yahuza Rasas was active around the basket all day and earned a scholarship offer from Lindenwood at the end of the day. 2018 shooting guard Tony Burks can get buckets while strong 6’4″ 2018 guard Miles Jones is a physical wing who could power his way to the basket. St. Mary’s will be one of the top teams in Class 4 next season.
McCluer North: The Stars are young, but they are quick and they play with a lot of toughness and attitude. Their top performers were athletic 2019 wings Atavian Butler and Patrick Evans. The 6’2″ Butler was especially explosive on Friday against Kirkwood when he had five slam dunks. He can really slash and rebound. The 6’3″ Evans can also play above the rim, plus he has a nice skill set. Pint-sized 2019 point guard Mekai Ray did a nice job distributing the ball and setting up his athletic teammates for some of their most impressive plays.
Jennings: The Warriors played with a skeleton crew of five players on Friday, but there was quality as those were primarily the players that led them to the Class 4 state quarterfinals. 5’10” 2018 point guard Kyle Younge is a potent offensive player who creates points for himself and his teammates. 6’5″ 2018 Jordan Brown is a skinny combo forward who can make jump shots and crash the offensive glass. 5’11” 2018 guard Terran Jackson made some nice moves to the basket while 6’3″ 2019 Elijah Hicks is a strong and versatile wing player who transferred over from North Tech.
Ladue: The Rams have to replace many key players from a successful unit that actually won this Lindenwood Team Camp last season. Holding down the interior will be improving 6’7″ 2019 post Moses Opkala, who was strong at both ends of the court. 6’3″ 2018 guard Trent Stiebler is a solid performer while 5’10” 2020 Jaylen Boyd is a talented young point guard who will inherit the reins to the offense.
Christian-O’Fallon: The Eagles came very close to winning a Class 3 district title a year ago. They will have a good mixture of seasoned veterans and talented newcomers. The 2018 duo of 6’6″ Zach Harding and 5’11” Zach Niemeyer gives the Eagles two excellent pieces to build around at the forward and point guard positions. Joining them will be a crew of talented incoming 2021s in Chevy Brenson, Kalin Black, Sherrod Alexander and A.J. Taylor