Cardinal Ritter Jamboree Team Outlook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri was at Cardinal Ritter College Prep on Thursday night to take in the action at its jamboree, which is annually one of the first to take place around the state. The four participating teams were John Burroughs, Normandy, Francis Howell North and the host Cardinal Ritter Lions. Here is a look at the four teams at the jamboree.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2637343,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/IMG_7731.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/IMG_7731.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2637343" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>John Burroughs: The Bombers were the most talented and most experienced team in the event and it showed as the they won all three of their games. They were led by 6'8" 2026 power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1850526' first='Tristan' last='Reed'], who was a dominant force throughout the evening. He was virtually unstoppable with his power and strong motor. Playing alongside Reed was 6'11" 2026 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1557399' first='Sheek' last='Pearson'] for form a formidable twin towers. Pearson is more of a finesse player, but he was blocking shots and throwing down dunks. The unsung player of the group is 6'5" 2025 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1557486' first='DJ' last='Johnson'], who is the top perimeter defender and a strong offensive rebounder. He also hit some key buckets in the victory over Cardinal Ritter. He guards multiple positions very well. [player_tooltip player_id='2554727' first='Owen' last='Walther'] is a 6'3" 2025 guard who shoots it as well as anyone. His range extends well beyond the 3-point line. A talented newcomer in the fold is 6'3" 2028 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2675265' first='Chase' last='Williams'] who has a big body and a nice feel for the game. Missing on Thursday night was 2025 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2544909' first='Max' last='Steinbach'], who is the starting quarterback on the JBS football team that is playing for a district championship on Saturday. The Bombers were Class 4 state finalists a year ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2637344,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/IMG_7732.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/IMG_7732.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2637344" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cardinal Ritter: The Lions have won three state championships in the past four seasons to cement themselves as one of the premier programs in the state. There are many new faces in Ritter uniforms this season, so it may take coach Ryan Johnson some time to put things together for another potential postseason run. A couple of holdovers from last year's team are 6'3" 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1850523' first='Oscar' last='Patterson'] and 6'7" 2026 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2099601' first='Aden' last='Jeffries']. Patterson is a dynamic athletic who plays with a strong motor at both ends of the court. Jeffries is an excellent jump shooter who can stretch the floor. One of the key newcomers will be 6'0" 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1790004' first='Jaylen' last='Edwards'], a transfer from Principia. He is a three-level scorer who provided one of the highlights of the evening when he threw down a one-handed dunk in traffic against John Burroughs. The Lions have a multitude of small guards with quickness who can keep the defensive pressure going. The most experienced is 2025 lefty Donovan Means. Coming off the bench are a pair of talented offensive players in 2026 Devin Rice and 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2701094' first='Ayden' last='Stevenson']. Both are really creative off the dribble and can also hit the 3-pointer. Another young guard who I liked was 5'11" 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2701096' first='Rashon' last='Wright'], who passes the ball well while playing an excellent floor game. There is plenty of size up front with 6'7" 2026 Ishmael Isidor, who can rebound the basketball, 6'7" [player_tooltip player_id='2544835' first='Gabriel' last='Sanford'] and 6'8" 2025 Na'im xx, who can block shots with his length and athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2637346,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/IMG_7726_69ee82.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/IMG_7726_69ee82.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2637346" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Normandy: The Vikings did not have a lot of height, but they have good team athleticism, a talented group of guards and they play hard at both ends of the court. They did not take many plays off. Deangelo Smith is a 6'1 2025 guard with dynamic athleticism and good slashing ability. Kevion Smith is a 6'1 lefty 2025 shooting guard with a nice mid range game. Zephen Herrell is a 6'2 2025 wing with good athleticism and the ability to get downhill on the drive. An up and coming point guard is 5'8 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2637336' first='Derrick' last='Murray'], who showed well at both ends of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2637345,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/IMG_7722.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/IMG_7722.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2637345" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Francis Howell North: The Knights are an up and coming group that is trying to establish themselves in the St. Charles area. One player who was impressive throughout the evening was 6'1" 2025 guard Andre Stith, who was very good when attacking the basket. He was constantly probing the defense for open driving lanes and he had some impressive finishes. His body control in the lane was also impressive. Another good wing player in the fold was 6'3" 2026 guard Elijah Bollinger, who is the Knights top scorer from last season. He was very strong on the drive as well as he could score in the lane or also drop it off to open teammates when he drew defenders to him. He was also a very crafty scorer around the basket. One player to watch this season is 6'7" 2025 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2575969' first='Jackson' last='Calhoun'], who was impressive when I watched him in the fall league. He had one very nice sequence when he stepped out and hit a 3-pointer from the corner, then on the next possession, he caught the ball from the high post and scored on a nifty spin move in the lane. When he is assertive on offense, he can make positive things happen with his size and skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->