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January 2nd

The Holidays bring relaxation to most people but not basketball coaches. The rapid fire games coming at you every night, the players out of their normal routine, new fresh opponents, other family commitments—all bring a different look at Holiday Tournaments. Some of my musings from the latest tournaments…..

Seckmann boys received a late holiday gift as Anthony Houska swished a half court shot to give the Jaguars a 51-48 win over the Windsor Owls in the title game! Windsor had just taken the lead at the 04.6 second mark on a 3 banger by Josh Kraemer!

Metro Girls threw a shutout! That is in the 4th quarter of the 3rd place game in the Visitation tournament, Gary Glasscock’s Metro team entered the quarter trailing Nerinx Hall 43-34. At the conclusion of the game it was 60-34! Metro shut out the Markers 26-0 in the 4th quarter ! Metro will be a force again down in Mizzou Arena.

The celebration of the Hazelwood Central Hawks 66-48 victory over Webster Groves in the semifinals at Meramec Holiday Tournament lasted less than 24 hours! Mitch Wilkens had his Troy team knock off the previously unbeaten Hawks the next night! Tournaments don’t really give you much of a chance to celebrate, do they?

The 3-OT thriller in the Championship game of the Visitation Tournament between IWA-St Joe was a classic game. Two of the very best teams in Missouri, battled, defended the inside very well, hit key shots and provided a game that will be talked about for years. Incarnate Word trailed,or tied, throughout all of the regular game and for the 1st OT. Seemingly IWA had the game put away in the 2nd OT when Kelsey Luna knocked in a LOOOOnggg 3 pointer to tie the game at the buzzer. IWA hung on to a 50-47 win. The complete replay of this game may be heard on www.prepcasts.com.

You wanted fast scoring at a pinball clip….in the Oakville-Parkway Central girls game, the 4th quarter the Tigers outscored the Colts 29-22 as Oakville won the game 70-56!

The Collinsville Kahoks under new Head Coach, Chris Kuserick, have an 8-5 mark to this point. Be careful… this team is very close to a tremendous record. Losing 4 of the games by 2, 2, 3, 4 respectively, the Kahoks could be tough to handle as year unfolds.

Howell Central’s (11-0) 6-2 center Shakara Jones led the way as the Spartans nabbed the Summit Tournament Championship with a tough 47-41 victory of Hazelwood Central.

The Wolverines of Floyd Irons continue to pound teams. Vashon plays anyone, anyplace, anytime (so it seems) as tough teams and tournaments lead to championships according to Coach Irons. The recent title in the Poplar Bluff Tourney over Custer of Milwaukee 71-43 is just another example.

The Wesclin Warriors (10-2) of Brett Brede have now won 9 consecutive games after they won the Vandalia Tournament by beating the host school 55-48.