2020 Alton Shootout Preview

The inaugural Alton Shootout is loaded with talent from St. Louis, Chicago and even Indiana. This event has plenty of star power, top ranked teams, and we’ve heard from a number of college coaches that plan to attend the event.

Here is a preview for the games.

10am Game 1 : Metro East Lutheran vs Litchfield

Litchfield will be fueled by the return of Senior Brady Bishop who has been injured all year. Bishop is a marksman who has range all over the floor. Litchfield has a balanced scoring attack. 

Metro East led by Junior AJ Smith comes into the game battle tested after playing a tough schedule. Smith, the do-it-all-junior, can score inside and out with a bevy of skilled moves. The Knights suffered a big blow when 6’8 sophomore DaMarkus Bean injured his shoulder and is out for the season. Smith will need to step up big in this matchup.

11:30am Game 2 : Madison vs Cahokia

Madison has played a very difficult schedule this season. The Trojans are led by explosive scorer Senior Javonnie Moore and Senior Guard Walter Bursey. Madison plays an aggressive defense and can create havoc on the court. 

Cahokia has a strong tradition in the Metro-East Area. The Comanches come into the event with a balanced scoring team who looks to create turnovers on defense. 

1pm Game 3 : Hazelwood East vs Belleville East

Hazelwood East is a veteran team led by 6’4 Senior Jordan Gilmore and a group of talented juniors and sophomores. The Spartans have a balanced scoring team that can beat you inside the paint or with their outside shooting.

Belleville East has been on a roll as of late. The Lancers are led by Juniors Ethyn Brown (SEMO Offer), Sophomore Braxton Stacker and Freshmen Jordan Pickett. Junior Bryson Ivy has provided a spark on the perimeter and Senior Eric Wade is the inside presence that disrupts on the defensive end and gobbles up rebounds.

2:30pm Game 4 : Mt. Vernon vs Ladue, MO

Mt. Vernon Rams come into the game on a roll since the Centralia Christmas Tourney. Mt. Vernon is led by Junior Quani Rudd (SEMO Offer), Senior Jackson Creel, Senior Simon Wilson (SWIC Offer) and Junior Carson Prost. Senior Amir Span is rounding into form after last year’s ACL and marksmen Junior Dylan Harkins provides a long range shooter from anywhere on the floor.

Ladue is led by 6’1 Senor Jaylen Boyd (Lindenwood Offer) and 6’6 Senior Evan Schneider. Ladue finished 4th in Class 4 in Missouri during the 2018-19 season. Ladue returns 7 seniors from that team and have balance scoring each night. This game will probably come down to the wire.

4pm Game 5 : Decatur Eisenhower vs Alton 

Decatur Eisenhower’s up-tempo pace is orchestrated by their guard play. The Panthers are led by Junior Guard CJ Walker (17ppg) and Sophomore Guard Brylan Phillips. Eisenhower prides itself on strong defensive play and an attacking offense. 

Alton, the host team, has a balanced scoring attack led by Seniors Moory Woods (Mineral Area Offer and Minot State Offer), Ky’Lun Rivers (Redlands College offer) and Andrew Jones. Juniors Ja’Markus Gary, Dante Herrin and Sophomore Cameren Edwards provide scoring and energy to the Redbirds. Sharpshooting Senior Cameron Schultze is able to shoot from anywhere on the floor.

5:30pm Game 6 : Evansville Bosse vs Chicago Bogan

Evansville Bosse is led by McDonalds All-American nominee and University of Houston Commit, Kiyron Powell. The 6’10” big is averaging 1 block shy of a triple double. Adding to the star power is 1,000 point scorer, Senior Kolten Sanford, and honorable mention all-state, Tyrna Funches. Sophomore Guard Julian Norris provides a spark to well balanced team. 

Chicago Bogan has been ranked all year either #1 or #2 in Class 3A in Illinois. The Bengals were runner up in 3A last year losing to eventual champ East St. Louis. The Bengals are a high powered team led by LIU Brooklyn Commit 6’6 Forward Kyndall Davis. They also feature 6’7 Forward Ideary Mooney and 6’2 Guard Antoine Blockston.

7pm Game 7 : Trinity Catholic vs East St. Louis

Trinity Catholic comes into the event ranked 5th in the Missouri State polls. The Titans are led by Creighton Commit, 7’0 Senior Ryan Kalkbrenner, who was the Nike Eybl Defensive player of the year and also ranked in the top 100 in the country. His running mate is 6’2 Central Michigan commit Rashad Weekly-McDaniels. If McDaniels can get going, Trinity is hard to stop.

East St. Louis comes into the event as the defending state champions in Illinois Class 3A. The Flyers are led by Seniors LaShawn Johnson (SEMO Offer), JaShawn Anderson, Jabril Oliveria, Armond Williams (SIUE/SEMO Offers) and Patrick Readye. Super talented Freshmen Macaleab Rich has come onto the High School with a bang since being inserted in the starting lineup for the Flyers. This game will be a back-and-forth battle into the final buzzer.