Teams from the Jefferson County Activities Association will head to Park Hills for the Bob Sechrest Christmas Tournament and to Hillsboro for the Gene Steighorst Tournament, among others later this month. Seckman defeated Herculaneum 80-49 to capture the Rolla “Duke” Herbert boys championship at Crystal City on Friday night. The Blackcat girls are hosting the 24th Herculaneum Classic this week. The seventh edition of the Fountain City Classic at
De Soto wrapped up Saturday with the Festus girls, led by sophomore sharpshooter Josie Allen, claiming the title.
Bring on the tournament hospitality rooms that cater to the players, media, coaches and officials and often feature homemade soups and chili, takeout pizza, fried chicken and sweets galore. The games themselves feed the county’s large appetite for prep basketball. Packed gyms, rivalry battles, head-to-head coaching matchups and barn burner finishes are a few of the reasons to brave winter’s cold and take in a game.
In 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the state basketball tournament to the first three classes. In 2021, all six classes completed the state championships. The boys and girls teams in the JCAA will try to break long dry spells from the final four. The De Soto boys were the last conference team, large- or small-school, to get to state, in 2003. For the girls, the Dragons finished third in Class 4A in 1991.
Here’s a closer look at the teams from the 9 county schools in the JCAA.
CRYSTAL CITY
Boys
Head coach: Phil Tessereau, second year.
Last season: 12-12
Assigned to Class 2 District 4 at Crystal City
Final four appearances: Five, no championships.
Key players: Seniors Calloway Dashner, Nate Pruneau; juniors Ian Kirn, Kaden Adams, Clayton Roussin, Cyle Schaumburg, Jayvion Keith; sophomores Camden Mayes, Kanden Bolton; freshman Nolan Eisenbeis.
Around the rim: The Hornets lost JCAA small-schools player of the year Donovan Tullock to graduation. Crystal City lost all three of its games at its Rolla “Duke” Herbert tournament last week, but got more competitive with each contest. The Hornets had to open the tournament against Seckman, a Class 6 school, with the Jaguars going on to claim the title. Roussin (12 points per game) and Bolton (10) are the Hornets’ leading scorers so far.
Girls
Head coach: Ken Jones, 21 years (longest tenure in the conference, boys or girls).
Last season: 5-14
Assigned to Class 2 District 4 at Crystal City
Final four appearances: None.
Key players: Senior Brooklyn Portell; juniors Kate Eisenbeis, Molly Clemmons, Abbey Edwards; sophomore Bella Haskins.
Around the rim: The Hornets are off to a 3-0 start after defeating Principia, Viburnum and Valley Park. Eisenbeis leads them with 24.3 points and 11.3 rebounds per game and is shooting 68 percent from the field. Clemmons, an all-JCAA honorable mention pick after averaging 10.7 points per game last season, is averaging 13.3 points. Crystal City plays old-school man-to-man defense and is developing its depth in the post. Jones said the Hornets will lean heavily on Eisenbeis, Clemmons and Edwards.
DE SOTO
Boys
Head coach: Zeb Hammond, eighth year.
Last season: 14-12
Assigned to Class 5 District 1 at De Soto
Final four appearances: Three, no championships.
Key players: Seniors Cody Petty, Chase Reichmuth, Jack Hooper, Mike Schmitt; junior Dom Bourn.
Around the rim: Perhaps no team in the JCAA, boys or girls, was hit harder by graduation than the Dragons, who lost large-schools player of the year Jordan Mertens and three other all-conference players – Aidan Blair, Nick Krodinger and Levi Fischer. Petty is the only returning starter after he averaged 5.8 points and led De Soto with almost three assists per game last year. The Dragons are 1-4 so far and lost all three of their games last week, hosting the Fountain City Classic. In their one win, 54-29 over the St. Louis Patriots on Nov. 22, Petty scored 14 points and Hooper 10.
“I want our players to learn to compete and play hard,” said Hammond, who was the league’s large-schools coach of the year last season. “We are looking for certain players who are used to being a role player to have a larger impact on the team.”
Girls
Head coach: Sam Rauls, seventh year.
Last season: 8-14
Assigned to Class 5 District 1 at De Soto
Final four appearances: Three, won state championships (Class 4A) in 1988 and 1989.
Key players: Senior Trista Grobe; juniors Morgan Broombaugh, Monica Broombaugh, Jami Smith, Kennedy Mertens.
Around the rim: The Dragons lost 53-36 to University City on Saturday in the consolation final of the Fountain City Classic. De Soto (1-4) beat JCAA large-schools rival Hillsboro 37-33 in the tournament for its only win so far. Kamryn Pehle and Taylor Jones graduated after earning all-JCAA large-schools honors last season. Grobe was an honorable mention choice after averaging 8.6 points and 6.8 rebounds. The Broombaughs are twins, Morgan a guard and Monica a forward. Rauls said the Dragons don’t have a true sixth player and the varsity is nine deep.
“(The JCAA) will be very competitive again and no matter what anyone says, until you can beat the defending champs (Perryville) you have to give them the edge,” Rauls said. “Our district is tough and competitive, but we won’t back down.”
FESTUS
Boys
Head coach: Jason Therrell, sixth year.
Last season: 19-6
Assigned to Class 5 District 1 at De Soto
Final four appearances: One, state championship (Class 3A) in 1991.
Key players: Seniors Damarion Anderson, Cole Rickermann, Eric Ruess, Collin Weinhaus, Connor Westhoff; juniors Arhmad Branch, Landen Bradshaw, Logan Cash; sophomores Hayden Bates, Dante Bridgett, Tyler Reece, Carter Roth, Trenton Young.
Around the rim: The Tigers were 11-2 in their last 13 games last season, but the two losses were to Farmington, including a 78-65 loss in the Class 5 District 2 semifinals. Festus is full of veteran varsity players and has the most talented backcourt in the JCAA in Branch (all-JCAA first team last year) and Rickermann (second team), now in their third season together. The two are coming off all-conference football seasons that saw them light up Friday nights and they’ll have to be just as effective on the hardwood to push Festus over the top in the conference and districts. Branch led the Tigers last season in scoring (15.7 points per game) and assists (five) and is equally talented at shooting or passing. Rickermann is closing in on 1,000 career points. Festus opened the season with a 58-29 win over Northwest but was humbled 83-49 in Park Hills by the Central Rebels on Friday. Ruess, another of Rickermann’s favorite football targets, is a transfer from North County who will add an element of toughness. Anderson missed all of last season with an injury and Therrell said he’s excited he’s returning to the court.
“I hope our defensive style can be described as hard working and difficult to play against,” Therrell said. “We are working hard in practice to make that a reality. On offense, I do think a pace-and-space style fits us best. We have some guys who understand the value of running the floor and sharing the ball. We do offer some versatility with more size than normal this year, with two big post players in Ruess and Anderson.”
Girls
Head coach: Steve McFarland, third year.
Last season: 10-8
Assigned to Class 5 District 1 at De Soto
Final four appearances: One, 1988 (Class 3A).
Key players: Seniors McKenzie Welsh, Janine Fricke; juniors Bailey Propst, Emily Holt, Kinsey Benack, Samantha Helbrueck, Lily Knickman; sophomores Anna Arman, Ciara McDonald, Mya Courtois, Josie Allen, Kayla Day-Roberts; freshman Riley Vogel.
Around the rim: Allen took the JCAA by storm her freshman year, named the player of the year after averaging 17 points and almost three assists and steals per game. She set a Festus single-game record with 42 points last season and is quick and agile enough to penetrate the paint and score, or step back and hit a 3-pointer. She’s led the Tigers to a 4-0 start, capped by beating Northwest 55-42 to win the Fountain City Classic in De Soto on Saturday. Allen buried the Lions with 30 points and is among the scoring leaders in the St. Louis area with 26.8 points per game. She has a quality supporting cast in Courtois, Benack, Holt and Knickman, all varsity players for two-plus seasons. Holt has 17 steals in four games.
“The last two years we started out 1-5, so we won’t be that this year,” said McFarland, who was summoned out of retirement by Festus and is approaching 400 career wins.
GRANDVIEW
Boys
Head coach: Terry Edwards, third year.
Last season: 3-18
Assigned to Class 3 District 3 at West County (Park Hills)
Final four appearances: None.
Key players: Seniors Chase Wilson, John Grimm, Preston Isaacson, Quinton Hopper, Hayden Hughes, Clayton Riddle, Ryan Ruble; juniors Levi Lalonde, Austin Blankenship, Garret Boyer, Logan Cane, Tom Grimm, Caleb Peterson.
Around the rim: Most of the Eagles joined the team a little late because they played football this fall and Grandview had its best season in decades, winning seven games and advancing to the district semifinals. After starting 0-3 on the hardwood, Grandview beat Crystal City 59-50 for seventh place in the Rolla “Duke” Herbert Tournament on Friday. Wilson leads the Eagles with 11 points per game and was a second-team all-JCAA selection last season after he averaged a team-high 17.4 points. Edwards said Wilson has the potential to be the conference player of the year in 2022. Ruble has been nursing a knee injury and will boost the team at both ends when he returns. Grandview likes to go up-tempo on offense and run multiple defenses.
Edwards, who’s in his 45th year in education, said this is the most depth he’s had in his three years coaching the Eagles. “We feel like we can compete with any team we play,” he said.
Girls
Head coach: Tim Winkler, second year.
Last season: 5-15
Assigned to Class 3 District 3 at West County (Park Hills)
Final four appearances: None.
Key players: Seniors Natalee Moore, Lilly Patterson; juniors Maggie Boker, Anna Belle Wakeland, Savannah Patterson; freshman Catherine Wakeland.
Around the rim: In her first two seasons on the varsity, Anna Belle Wakeland has scored 464 points (10.3 per game), twice earning all-conference honors. She was the only first-team selection last season who wasn’t a senior. At 6-2, size has been her calling card but she’s starting to refine her skills as a shooter, passer and ballhandler. She and younger sister Catherine share the team lead in scoring at 11 points per game. After losing 56-28 to Steelville in the season opener, the Eagles beat Oak Ridge 45-27 on Dec. 2; Winkler’s oldest son, Adam, is head coach at Oak Ridge. Catherine Wakeland had six assists and six steals in the win while her sister pulled down 12 rebounds to go with 12 points and Patterson had five steals and eight rebounds. Tim Winkler said he’d like the Eagles to win at least 15 games this season.
HERCULANEUM
Boys
Head coach: Jason Jarvis, seventh year.
Last season: 6-17
Assigned to Class 4 District 2 at Ste. Genevieve
Final four appearances: None.
Key players: Seniors Dallin Fuller, D.J. Johnson, Zach Crocker; juniors Dylan Jarvis, Dylan Black, Lucas Bahr, Jackson Dearing, Mitchell Hille, Gage Meyers, Ethan Hoskins, Gabe Watkins.
Around the rim: The Blackcats were 3-0 and firing on all cylinders before getting trampled 80-49 by Seckman in the championship of the Rolla “Duke” Herbert Tournament on Friday. There is plenty of talent to go around at Herky, which has no underclassmen on the varsity. Fuller, a 6-4 center, enters his fourth varsity season and is the Blackcats’ lone all-conference returner (second team) after he averaged 11.6 points per game and shot 54 percent from the field a year ago, without a single 3-point attempt. Through four games, he is averaging 12.8 points and eight rebounds per outing. Watkins, a good ballhandler at guard, could be on the verge of a breakout season; Jarvis raves about his work ethic. Dylan Jarvis, the coach’s son, might be their most complete player and top 3-point shooter.
“(Watkins) is set to have a terrific junior season,” Jason Jarvis said. “He can dribble, penetrate and shoot from the outside. He will be our floor general. He also leads by example on the defensive end where I think he’ll be among the county leaders in steals.
“Dylan was forced into action as a sophomore last year. He doesn’t have large numbers, but he does things you don’t see on the stat sheet. He needs to put up more shots this year. That should help our team.”
Girls
Head coach: Riley Blair, 12th year.
Last season: 16-11
Assigned to Class 4 District 2 at Ste. Genevieve
Final four appearances: None.
Key players: Seniors Macey Pilliard, Madison Lawson, Maddi Dearing, Kyrsten Britton, Sammie Maddox, Emily Gruhala, Lexi Ashe, Grace Young; juniors Taylor Thompson, Kristina Walker, Maria Castillo-Orellano, Haley Smith; sophomore Mackenzie Duncan.
Around the rim: The two-time defending JCAA small-schools champions were hit hard by graduation, losing player of the year Paige Fowler (1,427 career points) and fellow first-teamer Emily Wiese. But the Blackcats remain deep in talent and return senior Macey Pilliard, who averaged 10.1 points and eight rebounds last year. Blair said she will be the focal point of the offense. Herculaneum (3-1) has won three straight games and Pilliard is averaging 20 points and 13 rebounds per game. If she maintains those numbers, the Blackcats could have the conference POY for the second straight year.
“We are looking to win our third conference title in a row,” Blair said. “We know that this year there is a very good talent pool at the top of our conference with almost every team being a good competitor each night. We also would like to make it to the district championship game and battle for a district title. We know this is a tall task, but I believe our kids are up for the challenge and have the ability to compete with any team they face.
“I have been very fortunate to have some very quality players in my program over the past 11 years. The success we have had hasn’t been given to us. The kids have bought into our philosophy of competing night in and night out and to play with complete effort from the start to the finish. I am also very fortunate to have an amazing coaching staff, all of whom have their strengths in different areas. (That) helps us all grow to make all our players better and be all-around better student-athletes.”
HILLSBORO
Boys
Head coach: Dan Johnson, 12th year.
Last season: 10-15
Assigned to Class 5 District 1 at De Soto
Final four appearances: None.
Key players: Senior Kyle Phipps; juniors Noah Holland, Kieren Jones.
Around the rim: From 2016-2017 through the 2019-2020 season, the Hawks were 94-20 and won two district championships, led by now-graduated standouts Mark Moore, Michael Brewer and Gaven Pinkley. The Hawks tipped off the new season Dec. 3 with a rousing 84-55 home victory over Pacific. Phipps, Hillsboro’s only senior this season, torched the twine for 37 points, sinking 16 of 23 shots from the field. Holland, an athletic 6-2 guard, made second-team all-JCAA last year, scoring 13.4 points per game; he logged 14 against Pacific. Jones (6-6) had 11 rebounds and four blocked shots and will be the anchor of the defense.
“We should have good depth in which we can play eight to 10 guys on any given night,” Johnson said. “We will again play at a fast pace and slow it down when necessary.”
Girls
Head coach: Andrew Hubbard, third year.
Last season: 6-17
Assigned to Class 5 District 1 at De Soto
Final four appearances: None.
Key players: Seniors Madison O’Neal, Sara Stokes, Hailey Genge, Kayla Van Horn; juniors Jaslynn Brickler, Kaycie Malone, Mikaela Smith, Avery Vaughn, Dyllan Day; sophomores Bailey Scallet, Madelyn Shelby, Chloe Hicks, Kaylee Hilton.
Around the rim: After losing to Northwest and De Soto in the first two games of the Fountain City Classic, the Hawks picked up their first win of the season Saturday, 62-39 over Riverview Gardens for seventh place. Van Horn, a shooting guard, and Day, a center, are Hillsboro’s two returning all-conference players. Both averaged about nine points per game last season. Hilton, at small forward, averaged 6.3 points in 18 games as a freshman.
“Offensively, we like to spread the floor and drive to the basket,” Hubbard said. “I have girls who are capable of finishing around the basket, so that is our goal. Defensively, we like to apply pressure. With having a deeper bench, we want to try and push the pace and get teams up and down the floor.”
JEFFERSON
Boys
Head coach: Sean Breeze, fourth year.
Last season: 12-12
Assigned to Class 3 District 4 at Bishop DuBourg
Final four appearances: None.
Key players: Seniors Drew Breeze, Colton Richardson, Will Breeze, Chase Politte, Lucas Breeze, Jack Hueter, Jerry Chipps; juniors Sam Stokes, Jess Blankenship, Sean Usery, C.J. Johnson; sophomore Nate Breeze.
Around the rim: Drew Breeze (guard) and Richardson (forward), both honorable mention all-JCAA last season, are the only returning starters. Breeze, the school’s standout quarterback in football, led the team in assists last year and averaged 8.5 points per game, draining 45 baskets from 3-point range. Richardson averaged 8.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per night a year ago. After losing to Herculaneum in the first round of the Rolla “Duke” Herbert tournament, the Blue Jays beat Grandview 60-38 and the St. Louis Patriots 55-53 in the consolation final on Friday.
“Each member of the team can step in and fill a variety of roles this season,” Sean Breeze said. “The challenge early on will be to see where everyone fits best.”
Girls
Head coach: Steve Holdinghausen, first year.
Last season: 11-13
Assigned to Class 3 District 4 at Bishop DuBourg
Final four appearances: None.
Key players: Seniors Sophie Firle, Maddie Edmond, Kiersten Vandeven, Peyton Cattoor, Mallory Rarick, Gabrielle Beffa, Reagan Kennedy, Peyton Weiler; juniors Madison Robbins, Ava Wright, Natalie Dix, Kirsten Loyd, Avery Richardson; sophomores Paige Beffa, Grace Neels; freshmen Lia Ott, Megan Wood.
Around the rim: The Blue Jays need to replace their top two scorers from last year, the graduated Laney Smith and Catryn Catoor, who combined for 22 points per night. The top returning scorer is Kennedy at five points per game. Through three games, Weiler leads the team with 8.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game while the freshman Wood has four points and nine boards per outing and Beffa, Neels and Ott, another freshman, are each scoring seven points per contest. Jefferson went 1-2 at the Valley of Caledonia Thanksgiving tournament, their one victory a 42-22 decision over Bourbon. The Blue Jays opened with losses to Kingston (63-40) and Bismarck (50-32).
“This season will be a rebuilding year for us,” said Holdinghausen. “We have a lot of talent back to the program we did not have last year. We also have a very talented group in our underclassmen that we’ll be excited to see moving forward.”
ST. PIUS X
Boys
Head coach: Chris Miller, third year.
Last season: 13-5
Assigned to Class 3 District 4 at Bishop DuBourg
Final four appearances: None.
Key players: Seniors Brendan A. Bishop, Brendan J. Bishop, Logan Jacobson, Kyle Lewis, Eli Hunt, Seth Pfau, Nate Ruble, Tyson Schaefer, Collin Smith, Will Wieland; juniors Ian Kutilek, Dabrien Moss; sophomores Patrick Flanagan, John Whitman.
Around the rim: The Lancers have one of the most veteran coaching staffs in the conference, with Miller (13 years as a head coach, including a stint at Grandview) and assistants Jim Klaus and Zac McVey, a former head coach at Grandview and North County. Ruble just finished a grueling football season, in which he garnered all-conference honors while battling injuries. A first-team all-conference pick on the hardwood last year, Ruble averaged a team-high 11.2 points and now is averaging nine points through four games. St. Pius is 3-1 after losing 59-45 to Valley Park in a round-robin on Friday. Flanagan, a member of the Lancer soccer team that finished second in the state (Class 1) last month, is leading the Lancers on the court with 15 points per game.
“Last year on offense, we struggled to score at times,” Miller said. “This season, I feel that we have some guys who have improved their game in the offseason and can step up and do that. On both offense and defense, I can see us possibly playing a little faster than we have.”
Girls
Head coach: Aaron Portell, 15th year.
Last season: 16-5
Assigned to Class 3 District 4 at Bishop DuBourg
Final four appearances: None.
Key players: Seniors Colleen Flanagan, A.J. Stetina; junior Riley Cappozzo; sophomores Olivia Charleville, Katie Rakers; freshman P.J. Krodinger
Around the rim: Portell is the head coach for three sports at St. Pius and just led the boys soccer team to the state championship game for the first time in school history. He also coaches the girls soccer team in the spring. Quiet and unassuming, Portell gets the most out of players by putting them in the best positions to succeed. He’ll need that and more to make up for the graduation loss of A.J. Agers, one of the best all-around athletes in school history, who posted 16 points per game a year ago. St. Pius, off to a 4-1 start, shows defense as its strong suit; the Lancers have yet to yield more than 31 points per game. In the third-place game of the Fountain City Classic at De Soto on Saturday, St. Pius beat Seckman, a Class 6 school, 31-17. Cappozzo and Flanagan earned all-JCAA recognition last season. Portell said Cappozzo is one of the best defenders he’s coached and she’s improved her shooting range.
“I would like to win conference,” Portell said. “It’s been about five years (2016) since we’ve done that. Grandview has had it for a few years, then Herculaneum. I would like to take back what is mine.”
WINDSOR
Boys
Head coach: Ryan McArthy, second year.
Last season: 13-12
Assigned to Class 5 District 1 at De Soto
Final four appearances: None.
Key players: Seniors Nathan Beerman, Elliot Witte; juniors Max Hartmann, Nolan Hirth; sophomores Brenton Shirk, A.J. Patrick
Around the rim: The Owls have won three straight games after losing to Affton by four points in their season opener. Last year, Windsor beat Affton by 25 points in the Class 5 District 3 tournament before falling to Vianney in the semifinals. Owl fans will have to get used to not seeing graduated all-JCAA first-team guard Sonny Amabile draining 3-point bombs. Logan Chaney, a second-team all-conference pick, also graduated. In a 55-45 win over Clayton on Dec. 2, four Owls scored in double figures. Shirk led with 17 points, followed by Hartmann (12), Patrick (11) and Hirth (10). Shirk, Hirth and Hartmann’s roles have expanded this year. All three play guard and Hartmann and Hirth have the size to step into a forward role.
“Our offensive style mostly consists of trying to score in transition or getting a great shot in the half court, moving the ball and hunting the paint,” McArthy said. “Defensively we try to mix it up with man and zone to give the other team different looks and keep them out of their comfort zone. However, for us to be successful this year we will need to hang our hat on the defensive end.”
Girls
Head coach: Kim Schmidt, ninth year.
Last season: 10-12
Assigned to Class 5 District 1 at De Soto
Final four appearances: None.
Key players: Seniors Rilee Sparks, Peyton Montgomery, Cierra Parker; juniors Reagan Daly, Abby Holland, Maddy Mancuso.
Around the rim: The Owls didn’t lack for star power last season with all-JCAA notice going to Piper Montgomery (first team), Symphony Schodroski (second), Daly (second) and Biz Spurgeon (HM). All but Daly are gone to graduation as last year’s senior class improved its record each season. Daly was the leading scorer a year ago with 11.6 points per game and was the only Owl to finish the season in double-digit scoring. Sparks plays guard/forward and Parker and Montgomery are starting at forward. Montgomery has 44 rebounds in the first four games. The Owls started the season with three losses, but two were by a combined four points (40-39 to Herculaneum and 43-40 to Fox). Windsor beat Hancock 43-18 for its first win of the season on Dec. 2, finishing seventh in the Southside Classic tournament. Daly missed nine of 10 shots from 3-point range but led the Owls with 10 points.
Windsor finished 4-4 in the conference last season and Schmidt would like to see the Owls do even better. “We want to be competitive in every game,” she said. “We want to continue to improve as the season goes on and get better every day.”