5 players to watch at the Highland Optimist Scott Credit Union Shootout
Steadily becoming one of the premier high school basketball events in the nation, the Highland Optimist Scott Credit Union Shootout has featured many memorable players and teams in its first 27 years.
From current NBA stars Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum to countless others who have gone to star at the NCAA Division I level, high school basketball fans throughout the St. Louis area have had the opportunity to watch many of the top prep players showcase their talents.
The 2020 event looks to be no different.
Here are five players to watch for fans lucky enough to have tickets to the sold-out event which takes place Saturday at Highland High School:
Patrick Baldwin, Milwaukee, (Wis.) Sussex Hamilton
Ranked as the No. 2 junior in the nation by 247 Sports, the 6-8 190-pound Baldwin has the Chargers (8-0) ranked No. 1 on the Wisconsin poll heading into its game against Chaminade on Saturday.
Baldwin has scholarship offers from Duke, Florida, Kentucky, Kansas North Carolina and Marquette just to name a few.
DJ Steward, Chicago Whitney Young
Ranked as the No. 26 player in the nation, the 6-3 Steward ended the recruiting battle in November when he signed on to attend Duke. Steward also had offers from Texas, Arizona, Arkansas and Creighton, among others
A combination guard, Steward can take the ball to the basket and is a excellent perimeter shooter.
Caleb Love, Christian Brothers College (CBC)
Expected to battle with Steward in the marquee matchup in the shootout finale, the 6-2 Love spurned offers from Missouri, California, Arizona and Butler to sign with national power North Carolina in November.
Love is currently the top scorer in the St. Louis at 27.7 points per game and also averages seven rebounds for the 7-4 Cadets.
Cam-Ron Fletcher, Vashon
The No. 37 ranked player in the nation, the athletic 6-6 Fletcher had offers from Michigan State, Alabama, Creighton and Arkansas before signing with Kentucky late last fall.
A force inside, Fletcher is currently leading the Wolverines (6-3) in scoring (15.3) and rebounds (9-6.)
Ray-Sean Taylor, Collinsville
Although not as highly recruited as the other four players, the 6-1 Taylor has established himself as the top player on one of the top Class 4A teams in the state. Collinsville (14-0) is ranked third in the Class 4A state poll.
Headed to SIU-Edwardsville, The Kahoks star guard is averaging 23.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5 assists and nearly four steals.
A FEW MORE ...
Luke Kasubke: St. Louis Chaminade 6-5 guard. Committed to Kansas State.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, St. Louis Trinity 7-foot center. Committed to Creighton.
Davion Bradford, Mehlville 7-foot. Offers from Kansas State, Illinois, Missouri and Iowa.
Ahamad Bynum, Chicago Simeon, 6-1. Offers from Missouri, Wisconsin and Illinois.
Highland Shootout schedule
Saturday, Jan. 11
Highland High School
Game 1: (Girls) Highland vs. Greenville, 8:30 a.m.
Game 2: Highland vs. Triad, 10 a.m.
Game 3: Columbia, (Mo.) Tolton vs. Mater Dei, 11:30 a.m.
Game 4: St. Louis DeSmet vs. Collinsville, 1 p.m.
Game 5: Mehlville, Mo. vs. Trinity Catholic, (Mo.), 3 p.m.
Game 6: Milwaukee, (Wis..) Sussex vs. St. Louis Chaminade, 4:45 p.m.
Game 7: Chicago Simeon vs. St. Louis Vashon, 6:30 p.m.
Game 8: Chicago Whitney Young vs. St. Louis CBC, 8:15 p.m.
This story was originally published January 9, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
