Taylor’s record-shattering effort lifts Collinsville at Belleville East Chick-Fil-A Classic
During a season where he has seemingly elevated his game on a nightly basis, Collinsville senior Ray’Sean Taylor took it to a level no other Kahok had before Saturday at Belleville East High School.
In one of the top offensive performances in recent metro-east history, Taylor scored a tournament and Kahoks school record 53 points as Collinsville defeated St. Louis Trinity Catholic 77-57 in the title game of the Chick-Fil-A Classic.
“It was special. I was able to get the school record, the tournament record and my personal record since my sophomore year in school,” Taylor said during the victory celebration. “I’ve put a lot of time and work into this ever since I was little. It’s a good feeling to see it all come together.”
The 53 point effort breaks the Collinsville school record of 50 set by Kahoks legend Tom Parker in 1967. Parker went to the University of Kentucky where he played for legendary coach Adolph Rupp. The 50 points also breaks the previous Chick-Fil-A Tournmament mark of 47 set in 2017 by Jericole Hellems of St. Louis Chaminade. Hellems is now playing at North Carolina State University
The 6-1 Taylor wasted little time in showing the large crowd it would be a special night.
After connecting on his first three shots, Taylor helped the Kahoks (21-0) erase an early deficit by scoring 17 of Collinsville’s 21 second quarter points. Hitting a variety of short-range jumpers and taking the ball to the basket at will, Taylor tallied the last 13 points of the second quarter to give his team a 35-21 lead at halftime.
After scoring 26 points in the first half, Taylor kept up the pace in the third quarter as he scored the Kahoks first eight points and 13 of their 15 points as they maintained a 50-39 advantage heading into the final period.
Ranked second in the Associated Press Class 4A state poll, Collinsville put the game away from the foul line in the final quarter.
“It’s really difficult to put into words. He (Taylor) is just so electric. He can score in just so many ways,” Collinsville coach Darin Lee said. “Scoring wise, it’s the best I’ve seen him.
“I don’t think people realize Tom Parker went to Kentucky, played for Adolph Rupp and was the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year. Ray’Sean broke his record.”
The Titans (12-4), featuring Central Michigan recruit Rashad Weekly and 7-foot Creighton recruit Ryan Kalkbrenner, led by six points early. But when the Kahoks were able to draw Kalkbrenner away from the basket, it opened things up for Taylor.
“We wanted to force him (Kalkbrenner) out and then set screens for Ray. It worked a lot better tonight than it did against DeSmet at the Highland Shootout. They did a good job of slowing us down that night,” Lee said.
“To be 21-0 at this point with the conference we’re in, to have won two tournaments and played in two shootouts ... it’s beyond my wildest dreams.’’
Weekly led Trinity with 22 points, but the star of the night was Taylor, who went over the 50 point mark with two minutes left. He then left to a standing ovation after making two free throws with just over a minute remaining.
“I was just happy to help my team win the game,” Taylor said. “I didn’t want to look at the scoreboard to see my points. But I have to admit there were a couple of times I did.”
