Alton Shootout brings another slate of basketball superpowers to the metro-east
The rejuvenation of high school basketball shootouts in southern Illinois continues Saturday when the inaugural Alton Shootout tips off at Alton High School.
The idea of first-year Alton coach Dana Morgan and SW Illinois Jets Basketball Director Andre McMurray, the Alton Shootout is the fourth of five high school boys basketball showcases scheduled in the metro-east this season.
Edwardsville hosted its event in December, East St. Louis and Highland held events in January, and the two-day Bank of O’Fallon Shootout is set for Feb. 7-8.
Defending Class 3A state champion East St. Louis and Class 3A finals runner-up Chicago Bogan are two of the top teams competing in the seven-game Alton Shootout, which begins with Metro East Lutheran taking on Litchfield at 10 a.m.
Morgan said the re-emergence of the shootout a response to fans wanting to see high-quality high school hoops.
“I think shootouts are back because this is a great area for high school basketball. I think because fans of this area want to see good basketball matchups is why you see all the shootouts are highly attended,’’ Morgan said.
Morgan took the idea of a shootout in Alton to then-athletic director Jeff Alderman, who agreed such an event would have city-wide appeal.
“Over the next few weeks to a month, myself and Andre McMurray used the contacts we had with area teams and out of town teams to try to build great matchups that would attract fans from across the area,” he said.
Madsion will take on Cahokia in the second game of the day, followed by Belleville East against Hazelwood East at 1 p.m.
Three marquee games will highlight the event.
Host Alton will take on Decatur Eisenhower beginning at 4 p.m. A perennial central Illinois power, Eisnehower is led by heralded sophomore guard Brylan Phillips.
Evansville, Indiana’s Bosse High School, led by McDonalds All-American nominee and University of Houston Kiyron Powell, will battle Chicago Bogan at 5:30 p.m.
Bogan, beaten by East St. Louis (68-63) in overtime in one of the great Class 3A state title games in history, is led by 6-6 Kyndell Davis who is headed to Long Island University.
The finale of the day will pit East St. Louis against St. Louis Trinity Catholic beginning at 7 p.m. Trinity Catholic has a pair of big-school recruits in 6-4 guard Rashad Weekly-McDaniels who is going to Central Michigan and 7-foot Ryan Kalkbrenner who has signed with Creighton.
East St. Louis is led by 6-8 forward Armond Williams and 6-5 senior LaShawn Johnson, both of which have offers from Southeast Missouri State.
Morgan said attracting top teams and top players wasn’t a problem.
“I didn’t think it was hard finding top teams to participate. We picked this date that would not be around other shootouts and a date coaches had flexibility in their schedule,’’ Morgan said. “This event will be held annually and we are working on an even greater slate of games next year, even extending it to a two-day event.
“I just think this is an awesome event for the Alton Community and area businesses, so its exciting that the event is finally here.”
Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door.
Alton High School Shootout
Game 1: Metro East Lutheran vs. Litchfield, 10 a.m.
Game 2: Madison vs. Cahokia, 11:30 a.m.
Game 3: Belleville East vs. Hazelwood East, 1 p.m.
Game 4: Mount Vernon vs. Ladue, Mo. 2:30 p.m.
Game 5: Alton vs. Decatur Eisenhower, 4 p.m.
Game 6: Evansville, Ind. Bosse vs. Chicago Bogan., 5:30 p.m.
Game 7: Trinity Catholic vs. East St. Louis, 7 p.m.
