STL Preps Making Their Mark in the OVC

(Nashville, TN) – St. Louis prep basketball fans have a reason to root for Ohio Valley Conference success. The metro area routinely cranks out desirable players to programs across the nation and the OVC is no exception.

Friend of the site Drew Hanlen played at Belmont before it joined the league, but Head Coach Rick Byrd told me that Drew’s camps are opening even more St. Louis recruiting doors for the Bruins.

This season some St. Louis metro area natives will play key roles.

Jacksonville State has two players with STL roots in the teams leading returning scorer Darion Rackley (CBC) and a transfer from Southwester Illinois College JaQuail Townser (Alton). Coach James Green expects Townser to take over the point guard position after averaging 14 points and five assists at SWIC. Rackley will become one of the few four year contributors during Coach Green’s tenure.

Ladue’s all-metro guard Cornell Johnston is playing for Head Coach Jay Spoonhour at Eastern Illinois. The former Ram averaged 17 points, nine assists and three steals his senior year and is one of the fastest basketball players you will ever see.

Coaches Green and Spoonhour told me their St. Louis area players are special for several key reasons.

 

Another all-metro performer, Josh Robinson will be playing at Austin Peay. Coach Dave Loos was an area coach and has long worked this area. Southeast Missouri Coach Dickey Nutt has added former Belleville East and SIU player Stetson Hairston to his staff.  All Robinson did was average over 30 points per game and go over the 50 point mark three times.

First year head coach Dana Ford is delighted to have Belleville East grad Darreon Reddick on his team. The 6’4 Reddick is a combo guard that Ford believes can help the Tigers this year.

Coaches Ford and Loos tell us their St. Louis area players are going through their freshmen growing pains.

 

Several OVC coaches told me they are excited about their St. Louis area players and believe it is an important place to recruit.

There are an ample number of St. Louis players involved in Division One basketball around the nation and next week we’ll take a hard look at the ones in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Do Good