The Lou Cranks Out Stars
(St. Louis, MO) – Jayson Tatum, Bradley Beal, Jordan Goodwin, David Lee and others have played prep basketball in the St. Louis area. Saint John Vianney’s Kevin Walsh has coached against and knows some of the best players to ever pass through the Gateway City.
During his 23 years coaching basketball at his alma mater he has seen some of the NBA’s best current players grow into the nationally known players they are today. St. Louis continues to be a hotbed for outstanding prep hoops and continually sends outstanding players to the collegiate ranks.
Walsh’s Golden Griffins have been a Missouri State Final Four team and his Vianney High School plays in the prestigious Metro Catholic Conference. The MCC contains just five schools, but those programs are some of the very best athletic institutions in the State of Missouri.
When Walsh was a rookie coach, some veterans in the MCC took him aside to mentor him, so that he would have success.
Dominating Metro Catholic Conference
Chaminade College Prep was the home to Tatum, Beal and Lee. Michigan freshman forward Taris Reed and Missouri State first-year player Damien Mayo both played for the Red Devils. Current Chicago Bull Tyler Cook played at Chaminade. Current Illinois State Redbird Luke Kasubke is Chaminade’s fourth all-time leading scorer.
Christian Brothers College was the breeding ground for current North Carolina star Caleb Love and former Saint Louis University all-American and NBA veteran Larry Hughes. Former Indiana State star Jordan Barnes and current Sycamore freshman Rob Martin were both Cadets.
DeSmet sent the University of Missouri and the NBA Steve Stipanovich. Former Missouri State star and current NBA assistant coach Blake Ahearn was also a Spartan.
While Vianney and Saint Louis University High School haven’t produced as many ‘big names’ those programs have had their share of highlights. NBA Hall-of-Famer, Ed McCauley was a Junior Billiken.
Walsh says playing in that league makes it hard to win games, but his players know they have faced ‘the best of the best’.
The St. Louis talent level spreads far and wide.
Public High League, Public Schools & Ill-Side
There are plenty of great programs and outstanding players in the St. Louis area. Vashon High School of St. Louis’ Public High League has won numerous state championships and routinely sends players to high level college programs.
Southeast Missouri starters Phillip Russell and Kobe Clark were Wolverines. At least five other Wolverines are playing on Division 1 teams. Mario McKinney (UTEP), Keshon Gilbert (UNLV) and Cam’Ron Fletcher (Florida State) are just a few of the Vashon alumni.
Illinois’ Southwest Conference has a legendary history. Current Missouri State Bear Donovan Clay played at Alton. Current Southern Illinois Edwardsville Cougar Ray’Sean Taylor played at Collinsville. Gonzaga’s Malachi Smith played at Belleville West.
The list of outstanding players is seemingly endless.
Vianney’s Kevin Walsh says the current crop of high school players is equally impressive.
Christmas Tournaments and Travel Teams
The St. Louis metro area has a rich history of Christmas or holiday tournaments. Many of them are so old that I played in them. The current ‘Coaches versus Cancer’ tournament is the off-shoot of the historical Meramec Christmas Tournament. Normandy’s Christmas Tournament, held in Viking Hall is one of the best basketball environments imaginable. Collinsville’s Christmas Tournament is second to none.
Vianney’s Kevin Walsh revels in the history and the challenge of playing in these kinds of tournaments for the basketball growth and for his players’ prep experiences.
The proliferation of AAU, EYBL and other ‘club’ or travel teams has given players a greater opportunity to play, learn, compete and get better. His sophomore son Luke is a rising star in the St. Louis basketball scene. After an outstanding freshman season, he is now one of the top sophomores in the State and is a rabid worker. He plays for Beal’s ‘Bradley Beal Elite’ EYBL team.
Walsh says Bradley Beal is far more involved in the basketball teams that bear his name than most NBA players or coaches.
While the younger Walsh has taken to the game, some others have noticed his work ethic and have lent a hand. Drew Hanlen has trained numerous NBA stars, including Tatum and Beal. The creator of ‘Pure Sweat’ has taken and interest in the 6’2 lefty.
Recently, St. Louis NBC affiliate highlighted Luke Walsh’s young career.
Thank you @Frank_Cusumano and @NC5 for stopping by today! @coachkwalsh @Vianneyhoops 🖤💛 pic.twitter.com/9sE8svUfyD
— Luke Walsh (@LukeWalsh1414) December 14, 2022
It’s safe to assume that Vianney’s Kevin Walsh is about to have his second Division 1 player.
Looking Forward
You can hear our entire interview at Valley Hoops Insider Podcasts. We typically report on the Missouri Valley Conference as well as the Ohio Valley Conference. We are close to the Saint Louis University program where St. Lousians Yuri Collins and Jevonte Perkins stand out.
More and more players are finding their way into these programs and conferences. We look forward to seeing our local players as soon as they hit the collegiate scene.
Do Good
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