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Tag Archives: Basketball

Published:

4/14
2010

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Controversy over NBA MVP rages on

By Alex Kasnetz

There are certain debates that permeate throughout our culture. They arouse charged emotion and vigor. These arguments almost never end with any sort of conclusive answer.

<img src=”http://www.chsglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Kobe-v.-Lebron-Color-223×300.jpg” alt=”The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, left, scoops up a loose ball in front of Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant during the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010. (Phil Masturzo/Akron Beacon Journal/MCT)” title=”SPORTS BKN-LAKERS-CAVALIERS 2 AK” width=”223″ height=”300″ />

The Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, left, scoops up a loose ball in front of Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant during the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010. (Phil Masturzo/Akron Beacon Journal/MCT)


One can hear these debates in living rooms in front of the television, at the dinner table, barbershop, the local community center, and the school commons. There have been different debates of this nature for generations.
There is Biggie or Tupac? The Beatles or the Rolling Stones? Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer? Larry Bird or Magic Johnson?
Today, across gyms, commons, restaurants, couches, and courts, one debate rages on: Lebron James or Kobe Bryant?
Writers, pundits, newscasters, and, to be honest, most of us, love to spend time and energy debating the title of best basketball player in the world. And the debate comes down to these two titans of sports.
Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar shooting guard, is 31 and has been in the National Basketball Association 13 years. After winning four NBA championships, one of which this past season, he is still going strong, averaging 27 points per game this season. They call him the “Black Mamba.”
James, the Cleveland Cavaliers 250-pound forward and native son, is six years Bryant’s junior but has already reached the individual pinnacle of his sport. He has no championships and one finals appearance to his name, and is tearing up the stat sheet with points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Lebron is also known as “King James” or “The Chosen One.”
Fans hold strong opinions and stand by their favorite.
“Kobe is better. No doubt. He’s way more clutch than Lebron,” said senior Devonte Bell, star Greyhound basketball player and esteemed basketball expert.
Others don’t share the same opinion as Bell.
“Lebron is better for sure,” said senior Jeff Bader. “He’s got the all around game and helps his teammates more. Kobe is straight overrated.”
Team achievements are often used as a measuring stick for individual greatness. Many fans cite team championships as evidence for who’s the better player.
“Kobe is the best. He’s got them rings,” said senior Alozie Onwumere. “Four of ‘em.”
The different points of basketball ability can be endlessly debated. Kobe has the championships. Lebron has the assists and rebounds over Kobe. Some say Kobe is a better closer and a better shooter. Others may say Lebron is more valuable to his team than Kobe to his.
That’s why some fans use reasoning that’s not entirely basketball related.
“Kobe has always been my favorite player,” said senior Greyhound basketball player Maggie Lanter. “When it comes down to it, Kobe always hits the game winning shot. And he’s really really cute!”
Whatever reasons different fans may have for their pick, the competition for the title of best current NBA player almost always comes down to Kobe or Lebron.
However, some more daring fans step outside the box and choose another NBA player.
“The best player in the league is clearly Stephen Curry. He’s only a rookie and he’s tiny but he still does all work,” senior Augustus Heil said.
Senior Charles Goodma thinks both Kobe and Lebron are strong players, but not the strongest.
“However, J. R. Smith is the best player in the league and is the only player who could win the slam dunk and three-point shooting contests,” Goodman said.
Despite these aberrations, most everyone agrees that Lebron James and Kobe Bryant are the two players at the top of the list, but there is much disagreement on who is number one. And when both of their careers are over, even then there will likely be no definitive answer.
The debate will rage on and on, perhaps for generations to come. And that’s the way it ought to be.

Published:

3/17
2010

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Senior guard Bell hits game-winner

By Evan Green

On Feb. 26, Devonte Bell’s four-year career came to an abrupt end.  The Hounds had lost to MICDS 62-58 in a fast, non-stop action game.  It was the type of game that Bell has always excelled in.

Senior guard Devonte Bell dribbles around a screen in the district final game against MICDS. (Caroline Stamp)

Senior guard Devonte Bell dribbles around a screen in the district final game against MICDS. (Caroline Stamp)

In the game, Bell finished with 22 points, tied for a team-high in the loss.  In the semifinals, Bell defeated Westminster with a baseline jumper with just under three seconds to go.  That was the shot that the Hounds always counted on Bell to hit in his time as the starting point guard for the Hounds.
“All four years, he [Bell] was our go-to guy,” head coach Ryan Luhning said.  “It was almost as if we counted on him too much, but he was always up for the challenge.”
Bell’s time as starting point guard was four years long, meaning Bell is the only point guard that Clayton High’s class of 2010 has seen on the court in their four years here.
Bell was a team captain three of those years.
“Devonte had a lot of talent coming in his freshman year, but what really developed over time was his leadership skills,” Luhning said.  “He really started to see the value in working hard all the time.”
Bell finished his career with 1,386 points, and finished this season averaging 15 points per game, second on the team.  As the end started to near, Bell was able to reflect on everything he is going to miss about Clayton basketball.
“I’m really going to miss the bond that this year’s team had and Coach [Mike] Nelke,” Bell said.
Bell’s freshman year was also head coach Ryan Luhning’s first year as a head coach.
“I was here with him his first year, so we have built this connection as a player and it was fun helping him build the Clayton basketball program for four years,” Bell said.
Indeed, Bell gave not only his coaches, but a lot of Clayton students many memories while he was on the court.
“My favorite games that I played in were always the Ladue games, they were a lot of fun and the atmosphere was so intense,” Bell said.
Surely, the team to the west will be quite happy to see Bell graduate.  Especially after his performance at Ladue last year in which he sent the game to overtime with a last second three following a half court heave that he drained at the end of the third quarter.
“The game my junior year against them was probably the best I played all four years,” Bell said.
Bell’s play on the court was noticed by several coaches at the collegiate level and the question now is just where he will be playing college basketball.
For now, he just wants to remember the time he had at Clayton, and surely, Clayton will always remember Devonte Bell and the many contributions he made to the basketball program.  He leaves Clayton with an era that made him one of the best to ever run the court and made Clayton basketball relevant again.

Published:

3/17
2010

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Little-known past of Bob Bone

By Jake Bernstein

Students pass by his office every day.  His sits in the stands at every basketball game.  He is also one of the most prolific scorers in college basketball history.  His name is Bob Bone, Athletic Director at CHS.
Only one in seven CHS students that were surveyed were aware of his basketball career.  After asking many other players on the freshman and junior varsity teams if they were aware that Bone played basketball at a high level, less than half were aware that he was a good basketball player.  Only those on the varsity level were well aware of his successful college basketball career.

Bob Bone takes a shot as a player for UMSL. Bone, a three-time All-American, played from 1973-1977 and remains UMSL’s scoring and assists leader. (Photo courtesy of Bob Bone)

Bob Bone takes a shot as a player for UMSL. Bone, a three-time All-American, played from 1973-1977 and remains UMSL’s scoring and assists leader. (Photo courtesy of Bob Bone)

I first learned of Bone’s career when I was walking around the Mark Twain Athletic Complex at the University of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL), attending only for basketball camp.  On one wall, next to all the other UMSL greats, was Bone.  When I asked my dad if this was the same Bob Bone, my dad explained that Bone was one of the greatest college basketball players in his memory.
In four seasons at UMSL, Bone averaged over 26 points per game to score a grand total of 2678 points during his career from 1973 to 1977.  In his senior season, he topped 30 points per game.  In perspective, no Division One player has accomplished the feat of scoring 30 a game this season.  He is not only the leading scorer in UMSL history, but he is also the career assist leader.
Bone attended Collinsville High School in Collinsville, Illinois, a suburb of St. Louis.  He played under legendary coach Vergil Fletcher, who currently has the fourth most wins in Illinois high school basketball history.
“It was a great place to play basketball,” Bone said. “I played for the school which, at the time, had the most wins in high school basketball history.  It was part of great tradition and it was a great program.”
Out of high school, many schools in the Midwest, Division One and Division Two alike, recruited Bone.  For Bone, UMSL offered something other schools did not.
“It gave me the opportunity to start all four years,” Bone said. “They also let me play baseball, which was a big bonus.”
Today, people might question Bone’s decision to attend a Division Two school.  He defended the decision he made almost 40 years ago.
“You never know what could have happened at a big division one school,” Bone said. “I may not have gotten any playing time at a bigger school.  I was also only a kid at the time, and I don’t know if I would have made the same decision today.”
Bone also mentioned that the national scope for college basketball was smaller at the time due to lack of the internet and fewer games broadcasted on television.
Bone immediately became a scorer at UMSL.  Even with no three point line, he averaged over 20 points per game his freshman year.
“Our offense gave me opportunities to shoot, so that’s what I did,” Bone said. “My biggest assets were quickness, speed, determination and mental toughness.”
Bone also excelled on the baseball field at UMSL as a second baseman.  In addition to being picked as an All-American three times for basketball, he was on the All-American team for baseball after his junior year.
“I think the mental toughness helped in both basketball and baseball,” Bone said.
Though Division Two schools normally do play other Division Two schools, a game versus a Division One school is often placed into the schedule.  While Bone was at UMSL he faced Indiana State, a very good Division One team that featured future NBA great Larry Bird.  In a losing effort, Bone scored 38 points, and Bird had 48.
“Playing against Larry Bird was definitely a highlight,” Bone said. “It was a great game.”
After Bone’s senior year, he was given a huge honor for a college basketball player of any level.  He was selected to play in the East-West All Star game.  The twenty top college basketball players were selected from across the country, and Bone was selected as one the players, the only player representing Division Two basketball.
Today, a college player not drafted might decide to play basketball in Europe or try the NBA Development (D) League.  In the 1970s, however, players did not have such options.
“I had the opportunity to attend NBA tryout camps,” Bone said. “However, I received a post-graduate scholarship, and to try out for an NBA team, I would have needed to sacrifice my scholarship.”
His playing career ended after college, but he returned to the game to coach for another 30 years.  After being an assistant coach at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Saint Louis University for a year each, he became head coach at East-Central Jr. College for five years.  From there, he made the move back to Collinsville High School to coach.
“My original plan was to stay in college coaching, but my kids changed my perspective,” Bone said.  “I wanted to see my kids grow up, and being a Division One coach makes this difficult.  Moving to Collinsville to coach was the right move for me at the time.”
Bone noted his time coaching at Collinsville was another highlight of his career.
“I got to see my kids in high school,” Bone said.  “I also had the privilege of coaching both my sons.”
At a big basketball school like Collinsville, the team was expected to perform well.
“Athletics are taken very seriously in Illinois’ high schools, it is a lot different from here,” Bone said.  “We played powerhouse basketball schools featuring future NBA players such as Vince Carter and Darius Miles on a yearly basis.  However, the joy from winning was much less than the pain from losing.  Losses took their toll.”
After coaching for 27 years, Bone stepped down from his position and left Collinsville.  He then joined the Clayton staff as Athletic Director.
“I was done with coaching,” Bone said. “I had coached long enough. Basketball had been such a big part of my life for so long, it was time for me to get out.”
Though he does not plan on going back into coaching in the future, Bone is thankful for basketball having been part of his life.

Published:

3/17
2010

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U. of Kentucky Wildcats poised to grab national championship

By Christian Thomas

The University of Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team will win the 2010 NCAA tournament. No doubt about it. End of discussion. The team currently carries a 29-2 record, with losses only at South Carolina and Tennessee. With this impressive record, the team is currently ranked #3 in the country and bound for the NCAA tournament after missing out last year.

University of Kentucky coach John Calpari talks with Eric Bledsoe in the second half of the Blue-White scrimmage on Wednesday, October 28, 2009, in Lexington, Kentucky. (Mark Cornelison/Lexington Herald-Leader/MCT)

University of Kentucky coach John Calpari talks with Eric Bledsoe in the second half of the Blue-White scrimmage on Wednesday, October 28, 2009, in Lexington, Kentucky. (Mark Cornelison/Lexington Herald-Leader/MCT)

In order to improve on last year’s shortcomings, the University brought in a new coach, John Calipari, and recruited the nation’s top players to rebuild its winning program. It is a well-known fact that elements of a championship team are size, athleticism, and all around skilled players. The University of Kentucky has all of those.
The average height on the team is 6 foot, 7 inches, making them the tallest team in the country. The heights of the starting five are 6 foot 1 inch, 6 foot 4 inches, 6 foot 7 inches, 6 foot 9 inches and 6 foot 11 inches, which creates matchup problems for other teams. Although undersized by Wildcat standards, Eric Bledsoe (6 foot, 1 inch) and John Wall (6 foot, 4 inches) are one of the best guard duos in the country. Bledsoe makes up for his shorter stature with a 6 foot, 6 inch wingspan. Bledsoe made a name for himself early in the season, dominating his way to 25 points in a road victory over Florida.
Wall is a “natural leader with the skill to make others better,” Calpari said on the University of Kentucky website.
Wall has lived up to his high expectations, averaging nearly 17 points per game and over six assists, both of which are team highs. Around the basket, the team is just too tall. Inside, junior Patrick Patterson (6 foot, 9 inches) and freshman Demarcus Cousins (6 foot, 11 inches) force their way to a combined 31 points and 18 rebounds per game. Sophomore Darnell Dodson (6 foot, 7 inches), the last member of the starting five, gives the team six points per game and is able to post up smaller opponents on top of his defensive responsibilities
Off the bench, the team brings in 6 foot 10 inch, 255-pound freshman Daniel Orton, to complement Cousins and Patterson. Other key role players are Darius Miller (6 foot, 7 inches), DeAndre Liggins (6 foot, 6 inches) and Ramon Harris (6 foot, 6 inches). Clearly, the team has enough size.
The next element of a successful team is athleticism. Just watching the Wildcats play answers all questions related to the topic. Whether it’s Wall driving coast to coast with his blazing speed, Bledsoe showing off his 40-inch vertical leap with a thunderous two-handed dunk, or Cousins exploding for an offensive rebound, the team is athletic.
Combining the impressive size and athleticism, the Wildcats are able to turn over 7 seven steals per game on defense to highlight reel dunks on offense. Another combination of size and athleticism the team uses to its advantage is rebounding. Cousins averages 10.3 rebounds per game, placing him at #13 in the country. As a whole, the Wildcats average over 42 rebounds per game.
The Wildcats are very athletic.
The last element the Wildcats possess is all around talent. Cousins and Patterson were McDonald’s All-Americans, the highest honor high school players can receive. Orton was considered the third best center, the 22nd best player nationally last year. Wall averaged over 22 points per game his senior season, and led his high school team to 2nd place in the state tournament.
Also, Wall was considered the number one overall prospect in the class of 2009 nationally. Bledsoe led his high school team to a runner-up finish in the state tournament his senior year, while averaging over 20 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds per game. Bledsoe was also a highly recruited player in high school, choosing Kentucky over Cincinnati, Memphis, Florida, Mississippi and Alabama.
Along with the role players, the Wildcats combine to score nearly 80 points per game, which is first in the SEC and 14th nationally. Even less heralded players such as Liggins, Dodson, Miller and freshman Jon Hood are gifted individuals. All had chances to play for other nationally recognized programs and were also high profile players in high school.
The Wildcats are talented.
The University of Kentucky Wildcats have three major elements of a championship winning team. Given their size, athleticism, and skills, there is no reason the team should not win the national title this season.  

Published:

3/17
2010

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In Focus-Basketball

By Evan Green

The boys’ varsity basketball team beat the Westminster Wildcats in the district semifinal game on Feb. 24 in Stuber Gym.  Senior guard Devonte Bell hit a game winning jumper with two seconds left in the game to break a 48-48 tie and give the Hounds the eventual win.  In that game, the team battled back from an early deficit before pulling out the close win.  Bell and junior guard Ahmad Smith both finished with a team-high 13 points.  In the district finals, the Hounds were not quite as fortunate.  After quickly falling behind by as much as 15 points against MICDS, the Hounds fought back and took the lead with three minutes to go in the game.  Eventually though, the team was not able to pull out the win before what was surely the largest crowd at Stuber Gym all season.  MICDS hit their free throws late and won 62-58, advancing to the sectional round.  Bell and junior guard Christian Thomas each had 22 points in a losing cause.  Bell seemed to will the team back into the game with three big three-pointers, but the Hounds were not able to make the key play late in the game.  Both games brought packed crowds to the Clayton gym, crowds that were hoping to see the Hounds make a state playoff run. That will just have to wait till next year.

“It’s good that the attitude at Clayton is now that rather than be content with making the district title game, we expect to go much further.  That’s an attitude that will be key in being successful in the near future,” head coach Ryan Luhning said.

Published:

1/27
2010

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Boys’ basketball off to 12-5 start, looking to avenge past playoff history

By Evan Green

On Jan. 15, the boys’ basketball team finally got a signature victory, defeating the Whitfield Warriors 66-60 in overtime.  While the team almost choked away the game at the free throw line, watching a 57-51 lead with a minute to play evaporate before their eyes, the team pulled together and gutted out the win in overtime to take third place in the DC Wilcutt tournament hosted at CBC.

Senior Devonte Bell runs the offense in a Jan. 20 game against the Pattonville Pirates. Clayton won the game 66-54, improving their record to 12-5.

Senior Devonte Bell runs the offense in a Jan. 20 game against the Pattonville Pirates. Clayton won the game 66-54, improving their record to 12-5.

Junior forward Christian Thomas, who has heard from several NCAA Division I Midwest and mid-major programs, lead the team with 27 points in the game, to increase his team leading scoring average to 21.8 points per game.  Senior guard Devonte Bell, who is drawing interest from several NAIA and Division II schools about basketball, chipped in with 13 points and 12 rebounds, and junior guard Ahmad Smith added 10 big points to key the Hounds win.
“I would say that game [against Whitfield] has been our best win so far,” head coach Ryan Luhning said.
Several new role players stepped up for the Hounds in the game.
“Ahmad Smith really picked his game up against Whitfield, and that helped us a lot,” Bell said.
Previously in the tournament, the Hounds opened up play with a 62-47 win over rival Ladue.  In that game, the Hounds had four players reach double figures in Thomas, Bell, senior sniper Sumner Ahearn, and senior guard Alex Kasnetz.  The Hounds advanced to play McCluer in the semifinals.
In that game, the Hounds actually held a four point lead late in the third quarter over the powerhouse Comets, before McCluer roared back to win 60-51.
“We had a stretch of eight possessions, in which we turned the ball over six times,” Luhning said.  “Other than that, we went toe-to-toe with them.  It was very similar to the Hazelwood Central loss earlier in the season.”
The culmination of the last month was bittersweet for the Hounds, as the emphatic win capped off a tough month of basketball.  The win did help the team take revenge for an earlier 69-58 loss at Whitfield.
“That is the one game that I would really like back,” Bell said.  “It was probably my best personal game, but I would love to get that one back because I know we could’ve won.”
Bell had a personal season high of 22 points in that game.  He is averaging 15 points per game, second best on the team.
Following that loss, the Hounds went to the MICDS Holiday tournament, where they entered as the number one seed.  The team easily blew out St. Charles 71-42 in the opening round before being upset by eighth-seeded Miller Career Academy 72-67 in overtime.
The Hounds trailed for almost the entire game, and were down by four points with two seconds left in the game when they almost pulled off the comeback of the year.  Bell went to the free throw line and hit the first shot before purposely missing the second.  The ball was knocked out to Ahearn who grabbed it and threw up an off balanced three point attempt that swished in at the buzzer to send the game to overtime.
While most would assume that the team would have been able to ride the wave of momentum, they came out flat in overtime, and eventually lost by five.
In the following game, the Hounds were knocked out of the tournament by a hot shooting Parkway South team.  The Patriots lead by 15 and withheld a furious Clayton rally in the second half to hold on for a three point win and knock the disappointed Hounds out of the tournament.
After winter break, the team returned home to take on Affton.  The Hounds came out ready to play and used a 28-8 third quarter run to blow Affton away.  The team held the Cougars’ star senior guard Markus Golden to just nine points on the night, well below his team high 16 points per game average.  In the end, the Hounds doubled up the Cougars 64-32, and were lead by Thomas’ game high 27 points and 12 rebounds.
Thomas has 11 double-doubles on the season.
After the Affton game, the Hounds went to the CBC tournament, and followed their third place finish with a 66-54 win over the Pattonville Pirates on Jan. 20, which leaves them with their current record of 12-5.
In the win over Pattonville, Thomas had his usual 24 points, while Bell added 17 and Smith continued his recent tear with 12 points off the bench.
While Thomas and Bell have been consistently strong offensively for the team this year, the role players have been numerous.  From Ahearn to Kasnetz to senior guard Josh Pickens to senior center Max Goldfarb, the senior role players have been there.
In terms of underclassmen, Smith and sophomore guard Charlie Harned have played key parts in the teams winning.
“Ahmad Smith has really played well, and [Josh] Pickens is picking it up defensively for us,” Luhning said.  “At the same time, [Charlie] Harned has really hit some big shots.”
The Hounds have several clear strengths that have allowed them to be successful.
“Clearly, our biggest strength is that we can always score,” Thomas said.
On the other hand, a couple teams have exposed flaws in the Hounds lately.
“We have really got to have better starts [to games] and we can’t dig such big holes if we want to beat good teams.” Luhning said.
His captain, Bell, was in agreement.
“We need to play hard for all 32 minutes,” Bell said.
While the team certainly has several kinks to work out before the postseason starts, several players already have personal goals that they wish to improve on in order to help the team.
“I really need to get stronger I think,” Bell said.
Thomas also had a personal agenda for the rest of the season.
“I have really got to improve my free throw shooting to help the team,” Thomas said.
This is especially important for Thomas who has shot the most free throws on the team far and away.  In fact, Bell’s second best total of 70 free throw attempts on the season pales in comparison to Thomas’ 132 attempts at press time.
Indeed the Hounds have seemed to find a trend in digging holes and fighting back, while at the same time struggling to close games out at the line.
“I think our free throw shooting is fine and when it’s not there is a running consequence in practice,” Luhning said.
The team will need to improve on these current flaws if they want to be successful come playoff time.
The district playoffs start on Feb. 22, and Clayton is the host this year.  The Hounds’ district is one of the toughest in the state.  Possible opponents include Jennings, University City, Berkeley, Westminster, and MICDS.
On the season, the team has already beat MICDS handily, and has upcoming games against Jennings, University City, Berkeley, and Westminster.
The team is actually playing at Jennings as the Globe goes to press time.
“I would say that Jennings is going to be the toughest matchup for us in districts, but really every team is going to be a battle, especially with the season on the line,” Bell said.
Jennings has been a bi-polar team of sorts this year, smashing Miller Career Academy and beating Parkway South, while losing to generally considered lesser opponents such as Lutheran North and Imagine College Preparatory.
But as many of us know, districts are a time where anything is truly possible, and a team’s true character comes out.  A time of the year when a team’s stars are counted on and unexpected heroes come out of the woodworks.  In Clayton, a team with a deep bench and plenty of offensive firepower, there is a powerful mix to make a deep playoff run, something a signature win shows is possible. 

Published:

1/27
2010

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Junior Christian Thomas carrying Hounds to new heights on hardwood

By Payton Sciarratta

So far this season the varsity Greyhound basketball team has made a major improvement compared to recent years. One of the main contributors to this is junior guard and forward Christian Thomas, who has the highest average on the team at 21.8 points per game and also cleans the boards for the fairly undersized Hounds, chalking up nearly 10 rebounds per game.

Christian Thomas dunks in a recent away game. Thomas finished with 24 points on the night to improve his team-high average to 21.8 points per game.

Christian Thomas dunks in a recent away game. Thomas finished with 24 points on the night to improve his team-high average to 21.8 points per game.

Thomas has been playing since he was only eight years old, and his heart has always been in the sport. He started playing basketball because he wanted to be just like his dad.
“My dad was a big basketball player when he was in high school and he played at Kansas State, so when I was little I decided to try and be like him,” Thomas said.
When he was younger, his father was constantly trying to challenge him in order improve his overall game.
“To get better, my dad had me always play against older kids,” Thomas said. “Also I played with my brother who is six years older, so he always challenged me.”
As soon as Thomas entered high school, all his hard work paid off. He began playing on the varsity team his freshman year.  Thomas actually entered a situation at Clayton that benefited him because it was a young team and not a very high-caliber squad, which allowed him to adjust to the varsity level of play without much pressure.
Many Clayton students fondly remember the shot that Thomas hit at the buzzer in overtime against the rival Ladue Rams in district play to win the game in 2008.  Even as a freshman, Thomas showed that he had nerves of steel, calmly putting back a Greyhound miss in order to extend the team’s season.
With the help of Thomas, the team’s record so far is 12-5, compared to last year when the team finished 18-9.
“I know we will win more and make farther in districts, hopefully even state,” Thomas said.
Each season Thomas sets an expectation for himself. This season he wanted to improve from the last.
“I wanted to average more than 14 points a game because that’s what I did as a sophomore, so I wanted to improve on that,” Thomas said.
However not only did he want to average more than 14 points per game, but Thomas also wanted to get stronger and improve his shooting.
Thomas is clearly improving on his shooting, as evidenced by his performance against Eureka in which he scored 40 points, which happens to be his fondest memory so far this season.
Thomas has a field goal percentage of 52 percent, and a 47 percent average from behind the three-point line. From the free throw line Thomas is shooting almost 66% by connecting on 87 of his team-high 132 attempts.
“Christian has as much talent in his little finger as most of us have in our entire bodies,” head coach, Ryan Luhning said. “He is someone who doesn’t take his talent for granted. He is our hardest worker and that’s why he’s successful.”
Thomas has done a remarkable job of improving his ball handling skills, as well as his jump shot.  The changes have already paid off for the Hounds and Thomas.
In a game against MICDS earlier this season, the opposing Rams were determined to not let Thomas beat them down low, so he easily stepped outside the arc and drained his first five three-point attempts.
As well, Thomas has carried the ball up the court much more this season than in the past.
Thomas hasn’t just improved on goals he set for himself, but he has improved the overall team as well.
“Christian isn’t just someone who plays basketball,” senior forward Preston Burnsed said. “He’s a basketball player who was born to play the sport. His natural talent along with hard work will help the ‘Greyhound pack’ have a very successful season.”
Since Thomas is such a great player, he has already had college scouts looking at him, several of whom came to watch him play over the summer.
Thomas has got his eye on one college in particular, the University of Nevada.
“I like the coaches there and they have a good winning tradition,” Thomas said.
To Thomas, basketball isn’t just a high school thing. His love for the game is something that he wants to pursue in the future.
“I definitely want to play in college and if I get the chance to make it a career, I would love to,” Thomas said. 

Published:

12/16
2009

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Boys’ basketball starts season 5-1, led by efforts of leaders Thomas and Bell

By Evan Green

The Clayton boys’ basketball team has started the season with a 5-1 record following their third place finish at the Vianney Tournament the week of December 1.

Junior Christian Thomas goes up for a dunk in a game last year against Berkeley. Thomas is averaging 26 points a game for the 5-1 Hounds. (Devan Westermayer)

Junior Christian Thomas goes up for a dunk in a game last year against Berkeley. Thomas is averaging 26 points a game for the 5-1 Hounds. (Devan Westermayer)

The team started its season on November 28 at Rolla, where they won 83-56 and were lead by junior forward Christian Thomas’ 31 points and 11 rebounds while senior guard Devonte Bell added 14 points.
“Christian showed right away that he has really improved since last season,” senior captain Sumner Ahearn said.
The next week, the Hounds started tournament play against Riverview Gardens, and in a back-and-forth contest, the Hounds pulled out the win 69-63.
The win was keyed by a late three-pointer by senior guard Alex Kasnetz as well as two late free throws by Kasnetz.  Thomas still had 25 points and 16 rebounds while Bell was right behind him yet again, this time finishing with 16 points and five steals.
“Kaz [Kasnetz] really helped us win that game, he made several clutch shots,” senior center Max Goldfarb said.
The victory helped the team advance to the semifinals of the tournament to face Hazelwood Central.
“I think that the Riverview game showed us that we have a really deep team, and that will help this year,” senior forward Tommy Hummell said.
Hazelwood Central had a deep run in the playoffs last year and is an extremely talented team that gave the Hounds problems.  Clayton actually held a double digit lead early in the game before the Hawks of Hazelwood managed to roar from behind before eventually winning the game 73-60, handing the Hounds their first loss of the season.
Thomas managed 20 points in a losing cause, but struggled with foul trouble.  On the positive side, Ahearn, a three-point specialist on offense, had 10 points and dished out five assists.
“It was an even game until a three minute stretch in the third quarter in which made plays and we didn’t,” head coach Ryan Luhning said.
In the third-place match of the tournament, the Hounds handled a tricky Eureka team with what seemed like ease.  The Hounds actually trailed after the first quarter before putting together a lengthy second quarter run that left them with a seven-point halftime lead.
In the second half, both teams came out strong, but none stronger than Thomas, as he carried the team to a 77-65 win.  The three-year varsity member had 30 points by the end of the third quarter on his way to finishing with a career-high 41 points.
Thomas’ outstanding play has been rewarded as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has named him to be one of the athletes of the week for the Metro Area.  As a side note to Thomas’ play, sophomore Charlie Harned added 11 big points off the bench.  They were also Harned’s first varsity points of his career.
“Christian [Thomas] is really talented and he has turned himself into a threat at any position on the court,” Luhning said.
On the season, Thomas is averaging 29 points and 11 rebounds so far, while four-year varsity starter Bell is averaging 14 points a game.  Bell also recently recorded his 1,000th career varsity point for the Hounds, quite the accomplishment.
It will be interesting to see how teams change their game plan in an attempt to control Thomas as the season goes on.
“We will probably start seeing a lot of box-and-one, but he just can’t get frustrated and he will be able to open up opportunities for the rest of the team,” Luhning said.
The team will face several big tests in the first month of the season.
“The next game is always the biggest for us,” Luhning said.  “We cannot allow ourselves to look ahead of any team all season.”
In the Hounds’ home opener on Dec. 8, the team defeated the Lutheran South Lancers 58-44.  Once again, Thomas lead all Clayton scorers with 16 points, and Ahearn added 15, including five three-pointers.  Four of Ahearn’s five three’s came in the fourth quarter to propel the Hounds to victory.
On Thursday, Dec. 10, the Hounds played a non-conference game at MICDS.  Thomas once again led the team in points with 26, including a new facet of his game that was introduced when he started the game five for five from three-point land.  Bell added 19 as the team did a great job defensively to hold MICDS’ star senior MacPherson Moore to only 17 points and got him into foul trouble early by taking three charges from the large Moore.
“Defense is what we really need to improve, the offense will always be there,” Luhinng said.
The win meant that the team improved to 5-1 on the season.
Also, the Post-Dispatch ranked the Hounds as fourth among small schools in the Metro Area in their recent high school boys’ basketball polls.  The team will not be able to be looked ahead of.
Over winter break, the team will participate in the MICDS tournament as well.  The newly formed Clayton Crazies will be in full effect at all home games and would like to see as much orange in the stands as possible.

Published:

12/16
2009

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Varsity girls’ basketball tournament

By Anat Gross

It’s that time of the year again.

Stuber Gym is full of sweaty faces hustling down the court, shoes screeching across the wooden floor, and cheers from the sideline as great plays are made.

The Clayton girls’ varsity basketball team played its first three home games Nov. 30, Dec. 2 and 3 in the annual CHS tournament.

The CHS girls’ varsity basketball team kicked off their first home game against Vashon. The then 0-1 Hounds began with a rocky start, struggling to play their game in the first half.

Starting the second half, the Hounds were on top 37 to 14, but had over 10 fouls and 16 turnovers. Despite the mistakes of the first two quarters, the girls came together in the second half with just five team fouls and nearly 30 more points on the board.

The defense dominated, switching between an aggressive man-to-man in the first half and a two-three zone in the third, letting up just 11 points in the second half.

Senior Maggie Lanter led with nine rebounds out of the team total of 38. Offensively, the team was led by senior Chelsea Granberry with 18 points to win the game 65-25

The Hounds faced off against Principia in their next game. Clayton struggled the whole game, trying to take on the great defense of the Principia Panthers. Unable to run through their offense, the Greyhounds were defeated 7-45.

Principia went on to beat Vashon on the third night of the tournament taking second place with a 2-1 record.

On Thursday night the Hounds played Saint Clair, 2-0 in the CHS tournament. The Lady Hounds started out well, taking the lead early in the first quarter. Things were looking good as the Hounds were able to run through their offense and stop St. Clair on defense.

The Greyhounds’ deficit at the half was a surprise to both coaches and players. The team’s inability to get the rebound on defense allowed St. Clair to put the ball back up for an easy two points repetitively.

As a team, the Hounds had 11 assists and five steals. Even so, St. Clair went on to win the game, taking first place and going home with a record of 3-0.

The undefeated St. Clair had much to celebrate. Along with the first place trophy, one of St. Clair’s top senior players took home the game ball as a momentum to the game in which she scored her career total of over 1,000 points.

Despite the tough losses during the second half of the tournament, the Hounds were able to take a lot from their games so they can make adjustments for later in the season. Senior captain Maggie Lanter learned a lot about the team and what changes need to be made for the team to be successful.

“I learned that we don’t have one strong offensive player anymore like we had last year with Mary Barber,” Lanter said. “So we are going to need multiple people to step up offensively and defensively. We just need to try new things and find what will make our team successful.”

The team has many challenges to overcome in order to meet its goals for the season.

“We all want to beat Ladue again, like we did last year,” Lanter said. “I just want to overcome our challenges and finish the season with a winning record.”

Coach Steve Lanter believes the girls can reach this goal if they continue to work hard and stick to the basic fundamentals.

“The team needs to consistently play hard with both mental and physical toughness,” Steve Lanter said. “What we learned from the tourney is that basic fundamentals will keep us competitive and in games. Every possession counts and we need to get a quality shot every time down the floor.”

The Hounds will take on Lutheran South on Monday Dec. 14 at 7 pm in Stuber.

“Our girls have great attitudes and are working hard, so come and check us out!!” Steve Lanter said.