EDWARDSVILLE — The Alton Redbirds boys basketball team split its first two games Friday at the NCCAA Live Event in Edwardsville, defeating MICDS 61-44 before falling to Westminster 67-52.
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The showcase, which runs Friday through Sunday at Lucco-Jackson Gym and Liberty Middle School, features 70 schools and is sanctioned by the NCAA, with major college coaches in attendance.
Alton entered the event after a 21-12 season last year that included an 8-4 conference record. The Redbirds’ season ended with a 52-51 loss to Edwardsville in the sectional semifinals.
Alton is also adjusting after the graduation of six seniors, including leading scorer Semaj Stampley, who will play for South Dakota State University.
“It’s going to be hard since Stampley graduated. I told someone this summer when you look out there, and you don't have 1,700 points out there, it will be different, but I love the guys we have,” Alton coach Dylan Dudley said.
During his junior season, Stampley scored a team-high 622 points and averaged 18.8 points per game. He also had 119 rebounds, which ranked second on the team.
Alton returns Ryan Howard following what Dudley described as a strong junior season, and the coach said the team has made progress despite limited varsity experience.
“We have improved a lot this summer. We only have two guys that have played varsity before. It has been a fun summer because I enjoy being around these guys,” Dudley said.
Alton is scheduled to finish the weekend in Edwardsville on Saturday with two more games.
The showcase includes Metro-East teams such as Edwardsville, Collinsville, Father McGivney Catholic, Breese Mater Dei Catholic, Belleville East, Belleville Althoff Catholic, Staunton, Alton, Mascoutah, Belleville West, Trenton Wesclin, O’Fallon, Granite City, Freeburg, Breese Central, Maryville Christian, Alton Marquette, Madison and Calhoun.
St. Louis-area programs in the field include Vashon, CBC, Ladue Horton Watkins, St. Louis Lift For Life Academy, Kirkwood, Principia, St. John Vianney Catholic, Mary Institute-Country Day, De Smet Jesuit and Westminster Christian. Other Illinois schools competing include Chicago Wendell Phillips, Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin Catholic, Taylorville, Normal Community, Quincy, Normal University, Frankfort Lincoln-Way East and Chicago Brother Rice Catholic.
