Zach Sheets
Contributing Writer
Though it may not be the usual football hype between these two heated rivals, the Statesmen men’s basketball team takes on the Kirkwood Pioneers Friday, Feb. 19, in Roberts Gym at 7:30 p.m.
The Pioneers have played 22 games this year, whereas Webster has 22 wins. The
Statesmen will be conference champions if they come out victorious tonight.
“It’s the last time they will be in our gym, and we plan to make it memorable,” said senior Roberts Rowdies (student section) creator Sam Cashel.
This game includes basketball and cheerleading senior night, plus the annual athletic training silent auction.
Senior night will headline Andy Bennett, Chris Gordon, Anthony Gulve, Daniel Deadmon, Leland Bradford and manager Tyler Coleman for the men’s basketball team.
The silent auction will help support Webster’s Athletic Training program and fund future athletic training careers.
Webster is currently 22-1 and ranked fifth in the area according to Stlhighschoolsports’s most recent weekly rankings.
With a recent win over fifth-ranked SLUH at the time, the Statesmen also won over Eureka and Parkway West, and continue their 14-game winning streak with an opportunity to keep a one-loss season alive.
Sophomore Courtney Ramey is coming off a 30-point performance against Parkway West in which Ramey drilled six three’s and led Webster to a 21-point win.
Kirkwood lost to Parkway West 40-37 last week.
Kirkwood is currently ranked 10th in the in the area according to Stlhighschoolsports and has posted a 16-6 record thus far.
The last time the Pioneers arrived at Roberts Gym (2014), they left with broken hearts and Webster students on top the court. Webster won 63-61. This happened in dramatic fashion thanks to an alumnus Cameron Hilton tip-in with four seconds left.
Later that year, Webster defeated Kirkwood in the District championship when Webster vanquished their rivals in a 65-56 victory and went on to face CBC High School in the sectional playoffs.
Andy Bennett said, “That was the loudest game I have ever played in, and I know this game will be crazy on Friday.”
Kirkwood senior Dominique Loyd is the top average scorer for the Pioneers with 15.1 points per game. Loyd will matchup with Webster’s top scorer, Ramey, who averages 17.8 points.
The Roberts Rowdies, support group for the basketball team, has planned festivities for the game. A tailgate is planned before the game. The theme for the student section is an orange-out. During the game there will also be a miracle minute during half time to fund Webster’s Make a Wish Child, Carter, on his trip to Disney World.
The team has an opportunity to leave Roberts Gym this season undefeated.
