Article by Warren Mayes
Photos from Will Poelker '25
Welcome to the rich tradition of De Smet Jesuit Spartans Basketball. In just 53 years, De Smet has compiled 6 State Championships, 14 Finals Four appearances, 34 District Championships, 12 Metro Catholic Conference Championships and 32 20-Win seasons. The Spartans have also produced 103 College Basketball Players including the legendary Steve Stipanovich, who was drafted by the Indiana Pacers as the 2nd Overall Pick in the NBA Draft.
The De Smet Jesuit Basketball Program is committed to developing young men into leaders while building a culture of accountability, trust, and togetherness. The Spartan Basketball Coaching Staff teaches student-athletes the importance of self-discipline and how to compete consistently at a high level. Our goal is to prepare each student-athlete for the demands required for the next level academically, physically, and mentally.
2022-23 Season Highlights
De Smet Jesuit Basketball put together yet another historical season under the leadership of Coach Kent Williams. Highlights include:
· MCC Champions – 1st time in 17 years
· Arvest Classic Champions
· Mainstay for STLToday.com’s Top 10 Large Schools
· Another 20-win season
· Senior Justin Duff breaks the school’s All-Time 3 Point Record
· Senior Justin Duff becomes the school’s 19th 1,000 Point Scorer
The 2022-23 season was an exciting season that featured historic moments and big wins. The season started off with a bang winning the Arvest Classic down in Springfield, MO while knocking off Lee’s Summit West in the 1st round who went 26-4, Kickapoo in the 2nd round who finished 2nd in Class 6, and Helias in the Championship. The Spartans followed up that win by going back down to Springfield, MO for the Ozark Mountain Shootout where they knocked off Arkansas Powerhouse, Parkview High School, Little Rock by 10 points.
De Smet finished tied for 1st in the MCC for the first time in 17 years. On their way to the title, they swept both SLUH and CBC. The win at CBC was captured by a game winning free throw by freshman, Ian Thomas as the crowd stormed the court.
The season also had some spectacular individual moments. On January 31st vs. Gateway Legacy, Coach Williams picked up his 100th career win as De Smet’s head coach with a 68-38 win. On the same night, Senior Justin Duff became the school’s 19th 1,000-point scorer. Justin finished his career with 1,193 points which puts him 7th on the All-Time Scoring list. On February 21st at Whitfield, Justin Duff became the school’s all-time leader in 3 pointers made by passing Blake Ahearn. Justin finished his career with a record 167 3 Pointers.
Justin Duff led the team in scoring with 18.1 points per game. Senior Patrick Origliasso led the team in rebounding with 7.3 per game and Sophomore Riley Massey led the team in Assists with 3.2 per game. For the season, the Spartans averaged 59 points per game while giving up just 50.9 points per game on defense. The Spartans played in the District Championship for the 4th time in 5 years, losing a heartbreaker by 1 point vs. Ladue, who went on to finish 2nd place in Class 5.
Awards:
· Justin Duff – All State, All District, 1st Team All MCC
· Riley Massey – All District, 2nd Team All MCC
· Patrick Origliasso – All District, MCC All-Academic Team
Opponent | Date | Time | Location | Details | Result | Score | Recap |
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vs.
De Smet Jesuit
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Varsity | |||
vs.
Webster Groves, Principia
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Webster Groves | Details about Basketball Varsity | |||
vs.
Arvest Classic, Rogers Heritage
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Kickapoo High School | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 72 - 45 | |
vs.
Arvest Classic, Kickapoo
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Kickapoo High School | Details about Basketball Varsity | Loss | 52 - 58 | |
vs.
Arvest Classic, Lee's Summit West
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Kickapoo High School | Details about Basketball Varsity | Loss | 68 - 70 | 3rd Place Game |
vs.
Rock Bridge
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Rockbridge | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 46 - 45 | |
vs.
Jennings
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 87 - 42 | |
vs.
SLUH
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 59 - 53 | |
vs.
Coaches vs Cancer, Parkway North
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Maryville University | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 76 - 48 | 1st Round Coaches vs Cancer |
vs.
Lindbergh, Coaches vs Cancer
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Maryville University | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 52 - 45 | |
vs.
Vianney, Coaches vs Cancer
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Maryville University | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 63 - 59 | Game at 3:00 or 6:00 |
vs.
Coaches vs Cancer, Webster Groves
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Maryville University | Details about Basketball Varsity | Loss | 55 - 60 | Championship Game |
vs.
CBC
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 79 - 47 | |
vs.
Chaminade
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 49 - 48 | |
vs.
Confluence Prep
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Confluence Prep | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 62 - 35 | |
vs.
Vianney
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 85 - 48 | |
vs.
Kirkwood, Circle 7 Tournament
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Parkway West | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 58 - 47 | |
vs.
Circle 7 Tournament, Parkway Central
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Parkway West | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 57 - 53 | |
vs.
Circle 7 Tournament, Liberty - Wentzville
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Parkway West | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 53 - 50 | Championship |
vs.
Pinckneyville Shootout, Moline
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Pinckneyville High School | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 60 - 56 | |
vs.
SLUH
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SLUH | Details about Basketball Varsity | Loss | 52 - 57 | |
vs.
Wood River Shootout, Sacred Heart Griffin
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Wood River | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 66 - 42 | |
vs.
Helias
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Helias | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 55 - 52 | |
vs.
CBC
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CBC | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 75 - 73 | |
vs.
Hazelwood Central
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 62 - 57 | |
vs.
Chaminade
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Chaminade | Details about Basketball Varsity | |||
vs.
Chaminade
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Chaminade | Details about Basketball Varsity | Loss | 57 - 70 | |
vs.
St. Mary's
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 79 - 65 | |
vs.
Vianney
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Vianney | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 73 - 67 | |
vs.
MSHSAA Districts, McCluer
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Parkway Central | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 73 - 43 | District Quarterfinal |
vs.
MSHSAA Districts, Hazelwood East
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Parkway Central | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 75 - 50 | District SemiFinal |
vs.
Ladue, MSHSAA Districts
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Parkway Central | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 57 - 48 | District Final |
vs.
Ft. Zumwalt South, MSHSAA Quarterfinals
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Ft. Zumwalt South | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 53 - 43 | |
vs.
MSHSAA Semi-Finals, Winnetonka
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Mizzou Arena | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 65 - 41 | |
vs.
Jefferson City, MSHSAA State Championship
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Mizzou Arena | Details about Basketball Varsity | Win | 75 - 56 |
Kent Williams is entering his 7th season as the Head Basketball Coach of the De Smet Jesuit Spartans. Last year, the Spartans finished 1st in the MCC for the first time in 17 seasons. Coach Williams has completely turned the program around in his first 6 seasons at the helm. Over his 6 seasons, the Spartans are 107-56 with a winning percentage of .656 while playing some of the toughest competition in the region. Coach Williams’ Spartans are 100-44 in the last 5 seasons with a .694 winning percentage. Coach Williams and the Spartans set a school record with the biggest turnaround in school history from year 1 to year 2, going from 7 wins to 23 wins.
Over his 6 years, Coach Williams has helped 11 players go on to play college basketball and coached 5 more players who went on to play collegiately in another sport. During this time, the Spartans have had 3 All-State Award Winners, 14 All-District Players, and 3 1,000-point scorers. Justin Duff became the school’s All-Time Leader in 3 Point Field Goals, passing Blake Ahern with 167 threes. Justin Duff set a single-game steals record with 8 vs. Lafayette on December 12, 2020. Sekou Gassama set a single game Free Throw record by making 17 vs. Chaminade on January 7, 2021. The Spartans won the Centralia Thanksgiving Tournament Championship, Arvest Classic Tournament Champions in Springfield, MO, and 4 straight Circle 7 Showdown Championships.
Coach Williams compiled an impressive profile over his playing and coaching career before arriving at De Smet. As Southern Illinois University 2nd All-Time Leading Scorer with 2,012 points, Kent helped lead the Salukis to back-to-back MVC Championships in 2002 and 2003, including back-to-back BCAA Tournaments. In 2002, the Salukis reached the Sweet 16. Coach Williams is the only player in SIU history to lead the team in scoring all 4 years. He set a school record while starting all 130 games and complied the most minutes played in school history. He’s 2nd in 3-pointers made, 2nd in Free Throws made, and 8th in Assists. Over his career, Coach Williams earned 1st Team ALL-MVC in 2002 & 2003, 2nd Team All-MVC in 2001 and was named Freshman of the Year and Newcomer of the Year in 2000. He also was the first ever 2-time MVC Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2002 and 2003.
Kent’s coaching career began at Purdue University as the Supervisor of Basketball Operations under 2019 National Coach of the Year and 4-Time Big Ten Coach of the Year Matt Painter. During Coach Williams’ time at Purdue, the Boilermakers went from worst to 2nd in just 3 seasons while setting a record for the largest turnaround in school history. Kent coached 4 NBA Draft Picks: Carl Landry, E’Twuan Moore, JaJuan Johnson, and Robbie Hummel.
In 2008, Kent became an Assistant Coach at Missouri State University under Cuonzo Martin. While at Missouri State, the Bears went from worst to 1st in 3 seasons and won the school's first and only MVC Regular Season Championship. Once again, setting a school record for the largest turnaround, the Bears went from 8 wins to 24 wins while setting school records for points per game and 3s made in a season. Kent was instrumental in developing MVC Player of the Year Kyle Weems and MVC Newcomer of the Year Adam Leonard.
In 2011, Kent became an Assistant Coach at the University of Tennessee. While at Tennessee, the Vols averaged 21 wins a season including a run to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2014. Kent coached 3 NBA Draft Picks: Jarnell Stokes, Jordan McRae, and Josh Richardson.
College Players
· Brooks Ford – University of Missouri
· Evan Asleson – Missouri Baptist University/Lewis & Clark Community College
· Collin Goodwin – Greenville University
· Sekou Gassama – Pepperdine University
· Yaya Keita – University of Missouri/Oklahoma University
· Jackson Neidenbach – Millikin University
· Brian Taylor – UW Milwaukee/SIU Edwardsville
· Jemeal Goines – St. Louis Community College
· Brennan Lovette – Rend Lake College/Truman State University
· Justin Duff – Missouri Southern University
· Patrick Origliasso – Millikin University
Assistant Coaches
Steven Neidenbach
Carlos Smith
Opponent | Date | Time | Location | Details | Result | Score | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vs.
Westminster Christian Academy
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Westminster Christian Academy | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Loss | 50 - 55 | |
vs.
St. Francis Borgia
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St. Francis Borgia | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 74 - 48 | |
vs.
Rock Bridge
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Rockbridge | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 69 - 52 | |
vs.
Hazelwood West
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Hazelwood West | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 62 - 42 | |
vs.
Jennings
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 71 - 9 | |
vs.
SLUH
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 63 - 53 | |
vs.
McCluer, MCC Tournament
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Vianney | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 59 - 33 | |
vs.
CBC, MCC Tournament
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CBC | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 43 - 41 | game will be at 10:30 or 12:00 |
vs.
Vianney, MCC Tournament
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Loss | 54 - 57 | |
vs.
CBC
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 43 - 41 | |
vs.
Chaminade
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 65 - 55 | |
vs.
Webster Groves
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | |||
vs.
Confluence Prep
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Confluence Prep | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 76 - 45 | |
vs.
Vianney
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Loss | 52 - 63 | |
vs.
St. Dominic Tournament, Duchesne
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St. Dominic | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 71 - 28 | |
vs.
St. Dominic Tournament, Washington
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St. Dominic | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 55 - 18 | |
vs.
St. Dominic Tournament, St. Dominic
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St. Dominic | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 60 - 58 | Finals |
vs.
McCluer
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 70 - 47 | |
vs.
Webster Groves
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 56 - 55 | |
vs.
SLUH
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SLUH | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 69 - 51 | |
vs.
Helias
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Helias | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 58 - 53 | |
vs.
CBC
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CBC | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 55 - 50 | |
vs.
Hazelwood Central
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Loss | 62 - 65 | |
vs.
Chaminade
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Chaminade | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | |||
vs.
Chaminade
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Chaminade | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 64 - 36 | |
vs.
St. Mary's
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Win | 78 - 47 | |
vs.
Vianney
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Vianney | Details about Basketball Junior Varsity | Loss | 48 - 50 |
Opponent | Date | Time | Location | Details | Result | Score | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vs.
St. Charles West Tournament, Ft. Zumwalt West
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Win | 55 - 44 | |
vs.
CBC, St. Charles West Tournament
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St. Charles West | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Win | 41 - 24 | |
vs.
St. Charles West Tournament, Eureka
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Loss | 24 - 51 | |
vs.
Lutheran North
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Loss | 35 - 68 | |
vs.
Vianney
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Loss | 31 - 34 | |
vs.
Jennings
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Win | 50 - 30 | |
vs.
SLUH
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SLUH | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Loss | 42 - 58 | |
vs.
Chaminade
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Chaminade | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Loss | 26 - 27 | |
vs.
Kirkwood, Cardinal Ritter Tournament
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Cardinal Ritter | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Loss | 29 - 34 | |
vs.
Cardinal Ritter Tournament, McCluer
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Cardinal Ritter | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Win | 48 - 40 | |
vs.
Cardinal Ritter Tournament, SLUH
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Cardinal Ritter | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Loss | 47 - 57 | |
vs.
Oakville Tournament, SLUH
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Oakville | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Loss | 46 - 58 | |
vs.
Oakville Tournament, Clayton
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Oakville | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Win | 46 - 45 | |
vs.
Mehlville, Oakville Tournament
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Oakville | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Loss | 52 - 53 | |
vs.
CBC
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Loss | 26 - 58 | |
vs.
Chaminade
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Win | 45 - 37 | |
vs.
St. Dominic
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St. Dominic | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Loss | 19 - 54 | |
vs.
Rock Bridge
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Rockbridge | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | |||
vs.
Confluence Prep
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Confluence Prep | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Win | 42 - 41 | |
vs.
Vianney
|
|
|
Vianney | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Loss | 35 - 42 | |
vs.
SLUH
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Loss | 36 - 58 | |
vs.
St. Mary's
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St. Mary's | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Loss | 52 - 89 | |
vs.
CBC
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CBC | Details about Basketball Freshmen Maroon | Loss | 36 - 55 |
Opponent | Date | Time | Location | Details | Result | Score | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vs.
Hazelwood West
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Freshmen White | Win | 35 - 33 | |
vs.
Lutheran North
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Freshmen White | Win | 44 - 32 | |
vs.
Lutheran St. Charles
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Lutheran St. Charles | Details about Basketball Freshmen White | |||
vs.
Vianney
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Freshmen White | Win | 45 - 39 | |
vs.
SLUH
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SLUH | Details about Basketball Freshmen White | Loss | 19 - 54 | |
vs.
Chaminade
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Chaminade | Details about Basketball Freshmen White | Loss | 34 - 36 | |
vs.
CBC
|
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Freshmen White | Win | 47 - 39 | |
vs.
Chaminade
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Freshmen White | Win | 36 - 21 | |
vs.
St. Dominic
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St. Dominic | Details about Basketball Freshmen White | Loss | 32 - 34 | |
vs.
Hazelwood West
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|
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Vianney | Details about Basketball Freshmen White | Loss | 34 - 43 | |
vs.
Vianney
|
|
|
Vianney | Details about Basketball Freshmen White | Win | 47 - 37 | |
vs.
St. Charles West
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St. Charles West | Details about Basketball Freshmen White | |||
vs.
Vianney
|
|
|
Vianney | Details about Basketball Freshmen White | Win | 34 - 27 | |
vs.
CBC
|
|
|
Vianney | Details about Basketball Freshmen White | Loss | 22 - 40 | |
vs.
MICDS
|
|
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MICDS | Details about Basketball Freshmen White | Loss | 39 - 57 | |
vs.
SLUH
|
|
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Freshmen White | Loss | 30 - 39 | |
vs.
McCluer
|
|
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De Smet Jesuit | Details about Basketball Freshmen White | Win | 39 - 29 | |
vs.
CBC
|
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CBC | Details about Basketball Freshmen White | Win | 34 - 25 |
De Smet Jesuit Basketball put together yet another historical season under the leadership of Coach Kent Williams. Highlights include:
In a COVID-shortened season featuring only 22 games, the Spartans played six games versus State Final Four Teams, including three State Champions, to compete once again with one of the toughest schedules in the State of Missouri.
As a team, the Spartans averaged just under 60 points per game while holding their opponents to 47 points per game. The Spartans played this season without Missouri Tiger signee Yaya Keita, who sustained a season-ending knee injury in the fall. Junior guard Brian Taylor picked up the slack as he led the team in scoring, assists, and steals while becoming De Smet’s first All-State selection since 2013. Senior Jeremiah Walker became the school’s 17th player to join the 1,000-point club. Senior Sekou Gassama set a school record vs. Chaminade in a game where he scored 24 points while shooting 17-20 from the free-throw line. Both the makes and attempts became new school records. Sophomore Justin Duff also set a school record with eight steals vs. Lafayette in the first game of the season.
Awards:
All-State
Brian Taylor (junior)
All-District
Sekou Gassama (senior)
Brennan Lovette (junior)
Brian Taylor (junior)
Jeremiah Walker (senior)
1st Team All-MCC
Brian Taylor (junior)
2nd Team All-MCC
Sekou Gassama (senior)
Jeremiah Walker (senior)
Article by Warren Mayes
Photos from Will Poelker '25
Article by Andrew Dolan '26
Photos by Mr. Berns
Article & Photos by Paul Halfacre
Video of the history of De Smet basketball by Anthony Grant '21
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