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Men's Basketball Outlook

Armed with the top seed and momentum heading into the Region XVI title game against Penn Valley, the Magic came up on the short end of a 63-56 loss, finishing with a 21-11 mark. A strong year saw center Bill Brandenburg (Kirkwood) win All-American and Academic All-American honors, along with All-Region and All-Conference recognition. Stan Crawford and Jake Prosser (Frances Howell North) were also All-Region and All-Conference honorees. Following the February Kirkwood shooting tragedy, the team honored the city and its victims by displaying the Kirkwood city flag at its postseason games.

With just one returning starter, guard Alonzo Wrickerson (Webster Groves), the Magic and coach Randy Albrecht will truly experience a rebuilding year. Wrickerson was the set-up man, leading the team in assists (3.77 per game) and adding six points per game.

Also returning is a key reserve in power forward Eddie White (Parkway West), who stepped in and ignited the offense in several games. White averaged 10 points and 4 rebounds a game.  Andrew Moore (Northwest) was of the same ilk as a forward.

Among the new signees, only one is shorter than 6-3. John Alexander, a 6-4 power forward from Oakville, will bring the skills that led the Tigers to a district championship. Oakville handed state champs Webster Groves its only loss of the season in the St. Louis area. Alexander averaged 15.4 points and 11 rebounds a game and was a Suburban West Conference first-team selection.

Another highly successful program, Fort Zumwalt South, sends guard Danny Ortiz to Meramec following its third-place state finish. Ortiz averaged 14 points for the 27-3 Bulldogs and was the team’s main three-point shooter. Another guard, Julian Gilliam (Parkway South), transfers in from Southeast Missouri State University.

More offense should come from 6-5 forward Mike Stolle (St. Clair), who netted13 points a game for a 24-6 squad a three-year varsity starter. 6’7" John Topliffe (Columbia, Ill.) stands 6-7, and 6-5 Ronald Patton (Kirkwood) transfers from State Fair College in Sedalia.

Also joining the Magic is forward Leldon Love (Hazelwood Central).