Athlete of the Week Archives - Scoops with Danny Mac: Recent Episodes
Dan McLaughlin
St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois Sports News - St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Missouri Tigers, SLU Billikens, Prep Sports, PGA Golf and more coverage from around the region.
The St. Louis area has had another outstanding season on the hardwood, but there is one story that sticks out and it involves five girls doing everything they can to just finish the season. But this group did so much more! The Whitfield girls’ basketball program proved to a lot of people that hard work and having heart can get you the success that you deserve.
The Warriors fell into a situation that many girls’ programs around the country have encountered over the past few years, low numbers of girls wanting to play basketball. The number of girls wanting to play the game has dropped by over 25 % according to The Athletic Journal over the past few years. There are many reasons for this alarming trend to take place, but the Whitfield girls overcame that and showed that it could be done by being competitive and winning a district title a few weeks ago.
The season started with first-year head coach Chris Ellis having only eight players. Then right before Christmas, he and the administration decided to put the season on hold due to players being sick and injured. It was during this hiatus that the team regrouped and added a junior varsity volleyball player that has never played basketball before.
Photo Credit – Whitfield High School Athletics
“Amali McBride, our sophomore, brought in a classmate by the name of Caroline Dahlhoff to play”, stated Ellis. “She is tall and athletic, but she told me to not expect very much as I have never played. I said that it was Ok, and we will make it work. She then put in her 14 practice days which ended the day we played Edwardsville. That was the target date, and the young lady played every second of the game.”
With five players, the Warriors restarted their season against the Tigers on January 19. Even though they fell to the Tigers, you could just see that those five were going to give everything they had to play and win.
After dropping their next two games to Westminster and Visitation, the Warriors won eight of their last nine games which included a 66-58 victory over Parkway Central to win the district title. Whitfield then saw their season end in the Class 5 quarterfinals with a loss to Lutheran St. Charles 67-33.
The biggest factor in this story is that only one player had played significant varsity minutes heading into this year. Tkiyah Nelson was the leader of the team with those valuable minutes as she was the team’s leading scorer with an average of 19.8 per game. She also added a team-high 10.8 rebounds per game, but it was her leadership off the court that was amazing.
“I am so proud of these girls,” said Ellis. “When you think about it, I had a freshman that did not play at a very high-level coming in. We had two sophomores with only one that saw a lot of playing time on the varsity last year. When you think about it, only Tkiyah was the only accomplished basketball player at the varsity level. So, for them to play at a high level like that when only one of the five saw any appreciative varsity time the year before is astounding. And we were competitive in almost every game. We lost to Viz by 18, but we were competitive in the games that we lost, and we were not embarrassed. It was such an amazing deal.”
Winning is one thing, but trying to practice and get into a routine is a different subject as Coach Ellis and his staff had to get very creative with those situations.
“Practices were hard,” stated Ellis. “What were we going to do with just five girls? Even to choreograph a five-player pre-game because we could not do a two-line layup drill. We had to get creative in all aspects. I would not trade it at all. Five was the magic number because if we have less, we do not have a season and with anything more, we don’t have a story to tell.”
One of the things that Coach Ellis was impressed with as well as how the group came together, especially Dahloff. For a player to have never played basketball before, she was able to contribute and especially in the quarterfinal game where she had six rebounds and did not turn the ball over.
Another player Ellis mentioned was McBride as she was the team’s second-leading scorer with 16.3 points per contest.
“In my mind, McBride was one of the best guards in the area at the end of the season without any doubt,” said Ellis.
Ellis also mentioned the contributions of Kayli McGee-Williams and Kali Whitfield as they were key contributors to help make this season a success. McGee-Williams was outstanding on the boards averaging 6.8 rebounds per game while Whitfield added nearly five points a contest and 2.9 rebounds per game.
The accomplishments of this have not gone unnoticed in the community as pointed out by their Athletic Director Mike Roth.
“It was a unique situation for these girls,” stated Roth. “Coach Ellis had to get creative with not only his practice schedule and planning along with managing the game due to fatigue and fouls. Our Whitfield community is so extremely proud of the accomplishment of this group of ladies. Their determination, work ethic, and their love of the game persevered throughout the season. All five girls brought different talents and strengths to the team. Whether their role was a defender, passer, ball handler, screener, or scorer, all those players accepted their role and worked to the best of their abilities to assure that the team would be successful”.
This story may at some point be forgotten by many that are not true basketball junkies, but for these five girls and coaches, the memories that they have created this year will without a doubt, last a lifetime.
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The Ladue Rams football team did not have the season they expected this past fall as they finished 6-4, but one of the biggest bright spots for the Rams was three-year starting quarterback Beau Dolan.
Dolan led the Ladue passing attack with 1,739 yards through the air and had 132 completions with 24 touchdown strikes. Dolan also scored a touchdown on the ground for the Rams who fell to Parkway West in the opening round of the Class 5, District 2 tournament.
This past season was not the year that the Rams wanted, but with Dolan starting his third year under center and with a new head coach, he knew going in that after they lost a lot of seniors from last season, his teammates would be looking at him to lead.
“Coming into this year with a brand-new head coach since Coach Tarpey retired after many years and we graduated 17 seniors from last year, there were a lot of question marks”, stated Dolan. “We were not sure if we were going to be a .500 team or like last year’s team that finished 9-2. So, coming into this year and filling the role of being the new leader with all of the seniors from last year graduating, we had to do what we had to do. Going 6-4 was not what we wanted but having a winning record with all of the freshmen and sophomores that we had playing, was a good learning experience and I am excited for my senior year.”
Since he has been a three-year starter for the Rams, his leadership has gone from being the type of guy that led by example and followed what the upperclassmen had set out to do to becoming more of a vocal guy both on the field and in the locker room.
“My first two years, especially my freshman year when it was a COVID year, I stepped into kind of a random role not knowing what to expect,” said Dolan. “After finishing my sophomore season with a 9-2 record and having a great junior year, this coming year, I feel as if I am the main leader, and it is my team with the others that will be seniors with me. I am excited for the off-season workouts and very excited for my senior year.”
Talking about his leadership qualities, now that this is his team, Dolan knows that he needs to take more command of the huddle and on the sidelines for the Rams to be successful next season.
“My first two years were a little awkward for me because I did not want to overstep what the upperclassmen were saying,” stated Dolan. “So, I feel that my first two years, I was more of a quiet leader and just wanted to do everything the right way. When you are a quarterback, you still have to lead by example no matter how old you are. This past year since we did not have a big senior class, I helped them by again leading by example and I also started to be a little more vocal. This coming year, I will be a lot more vocal along with the others in my senior class.”
Dolan wanted to be a quarterback at a very young age, and it shows due to how he has become such a student of the game in how he approaches the position.
“Growing up, I fell in love with being a quarterback and being a student of the game,” said Dolan. “You have to have the smarts to be able to do it plus you have to have the athletic and leadership ability to do it and I like doing that. Things went from there once I was named the starter in my freshman year. Things can get very stressful at times both mentally and physically, but it is a lot of fun, and I can’t imagine not being a quarterback.”
What a lot of people do not know is that being a quarterback, let alone a high school student-athlete, there are so many “unseen hours” that go into being successful. That also includes getting things done in the classroom where he holds an outstanding 3.8 GPA.
“No matter if you are having a good or bad day, you still have to get to those workouts and be there for your team”, stated Dolan. “People have no idea how many hours you have to put in whether it is watching a film or even during my freshman year, learning all of the plays because just because we are a high school team, the playbook is massive. The classroom always comes first as you have to maintain good grades. Then, you have to make sure that you know all of the plays and also in knowing your teammates. Forming a bond with them is huge especially during offseason workouts because that is how we can be successful.”
Dolan is a multisport athlete as well. He has played on the basketball team the past few years, but this spring, he is going to play on the Rams golf team. This is something that is new and exciting for Dolan.
“I have played basketball in the past and I thought that it was a lot going from football straight into hoops season,” said Dolan. “I fell in love with golf this past year, and I think that it is going to be a lot of fun to play this spring. I love golf!”
Every student-athlete has a great support system at home and Dolan is no different. His parents support and push him to be the best that he can be, both on the field and in the classroom.
“My parents are always there for me,” stated Dolan. “Whether I wanted to play at the next level or I did not, they are always supportive of my decisions. They supported me when I decided to not play basketball and to start playing golf. They are always there when I needed to get a ride to practices, and they would always pick me up. They are always there for me.”
Dolan is getting many looks to continue his play at the next level, and he is just now starting the recruiting process.
“I am still trying to get the hang of the recruiting process because it is a little bit confusing and complicated all at the same time,” said Dolan. “I will be grateful for anyone that wants to look at me or offer me a chance to play. I am not looking at any specific schools right now, but I just want to make sure that I have a great senior season so that I can get more chances and opportunities. I want to be able to choose where I go instead of only having one or two offers, so any school that gives me a chance, I will be grateful for.”
Congratulations to junior Beau Dolan on being named our Triad Bank/High School Sports Caravan Student-Athlete of the Week and we wish him nothing but the best this spring on the links and next season on the gridiron.
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The St. Louis metro area has seen many outstanding performances at the Missouri State High School Activities Association Swimming and Diving Championships over the years. This year was no different as a young man from Webster Groves solidified his name in the record books as the sixth diver to win three consecutive diving titles.
Bennet Loving scored the 13th-highest point total in state history a few weeks back with 499.05 points en route to claiming his third straight diving championship at the St. Peters Rec Plex.
Winning a state title for three straight years is a tremendous accomplishment that is not lost on Loving as he knew that it was something that has not been done many times in state history.
“It took a lot of practice and work to get to this point,” stated Loving. “It feels amazing, especially with all my teammates cheering me on through the years. I never thought that I would be here three times in a row and here I am!”
When people talk about specialized sports such as diving, there is a love for that sport as so much time and energy goes into it. Loving found that love years ago and has never looked back.
“I actually started off by going to public pools and diving off the boards there and eventually started doing a summer club,” said Loving. “I started to like it and then started to do year-round lessons. My coach at the time for private lessons suggested that I come and check out a practice for his club and it has now been four years since I started that.”
Diving is a sport where you just cannot be successful by just going to practice. There are many hours that no one can see to prepare and train to be a state champion. Loving is no different as he does so much away from school practices to get better.
“Other than high school practices, I would also do multiple practices a day that equaled four hours a day,” stated Loving. “I would also do a lot of stretching at home and go to the gym on a daily basis to work on my core strength and other muscles that I need. Diving is a very rigorous sport; at other times, it can deteriorate your body, especially with the heights that you may dive off of, so you have to build up your muscles to stay healthy.”
Going into this season, Loving knew that there were going to be some high expectations for him after winning the past two state titles. The pressure can be immense for someone with those expectations.
“I did have a decent amount of pressure this year, even though I thought that I would be fine,” said Loving. “A lot of people kept saying that you are going to win this year and I kept saying that you never know what can happen. The pressure was definitely there and this year I wanted to push myself a little bit more by doing more difficult dives. That was the main thing that I was focusing on other than competition.”
Being a state champion in the diving event and an outstanding student in the classroom is something that Loving strives for. He knows that organization of his time is a key component to his success in both areas.
“You have to love the sport, but you also have to be persistent and stay with it even when it is hard,” stated Loving. “For me, it helps to block out my time in separate ways so that I know what needs to get done. That helps me balance everything out without losing my mind.”
Loving is still in the recruiting stages of his next step after he graduates in the spring, but he wants to remain in the pool and is looking into a career in the business world.
Congratulations to Bennet Loving of Webster Groves on being named our HSSC/Scoops with Danny Mac Student-Athlete of the Week and we wish him nothing but the best.
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There have been so many outstanding student-athletes in the metro area over the past year, but let’s talk about a young man that has been a driving force for the MICDS football team over the past two years. The best thing about Winston Moore is that he is taking his talents to the Ivy League next year.
Moore has been a leader for the Rams this season with 202 points, which is second in the metro area and has nearly 1,00 yards rushing. He has a team-high 30 touchdowns on the year and has accounted for 429 yards in receiving yards and another three touchdowns.
The Rams lost a heartbreaker to Smithville in the state semifinal last year and for him and the rest of the team that was returning, it was a huge motivational factor entering this season.
“The loss last year motivated us as a team,” stated Moore. “The older guys last year were heartbroken, but we knew that we needed to get to the spot that we are at right now and we need to work to get to the state championship. We do not want to lose this year because we have been so close the past few years and we saw how sad it was for the seniors last year when we lost. It put us in a position to motivate us to keep going.”
Photo courtesy of MICDS
Moore’s game has come full circle so to say as he started as a quarterback his freshman year and has played many roles over the past two years to help his team be successful.
“I started out playing quarterback as a freshman,” said Moore. “It definitely has come full circle this year as I like playing multiple positions as it will help the team. I enjoy helping the team by working in different positions so that I can make plays and make big things happen for the team.”
Moore has a special bond with the other big-time playmaker on the team in Steven Hall. Hall is the leading rusher for the Rams, but the two are best friends on and off the field.
“He is like a brother to me, and we really enjoy doing big things on the field,” stated Moore. “It is really enjoyable that we can do really big things. We have skills that are a little bit different. In practice, we compete, and it is really fun.”
When you have a group of seniors that have been a part of so many successful teams, you would think that the leadership would be all over the place. Not with this group. Moore took a lot from last year’s seniors and has used it to his advantage.
“The seniors last year were such a great example,” said Moore. “They got us going in every practice and every day before games. They showed us what it was like to be a captain and how important it was to show the younger players. This year, I remembered what they taught me, and I just tried to show the younger guys how much of a team sport this is. It is such a big role to be a senior leader on the team because the younger guys look up to you and you always want to set a good example for them because they are going to watch what you do.”
Moore saw his love for football come from his older brothers, who both played on the colligate level. This family has football in their blood!
“Both of my older brothers played football on the collegiate level,” said Moore. “My older brother played quarterback in college. And my other brother played in college, so my love for football has always been there from a young age. I started to play in second grade, and I always watched football. I also heard a lot about football from my brothers and it made me fall in love with it because I wanted to be great like them.”
The support system is huge when it comes to a football family like the Moore’s. With a pair of sons that have already played in college, Winston has always had a big-time support group behind him.
“I definitely appreciate my parents because their support is amazing,” stated Moore. “They have taken me from state to state in the recruiting process and have helped me in the decision process. They have helped me see the bigger picture with everything and not just about football. They support me with everything.”
Football at a high level at MICDS is as tough as it gets, but also making sure that the work in the classroom is also at the top of the list. Moore has figured out the best way to make it work to his advantage.
“It is really easy now that I have committed,” said Moore. “Having a schedule has helped and also the teachers at school are very supportive when I have different assignments. They also know that this is a very busy time of the year and the stress levels have gone up a bit. My parents also help me with whatever I need.”
Moore has already committed to the Ivy League. He will attend Colgate in the fall to further his academic and football career. Heading to the east coast is the next step for him.
“I really loved Colgate!” stated Moore. “I really liked the coaches and when I went there for my visit in the summer, I just fell in love with the atmosphere and the coaches. It is a great academic school and a great football team, and they are building something, and I am excited to be a part of it.”
Congratulations to Winston Moore of MICDS on being this week’s HSSC/Scoops with Danny Mac Student-Athlete of the Week and we wish him and the Rams the best of luck in this week’s quarterfinal!
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The Jefferson R7 volleyball team did something that no other team in school history has done. They claimed the school’s first-ever state championship this past weekend at the Show-Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. One of the big reasons that the Blue Jays won the state title was the play of senior Kirstyn Loyd. Loyd […]
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We have had the opportunity to chat with many outstanding student-athletes over the past 10 months with many of them playing and succeeding at multiple sports. Will Geary from Valley Park is no different as he stands out for the Hawks on the soccer field, the basketball court, and the diamond. This fall has been […]
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The Eureka girls’ volleyball team has been one of the top stories in the area this fall with an outstanding record of 33-4 on the year. One of the main reasons for their success has been the play of their six seniors. Caroline Keithley is one of those seniors who have been a Wildcats leader […]
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The Ladue boys’ soccer team has been on the rise over the past few years as they were 10 minutes away from winning the Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 3 title a year ago. Senior Eli Tenenbaum was a part of that team last year and has led the team this season in […]
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It is common for many student-athletes to play multiple sports during the school year, but it is rare for someone to play two sports simultaneously. Taylor Wuennenberg from Ursuline Academy is one of those athletes that is doing just that this fall. And she is doing it with outstanding results. Wuennenberg is a standout on […]
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The Seckman football team has seen a resurgence over the past few years in which they have emerged as a team to watch in the area and Cole Ruble has been a major key to the Jaguars success. Ruble leads the area in scoring with 150 points and is second in rushing with 1,189 yards. […]
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The Francis Howell softball team is off to another outstanding season with just a few weeks left before districts begin. One of the reasons for their success this season is a junior leading the Vikings offense at the plate and a natural leader on the field. Lorin Boutte is a mainstay in the Howell lineup […]
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Eureka high school has seen its fair share of outstanding running backs through the years and this year is no different. Kevin Emmanuel is the latest to make a name for himself in the Wildcat program as he has led the team to a 4-0 start this season. Emmanuel leads the metro area in rushing […]
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In 2020, Vanderbilt’s Sarah Fuller kicked a pair of extra points to become the first female to score a point in a Power Five college game. What Fuller did that year has shown that women belong in all sports, including football. Abby Knight from Granite City has taken what Fuller did and has brought it […]
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It is time to start honoring the great students in the area for the 2022-23 year as they have not only been able to succeed on the field or court but also in the classroom. This week’s HSSC/Scoops with Danny Mac Student-Athlete of the Week has been one of the top running backs in the […]
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Four area girls’ soccer players earned national honors this week as the United Soccer Coaches Association announced their All-American teams for this past spring while three area coaches were named USC Missouri Coach of the Year. This is the highest national honor that soccer players can earn in the nation. Seniors Grace Bindbeutel of St. […]
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Every year, the St. Louis Sports Commission Associates presents the Carl Fricks Sportsmanship Scholarship to deserving graduating seniors from schools in the metro area. This scholarship does not use what the student-athletes do on the field or the court, but how they present themselves in competition. The selection process recognizes individuals who show honesty, integrity, […]
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Every high school athlete dream of winning a state title in the sport that they participate in. The ultimate goal in track and field is to not only become a state champion in an event but to help your teammates win the state team title for their school. Skyye Lee checked all of those boxes […]
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When college coaches head out on the recruiting trail, the one thing that they look for are individuals that are multi-sport athletes and players that are getting things done in the classroom. Joey Friedel from Fort Zumwalt South has checked all those boxes in his career as a Bulldog. Friedel helped the Bulldogs to the […]
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The Triad girls’ soccer team has enjoyed a ton of success over the past few seasons. They are the defending Illinois High School Association Class 2A State Champions and have only lost one game this season as they are starting their state playoff journey. One of the main reasons for their success is the play […]
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We talk about playing multiple sports in high school helps all the student-athletes prepare to play at the college level. Brett Norfleet from Francis Howell is a prime example of how one sport helps him get ready for another sport as he is a standout on the Vikings football team in the fall and a […]
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In the sport of track and field, there are easy events that are just running and jumping. But one of the most difficult events is the pole vault. It takes agility, strength, and speed to be successful. Mason Meinershagen has used all three of those parts to be one of the top performers in the […]
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There have been many big-name track and field athletes that have come through the Kirkwood Track and Field program over the years with Alvin Miller being the biggest name to make his mark on the program. Ga’Darr Burks is looking to add his name to that list in only his first year of participating in […]
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The Parkway West girls’ soccer team is off to an outstanding start to the 2022 season and is ranked second in the first Missouri Coaches Power Rankings and is currently in the fifth spot in this week’s HSSC/Scoops with Danny Mac Top 10 list. One of the reasons for the Longhorns’ success is the play […]
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