Hazelwood West Wins Second Last-Minute Thriller this Week, Advances in Tourney Play

ST. CHARLES-Two games into the new boys basketball season, and one thing’s for sure—it’s going to be an exciting year for the Wildcats.

At least it sure seems that way, after West won both of its first two contests with last-minute rallies in the prestigious St. Charles West Warrior Classic Tournament at .

On Monday night, the Wildcats pulled out a spine-tingling win against , thanks to a last-second shot by junior Devon Carter.

And on Wednesday night, it was a brilliant final minute rally, sparked by senior Derrian Johnson’s spectacular driving layup, that led the Wildcats to a 66-59 win over .

“Hats off to Kirkwood,” said Hazelwood West head basketball coach Cary Lewis Jr. “We’re going to see them again. We’re in their tournament; and now, I kind of wish we didn’t get in it because they’re a good ballteam.

“The kudos go to the kids. They fought and fought and fought. I didn’t have anything to do with it.”

Lewis is the one that called the game-winning play, with the score tied at 58. The coach instructed his team to clear out space for Johnson, who drove right past Kirkwood’s Clark Randall, and went to the basket for a sprawling layup that gave the Wildcats the lead for good.  

West would add six free throws in the final 30 seconds, but Johnson’s bucket was the one the won the game.

“He’s a senior, and it’s now or never,” Lewis said. “I think he has a great future.

"...Seniors are supposed to execute, and win games like this.”

Another West senior, point guard T.J. Ross led all scorers in Wednesday’s contest, with 17 points and six assists, while Johnson finished with 12 points, as the Wildcats advanced to the championship game of the Warrior Classic for the .

The Crusaders got to the championship by knocking off Ft. Zumwalt South in Wednesday’s other semifinal, earlier in the evening.

For Lewis, Friday’s matchup will bring a little extra excitement and a chance to settle a family rivalry, as he’ll get to face his younger cousin, Glenn Bradford, a senior guard on Lutheran North’s squad.

Lewis even saluted Bradford, who was watching from the far bleachers, at the end of Wednesday’s contest. He said he told him he better be ready for Friday night’s matchup.

“There’s been a lot of friendly banter going on between the two teams,” Lewis said. “We played in the championship game last year. We won.

"Lutheran North feels like they’re the best team this year, and we’re going to find out Friday.”

That evening, there will be four games at St. Charles West High to cap the final night of the Warrior Classic:

Francis Howell North will play Ft. Zumwalt West at 4 p.m. Ritenour will play St. Charles West in the consolation championship at 5:30 p.m. The third-place game will feature Kirkwood taking on Ft. Zumwalt South. Then there's the capper, the Hazelwood West-Lutheran North showdown at 8:30 p.m.