Tiger Shootout will feature McCluer North standout

An appearance by one of the nation's top players and the state's top-ranked team highlights Saturday's annual Tiger Shootout at Central High School.

The eight-team event features four games matching Southeast Missouri squads against teams from the St. Louis area.

"It should be a really good event," Central coach Drew Church said. "We've got some very good teams coming in."

McCluer North and standout senior B.J. Young tops the list. The Stars (13-0) are ranked No. 1 in Class 5.

Young, a 6-foot-3 combo guard who has signed with Arkansas, is rated the nation's No. 18 high school player by rivals.com. He is averaging about 32 points and seven assists per game.

The Stars feature another highly regarded prospect in 6-8 junior forward Jordan Granger, who is averaging about 16 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks. He is being recruited by a variety of major programs, including Arkansas.

Jackson (9-3) has the rugged challenge of facing McCluer North at 3 p.m.

The event kicks off at noon with Charleston (8-3) playing McCluer South-Berkeley (4-4).

Notre Dame (7-5) takes on Parkway South (10-1) at 1:30 p.m. The Patriots won their first 10 games before losing this week.

Central (8-3) matches up with Francis Howell North (4-7) at 4:30 p.m. in the final contest. The Knights lost their first seven games but have won four straight.

"It should be a great day of basketball," Church said. "Hopefully a lot of people will come out."