Earl Austin Jr.

Napheesa Collier has been a fixture in the USA Basketball program since high school, when she was an All-American at Incarnate Word Academy.

Westbrook, 37, played for seven different franchises during his stellar career. He will be remembered for his explosive athleticism as a point guard and his relentless style of play. He played his last season with the Sacramento Kings.

Teenage track and field phenom Tate Taylor was one of the big individual stars at last week's World U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon. The 18-year-old superstar won three gold medals, setting a championship record in the 200 and a world U20 record in the 4×100 relay. He swept both the 100- and 200-meter dash races, then anchored the USA to a world-record victory in the 4×100-meter relay.

The East St. Louis Flyers will begin another prep football season with an excellent non-conference schedule against national opponents. East Side will begin the season on August 22 against Chicago area powerhouse Mount Carmel. The matchup is scheduled for Illinois State University in Normal, roughly midway between the two schools. Mount Carmel won the IHSA Class 8A state championship last season.

Rising senior Bailey Hensgens of Incarnate Word Academy advanced to the finals of the high jump and placed eighth at the World U20 Championships in Oregon. Hensgens was the top American performer in the competition. It was the culmination of a tremendous season for Hensgens, who was a three-time Class 4 state champion in the high jump, triple jump and long jump in Jefferson City.

Football season is upon us in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The season begins this weekend on the Illinois side with the Missouri schools participating in preseason jamborees. As we begin another exciting season of high school football, it is time to look at some players to watch this year.

Football season is upon us in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The season begins this weekend on the Illinois side with the Missouri schools participating

The East St. Louis Flyers opened their highly anticipated football season by making a bold statement in Central Illinois.

The DeSmet Spartans are looking to regain their place as one of the St. Louis area's top high school football teams after last year's 6-5 season, which was in a rebuilding year with a young team.

The Oregon Ducks enter the college football season as a contender for a national championship, and one of the players looking to play a big role is former Metro East star Dierre Hill Jr.