Who are these “best players” that are no longer playing? I can’t think of one. There are a few role players who didn’t play this season but they were a far cry from being the best players. The kids who aren’t playing wouldn’t even see the floor at places like Moeller. They did lose their best player to injury before the season started. I’ve been to a few games (including big wins over #1 Fairfield and at Lasalle) this season and all three levels seemed to be very engaged, playing hard and having fun.
I'm not a high school basketball fan (desperately need a shot clock)
Using the StX website and the GCL website here is a list of players that played for X last season but not this season
7 Seniors (Wassler, Devine and Houston were on varsity but never played)
Nolan Myers: starting safety on the football team, sustained season ending injury in Week 5 (September).
So not playing Sr. year due to the injury. As a junior averaged 21.1 minutes a game, 7 points and 2.6 rebounds
Robert Houston: starting safety on the football team, committed to play football at Army, will likely run track for StX in the spring.
Probably decided against playing basketball to concentrate on football
Alex Devine: starting LB on the football team, hoping to play football small college, no decision yet
Joey Wassler: starting TE on football team, committed to Princeton Tigers
Kyle Conner: last season as a junior averaged 7.1 minutes a game, averaged 2.4 points and 1.1 rebounds (actually is playing - my bad)
This year averages 14 minutes, 6 points and 1 rebound per game
Jake Gillinkirk: last season as a junior averaged 4.4 minutes a game, 0.9 points and 0.4 rebounds
Adam Peters: last season as a junior averaged 4.2 minutes a game, 0.5 points and 0.3 rebounds (is actually playing - my bad)
This year averages 4 minutes, 1.5 points and 1 rebound per game
4 Juniors (none of these 4 players played varsity basketball their sophomore year, not sure if any are varsity material)
Drew Weber: starting safety on the football team, preparing for senior season
Noah Beck: starting LB on the football team, preparing for senior season, at 6'2" 235lb may get D1 looks
Jack McClatchey: starting WR on the football team, preparing for senior season with hopes of
Ted Hammond: starting NG on football team, committed to Michigan
2 Sophomores (neither played varsity basketball freshman year, not sure if either are varsity material)
Tucker Kattus: starting tackle on football team, has half dozen D1 offers
Matt Schulte: starting LB on JV football team, has chance to start this fall as a junior