Prep Scene
Here are four individuals who have made and will continue to make their marks.
Michigan State University men’s basketball signee Tre Holloman finished his career as one of Cretin Derham Hall High School’s most decorated student athletes. He also starred for the football team as a defensive back.
Holloman’s mother, Crystal Flint, was a star player for the University of Minnesota Women’s basketball team, leading the Gophers to their first NCAA tournament victory over Notre Dame in 1994.
Former St. Paul Central girls’ basketball coach Willie Taylor just finished his first year leading the St. Paul Academy (SPA) girls’ basketball team. Taylor coached Central to Class 4A championships in 2007 and 2008 and led Duluth Central’s boys’ basketball team to the state tournament in 1977.
Before SPA, Taylor led Stillwater High School to Class 4A state tournament appearances in 2019 and 2020. Taylor’s daughter Julia recently completed her freshman year on the team.
Former East Ridge High School star Courtney Brown Jr. will be playing for the University of St. Thomas men’s basketball team next winter. The forward redshirted after transferring from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
His father, Courtney Brown Sr., starred in boys’ basketball at St. Paul Highland Park before moving on to Southwest State. Younger brother Kendall Brown played this past season at Baylor University and has made himself eligible for this year’s NBA draft.
After an outstanding career at East Ridge, Kendall Blue has committed to play for the University of St. Thomas this fall. Blue was one of the state’s top players this past season.
Blue’s mother, Lisa Lissimore, was inducted into the Minnesota State High School League Hall of Fame last month. Lissimore was also a member of the St. Paul Central girls’ basketball team, the first Class 2A—the highest class of competition at the time—girls’ basketball team to win a state championship in 1976.
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald is a contributing columnist at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.