Roster of multi-sport athletes helps fuel Lancer’s basketball success

It was a year of firsts for the Lafayette Lancers.

Don Kreienkamp was in his first year as the head coach of the boys basketball team. The Lancers won their first district championship since 2017. It marked the first time the program reached the Class 6 Final Four in 21 years.

“It was all really exciting,” Kreienkamp said. “I was happy in my role as an assistant. The timing worked out for me to become the head coach. I was able to put into practice some ideas I have. I love this place. I’ve been at Lafayette for 18 years.”

Arvie Kilongkilong has been on the coaching staff for eight years. He’s the defensive coordinator for the football team. John Myers and CJ VanZandt were first-year coaches. 

These coaches guided the boys to the Final Four for just the third time in school history.

It’s been a banner year for the boys in football, basketball and baseball last spring.

Lafayette became the first St. Louis area public school since Fort Zumwalt North in 2020-21 to make the Final Four in both football and boys basketball in the same school year. They’re the first St. Louis suburban school to do so since Ladue in 2018-19.

There were six players on the football team that lost in the Class 5 state semifinals last November. Two players were on the baseball team last spring that finished second in the state.

The football dropped a heartbreaking 14-13 decision to Helias on Nov. 29.

The six boys then switched over to basketball.

“The first practice was pretty tough considering our football team was still going,” Kreienkamp said. “I didn’t know when we’d get all the football players returning. Four starters from district play last year were playing football. We were practicing with a mix of JV and varsity players. Then we got the football players to come in late after their playoff run.”

Brady Micek, a junior backup quarterback/wide receiver, had an exceptional season. He caught 46 passes for 596 yards and scored four touchdowns. He’s the Lancers point guard.

Nolan Savoie, a junior wide receiver/defensive back, recorded 74 tackles. He also had two fumble recoveries and five interceptions.

Timothy Washington, a junior wide receiver/defensive back, registered 60 tackles with two interceptions. He also runs track in the spring.

The other three players were seniors Drew Austermann and Pat Boyette, and junior Cooper Meyers, a wide receiver/defensive back.

Kreienkamp noticed there were some adjustments to be made.

“They were still dealing with the emotions of the football season,” Kreienkamp said. “They were excited to get back to basketball.”

Playing in the Arvest Classic in Springfield in early December brought the team together, Kreienkamp said.

“We went on that trip to Springfield to play in the tournament at Parkview,” Kreienkamp said. “That was one of the things that helped us. That forced time together really helped us. We spent time around each other and got in some games. We were together in the vans, together in the hotel, together when we ate. That extra time helped us come together.

“We were happy to get a win in one game in Springfield. Our schedule didn’t allow us any breaks in the competition we played. We played some great teams this season like Francis Howell, MICDS, Eureka, Webster Groves and Rockhurst.”

At one point, the Lancers stood 9-12 after losing four consecutive games.

While not one to make excuses, Kreienkamp noted his team went on a stretch of four to five games missing several players because of the flu.

“We were rotating lineups in our practices and games,” Kreienkamp said. “That included our loss to Marquette. We were missing three starters for that game. That affected us. Getting healthy was part of us coming back. The Suburban Red Conference schedule helped us. We had a trip to Kansas City and played Rockhurst and we beat a very good Grandview team. That time together helped. 

“Our conference schedule helped us focus on preparation. We can show film, teach and learn. Some of those tournaments you’re playing three games in three days. Kids who are into the game can really learn when you have time to watch film and break things down.”

Lafayette won four of its last five games heading into the postseason.

“That helped us for sure,” Kreienkamp said. “Going into the district, we felt like, ‘why not us?’ We got the No. 2 seed.”

The Lancers defeated Northwest and then stopped Kirkwood to reach the district title game.

“Getting a win in a district for a new coach is important. We played Kirkwood before. We trailed like we have multiple times against them but the kids have great belief in themselves. They trusted in each other and we got the win.”

The Lancers then scored a 75-65 win over Marquette for the District 2 title.

“I think that first half was really exciting. We got out to a good lead. Things went our way,” Kreienkamp said. “A lot of credit goes to coach (Derek) Hoffman and his staff there at Marquette. The game got closer in the second half.

“Our kids laid it on the line. That’s what district basketball is all about. Our emotions were all over the place. The kids celebrated and they should have. But they had a look about them that we weren’t done. They were ready to get to work.”

Before the quarterfinal game that was a few days away, Kreienkamp said it was hard to keep the kids out of the gym. They wanted to get in there and shoot.

All the hard work and extra time shooting paid off.

The Lancers scored a 70-64 win in double overtime against St. Louis University High. Savoie and Micek each had 19 points apiece. 

“It was a physical game. It was very exciting,” Kreienkamp said. “I love that it kept being a game of basketball. Nolan had a really good game. He hit a big shot for us. Glad to see him get his scoring. Brady played every single minute of the Marquette and SLUH games. He really had a great game. Really, all the other kids stepped up, too.”

That win punched Lafayette’s ticket to play in the Mizzou Arena. The last time the Lancers reached the Final Four was in 2004.

Besides the football players, junior Drew Pickering was on the baseball team that played for the state championship.

“All that experience playing in big games does nothing but help you,” Krieenkamp said. “These multi-sport athletes deserved a ton of credit for their sacrifice. Some start practicing in August and go straight through the school year. It shows that competition is really important to them.”

Because of spring break, some Lancers had conflicts and did not go to state. Lafayette dressed 10 players, eight of whom will be back next year.

Lafayette faced two good teams at state in Chaminade and Nixa.

Chaminade dropped the Lancers 72-42 in the semifinal game. Nixa earned a 56-33 win in the third-place contest.

“It was a tough test for us against two excellent programs,” Kreienkamp said. “There’s nothing easy if you get past the quarterfinal. We were happy for the experience.

“We had a nice first quarter against Chaminade and then they made some adjustments and put pressure on our guards. That was the difference in the second quarter.”

Savoie got hurt in the second quarter of the game. He did not play against Nixa.

“Losing Nolan really hurt us against Nixa,” Kreienkamp said. “He was evaluated for a concussion, and he couldn’t go back in. I feel for the kid. He’s been on varsity since he was a sophomore. He’s a great athlete and a great kid.”

During their six playoff games, the Lancers’ had five different leading scorers.

“That says a lot about our team,” Kreienkamp said. “We were playing on the last day of the season.”

Lafayette finished 17-15.

“I can see with the record people see that we ended up 17-15 and lost in the Final Four and think we might have overachieved,” Kreienkamp said. “We were playing good teams all season. I do think we challenged ourselves against those teams.

“I think we achieved where we belonged. These kids are competitive.”

 The Lancers will lose two seniors from the Final Four squad.

“I’m really excited for what the future looks like,” Kreienkamp said. “Our junior class that I coached as freshman on the JV team, will be back. We have some exciting freshmen and sophomores, too, ready to step up.

“There are no guarantees in sports. It’s all about who wants it and who gets ready to play.”