Professional basketball has returned to the St. Louis area in the form of the St. Louis Pioneers, who are a member of the ABA Basketball League. James Graham, the team’s president and owner, has brought pro ball back to town with a team that has a definite St. Louis flavor. Several of the team members were former high school and collegiate standouts in the St. Louis area. The head coach is Marc Stricker, who was a former standout player at CBC in the late 1990’s.

 One of the team’s most recognizable names is Dwayne Polk, who was a four-year standout at Vashon High as well as a four-year letterman at Saint Louis University from 2005-08.

  Other former local players of note include former Normandy High and UMSL standout Johnathan Griffin, former Jennings High and McKendree standout Mark Stovall, former Vianney High and SEMO standout Paul Parodoski, former East St. Louis and Bradley standout Phillip Gilbert and LaPhonso Ellis, Jr., a former Belleville East standout and the son of former East St. Louis Lincoln star LaPhonso Ellis.

  The Pioneers also made a big signing recently when they acquired John “The Helicopter” Humphrey, who was a star pro player in Japan as well as a featured player on the famous And 1 Street Basketball tour.

  The Pioneers are currently 2-1. They will open their home season on Saturday night against the Missouri Rhythm at Meramec Community College. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. If you want to see some exciting fast-paced professional basketball with some familiar faces on the court, you might want to check out the St. Louis Pioneers.

  Admission for all Pioneers home games is $5. For more information on the Pioneers or to order tickets, you can visit the team’s website at www.stlpioneers.com.

St. Louis Pioneers Roster

Toriana Adams 6’5” Lindenwood

Antwan Dixon 6’6” Florida State

LaPhonso Ellis, Jr. 6’3” Greenville

Brian Fogerty 6’4” Fontbonne

Phillip Gilbert 6’3” Bradley

Aaron Green 6’5” UMSL

Johnathan Griffin 6’3” UMSL

Kenard Moore 6’0” SEMO

Kelvin Mosley, Jr. 6’4” Harris-Stowe

Paul Paradoski 6’0” SEMO

Dwayne Polk 5’9” SLU

Arthur Sargent 6’4” Forest Park

Mark Stovall 6’4” McKendree

John Humphrey 6’2” Middle Tennessee State

St. Louis Pioneers Home Schedule

(All home games played at St. Louis Community College at Meramec)

  Friday at Saturday games at 7:30 p.m. Sunday games at 2 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 8: vs. Missouri Rhythm

Friday, Jan. 21: vs. Missouri Rhythm

Saturday, Jan. 22: vs. Indianapolis Drive

Sunday, Jan. 23: vs. Indianapolis Drive

Friday, Jan. 28: vs. Chicago Eagles

Friday, Feb. 11: vs. Chicago Steam

Saturday, Feb. 12: vs. Michigan Monarchs

Sunday, Feb. 13: vs. Opponent (TBA)

Friday, Feb. 18: vs. Oklahoma Stallions

Saturday, Feb. 19: vs. Chicago Eagles

Sunday, Feb. 20: vs. Indiana Diesels

Friday, Feb. 25: vs. Chicago Steam

Saturday, Feb. 26: vs. NWI Magical Stars

Sunday, Feb. 27: vs. Gem City Hall ‘O Famers

Friday, Mar. 4: vs. Missouri Rhythm

Saturday, Mar. 5: vs. Michiana Monarchs

Sunday, Mar. 6: vs. Gem City Hall ‘O Famers