EAST ST. LOUIS - Dainen Rucker, a junior guard for the East St. Louis basketball team took control of several key games for the Flyers this season at his point position. Rucker was one of the leaders in the Flyers' excellent 26-9 overall season. The Flyers finished third place in the IHSA Class 3A State Boys Tournament.

Dainen Rucker East St. Louis defeated St. Ignatius in the third-place game 50-48 on March 10. Rucker said one of the keys for the Flyers was the ability of the boys to stay together in each game.

Get The Latest News!

Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.

"For most of the season, everybody just started playing together, moving the ball and the defense was just really good," he mentioned in an interview after the game with Edwardsville's boys.

Article continues after sponsor message

Rucker scored back-to-back baskets to spark the decisive run against the Tigers, including a spectacular floater in which he leaped from one side of the lane to the other to put the ball in, making the score 28-23, seizing the momentum for the Flyers that they held on to the rest of the game.

"I was just holding the ball, because I didn't want to throw up any bad shots," Rucker said, "and whenever (the defender) ran at me, I saw an opening and was either going to hit my teammate or do a floater. And I just got open and did a floater."

East Side head coach Mark Chambers always says that the Flyers play for March and Rucker agreed that it's been so far, so good.

Now, Rucker will work hard and be primed and ready for his senior season at East St. Louis.

More like this:

Feb 12, 2023 | Tigers Lead 18-15 At Halftime, But Flyers Take Control In Third Quarter With 13-5 Run, Defeats Edwardsville

Jan 4, 2023 | Rich Leads Four Players In Double Figures With 16 Points, Allen Has 13 For Tigers, Flyers Hit On All Cylinders

Feb 13, 2023 | Flyers Win Over Edwardsville Prepares Them For Postseason With High Hopes

Mar 4, 2023 | Triad Punches First, But East Side Runs Away To Second-Straight Sectional Championship

Feb 3, 2018 | Flyers defeat Tigers 47-36 at Lucco-Jackson Gym