The winners this week’s Missouri Class 4 and 5 district basketball tournaments will advance to the sectional playoffs, which will be held on Wednesday, March 3 around the area.
As the large schools wrap up district play, the small schools will begin the postseason in district competition, which will run all of next week. Here is a quick preview of the upcoming Class 1-3 district playoffs involving area teams.
Class 3
District 4 (at Brentwood)
Schools: Bayless, Brentwood, Hancock, Maplewood, Career Academy, St. John, Valley Park
Championship Game: Friday, March 4, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: Top-seeded Career Academy is a solid favorite to repeat as district champions. The Phoenix advanced to state quarterfinals a year ago. They have one of the area’s top point guards in sophomore Darrell Stokes. Junior Chad Thompson and 6’7″ senior Jayvonte Hughes have also enjoyed excellent seasons for coach Michael Brown. Hancock is the No. 2 seed, followed by Mapelwood.
Girls’ Championship Game: Friday, March 4, 6 p.m.
Outlook Defending district champion Hancock is the top seed led by senior Sonya Daughtery. “Sonya Smooth” led Hancock to its first district title a year ago en route to the school’s first ever Final Four appearance in the state tournament. The Tigers appear ready for another run with victories over established area powers such as St. Joseph’s, Cor Jesu and Duchesne.
District 5 (at McCluer South-Berkeley)
Schools: Berkeley, Cardinal Ritter, Central VPA, John Burroughs, Lutheran North, North County Tech, Principia, Whitfield
Championship Game: Saturday, March 5, 5 p.m.
Outlook: As usual, this will be the area’s most competitive small-school district. Cardinal Ritter is the No. 1 seed, but the Lions have been without top player Alex Barnett, who is out with a knee injury. However, the trio of juniors Marquis Jones, Jonathan Mosley and sophomore Deandre Gilmore have come up big in Barnett’s absence. They will have to if the Lions are to ward off challenges from the likes of John Burroughs, Lutheran North, Berkeley and Whitfield.
John Burroughs features a tall line-up, led by versatile 6’6″ senior Scott Van Slyke. Lutheran North is quick and athletic with 6’4″ sophomore Rolandis Woodland leading the way. Whitfield has a nice inside-outside combination in senior guard Tim Clark and 6’6″ sophomore Mike Baker, while the host Bulldogs are dangerous with a victory over Suburban East power Jennings on their resume this year.
Girls’ Championship Game: Saturday, March 5, 2 p.m.
Outlook: It should be a wide-open district with John Burroughs, Cardinal Ritter, Berkeley and Lutheran North battling it out. Ritter features senior point guard Jordan Plummer, who does everything for the Lions. Burroughs has a nice combo of 6’0″ junior Alexandria Blake and senior guard Beth Argetsinger. Berkeley has one of the area’s most promising freshmen in 5’8″ guard Meghan Lewis.
Class 2
District 3 (at Perryville St. Vincent)
Participating Teams: Bismark, Crossroads, Metro, South County Tech, St. Vincent, Valle, Valley of Caledonia, Viburnum
Championship Game: Saturday, March 5, 7:30 p.m.
Girls’ Championship Game: Saturday, March 5, 6 p.m.
Outlook: Metro’s girls drop down to Class 2 this year after advancing to the Class 3 state championship game in 2004. The Panthers are loaded with the likes of senior Deidra Dace, Dana Loveless up front and sophomore Brittany Dodson and senior Rhyan Robinson in the backcourt. Metro is expected to get a challenge from St. Genevieve Valle, which features 5’11” forward Kara Schilli, who has signed with Indiana State. Valle, which is currently 19-3, won the Kennedy Tournament this year. They are the champions of the Mineral Area Conference.
On the boys’ side, Crossroads is the area team with the best chance to advance as the No. 2 seed. The Current have three nice players in 6’3″ senior Aaron Yancey, 6’9″ junior Chris Taylor and 5’10” senior Grandon Purnell. Host St. Vincent is also a top team to watch and the No. 1 seed.
Class 1
District 5 (at Community R-6)
Schools: Chamois, Community, Wellston, Gateway Academy, Madison, Marion County, MSD, Silex, Yeshiva
Championship Game: Saturday, March 5, 7:30 p.m.
Girls Championship Game, Saturday, March 5, 6 p.m.
Outlook: The Wellston Trojans have the No. 1 in both the boys and girls’ tournaments. The boys are currently 21-4 with its relentless pressure defense. Senior guard Carl Stallings gives Wellston a go-to guy in the clutch. High-scoring Silex is the No. 2 seed. On the girls’ side, Wellston will ride is talented backcourt of Imogene Dooley and Natisha Jones as far as they can.