The “Road to Columbia” series is underway for high school basketball teams across the St. Louis area as the postseason is upon us in the state of Missouri.
District championships were handed out to the small schools last week and the big schools take center stage this week with their district tournaments.
As we begin the postseason, here are a few of the top St. Louis area storylines to watch:
*The Incarnate Word Academy Red Knights enter the postseason on a state-record 126-game winning streak. IWA has also won the past three girls Class 6 state championships and they are seeking a fourth in a row.
*The Vashon Wolverines have won three consecutive Class 4 state championships and are the favorites to win a fourth title.
*The Lutheran St. Charles girls are looking to defend their Class 5 state championship. One of their top challengers will be John Burroughs, who have moved up to Class 5 this season after winning the Class 4 state title in 2022 and advancing to the quarterfinals last season.
*Cardinal Ritter College Prep has moved up to Class 6 this season after winning the Class 5 state championship last year. The Lions have won three state championships in the past four seasons.
*The Class 5, District 2 tournament field includes three of the state’s top teams in St. Mary’s, Vianney and host Webster Groves. The Class 5, District 5 field includes two more top teams in Ladue and DeSmet.
Here is a brief look at those Class 4,5 and 6 district tournaments that involve St. Louis area teams. If you want to see the full district tournament brackets across the state, you can visit the state website, mshsaa.org.
Class 6 Boys
District 1 (at Lindbergh)
Championship Game, Tuesday, March 5, 5:30 p.m.
Top Teams: Cardinal Ritter, Jackson, Lindbergh, SLUH
District 2 (at Parkway South)
Championship Game, Tuesday, March 5, 6 p.m.
Top Teams: Eureka, Marquette, Kirkwood
District 3 (at Chaminade)
Championship Game, Tuesday, March 5, 7 p.m.
Top Teams: Chaminade, CBC
District 4 (at Troy)
Championship Game, Tuesday, March 5, 6 p.m.
Top Teams: Francis Howell, St. Dominic, Wentzville Liberty, Timberland, Troy
Class 5 Boys
District 2 (at Webster Groves)
Championship Game, Tuesday, March 5, 6 p.m.
Top Teams: St. Mary’s, Vianney, Webster Groves
District 3 (at Parkway Central)
Championship Game, Tuesday, March 5, 6 p.m.
Top Teams: Ladue, DeSmet, Hazelwood East, Westminster
District 4 (at St. Charles)
Championship Game, Tuesday, March 5, 7 p.m.
Top Teams: Fort Zumwalt South, Wentzville Holt, Parkway North, St. Charles
Class 4 Boys
District 4 (at MICDS)
Championship Game, Saturday, March 2, 1 p.m.
Top Teams: John Burroughs, MICDS, Principia, Maplewood
District 5 (at Vashon)
Championship Game, Saturday, March 2, 1:30 p.m.
Top Teams: Vashon, Confluence, KIPP, Miller Career Academy
District 6 (at University City)
Championship Game, Saturday, 1 p.m.
Top Teams: University City, Lutheran North, Normandy
District 7 (at St. Charles West)
Championship Game, Saturday, March 2, 7 p.m.
Top Teams: Borgia, Orchard Farm, St. Charles West
Class 6 Girls
District 1 (at Oakville)
Championship Game, Friday, March 1, 6 p.m.
Top Teams: Cor Jesu, Lindbergh, Oakville
District 2 (at Parkway South)
Championship Game, Friday, March 1, 6 p.m.
Top Teams: Eureka, Marquette, Kirkwood, Waynesville, Parkway South
District 3 (at Incarnate Word Academy)
Championship Game, Friday, March 1, 5 p.m.
Top Teams: Incarnate Word, St. Joseph’s, Hazelwood Central, Pattonville
District 4 (at Francis Howell Central)
Championship Game: Friday, March 1, 6 p.m.
Top Teams: Fort Zumwalt West, Troy, Battle, Francis Howell Central, Francis Howell
Class 5 Girls
District 2 (at Clayton)
Championship Game, Monday, March 4, 6 p.m.
Top Teams: John Burroughs, Cardinal Ritter, Clayton, Summit
District 3 (at Parkway Central)
Championship Game, Monday, March 4, 6 p.m.
Top Teams: Parkway West, Parkway Central, Parkway North
District 4 (at Fort Zumwalt South)
Championship Game, Monday, March 4, 6 p.m.
Top Teams: Lutheran St. Charles, Fort Zumwalt East, St. Dominic, Warrenton
Class 4 Girls
District 4 (at Affton)
Championship Game, Friday, March 1, 6 p.m.
Top Teams: Ursuline, Lutheran South, Notre Dame
District 5 (at Vashon)
Championship Game, Friday, March 1, 6 p.m.
Top Teams: Lift for Life, Vashon
District 6 (at University City)
Championship Game, Friday, March 1, 5:30 p.m.
Top Teams: University City, STEAM Academy, Jennings
District 7 (at Orchard Farm)
Championship Game, Friday, March 1, 7 p.m.
Top Teams: Orchard Farm, Winfield, St. Charles West, MICDS
