Cardinal Ritter College Prep has enjoyed a long and rich tradition of success in boys basketball, but the girls program is not far behind when it comes to having a championship pedigree in its own right.
The Lions defeated host Lutheran North 71-49 to win the Class 3, District 5 championship, which was their third in succession.
It was another notch in the belt for coach Darren Wade, who has led the Ritter program to a state championship, three appearances in the state-championship game and a number of district and conference titles.
The Lions graduated several key players from last year’s team that finished second in the Class 3 state tournament. The one key returning player is 5’7″ senior Andranae Wash, who emerged as the leader of a young team that kept up the winning at Ritter.
Wash had 19 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists in the victory against Lutheran North. Freshman Brit’Nee Terry had 15 points while junior Amanda Watts added 10 points. The Lions also got eight points from senior Amani Stewart and seven points apiece from senior Brittany Wilbert and freshman Kori Tomlin.
Wash is currently averaging 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals a game. Terry is averaging 7.9 points and 5.6 rebounds a game while Wilbert averages seven points and five rebounds. Stewart is averaging 6.7 points while Watts is averaging four points and four rebounds.
Lauryn Miller returnsÂ
The Kirkwood High girls got a big boost for the postseason with the return of 6’2″ junior forward Lauryn Miller to the lineup. Miller suffered a torn ACL in her knee in July and missed a majority of the regular season. Miller was able to return in time for the final four games of the regular season, all Kirkwood victories.
In four games, Miller is averaging 10.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and three blocks a game. In the Pioneers’ 62-56 victory over Parkway North last Friday night, Miller had 14 points, four rebounds and five blocks.
Kirkwood (21-4) advanced to the Class 5 state quarterfinals a year ago.
North Tech makes historyÂ
The North Tech Golden Eagles made history last weekend when they won the Class 3, District 6 championship. North Tech defeated Duchesne 38-34 to win the first district championship in the history of the boys’ basketball program.
Senior forward Tyree White led the Golden Eagles with 16 points in the victory. The 6’7″ White is averaging 16 points and 8.6 rebounds a game. Junior guard Erik Hicks is averaging 13 points a game while 6’6″ senior Jontae Huntspon averages 10 points and eight rebounds. Senior point guard D.J. Henderson averages 10 points, three assists and three steals a game.
Postseason continuesÂ
Area Class 3 teams competed in the sectional playoffs on Wednesday night. The sectional winners will advance to the state quarterfinals on Saturday at Jefferson College in Hillsboro and Warrenton High. At Hillsboro, the girls will play at 5 p.m. followed by the girls at 6″45 p.m. At Warrenton, the girls begin at 1 p.m. followed by the girls at 2:45 p.m.
The Class 4 and 5 district championship games will be played on Friday night at Saturday afternoon. All district winners will advance to sectional competition next Wednesday.
Class 5 district-championship winners will advance to sectional games at Jefferson College, Maryville University, Lindenwood University and St. Charles West. Class 4 district champions will advance to sectional games at Kirkwood, Parkway West and Francis Howell Central.
