Prep Notebook: Big schools head to district play

The road to Columbia begins for large schools around the state of Missouri next week as district tournament play begins for Class 4 and 5 schools next week.

Here is quick preview of the upcoming Class 4 and 5 district tournaments involving area teams. To see the complete brackets and schedules, you can visit the mshsaa.org website.

Class 5

District 2 (at SLUH): Championship game, March 4, 7:30 p.m. – Top seeds Webster Groves and SLUH appear on a collision course for another classic district championship game. Girls: Cor Jesu and Webster Groves appear headed for a championship showdown. 

District 3 (at Troy): Championship game, March 4, 7 p.m. – Host Troy is the top seed, but will be challenged by Timberland and Fort Zumwalt West. Girls: Holt is the top seed with a challenge from Fort Zumwalt West. 

District 4 (at Fort Zumwalt South), Championship game, March 4, 7:30 p.m. – Senior laden Francis Howell gets the top seed with its strongest challenge expected to come from Fort Zumwalt South. Girls: Francis Howell has enjoyed a tremendous season. 

District 5 (at Hazelwood Central): Championship Game, March 3, 6:30 p.m. – Top-seed Hazelwood Central has enjoyed a tremendous season against a tough schedule. Pattonville and DeSmet will offer the challenge. Girls: Hazelwood Central and Parkway North should make a big final game. 

District 6 (at St. Joseph’s): Championship game, March 5, 2 p.m. – Top-seed Chaminade is the prohibitive favorite for the district and the state championship. Can the Red Devils break through this year in Columbia? Girls: Host St. Joes, McCluer North and Ladue should battle for the title. 

District 7 (at Marquette): Championship, March 4, 6:30 p.m. – A very competitive district with top-seed Lafayette followed by Parkway Central and host Marquette. Girls: Top seed Washington advanced to the state quarterfinals last season. 

District 8 (at Kirkwood), Championship Game, March 4, 6 p.m. – CBC is a solid favorite as the top seed with host Kirkwood and Parkway South looking to challenge. Host Kirkwood is looking to take that final step to the Final Four.

District 3 (at Festus), Championship, March 3, 8 p.m. – Hillsboro is the No. 1 seed, but watch out for No. 2 seed Lutheran South as well. Girls: Very competitive field with Notre Dame, Festus and Lutheran South. 

District 4 (at Westminster), Championship game, March 5, 6 p.m. – The host Wildcats are the No. 1 seed, but can get a competitive challenge from Parkway West, MICDS and darkhorse University City. Girls: Top seed MICDS will try to get back to the Final Four. 

District 5 (at Vashon): Championship, March 4, 7 p.m. – Host Vashon is a solid No. 1 seed while Miller Career Academy and St. Mary’s are also in this loaded field. Girls: Miller Career Academy and Gateway Tech will battle for the title. 

District 6 (at Normandy): Championship game, March 4, 6:30 p.m. – Another competitive field featuring top-seeded Jennings, Riverview Gardens and Soldan. Girls: Three-time defending state champion Incarnate Word is rolling again. 

District 7 (at St. Dominic), Championship game, March 4, 8 p.m. – St. Charles West is the top seed with rival St. Charles and McCluer looking to challenge for the title. Girls: St. Charles is looking for another deep tournament run.