As area small schools conclude their district playoffs this weekend, the road to Columbia will begin next week for Missouri Class 4 and 5 schools as the district competition gets underway.
Chaminade has established itself as the favorites in Class 5 boys, but there are several talented teams hoping to knock off the nationally-ranked Red Devils.
In Class 4 girls, Incarnate Word Academy is aiming for a third consecutive state championship while several area teams are in the hunt to advance in the Class 5 state playoffs.
Here is a brief preview of the upcoming district tournaments involving teams from the St. Louis area. For a complete schedule of districts, visit the website, www.mshsaa.org.
Class 5 Boys
District 2 (at Vianney): CBC is the top seed, but Cadets will be challenged by host Vianney or Kirkwood.
District 3 (at Webster Groves): A championship showdown between host Webster Groves and SLUH is inevitable. SLUH won an earlier meeting last month.
District 4 (at Fort Zumwalt West): A wide open district with host West as the top seed. Last season, Troy won the district with eight victories.
District 5 (at Howell Central): A very competitive district with top seed Fort Zumwalt South, Francis Howell and Fort Zumwalt North all in contention.
District 6 (at DeSmet): Hazelwood Central is a solid favorite, but host DeSmet and Pattonville cannot be overlooked.
District 7 (at McCluer North): Chaminade is the team to beat, but the host Stars and Ladue are interesting.
District 8 (at Washington): No. 1 seed Lafayette should continue it’s outstanding season. The Lancers are currently 21-2.
Class 4
District 3 (at Windsor): Lutheran South, Festus, Affton and Hillsboro will battle for the title.
District 4 (at Parkway West): Westminster is the top seed with host Parkway West and Priory as top challengers.
District 5 (at Vashon): Miller Career Academy is the top seed with St. Mary’s and Vashon looking to challenge.
District 6 (at Normandy): No. 1 seed Jennings is very talented. Soldan and Riverview Gardens will offer opposition.
District 7 (at St. Charles): Host St. Charles is a bonafide state contender, but St. Charles West and McCluer can’t be slept on.
Class 5 Girls
Kirkwood is a big favorite in District 2 while Cor Jesu and Webster Groves should battle in District 3. Francis Howell looks good in District 5 while Parkway North and Hazelwood Central should battle in District 6. St. Joe’s and McCluer North are the top two seeds in District 7 while Washington looks good in District 8.
Class 4 Girls
Two area teams stand tall in Class 4. Incarnate Word is looking for the three-Peay behind All-American Napheesa Collier. MICDS has been strong with its pressure defense and up tempo offense. Also watch out for teams such as St. Charles, St. Charles West and Westminster.
On the Illinois Side
The Breese Central girls advanced to the Final Four of the IHSA Class 2A State Tournament in Normal. The Cougars (30-3) will take on Immaculate Conception on Friday at 8:30 p.m. Breese Central defeated Athens 68-46 in the Jacksonville Supersectional behind 34 points from junior center Kendra Wilken.
Regional tournaments
The boys Class 3A and 4A regional tournaments get underway next week. In the Edwardsville Regional, No. 1 seed Alton takes on Granite City and No. 2 Edwardsville takes on Quincy next Tuesday night. The winners meet in the regional finals on Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m. East St. Louis is the top seed at the Belleville West Regional. They will face either Belleville East or Belleville West in the one semifinal on Tuesday, followed by Collinsville vs. O’Fallon. The winners will meet on Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m.
No. 1 seed at Mascoutah
Belleville Althoff is the No. 1 seed at the Mascoutah Regional, which begins on Monday. Cahokia is the No. 2 seed followed by Columbia. The championship game will be played on Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m.
