There will be plenty of big-time talent from St. Louis on hand at this weekend’s Missouri Class 4 and 5 state basketball championships in Columbia.
The Vashon Wolverines will be trying to repeat as the Class 4 state champions while Parkway Central is back in the Final Four after a 12-year absence. Defending Class 5 state champion Chaminade is back in the Final Four while Webster Groves is back with a loaded team for the first time since winning the title in 2008.
Vashon (25-3) will take on Kearney (21-7) in the Class 4 state semifinals, which tips off today at 3:30 p.m. That will be followed by Parkway Central (23-8) vs. Bolivar (26-4) at 5:10 a.m. The winners will meet for the state championship on Saturday at 2:40 p.m. The third-place game will be held on Friday at 11 a.m.
Vashon has a big and talented team full of experience. The Wolverines are led by 5’10” senior Daniel “Peanut” Farris, 6’8” senior Levi Stockard, 6’3” senior Koray Gilbert, 6’8” junior Joseph Reece and 6’1” sophomore Mario McKinney. All are capable of big scoring nights. Kearney is led by 6’0” senior guards Connor and Dylan Ritz.
Parkway Central has enjoyed an impressive postseason run to the Final Four, led by 5’11” junior guard Deandre Campbell, who averages 22 points a game. Juniors Jake Silvestri and junior forward Arther Green have also come up big during the postseason. Bolivar is led by 6’6” senior forward Brandon Emmert and 6’0” point guard Conley Garrison. The Liberators were in the Final Four in 2015.
The Class 5 Final Four has a powerhouse quartet of teams that are all capable of winning the state championship. In the first semifinal game, Chaminade (24-5) will take on Lee’s Summit West (25-2) at 2:30 p.m. It will be followed by Webster Groves (27-2) vs. Kickapoo (25-4) at 4:15 p.m.
Chaminade has a potent offense that is averaging 85 points in the last two games. The Red Devils are led by 6’7” junior Jericole Hellems, who averages 21.8 points and 6’6” Karrington Davis, who averages 19.1 points a game. Football standout Reginald Crawford averages 15 points a game. They will face a Lee’s Summit West team that features 6’8” Bradley recruit Elijah Childs, 6’7” junior Division I prospect Christian Bishop and 6’2” junior guard Mario Goodrich.
Webster Groves comes to Columbia as the No. 1 ranked team in Class 5. The Statesmen are led by 6’3” junior guard Courtney Ramey, who averages 19.6 points and 8.1 rebounds a game; and 6’8” junior forward Carte’are Gordon, who averages 19 points and eight rebounds a game. Senior guard Cam Potts has also enjoyed a big season for the Statesmen. Webster Groves will face a Kickapoo team that finished second in the state tournament a year ago. The Chiefs feature 6’8” Xavier recruit Jared Ridder and 6’2” Navy recruit Cameron Davis.
In the girls’ Class 5 semifinals, Kirkwood (26-3) will face Rock Bridge (25-5) on Friday at 7:45 p.m. That game will be preceded by St. Joseph’s (20-8) vs. Lee’s Summit (15-13). The winner will play for the state championship on Saturday at 8 p.m. The third place game will be held on Saturday at 12:50 p.m. Kirkwood, which finished second in the state last year, will be led by its dynamic duo of 6’2” senior Lauryn Miller and 5’11” junior Jayla Everett.
In the girls’ Class 4 Final Four, Incarnate Word Academy (26-4) will take on Carl Junction (27-2) on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. Dexter (22-8) will face St. Pius X (25-3) in the other semifinal game at 6:50 p.m. The winners will meet on Saturday for the state championship at 4:30 p.m. The third place game will be held on Friday at 12:45 p.m. Incarnate Word is back in the Final Four after finishing fourth in the state tournament last year. The Red Knights are led by junior guard Sonya Morris, who averages 15 points a game.
