Columbia, MO – The boys Class 6 state basketball championship trophy will be coming back to St. Louis as Cardinal Ritter College Prep and Chaminade will square off for the big prize on Saturday night.
Cardinal Ritter defeated Springfield Central 70-59 and Chaminade defeated Oak Park 65-55 on Friday to advance to tonight’s state championship game, which will be held at the Mizzou Arena on the campus of the University of Missouri. Tip off is at 8 p.m.
Cardinal Ritter is seeking its fourth state championship in five seasons. The Lions won Class 3 state titles in 2020 and 2021 and won the Class 5 championship last season. After being moved up to Class 6 this season due to the success multiplier, they are going for their first championship in the state’s biggest class.
The Lions put four players in double figures against Central as senior guard Quenton Parker led the way with 20 points and seven rebounds. Senior guards Derrick Rivers II and Clayton Jackson scored 12 points each while senior forward Nashawn Jackson added 10 points. Jackson, a 6’2” guard, also added a team-high 10 assists.
Springfield Central, who was making its first Final Four appearance since 1963, was led by junior Rue Wells with 14 points and senior Tyrique Brooks with 13.
In the night cap, Chaminade outlasted Oak Park with a big second half performance as it outscored the Northmen 39-25. The Red Devils were led by 6’8” sophomore forward Jahidi White, who had 17 points and 11 rebounds. He is the son of former Cardinal Ritter standout and NBA player Jahidi White.
The Red Devils also got 12 points and a game-high 18 rebounds from junior guard Collin Perry and 11 points from junior guard Colin Keller, including a trio of 3-pointers. Sophomore guard Jonny Jordan had 10 points and four assists.
Chaminade is seeking its first state championship since 2016 when All-American Jayson Tatum led the Red Devils to a title with a victory over Springfield Kickapoo. The Red Devils also advanced to the Final Four in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2022.
