Prep basketball postseason is ahead

This is the final week of regular season basketball for the large schools in the St. Louis area. The district playoffs for Classes 4 and 5 schools will begin this weekend and will run through next week.

As we head into the postseason, here are some of storylines to watch as district play begins at the Class 4 and 5 levels.

• The Vashon Wolverines are aiming for their third consecutive Class 4 state championship. Vashon’s quest for a three-peat begins at the Class 4, District 4 tournament, which will be held at Normandy. The Wolverines are young, very athletic and have played a very challenging national schedule. They scored a big victory over Webster Groves 75-70 in a big showdown last week at Meramec C.C.

• Webster Groves will open defense of its Class 5 state championship as the top seed of the Class 5, District 6 tournament at Oakville. The Statesmen have been challenged all season by an aggressive national schedule. They are led by five-star point guard Courtney Ramey, who continues to shine after missing the first month of the season with a broken wrist.

• St. Mary’s figures to be a prime challenger for the Class 4 state championship this season with its talented and veteran crew. The Dragons are the No. 1 seed at the Class 4, District 3 tournament, which they are hosting. A big challenger in that district looming is Confluence Academy, which has emerged as a prime-time team led by dynamic guard Brandon “L’il Buckets” Frederick. This potential championship game could be a lot of fun.

• Chaminade is seeking a fourth consecutive trip to the Final Four of the Class 5 state tournament. The Red Devils are the No. 1 seed at the Class 5, District 3 tournament at Ritenour. Chaminade is a high-scoring outfit, led by North Carolina State recruit Jericole Hellems. In the past three years, the Red Devils have finished third, first and fourth in the state tournament.

• Parkway Central head coach Rick Kirkby is stepping down after a stellar career on the sidelines with the Colts. Kirby’s team would love to send him out with another trip to the Final Four of the Class 4 state tournament. The Colts are the No. 1 seed in the District 5 tournament at MICDS. All of the key components from last year’s fourth-place team in the state tournament are back as seniors for another run.

• Francis Howell has enjoyed an excellent season with 22 victories heading into the postseason. The Vikings are the top seed and host school of the Class 5, District 4 tournament. The Vikings have some solid challengers in the field in Marquette, Eureka and Lafayette.

• Pacific has fielded some strong teams in Class 4 in recent years, but the Indians have been denied the big prize at districts by St. Francis Borgia. Is this the year that Pacific finally solves the Borgia riddle. The Indians are the No. 1 seed at the District 6 tournament at Union, plus they have a regular-season victory over the Knights as well.

• One of the more wide open districts is the Class 5, District 4 tournament at Kirkwood. Parkway South is the No. 1 seed, but CBC, Kirkwood and DeSmet will also be hot pursuit of that championship as four. Any one of these teams is capable of winning it.

• Hillsboro and Farmington have waged some spirited games during the past few seasons and that figures to continue at the Class 4, District 2 tournament. Hillsboro is the No. 1 seed while Farmington is No. 2. The potential fly in the ointment is North County, which has an upset win over Farmington this season. They are the No. 2 seed.

• On the girls’ side, Incarnate Word Academy is seeking a fifth Class 4 state championship in the past six years. The Red Knights are the prohibitive favorites and top seed at the Class 4, District 7 tournament at Fort Zumwalt East.

• Kirkwood’s girls are seeking a repeat as the Class 5 state champions. The Pioneers are the host and No. 1 seed at the Class 5, District 4 tournament.

• Class 3 District winners move to Sectionals – The winners of this weekend’s Class 3 district tournaments will move on the sectional round next Wednesday night. Sectional games involving area teams will be held at Jefferson College, St. Charles West and Moberly Area Community College. The girls’ games will tip off at 6:15 p.m., followed by the boys’ games at 7:45 p.m.