The St. Louis metro area will be well represented at this weekend’s Missouri State High School Activities Association state basketball tournament in Columbia. The top Class 4, 5 and 6 programs in the state will convene at the Mizzou Arena to compete for state championships; and familiar programs from St. Louis are in the mix.
The “old reliables” include the Incarnate Word Academy girls and the Vashon, Cardinal Ritter and Chaminade boys.
There are also two other St. Louis area teams in each bracket, which means it’s possible for six area squads to play in title games. It’s a long shot, but is still impressive.
*Vashon goes for four-peat
Vashon is seeking its fourth consecutive Class 4 state championship, when it takes on Kansas City Central in a semifinal Friday at noon. The other semifinal game features John Burroughs vs. Logan-Rogersville.
John Burroughs is making its first Final Four appearance since 1953. The Bombers are coached by former St. Louis Central star and Saint Louis University Billiken Daryl “Pee Wee” Lenard. Tip off for that game is at 10 a.m.
The winners will play for the state championship on Saturday at 4 p.m., with the third place game to be held on Saturday at 10 a.m.
*Incarnate Word seeks to continue streak
Incarnate Word Academy is hoping to continue two winning streaks at this week’s Class 6 state tournament. The Red Knights have posted six consecutive state championships, dating back to 2016. The other streak is the incredible run of 129 victories in a row. The Red Knights will face Rock Bridge on Friday at 4 p.m. in the semifinals. It is a rematch of last year’s state championship game. The other semifinal game will feature Cor Jesu Academy vs. Springfield Kickapoo. The state championship game will be on Saturday at 6 p.m. with the third-place game set for Saturday at noon.
*Cardinal Ritter and Chaminade
The boys Class 6 Final Four field is talented and it includes St. Louis area teams Cardinal Ritter College Prep and Chaminade. Cardinal Ritter has moved up to Class 6 for the first time after winning three state championships in the past five years at the Class 3 and 5 levels. Chaminade is back in the Final Four after finishing in fourth place in 2022. Cardinal Ritter will meet Springfield Central in the semifinals on Friday at 6 p.m. Chaminade will take on No. 1 Oak Park in the other semifinal game at 8 p.m. The state championship game is set for Saturday at 8 p.m. with the third-place game scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m.
*Lutheran St. Charles and John Burroughs lead Class 5 Field
The Lutheran St. Charles girls return to the Final Four after winning the Class 5 state championship last year. The Cougars will be joined by John Burroughs, who comes to Columbia seeking its second state title in three years. The state semifinals were held on Wednesday with the championship game set for today at 4 p.m. Marshfield and Smithville are the other two teams in the Final Four.
*Lift for Life seeks a Class 4 title
The girls of Lift for Life Academy are in Columbia seeking its second state championship in the school’s history. The Hawks joined Chillichothe, Park Hills Central and Owensville in the Class 4 Final Four. The two semifinal games were held on Wednesday night. The state championship game will be held on Thursday night at 8 p.m. with the third-place game set for 2 p.m.
*DeSmet and Vianney compete in Class 5
Metro Catholic Conference rivals DeSmet and Vianney are in the Final Four of the Class 5 state tournament. The both were in the Final Four together back in 2013. The Vianney-Jefferson City and DeSmet-Winnetonka semifinals games were held on Wednesday afternoon. The winner of those two games are meeting for the state championship on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. with the third-place game set for noon.
