The Missouri Class 3 state playoffs will move to the quarterfinals stage this weekend with Final Four berths on the line. The St. Louis area teams in Class 3 will be playing at Normandy High School’s historic Viking Hall on Saturday with the boys game at noon with the girls’ game to follow. The winner of those games will head to the Final Four of the state tournament, which will be held on March 8-9 at the J.Q.H. Hammons Arena at Missouri State University in Springfield.
Here is a look at some of the top performers from last week’s district playoffs:
* Vashon High junior guard Phillip Russell scored a game-high 25 points in the Wolverines’ 85-62 victory over Cardinal Ritter in the Class 5, District 6 Tournament at Vashon. The 6’0″ Russell erupted for 20 points in the first quarter as the Wolverines sprinted to the victory. He also hit four 3-pointers.
*Trinity Catholic made school history by defeating Soldan 77-66 to win the Class 3, District 7 championship at North Tech. It was the first district championship in basketball in the school’s history. The Titans used a balanced scoring attack to hold off the talented Tigers. Junior guard T.J. Rush led the way with 15 points, followed by junior Rashad Weekly with 14 points. Junior center Ryan Kalkbrenner had 13 points, 11 points and six blocks while senior guard Jaron Thames and senior point guard Isaiah Williams added 10 points each.
*Hancock defeated host Whitfield 59-57 to win the Class 3, District 5 championship. The Tigers rode its dynamic duo of 6’5″ junior Sam Richardson and 6’2″ senior Rico Sutton to the championship. The 6’2″ Sutton scored a game-high 22 points in the championship game while the 6’5″ Richardson added 17 points.
*Lutheran North’s girls won its third consecutive district championship as they defeated McCluer South-Berkeley 52-42 to win the Class 3, District 7 championship at North Tech. Senior guard Madison Buford scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Crusaders while senior forward Kaylynn Hayden added 17 points. In the past three seasons, Lutheran North has also advanced to the Final Four and the state quarterfinals twice.
*Cardinal Ritter College Prep’s girls defeated Metro 51-34 to win the Class 3, District 6 championship at Vashon. Senior forward DeAnna Wilson scored 16 points to lead the Lions while senior forward Brit’Nee Terry added 15 points.
Congrats to a few Conference Champions
*The CBC Cadets won the championship of the Metro Catholic Conference for the first time since 2005. The Cadets finished an undefeated league slate last week with victories over DeSmet and Vianney.
*Francis Howell Central’s girls won the championship of the Gateway Athletic Conference South Division for the second consecutive year. The Spartans finished the year with a 10-0 record in league play.
*University City’s boys won the championship of the Suburban Conference Blue Pool this season, in what was an excellent turnaround season for head coach Kelvin Lee, who is in his second year at the helm.
*Marquette’s boys won the championship of the Suburban Conference Yellow Pool with a 92-72 victory over Webster Groves last week, ending the Statesmen’s 17-year run as conference champions.
*The East St. Louis Flyers boys were the champions of the Southwestern Conference. It was a tremendous accomplishment for the Flyers, who outlasted excellent teams in Belleville West, Alton and Collinsville to take home the league championship.
Madison Trojans take regional title
Congratulations to the Madison Trojans, who won an IHSA Class 1A regional championship at Hardin-Calhoun last Friday night. The Trojans defeated the host school 66-54 in the championship game. The Trojans were led by 6’3″ senior guard Emmitt Gordon, who scored 20 points, including a highlight-reel dunk in the second half to help Madison break open a close game. Madison is now competing in the Sectional Tournament, which is being held at Okawville this week.
IHSA Boys Regionals this week
The IHSA Class 3A and 4A boys regional tournaments will be held this week in the metro east. Belleville West will open defense of its Class 4A state championship by hosting its own regional. Collinsville and Alton are the featured teams at the Class 4A Collinsville Regional while East St. Louis is the top seed at the Clas3A regional tournament at Breese Central. All regional championship games will be held on Friday night at 7 p.m.
