The Webster Groves Statesmen and the Chaminade Red Devils have become regulars at the Final Four of the Class 5 state tournament.
Both teams will be in Springfield this weekend in search for a state championship. The Statesmen are back after winning the state title a year ago, while Chaminade is making its fourth consecutive appearance in the Final Four. The Red Devils won the state title in 2016.
Webster Groves (20-9) will face Liberty (22-7) on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. in the state semifinals while Chaminade (26-2) will take on Rock Bridge (27-1) in the other semifinal game at 6:50 p.m. The winners will play for the state championship of Saturday at 4:30 p.m. the JQH Arena at Missouri State University. The third-place game will be on Friday at 12:45 p.m.
The Statesmen are once again riding the dynamic duo of seniors Courtney Ramey and Carte’are Gordon to the Final Four. The 6’4” Ramey is averaging 21.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.4 steals a game. The 6’8” Gordon, a Saint Louis U. signee, is averaging 17.2 points and 8.3 rebounds.
Ramey and Gordon get plenty of support from 6’2” senior R.J. Wright, who averages 11.8 points and junior guards Ray Adams and Amorey Womack. Liberty is led by standout 5’10” senior guard Jalen Lewis, who has signed with Washburn University.
Chaminade is looking for a happier ending after finishing fourth in the state tournament last season. The Red Devils are led by 6’7” senior forward Jericole Hellems, a North Carolina State signee, who is averaging 22.6 points and eight rebounds a game.
The Red Devils are a potent offensive team that also includes 6’2” junior Keyyaun Batchman, who averages 13.8 points, 6’1” senior Jadis White, who averages 12.6 and 6’6” sophomore shooter Luke Kasubke, who averages 13.1 points. Sophomore forward Harrison Vickers has also become a bigger factor as he averages eight points a game.
Chaminade will be facing a talented Rock Bridge team that is led by a trio of excellent underclassmen in juniors Isiaih Mosley, Jamonta Black and Dajuan Harris. The 6’6” Mosely is one of the top juniors in the country.
The Jennings Warriors are in the Final Four of the Class 4 state tournament, their first state appearance since 2000, when current head coach Travis Wallace was the Warriors’ point guard. Jennings (27-3) will face Raytown South (24-5) in the semifinals on Friday at 7:45 p.m. The winner will face either Sikeston (27-2) or Grandview (26-3) for the state championship on Saturday at 8:10 p.m. The third-place game will be on Saturday at 12:50 p.m.
The Warriors are led by 5’9” senior guard Kyle Younge Jr., who is averaging 17 points a game. He scored 44 points in the Warriors’ overtime victory over Parkway Central in the state quarterfinals. Jennings also features 6’3” junior forward Elijah Hicks, who averages 14 points a game, junior guard Terran Jackson and 6’6” senior Jordan Brown.
