Earl’s Class 4 and 5 District Tournament Preview

The road to Columbia for area large schools will begin this week as a host of district tournaments get underway around the area. The last four Class 5 state champions have come from St. Louis. Can the St. Louis area schools continue their string of state-championship dominance this year?

 Can All-American guard Bradley Beal (pictured) take Chaminade to another Class 5 state championship? Will schools such as Webster Groves, McCluer, CBC, Hazelwood Central, Oakville or McCluer North stand in the Red Devils’ way in their quest for a repeat?

  Is this the year that a talented Columbia Rock Bridge team will break through to win that elusive Class 5 state title? Can a KansasCity-area team break through to win its first Class 5 title?

 Defending Class 4 state champion St. Francis Borgia will enter the postseason on a 38-game winning streak dating back to last year. Will the Knights repeat as state champions and complete an undefeated season in 2010.

 Nationally ranked girls’ program Incarnate Word Academy has been on quite a roll this season. Can the Red Knights make it back to Columbia after having their hearts broken in the districts by their rivals from St. Joseph’s last season?

 We will begin to answer some of these questions next week as the district tournaments unfold. Here is a quick preview of the upcoming Class 4 and 5 district tournaments involving area schools.

  The winners of these district tournaments will advance to the sectional round on Wednesday, March 3.

  It’s the most exciting time of the year. See you at the games.

  Class 5

  District 2 (at SLUH)

  Boys Preview: The Webster Groves Statesmen are the No. 1 seed and one of the area’s favorites to win a state title. The Statesmen feature the dynamic duo of senior guards Cortez Conners and Derrick Dilworth. The Statesmen got a good wake-up call with a rare home loss to Marquette last week. You still cannot sleep on No. 3 SLUH on their home court. The Jr. Bills have enjoyed a solid season, but they have a good challenge in the semis against Metro Catholic Conference rival Vianney, which drew the No. 2 seed.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m.

  Girls: It will be a most competitive district with the top four seeds (Nerinx Hall, Kirkwood, Webster Groves and Ursuline) all with winning records. Nerinx has a good postseason track record, including a Final Four appearance last season. That experience should help.

  Championship Game: Thursday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m.

  District 3 (at CBC)

  Boys: Everyone is looking towards a third meeting between rivals Chaminade and CBC in the finals. They have split their first two meetings with the road team winning each time. Chaminade defeated CBC in last year’s district title en route to the state championship.

   However, Normandy and DeSmet would love to crash the party. Both teams have winning records.

  Championship Game: Saturday, Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m.

  Girls: The other big showdown in district play is the anticipated third meeting between rivals Incarnate Word and St. Joseph’s in the finals. Incarnate Word has won the two previous meetings this year, but St. Joseph’s took the big prize at districts last year. Incarnate has been looking strong all season with its only loss coming to nationally-ranked Chicago Whitney Young on Jan. 18 in a battle of national powers. Senior forward Jazmin Hitchens of IWA has been the best player in the area this season.

  Championship Game: Saturday, Feb. 27, 5 p.m.

  District 4 (at Eureka)

  Boys: A very competitive district featuring top-seed Parkway South, but Lafayette, Washington, Eureka or Summit could emerge as the victor. A pair of top individual players such as Mike Messer (Lafayette) or Kevin Dwyer (Summit) are capable of putting their teams on the backs for a few games.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m.

  Girls: Another competitive district with Parkway South as the No. 1 seed. The Patriots have an excellent backcourt in Brittany Willis and Kaitlin Wagner. Eureka drew only a No. 3 seed despite 17 victories at the time of the seeding meeting. Lafayette checked in at No. 2.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m.

  District 5 (at McCluer North)

  Boys: You can call this one the Suburban North postseason tournament. This district is annually one of the wildest in the area because it’s a group of neighborhood rivals going at each other. Anything can happen. Hazelwood Central is the top seed, but McCluer, McCluer North or Riverview Gardens can win the district as well. McCluer defeated Hazelwood Central last week to win the SNC title. Junior guard Shaquille Boga can control a game. Host McCluer North is a true darkhorse. Are they the team that won their first 11 games, beating the likes of Columbia Rock Bridge, Oakville, Cardinal Ritter and Raytown South. Or are they the team that lost seven of their next nine games? They are still a factor. Central would love to win a district and begin to atone for last year’s disappointing loss to Oakville in the state quarterfinals.

  Championship Game: Saturday, Feb. 27, 11 a.m.

  Girls: Hazelwood Central Is seeking another run at the district title against their Suburban North conference rivals. The Hawks graduated several players from last year’s Final Four team, but are still an excellent team. Hazelwood West would like another shot at the district title after losing to Central in the finals last season.

  Championship Game: Saturday, Feb. 27, 2 p.m.

  District 6 (at Mehlville)

  Boys: No. 1 seed Oakville is the prohibitive favorite. No questions asked. The Tigers want to prove that they are no one-hit wonders after last year’s Final Four appearance. Garrett Regg has been a force inside with Toriano Hellems, Javier Duren and Josh Noblitt providing great perimeter support.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 8:15 p.m.

  Girls: Like Oakville’s boys, Cor Jesu is the big favorite to advance. The Markers have enjoyed a great season, but they really earned their bonafides with victories over Hazelwood Central, St. Joseph’s and Columbia Rock Bridge to win the Webster Groves Winter Challenge.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 6:30 p.m.

  District 7 (at Francis Howell Central)

  Boys: A wide-open field with top-seeded Howell, Fort Zumwalt West, Fort Zumwalt South and Howell North in contention. These GAC South rivals should wage quite a battle.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m.

  Girls: A very delicious championship game is on the horizon between rivals Fort Zumwalt West and Fort Zumwalt South. West features excellent guard Kelsey Jones and the talented Swopshire twins while South has the league’s top scorer in Julie Hlinak. Howell Central would love to break up that potential showdown.

  Championship Game: Saturday, Feb. 27, 2 p.m.

  District 8 (at Parkway West)

  Boys: Parkway West gets the No. 1 seed, but could get some stiff competition from the likes of Marquette and Parkway North. The Longhorns would love to send out-going head coach Bill Sodemann into retirement with one last district championship. His son, Patrick Sodemann and 6’6” junior Larry Toomey are a good combo. Marquette has a big victory over Webster Groves going into district play while Parkway North has enjoyed a solid season with guard Dominique Luckett leading the way.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m.

  Girls: Pattonville drew the top seed with Howell North in hot pursuit at No. 2. The Pirates have enjoyed a solid season in the Suburban North Conference.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 5 p.m.

  District 9 (at Troy)

  Boys: No. 1 seed Columbia Rock Bridge has one of the top teams in the state. They finished third last year. The Bruins are two-deep in quality at every position and boast Mizzou-bound shooting guard Ricky Kreklow as the best player. Host school Troy would love a shot at the Bruins in the finals on their home court. Columbia Hickman also bears watching as well.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m.

  Girls: A big district showdown between Rock Bridge and host Troy looms on the horizon. Both teams have 20 victories. Troy is led by 6’1” senior Maggie Flynn while the Bruins have a host of talent, led by All-State guard Amaya Williams.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m.

  Class 4

  District 2 (at Park Hills Central)

  Boys: Jefferson County rivals De Soto and Festus are the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds, respectively, behind North County of Bonne Terre and Farmington. All six teams in the district had winning records at seeding time, so it should be quite competitive.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m.

  Girls: Farmington is the top seed in the district with its 18 victories. Jefferson County school De Soto checks in at the No. 2 seed.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m.

  District 3 (at Bishop DuBourg)

  Boys: The St. Mary’s Dragons are the top seed and the only team in the district with a winning record. They have an excellent sophomore guard in Johnathan Connelly and inside player in Alex Brewer. The Dragons must still be leery of No. 2 Lutheran South and No. 3 DuBourg, the host school and its big rival.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 28, 8 p.m.

  Girls: Top seed Bishop DuBourg is the favorite as the only team with a winning record in the district. No. 2 seed Notre Dame is looking to knock them off.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 6:30 p.m.

  District 4 (at St. Clair)

  Boys: Defending state champion St. Francis Borgia is the class of the field here with its senior dynamic duo of Nathan Scheer and Tyler Ressel. Sullivan, Hillsboro and Pacific all have winning records, but Borgia is just one cut above the rest.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m.

  Girls: This is a high-quality district with Four Rivers Conference powers St. Clair and Pacific earning the top two seeds. Both teams have 20 victories this season while No. 3 seed St. Francis Borgia checks in with 17 victories. Pacific has one of the area’s top scorers in Anna Vogt while St. Clair has three players who score in double figures.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m.

  District 5 (at Gateway Tech)

  Boys: Soldan has the top seed in this competitive Public High League-laden district. The Tigers are led by senior guard Brier West and a talented crew of sophomores, led by point guard Partice Sanders. The Tigers can make some serious noise in the postseson, but they must get by the likes of Beaumont and Miller Career Academy first.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 6:45 p.m.

  Girls: No. 1 seed Miller Career Academy surprised many by advancing all the way to the Final Four last season. Taking over the leadership role for the Phoenix this season is versatile sophomore Shanity James, who leads the team in scoring and rebounding. Another top player to watch is 6’0” senior Shanique Buford of No. 3 seed Beaumont.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 5 p.m.

  District 6 (at Clayton)

  Boys: Many teams feel like they have a chance to win the title, here. Top-seed MICDS has enjoyed a magical ride with a 19-5 record and undefeated ABC League title. The Rams are sparked by their outstanding backcourt of McPherson Moore and Michael Scott. No. 2 Clayton has struggled down the stretch, but 6’5” junior Christian Thomas can carry a team. No. 3 Westminster Christian has been hot down the stretch behind the play of center Dan Alexander. McCluer South-Berkeley and Jennings aren’t as strong as in years past, but they are still threats.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 8 p.m.

  Girls: MICDS drew the No. 1 seed in this well-balanced district. Westminster Christian, Villa Duchense and Jennings all join MICDS in that 10-12 victory range this season. Anybody can win it.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m.

  District 7 (at St. Charles)

  Boys: St. Dominic is the No. 1 seed in this year’s competitive field. St. Charles West checks in at No. 2. The GAC North champions are led by 6’7” junior Christian Kirk. You can never count out a Terry Hollander coached team in the postseason. No. 3 Duchesne is also a solid team.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m.

  Girls: Top-seeded St. Dominic has enjoyed another banner season as they approach 20 victories. No. 2 seed Visitation is looking to provide the biggest challenge, as is No. 3 St. Charles West.

  Championship Game: Friday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m.