High school basketball: Quentin Coleman erupts for 50 points as No. 4 Principia wins Missouri Class 3 state title 98-34

Senior shot 18 of 21 from the field, 5 of 7 from 3-point range and 9 of 9 from the free throw line.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jordan Divens
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Mar 14, 2026, 5:45pm
Top 50 senior Quentin Coleman of No. 4 Principia (St. Louis) had a memorable finish to his stellar senior season, erupting for 50 points in a 98-34 victory over Miller Career Academy (St. Louis) in the Missouri Class 3 state championship game.

Coleman also added eight rebounds, seven steals and three assists in 26 minutes of action while shooting 18 of 21 from the field, 5 of 7 from 3-point range and 9 of 9 from the free throw line.

Regarded as the No. 32 prospect in the Class of 2026 according to Rivals, the 6-foot-4 guard has been a model of consistency all season. He averaged 23.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.7 steals per contest while shooting 64.9 percent from the field, 50.6 percent from 3-point range and 89.7 percent from the free throw line.
Quentin Coleman scored 30 points in the first half to give his team a 60-18 lead at the intermission. (FILE PHOTO: Wes Hale)
Quentin Coleman scored 30 points in the first half to give his team a 60-18 lead at the intermission. (FILE PHOTO: Wes Hale)
Coleman was recently named one of five finalists for MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors.

Principia (29-2) was dominant during its state tournament run, winning by an average of 52.5 points per contest. 

The Panthers own a record of 4-2 against MaxPreps Top 25 opponents this season with wins over No. 11 Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.), No. 21 Columbus (Miami, Fla.) and No. 7 Bartlett (Tenn.) twice. Their only losses came against top-ranked Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.) and No. 2 Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.).

In the championship game, Principia shot 38 of 55 from the field, 9 of 15 from 3-point range and 13 of 15 from the free throw line. The Panthers held Miller Career Academy to 12 of 44 shooting and 4 of 23 from 3-point range while also out-rebounding their opposition 36 to 15.

Principia led 36-12 after one quarter, 60-18 at the half and 86-24 at the end of the third period before letting their foot off the gas in the final stanza.

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