Knowing full well that these picks will probably be toast by the time the Missouri district basketball tournaments are complete, I’ve decided to go out on a limb and attempt to predict the outcome of the Class 5 and Class 4 boys and girls state basketball tournaments anyway.
Hannah Wilkerson, Miller
File photo by Dean Backes
Although several of the top basketball teams in Missouri will find themselves sidelined come March, plenty of round-ball talent will still be on display once the Show-Me Showdown hits the court for Missouri’s big schools at Columbia’s Mizzou Arena March 11-13.
As is always the case, several district matchups have the ability to upset the apple cart. Below is a quick look at some of those contests, and then it’s on to the picks.
Class 5, District 5 Boys
McCluer (Florissant) (22-4) vs. Hazelwood Central (Florissant) (21-4)
These two squads may meet up in the district title game. Shaquille Boga leads the Comets, winners of 11 of their past 12 games, with a 21.6-point scoring average, as well as 5.4 assists and 4.2 steals a game. But he goes up against the Hawk trio of Chris Babbitt (12.7 ppg), Jordan Wilson (12.2 ppg) and B.J. Young (17.2 ppg), who all average in double figures. Boga and company edged the Hawks, who have won nine of their past 10 contests, 63-56 earlier this month, and they get the job done again.
Class 5, District 11 Boys
Nixa (25-1) vs. Branson (23-3)
This pairing would materialize in the district championship game. Nixa’s lone loss during a 25-1 regular season came at the hands of Branson in late December. When and if they tip off against the Pirates in the District 11 championship contest, the Eagles will suffer their second setback of the season. Before getting into the district final, Nixa will have to put the brakes on Parkview’s 22-4 season. Also having a say in who represents district 11 at sectionals are Ozark (18-4), Springfield-Kickapoo (13-9) and Springfield-Glendale (17-8).
Class 5, District 13 Boys
Raymore-Peculiar (17-3) vs. Raytown South (20-6)
Back-to-back losses to end the regular season have slowed Raymore-Peculiar’s momentum after the Panthers won 11 straight games following a 44-31 loss to Kearney at the William Jewell tournament in December. Raytown South is catching the previously top-ranked Panthers at the right time and is projected to reach the round of 16 after winning the district 13 title over Raymore-Peculiar. District host Rockhurst (19-6) also has its eyes set on reaching sectionals.
Class 4, District 1 Boys
Notre Dame (Cape Girardeau) (20-5) vs. Sikeston (18-3)
Notre Dame-Cape Girardeau will probably take the court against highly ranked Sikeston in this district’s title game. After dropping back-to-back contests to Scott County Central and Cape Girardeau Central, Sikeston has rebounded with convincing wins over New Madrid County Central (87-64) and Bernie (71-52). Sikeston gets the win advancing to the Class 4 sectionals, while Notre Dame stays home.
Class 5, District 3 Girls
Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis) (24-1) vs. St. Joseph's Academy (St. Louis) (20-7)
Top-ranked Incarnate Word Academy will have its hands full if this district final transpires. The Angels have lost to Incarnate Word Academy twice by a combined 15 points, and will lose to the Red Knights once again in the district title game. Incarnate Word’s lone loss on the year was a 52-49 loss to Young High School out of Chicago. The Red Knights have won 10 straight since that set back.
Class 5, District 4 Girls
Parkway South (Manchester) (18-8) vs. Eureka (21-3)
Parkway South gets the nod to upset Eureka in a possible district 4 final matchup. Again, the key word is upset. Eureka could very likely win the district title here and make a deep run into the playoffs. Lafayette-Wildwood (17-8) and Washington (14-12) are also capable of playing their way into sectionals.
Class 5, District 7 Girls
Fort Zumwalt West (O'Fallon) (21-4) vs. Fort Zumwalt South (St. Peters) (21-4)
The Jaguars barely get by Fort Zumwalt South in this one. Fort Zumwalt West goes into this possible district title match knowing they can knock off their counterparts, while Fort Zumwalt South goes into district play with an eye on getting a little payback. Fort Zumwalt West got the 47-35 win in January, thus they get the nod to move on.
Class 5, District 9 Girls
Rock Bridge (Columbia) (22-4) vs. Troy-Buchanan (20-5)
Maggie Flynn (16.8 ppg) should lead Troy-Buchanan to the district title game against a post-season tested Bruins squad. The Trojans have posted back-to back winning seasons, but Columbia-Rock Bridge has played to the tune of a 96-18 record over the last 3-plus seasons, giving the Bruins the edge.
Class 5, District 11 Girls
Nixa (20-3) vs. Kickapoo (Springfield) (15-6)
Nixa, who owns a 49-38 December win over Springfield-Kickapoo, is projected to get a win over the Chiefs in this district final. Hoping to ruin that match up are Parkview (16-7), Springfield-Glendale (13-8), Ozark (14-8) and Branson (16-6).
Class 4, District 4 Girls
St. Francis Borgia (Washington) (18-6) vs. St. Clair (21-3)
This district is top heavy with St. Francis Borgia, Pacific (20-5) and the Bulldogs all set to square off for the opportunity to move on to sectionals. The Knights get a big win over Pacific in the semifinals. But Drew Kamper (13.5 ppg), Bry Pierce (13.8 ppg) and Courtney Pursley (15.4 ppg) lead St. Clair to a district championship win over the Maggie Vossbrink (13.9 ppg) led Knights.
Class 4, District 13 Girls
Hickman Mills (Kansas City) (17-6) vs. O'Hara (Kansas City) (19-6)
Hickman Mills, led by Louisville recruit Polly Harrington, is expected to knock off 2009 state tournament participant Notre Dame de Sion (12-10) in a district 13 semifinal before being ousted by O’Hara in the final. But don’t count out the Crusaders or Pembroke Hill (18-3), who are capable of playing their way into the ‘Sweet 16.’
Class 4, District 16 Girls
Benton (St. Joseph) (22-3) vs. Platte County (21-5)
Platte County has its eyes set on defending last season’s Class 4 girls state championship. But St. Joseph-Benton has other ideas. Regardless of who moves on to sectionals, the winner has the talent to make a deep run into the playoffs. The guess here is that the Cardinals will prevail over the defending champs in a close one in the district final.
Class 5 Boys Projected Playoff Results
Sectionals
Webster Groves (26-2) over Poplar Bluff (19-5)
Chaminade (22-5) over Lafayette-Wildwood (18-10)
Oakville (24-4) over McCluer (24-4)
Parkway West (20-6) over Francis Howell (16-9)
Columbia-Rock Bridge (22-5) over Jefferson City (9-17)
Branson (25-3) over Springfield-Hillcrest (20-7)
Raytown South (23-6) over Lee’s Summit North (19-6)
Liberty (20-6) over Kansas City Central (17-5)
Quarterfinals
Chaminade (23-5) over Webster Groves (27-2)
Oakville (25-4) over Parkway West (21-6)
Columbia-Rock Bridge (23-5) over Branson (26-3)
Liberty (21-6) over Raytown South (24-6)
Semifinals
Chaminade (24-5) over Oakville (26-4)
Columbia-Rock Bridge (24-5) over Liberty (22-6)
Final
Columbia-Rock Bridge (25-5) over Chaminade (25-5)
Class 5 Girls Projected Playoff Results
Sectionals
Nerinx Hall (17-10) over Cape Girardeau Central (17-7)
Incarnate Word Academy (26-1) over Parkway South (20-8)
Cor Jesu Academy (22-4) over Hazelwood Central (19-7)
Fort Zumwalt West (23-4) over Pattonville (17-8)
Columbia-Rock Bridge (24-4) over Jefferson City (14-11)
Nixa (22-3) over Willard (16-9)
Blue Springs (19-3) over Raytown (15-8)
Liberty (21-6) over Kansas City Central (17-6)
Quarterfinals
Incarnate Word Academy (27-1) over Nerinx Hall (18-10)
Fort Zumwalt West (24-4) over Cor Jesu Academy (23-4)
Columbia-Rock Bridge (25-4) over Nixa (23-3)
Blue Springs (20-3) over Liberty (22-6)
Semifinals
Incarnate Word Academy (28-1) over Fort Zumwalt West (25-4)
Columbia-Rock Bridge (26-4) over Blue Springs (21-3)
Final
Incarnate Word Academy (29-1) over Columbia-Rock Bridge (27-4)
Class 4 Boys Projected Playoff Results
Sectionals
Sikeston (20-3) over North County (22-6)
St. Francis Borgia (27-0) over St. Mary’s (15-10)
Soldan (21-4) over MICDS (21-5)
St. Charles West (17-10) over Mexico (19-8)
Jefferson City-Helias (17-7) over Bolivar (19-7)
Harrisonville (22-5) over Republic (13-6)
O’Hara (23-4) over Warrensburg (18-8)
Kearney (24-3) over Lafayette-St. Joseph (21-6)
Quarterfinals
St. Francis Borgia (28-0) over Sikeston (21-3)
Soldan (22-4) over St. Charles West (18-10)
Jefferson City-Helias (18-7) over Harrisonville (23-5)
Kearney (25-3) over O’Hara (24-4)
Semifinals
St. Francis Borgia (29-0) over Soldan (23-4)
Kearney (26-3) over Jefferson City-Helias (19-7)
Final
St. Francis Borgia (30-0) over Kearney (27-3)
Class 4 Girls Projected Playoff Results
Sectionals
Notre Dame-Cape Girardeau (23-4) over Farmington (20-6)
St. Clair (23-3) over Bishop DuBourg (16-8)
Miller Career Academy (19-6) over MICDS (19-6)
Moberly (23-3) over St. Dominic (23-3)
St. James (24-3) over West Plains (23-5)
Webb City (26-1) over McDonald County (14-11)
Pleasant Hill (21-3) over O’Hara (21-6)
St. Joseph Benton (24-3) over Staley (18-7)
Quarterfinals
Notre Dame-Cape Girardeau (24-4) over St. Clair (24-3)
Moberly (24-3) over Miller Career Academy (20-6)
Webb City (27-1) over St. James (25-3)
St. Joseph Benton (25-3) over Pleasant Hill (22-3)
Semifinals
Notre Dame-Cape Girardeau (25-4) over Moberly (25-3)
Webb City (28-1) over St. Joseph Benton (26-3)
Final
Webb City (29-1) over Notre Dame-Cape Girardeau (26-4)
