February 18, 2008                        Check Out previous Blogs

District basketball tips off...hot teams ? unbeaten teams ? surprise teams ? We have a potpourri of perspectives for you about district basketball. Also, some STATE wrestling comments...

Early this week, the curtain will go up for district basketball in Missouri. How do YOU want to look at it ?

How about unbeaten teams?  Well, only two in Classes 4-5.

Raytown Bluejays carry their 24-0 mark into District. Using the massive front line of Brandon "Baby Shaq" Scaife and Aldon Smith (who's headed to Mizzou as a tight end) along with smooth forward Dominique Morrison this team is loaded. Last Friday, the Jays pounded out a 44-16 lead over a smaller, yet very feisty, Ft Osage Indian team. The Jays coasted to a 64-44 win as Morrison recorded a 30 point night. As #1 seed, they'll face the winner of  the #4/#5 seed game. Surprisingly, Lee Summit (KC Big 6 conference champions) was seeded 4th in district voting.

Another team that's unblemished is the Hickman Mills Lady Cougars (25-0). Falling behind  by four points against Metro (St Louis), the two-time defending Class 3 champion, after 1 quarter seemed to spark the Cougars. A long 18 point run began the avalanche--final score was 67-35. Strong defense, powerful rebounding and lightening quick, 3 point shooting guards are the ingredients of this unbeaten team.

How about some red hot teams, you say ?

Grain Valley Eagles are riding an 11 game win streak. The Eagles crushed Carrollton 64-34 on Friday as they notched their first conference championship since 1985.

Webb City Cardinals hung up their 12th straight as they blasted Nevada 63-35 to record their 2nd consecutive conference mark of 8-0.  After this boys game, girls Cardinal coach, Eric Johnson was honored in a post game ceremony. Johnson, who has over 500 wins (400 at WC) turned in his letter of resignation earlier in the week.

Ozark Tigers of Steve Hunter have rattled off 10 straight W's including the latest over Logan-Rogersville 62-44. Winning the Central Ozark Conference for its 2nd straight year, the Tigers have more hurdles to jump. Waiting in district for the Tigers are the equally red-hot, Kickapoo Chiefs (22-4). The Chiefs continued their unbeaten streak in Ozark Conference with a convincing 84-71 win over Waynesville. The string now stands at 64 straight -- dating all the way back to 2001 since the Chiefs dropped a conference game !

More red hot teams...

Gateway Tech has rambled off 10 wins without tasting defeat. With their full complement of players now available, this team could keep the PHL legacy rolling by reaching Mizzou Arena.

St Charles West Warriors (25-1) are sitting on 21 straight and are hosting district. Superior perimeter play, deadeye marksmanship from the line, a veteran, clever coach (Terry Hollander), well drilled. Sounds good to me!

The defending Class 5 Champs, McCluer North holds a hand with 8 straight wins and only one loss to any Missouri team !! Their sophomores seem to be filling the void left by the Femi John (SLU recruit) injury.

Berkeley is on a 9 game roll. The Bulldogs outlasted the Normandy Vikings on Friday to ice up the Suburban East Title in a great game. Normandy & Jennings are both tough district foes.

OK...a surprise team ?

How about the Visual & Performing Arts who have very quietly racked up a 15-10 mark. I'm picking them to walk off as District Champions !

What little things matter ?

You bet they do...last second plays will often  decide if you walk or play the next night. How about the Carthage "home run" ball that gave the Tigers a 2 point win. Tied with just 1.6 seconds left, a long inbounds pass was tipped to another teammate who laid in the winner over Nevada ! A similar play worked to perfection just 2 weeks ago--the victim--again it was Nevada. 

Wrestling Finals were, as always, very exciting. Colin Pierce (Kearney) and Tyler Holloway (Brookfield) joined the elite list of 4 time STATE Champions(14 on list). What a feat !! I loved Pierce's reaction to the win-- raised his arms up high and ran to the tunnel like he'd done it before. In fact, he has done it--he's won 144 straight matches !! Wow- not even the Harlem Globetrotters have won that many in a row ! Congrats to Oak Park who continues to dominate-- 5 straight STATE titles. Coach Gary Mayabb of Oak Park is stepping down as head coach-what a way to go out - 5 straight !!

Check out the busy week for www.prepcasts.com. We'll be bringing you district play every single day this week including 7 district championships  (and we hope to add more). Join us as  we move  down the little brick road to Mizzou Arena !

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