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March 1, 2010
A great week of basketball comes to a exciting conclusion. We had plenty of upsets, some brilliant play and many packed gyms that enjoyed all the excitement.
How about this....the two teams that competed in the Class 5 Championship game (Chaminade and Rock Bridge) last year, with their leading scorers returning for the 09-10 year, were unable to make it through the District Tournament!
The shock waves rumbled all the way across the State when news leaked out that Holt had shocked Rock Bridge 51-50 in the semifinal game. Dantiel Daniels was a beast ! He had 28 points, blocked several shots and was a real intimidator inside. Two nights later, Daniels hung up a double-double 15 points, 14 rebounds as the Indians squeaked by Hickman 64-62 to win the crown and advance into the State Tournament. This District Championship won by the 21-7 Indians (quietest 21 win team in the State), seeded #4, was won by a total of just 3 points in the two wins.
Another team that won the semis and final by a total of 3 points was another Indian team...the Jackson Indians. Jackson (16-12) edged the host school, Poplar Bluff 51-50 to win the title. Henri Wiliams scored 21 points but the story was the late rally. Jackson trailed by 4 points with a minute remaining. The Indians went into their "fouling game", crawled back and used a free throw by Kyle Keith with just 2.1 seconds to send the Indians to the 3rd District title in 4 years 51-50. Jackson had beaten Cape-Central 62-60 in two overtimes in the semifinal. Jackson will face the 26-2 Webster Groves Statesman who had a tough time putting away the SLUH Jr. Bills 61-55 in District 2 title game.
The defending Class 5 Champion, the Chaminade Flyers may go to Mizzou Arena .....but only to watch this year. The CBC Cadets (20-8) toppled the Flyers 56-46 as the Cadets beat Chaminade two of 3 times this year. Sr. Cory McArthy led the way with a key 3-pointer midway in the 4th quarter as the Cadets won going away. All four the Cadets who average double figures, hit double digits in scoring. Meanwhile, super star Bradley Beal drained seven 3-point baskets, scored 27 points and was phenomenal on offense.
That name McArthy also dots another roster. Soph Ryan McArthy is on the Parkway South Patriots (18-7) team. Yes...the brothers will face each other on Wednesday as the Patriots tumbled the Lafayette Lancers 57-50. The Patriots use a balanced attack (Scott & Kevin Pohle, Alex Johnston --21 points) were all double figure scorers.
The best #4 seeded team, McCluer North 20-8 (see last weeks blog) edged the #3 seed team, Riverview Gardens 52-48. The NorthStars, one of three 20-win teams in the Suburban North (finished 3rd place), used the big scoring night of Denzel Reed (23 points & 11 for 11 from the line). The North Stars will face the Oakville Tigers who breezed to a 54-31 championship win over Mehlville. Oakville threw a first quarter shutout 17-0 as they dominated from the tip-off. At that point (end of first quarter) the Oakville fans began the chant "this game's O-ver". Despite being unusually early, they were right.
A couple districts saw #1 vs #2 battles. Nixa (#2) defeated Branson (21-4) for the 2nd time in 8 days 62-47. The 27-1 Eagles were led in this game by Zac Hill's 18 points. It was Nixa's first District crown since 2002. Branson had a short roster as two "regulars" missed the game due to suspension and injury. Another #1-2 tussle saw Hillcrest (21-7) outlast Joplin (19-8) 52-42 Hillcrest and face Nixa in Sectional play on Wednesday.
#2 seed, Rockhurst (19-4) won the title by a single point 57-56 over Grandview(#4 seed). The Hawklets had advanced through semis with a hard-fought 64-61 win over Raytown South. This District (#13) was thrown into a tizzy when #1 Ray-Pec fell to Grandview in the semifinals.
In the Girls Action, #3 seeds found lots of success. All these #3 seeds won their District. McCluer North Stars(16-11) knocked off fellow Suburban North foe- Hazelwood Central (13-7) 42-40 in Saturday play. Parkway North Vikings (16-12) shoved the #1 Seed-Pattonville to the sidelines with a 38-35. The Vikings, who graduated 9 seniors from last year's district title team, surprised many observers with the win. Hillcrest (10-14) also beat the #1 team-Williard (15-11) 54-47. After shooting a dismal 1 of 10 from beyond the arc in the first half, Hillcrest kept bombing away from the perimeter. A couple 3-balls, led by Taylor Parham, started the momentum rolling towards the district crown. And...finally ....our 4th #3 seed team-- William Chrisman (20-9)..yes...seeded #4 with 20 wins..... whipped Truman (16-11) 53-41 . It was the first District Championship Plaque in girls Basketball for Wm Chrisman since 1993 !!
Incarnate Word and Parkway South won by identical 55-47 scores over St. Joseph and Eureka respectively. When these two teams tip off on Wednesday, two of the State's best guards-- Chloe Nelson (IWA) and Brittany Willis (Pk South) will be locking horms. It should be a marvelous matchup.
Looking like the best in the bottom half of the brackets, Blue Springs (19-3) handled Lee Summit North 61-39 easily. The Wildcats have been strong all year long.
Three teams from the MWAA White Conference, Incarnate Word, Nerinx Hall and Cor Jesu each won their districts. Cor Jesu (22-4) coasted to a 70-43 win over Lindbergh last Friday. Meg Riley and Liz Sinclair are the leaders of the Chargers as they'll face McNorth Stars. Nerinx Hall (17-10) fought off the improving Webster Groves Lady Statesman 48-42. WG had beaten Kirkwood (20-7) in the semifinals.
Another team looking way down the road is Ft Zumwalt West. Upgrading their schedule while returning a bevy of key players, Monica Tritz saw her Jaguars handle easily Ft Zumwalt South 66-41. They will be heavy favorites against Parkway North.
Breaking a streak of four consecutive 2nd place District finishes, Coach Stephanie Phillips had her seniors carry around those plaques this week and the team responded with a win over Glendale 48-27. Glendale beat the #1 seed, Nixa 49-48 in the semis.
Last but not least, in district 1, Ruthie Johnson led the Poplar Bluff Mules to a 70-55 win over Cape Central as she banged home 31 points and continued to reset her school career record for most "3 point baskets in a career" as she drained eight more in this tilt.
This week, Prepcasts will be all over the place. We'll bring you 10 sectional games, and 6 quarterfinal games and 4 district championship games this week. Remember, for the best and the most high school coverge, it's www.prepcasts.com
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