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February 1, 2010
While the next couple weeks determines many conference titles, many teams are plotting and planning for the district tournament. The post-season play has far superseded the emphasis on league accomplishments. With that it mind...we're looking at some of the state rankings. Ranked #1 in Class 5 in Missouri and St. Louis, the Webster Groves Statesman (18-0) have won three impressive tournaments -- their own opening tournament, the Meramec Holiday Tournament and traveled to Joplin to win the title by beating the host school in the final. They continue to waltz through the Suburban South (what is it now...over 100 consecutive conference games). Coach Jay Blossom continues to run out state-level teams year after year. The hall mark is always the high pressure defense! Derrick Dilworth and Cortez Connors are the #1-2 offensive punch of this electrifying team. Some familiar names dot the top ten state-wide- Branson (15-1) and Rock Bridge (12-3), who finished #2 in state last year to Chaminade , Rickey Kreklow is the leading scorer for the Bruins. Rock Bridge had a real challenge this week as they fell behind to Hickman (13-7) by a 26-11 at the first quarter buzzer. Using the reserves to spark the rally (this says something !), the Bruins squeaked by the Kewpies 72-20 to raise their record to14-5. The Branson Pirates seemingly always have strong teams but are looking to reach Mizzou Arena this year. Don't count out anyone who has Bradley Beal on their team. The Chaminade Flyers have a tough district, a bit shorter bench but have experienced a tougher schedule to prepare themselves for the "run". In Class 4, the defending Champs, St. Francis Borgia Knights (18-0) just continue to roll along. Dead-eye perimeter shooters annually, the Knights have Nathan Scheer (22 ppg) on the inside as part of an offense that rattles home 71+ ppg game. Coach Dave Neier's team owns impressive wins over Chaminade, CBC and 3 wins over the Washington Bluejays (14-5--yes, 3 of 5 losses to Borgia !) Teams to watch closely are Kearney Bulldogs who are also unbeaten at 13-0, Sikeston Bulldogs are 12-1 while the Notre Dame (Cape) (11-4)is one of those post-season teams that finds a way to get it done. Class 3 presents some different considerations. Arcadia Valley has the best pure record at 17-0 and is justifiably ranked #1 and Maryville is also untouched at 13-0. Meanwhile, the Whitfield Warriors (who reached the Final Four level last year) are 10-7 but have beaten larger school teams like Clayton, and the talented Cardinal Ritter Lions. Hogan Prep (7-4) is another team whose record could mislead you. Hamilton-Penney (10-0) a football powerhouse this year sits atop of the Class 2 rankings using some of the same talented athletes. Sturgeon (13-0, #2) from Mid-Missouri is using a high pressure defense to roll over their opponents. Bernie (13-1) has tons of experience is ranked #4. Wellington-Napolean (10-0) is listed as no better than #7 in the last poll. Class 1 is owned by the Scott County Central Eagles (12-1). Normally at this level, the athleticism scales down a bit. Not so in this case, these high flying Eagles provide plenty of skill, hustle and shots to draw the attention of fans of all levels. A special tip of our hat to Coach Mark Nusbaum of Rockhurst who notched his 500th career win this week. Coach established himself long ago at Liberty and many of his assistants have gone on to developing successful programs of their own. We're not going to run down every single district, I'd say that we're about 9 months too early for that type of thing. Some of the changes.. In class 6.. DeSmet, who's gone west for the last several years after competing in a St. Charles county district, moves to District 2 with SLUH, LIndbergh and Mehlville. Any post season games stay on the East side of STATE until the Dome. The powerhouse district 7 out west that once comprised Blue Springs, Rockhurst, Blue Springs South and Liberty has undergone a change. Rockhurst moves into District 8 and is replaced by Columbia-Rock Bridge. That district 8 also welcomes Ray-Pec, who's moving up from class 5 will form another strong district with Joplin & Lee Summit N. Eureka, moves up to Class 6, District 1 as they swap places with Seckman, now class 5 district 1. Oakville, Fox, NW and Eureka should form a very competitive district. District 5, Pattonville (the smallest Class 6 school) will replace DeSmet in the St. Charles county district of Howell, Howell Central, Howell North. District 4 has an All-Suburban North look to it with Hazelwood Central, Hazelwood West, Mc North and Ritenour. CLASS 5... District 2 is loaded! Chaminade (with Rob Standard returning), Parkway Central, Parkway North and Webster Groves is clearly the best from top to bottom (if there is a bottom). District 3-- Normandy is elevated to this class and lands with three Suburban North teams (Haz East, Riverview and McCluer) so it'll seem like ol' times for the Vikings, who competed in the sub North for many years. After winning back-back class 4 district titles, Neosho finds itself competing against Nixa, Ozark, Kickapoo and Branson in district 8. Lee Summit, who won their appeal regarding their enrollment numbers, will be in District 9 with Belton, Lee Summit's West and Hickman Mills-Ruskin--another tough one. Smith-Cotton jumps into District 6 and will face foes once very familiar to them--Rolla, Camdenton and Waynesville. The Tigers face a tough set of teams in the last 3 weeks. District 4 is one of those with 5 teams. Basically, there are 3 Ft Zumwalt district teams (East, North & South) with two Wentzville teams (Holt & Timberland). Ft Z South is moving down a classification on this go-around. Class 4.... On the East side of the State, District 6 is nails. MICDS, U City, Ladue and Clayton has a group of teams that 3 teams made the post-season last year. Yet, they are very close geographically. Should be a great set of games. District 5 has been filled with - Gateway, Miller Career, Roosevelt from the PHL and St. Marys from the AAA. This district always seems to get juggled, due to changing enrollments, every go-around. District 14 sees Grain Valley with KC Center, Grandview and the Harrisonville Wildcats. The St. Charles School district teams get split apart. St Charles goes to District 7 with Duchesne, Jennings and Westminster. While the Warriors of St. Charles West move to District 8 that has Warrenton, Borgia and St. Dominic as the other contestants.
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