Missouri Class 5
The Mosports.com staff takes a quick look at district
action around the Show-Me State.
District 1
Top Seed: Poplar Bluff
Top Challenger: Jackson
Story line: Ben Hansbrough is talented enough to
lead an upstart Mule squad back to Columbia. Travis Brown has done an
outstanding job leading the Mules in his first season. Jackson has dealt
with injuries and illness, but I doubt you can find a tougher #1 vs. #4 match up
in the state!
MOsports fearless prediction: Poplar Bluff
District 2
Top Seed: Webster Groves
Top Challenger: Kirkwood
Story line: One of the best rivalries in the St. Louis
area. Kirkwood earned a victory in their first Meramec Tourney meeting,
Webster won in the rematch. This week be a war....don't be late or you
will never get in the doors at tiny SLUH High.
MOsports fearless prediction: Webster Groves
District 3
Top Seed: Lafayette
Top Challenger: Washington, Summit
Story line: Washington and 6-6 sophomore Scott Suggs
fell to the Lancers 44-42 earlier in the season. Todd Zell and his Summit
Falcons are experiencing the best season in school history. Northwest has
defeated the Falcons twice, each time on the road, but beating any quality team
three times in one season is difficult.
Lafayette, the Suburban West champion is lead by league
MVP Cartez Parker and No. 2 in the voting 6-8 freshman Tyler Griffey.
MOsports fearless prediction: Lafayette
District 4
Top Seed: DeSmet
Top Challenger: Pattonville
Story line: The Spartans have struggled at times this
season, however with the inside presence of 6-10 Sean Kowall (Colorado)
and 6-11 sophomore John Brandenberg. DeSmet has earned victories in
three of their past four and head coach Bob Steiner is one of the best in the
business.
MOsports fearless prediction: DeSmet
District 5
Top Seed: Vianney
Top Challenger: Lindbergh
Story line: The Lindbergh Flyers came up just short in
their bid for a Suburban West Conference title falling to Lafayette.
Juniors Tyler Kiel, Robby Meeh, and Robert Williams each earned
all-conference honors and have had an outstanding season.
Against a tough schedule Vianney has lost 4 of their
past 5 and is limping into district play. 6-6 junior forward Dave Stewart
leads the Griffin with 13 points per game.
MOsports fearless prediction: Lindbergh
District 6
Top Seed: Parkway South
Top Challenger: Marquette/CBC
Story line: A competitive slate of teams will meet at
Marquette High School in District 6. While the Patriots are seeded No. 1
they have missed top shooting guard Grant Steward, who has been out with
an ankle injury in recent weeks.
Don't be surprised is Parkway West senior Eddie White
and veteran head coach Bill Sodemann knock off the rival Patriots and
advance to the finals.
Super 25 member Jeremy Sharpe is capable of
putting the Cadets on his back and leading them to the district title.
Shane Matzen and his Mustangs will be tough to beat at home. Tom
Ahlborn and sophomore Andy Rosburg are all-league players who make
the Stangs tough to beat.
MOsports fearless prediction: CBC
District 7
Top Seed: McCluer North
Top Challenger: Hazelwood Central
Story line: A district loaded with familiar Suburban
North foes. North won the early battle with Hazelwood Central can the
Hawks win the final war? A key is North will face Riverview/Hazelwood East
in the semifinals, while Central will face a challenge in No. 2 seeded McCluer.
6-4 Mo Smith (W. Illinois) and 6-4 Marvin McNutt can
lead the Hawks to a pair of wins over McCluer and McCluer North avenging earlier
defeats and into the post season.
MOsports fearless prediction: Hazelwood Central
District 8
Top Seed: Vashon
Top Challenger: none
Vashon is a lock to win their 28th MSHSAA district
title. 6-4 senior guard Bobby Hill, 6-6 junior Leon Powell, and 5-10
senior point guard James Washington lead the top favorite to the Class 5 crown.
MOsports fearless prediction: Vashon
District 9
Top Seed: Ft. Zumwalt West
Top Challenger: Troy, Zumwalt South
Story line: With Ft. Zumwalt West, Zumwalt South, and
Troy in the same district, could be the best collection of talented teams in
Missouri.
Playing at Troy High School can be a challenge for any
teams, even fans (ask a Jeff City student who was arrested in 99' for standing
up) have a tough time in the home of the Trojans.
Zumwalt West is led by 6-6 sophomore Jared Swopshire,
6-3 sophomore Ron Waller, and talented sophomore guard Courtney Belger.
Senior guard Josh Branch is the glue that holds the team together.
Troy junior guard Richard Rose and senior
Corey Wiemann return with post season experience from one season ago.
6-3 sophomore Josh McCoy leads the Bulldogs with 13.4 points per game
including 42 three-point baskets.
The Bulldogs and Trojans will have day to recover from
the semifinal round before battling with the Jags of Zumwalt West.
MOsports fearless prediction: Troy
District 10
Top Seed: Rock Bridge
Top Challenger: Jefferson City
Story line: Rock Bridge has it all, guard play, talented
forwards, and a 6-11 center to patrol the middle. The Bruins could be the
one team that if they can advance up the road to the Mizzou Arena might
challenge Vashon.
Although seeded No. 3 the Jefferson City Jays have been
able to make the Bruins play "their style" in recent games, a 34-24 home loss
and a 34-32 double overtime victory in the district finals last season.
MOsports fearless prediction: Rock Bridge
District 11
Top Seed: Glendale
Top Challenger: Waynesville, West Plains
Story line: The Glendale Falcons are again winning
without the presence of a dominant inside threat. Spud Harbor, George
Rosenbury, and Thad Hannah lead the guard dominant Falcons who are a tough match
up for any team.
The Falcons earned narrow victories over Ozarks
Conference foes in league play and will be challenged. Playing in the
comforts of their home gym will give them the edge they need to advance.
MOsports fearless prediction: Glendale
District 12
Top Seed: Kickapoo
Top Challenger: Nixa/Parkview
Story line: One thing about district basketball in
Southwest Missouri, each team is very familiar with one another and the fans are
very prepared.
During the regular season Kickapoo split with Nixa and
earned a one point victory over Parkview their top challengers to the crown. 6-5
Missouri State recruit Kyle Kirk will need to play large if Kickapoo is to
advance from district play.
MOsports fearless prediction: Nixa
District 13
Top Seed: Truman
Top Challenger: Blue Springs South
Story line: Top seeded Truman is led by high
scoring guard Edriss Floyd and 6-8 super sophomore Steve Moore.
Truman has completed the regular season with a 20-3 mark and is the class of
this district.
No. 4 seeded William Chrisman could make thing
interesting, running a Grinnell (IA) style of offense they have set MSHSAA
records for 3-point baskets attempted and made this season and have had a
freshman make as many as 10 three-point baskets in a contest. The Bears
sub every 90 seconds, five players at a time, and have their best record in
years.
MOsports fearless prediction: Truman
District 14
Top Seed: Raytown South
Top Challenger: Lee's Summit North
Story line: Could this be the farewell tour for veteran
Raytown South head coach Bud Lathrop? Most in KC feel it will be
and what better way for the long time mentor to go out with a trip to the final
four. Junior center George Goode is among the top players in the
Class of 2007. 6-1 180-pound Cardinal guard Roderick Pearson is the top
outside threat and has committed to SEMO.
The Lee's Summit North Broncos(20-4) have an impressive
stable of talent including 6-6 Bristan Kelley who has committed to
Northern Illinois and 6-0 point guard Adam Leonard who will attend
Division I Eastern Kentucky.
Arrive very early, if these two teams meet the fire
marshal will lock up the building very early!
MOsports.com Fearless Prediction: Lee's Summit North
District 15
Top Seed: Rockhurst
Top Challenger: Raytown
Story line: Mark Nusbaum's Hawklets(22-3) begin
their march back to Columbia where they finished fourth a season ago. 6-5
junior Conner Teahan is emerging as a top player in the Show-Me State
along with 6-1 senior guard Phillip Strozier a talented football star who
is a super athlete on the basketball court too. The Hawklets are very
athletic, have great size, and talent including 6-6 senior center Alex Potts.
Raytown is led by a possible Mr. Show-Me Basketball
candidate Jajuan Maxwell, a talented senior who has committed to attend
Southeast Missouri State. Maxwell has guided the Blue Jays to a 20
win season and the conference crown.
MOsports fearless prediction: Rockhurst
District 16
Top Seed: St. Joseph Central
Top Challenger: Oak Park, Park Hill South
Story line: Suburban Kansas City foes meet at Oak Park
High School to determine the District 16 champion.
MOsports fearless prediction: Oak Park, home court
advantage
The Mosports.com staff takes a quick look at district
action around the Show-Me State.
District 1
Top Seed: Poplar Bluff
Top Challenger: Jackson
Story line: Ben Hansbrough is talented enough to
lead an upstart Mule squad back to Columbia. Travis Brown has done an
outstanding job leading the Mules in his first season. Jackson has dealt
with injuries and illness, but I doubt you can find a tougher #1 vs. #4 match up
in the state!
MOsports fearless prediction: Poplar Bluff
District 2
Top Seed: Webster Groves
Top Challenger: Kirkwood
Story line: One of the best rivalries in the St. Louis
area. Kirkwood earned a victory in their first Meramec Tourney meeting,
Webster won in the rematch. This week be a war....don't be late or you
will never get in the doors at tiny SLUH High.
MOsports fearless prediction: Webster Groves
District 3
Top Seed: Lafayette
Top Challenger: Washington, Summit
Story line: Washington and 6-6 sophomore Scott Suggs
fell to the Lancers 44-42 earlier in the season. Todd Zell and his Summit
Falcons are experiencing the best season in school history. Northwest has
defeated the Falcons twice, each time on the road, but beating any quality team
three times in one season is difficult.
Lafayette, the Suburban West champion is lead by league
MVP Cartez Parker and No. 2 in the voting 6-8 freshman Tyler Griffey.
MOsports fearless prediction: Lafayette
District 4
Top Seed: DeSmet
Top Challenger: Pattonville
Story line: The Spartans have struggled at times this
season, however with the inside presence of 6-10 Sean Kowall (Colorado)
and 6-11 sophomore John Brandenberg. DeSmet has earned victories in
three of their past four and head coach Bob Steiner is one of the best in the
business.
MOsports fearless prediction: DeSmet
District 5
Top Seed: Vianney
Top Challenger: Lindbergh
Story line: The Lindbergh Flyers came up just short in
their bid for a Suburban West Conference title falling to Lafayette.
Juniors Tyler Kiel, Robby Meeh, and Robert Williams each earned
all-conference honors and have had an outstanding season.
Against a tough schedule Vianney has lost 4 of their
past 5 and is limping into district play. 6-6 junior forward Dave Stewart
leads the Griffin with 13 points per game.
MOsports fearless prediction: Lindbergh
District 6
Top Seed: Parkway South
Top Challenger: Marquette/CBC
Story line: A competitive slate of teams will meet at
Marquette High School in District 6. While the Patriots are seeded No. 1
they have missed top shooting guard Grant Steward, who has been out with
an ankle injury in recent weeks.
Don't be surprised is Parkway West senior Eddie White
and veteran head coach Bill Sodemann knock off the rival Patriots and
advance to the finals.
Super 25 member Jeremy Sharpe is capable of
putting the Cadets on his back and leading them to the district title.
Shane Matzen and his Mustangs will be tough to beat at home. Tom
Ahlborn and sophomore Andy Rosburg are all-league players who make
the Stangs tough to beat.
MOsports fearless prediction: CBC
District 7
Top Seed: McCluer North
Top Challenger: Hazelwood Central
Story line: A district loaded with familiar Suburban
North foes. North won the early battle with Hazelwood Central can the
Hawks win the final war? A key is North will face Riverview/Hazelwood East
in the semifinals, while Central will face a challenge in No. 2 seeded McCluer.
6-4 Mo Smith (W. Illinois) and 6-4 Marvin McNutt can
lead the Hawks to a pair of wins over McCluer and McCluer North avenging earlier
defeats and into the post season.
MOsports fearless prediction: Hazelwood Central
District 8
Top Seed: Vashon
Top Challenger: none
Vashon is a lock to win their 28th MSHSAA district
title. 6-4 senior guard Bobby Hill, 6-6 junior Leon Powell, and 5-10
senior point guard James Washington lead the top favorite to the Class 5 crown.
MOsports fearless prediction: Vashon
District 9
Top Seed: Ft. Zumwalt West
Top Challenger: Troy, Zumwalt South
Story line: With Ft. Zumwalt West, Zumwalt South, and
Troy in the same district, could be the best collection of talented teams in
Missouri.
Playing at Troy High School can be a challenge for any
teams, even fans (ask a Jeff City student who was arrested in 99' for standing
up) have a tough time in the home of the Trojans.
Zumwalt West is led by 6-6 sophomore Jared Swopshire,
6-3 sophomore Ron Waller, and talented sophomore guard Courtney Belger.
Senior guard Josh Branch is the glue that holds the team together.
Troy junior guard Richard Rose and senior
Corey Wiemann return with post season experience from one season ago.
6-3 sophomore Josh McCoy leads the Bulldogs with 13.4 points per game
including 42 three-point baskets.
The Bulldogs and Trojans will have day to recover from
the semifinal round before battling with the Jags of Zumwalt West.
MOsports fearless prediction: Troy
District 10
Top Seed: Rock Bridge
Top Challenger: Jefferson City
Story line: Rock Bridge has it all, guard play, talented
forwards, and a 6-11 center to patrol the middle. The Bruins could be the
one team that if they can advance up the road to the Mizzou Arena might
challenge Vashon.
Although seeded No. 3 the Jefferson City Jays have been
able to make the Bruins play "their style" in recent games, a 34-24 home loss
and a 34-32 double overtime victory in the district finals last season.
MOsports fearless prediction: Rock Bridge
District 11
Top Seed: Glendale
Top Challenger: Waynesville, West Plains
Story line: The Glendale Falcons are again winning
without the presence of a dominant inside threat. Spud Harbor, George
Rosenbury, and Thad Hannah lead the guard dominant Falcons who are a tough match
up for any team.
The Falcons earned narrow victories over Ozarks
Conference foes in league play and will be challenged. Playing in the
comforts of their home gym will give them the edge they need to advance.
MOsports fearless prediction: Glendale
District 12
Top Seed: Kickapoo
Top Challenger: Nixa/Parkview
Story line: One thing about district basketball in
Southwest Missouri, each team is very familiar with one another and the fans are
very prepared.
During the regular season Kickapoo split with Nixa and
earned a one point victory over Parkview their top challengers to the crown. 6-5
Missouri State recruit Kyle Kirk will need to play large if Kickapoo is to
advance from district play.
MOsports fearless prediction: Nixa
District 13
Top Seed: Truman
Top Challenger: Blue Springs South
Story line: Top seeded Truman is led by high
scoring guard Edriss Floyd and 6-8 super sophomore Steve Moore.
Truman has completed the regular season with a 20-3 mark and is the class of
this district.
No. 4 seeded William Chrisman could make thing
interesting, running a Grinnell (IA) style of offense they have set MSHSAA
records for 3-point baskets attempted and made this season and have had a
freshman make as many as 10 three-point baskets in a contest. The Bears
sub every 90 seconds, five players at a time, and have their best record in
years.
MOsports fearless prediction: Truman
District 14
Top Seed: Raytown South
Top Challenger: Lee's Summit North
Story line: Could this be the farewell tour for veteran
Raytown South head coach Bud Lathrop? Most in KC feel it will be
and what better way for the long time mentor to go out with a trip to the final
four. Junior center George Goode is among the top players in the
Class of 2007. 6-1 180-pound Cardinal guard Roderick Pearson is the top
outside threat and has committed to SEMO.
The Lee's Summit North Broncos(20-4) have an impressive
stable of talent including 6-6 Bristan Kelley who has committed to
Northern Illinois and 6-0 point guard Adam Leonard who will attend
Division I Eastern Kentucky.
Arrive very early, if these two teams meet the fire
marshal will lock up the building very early!
MOsports.com Fearless Prediction: Lee's Summit North
District 15
Top Seed: Rockhurst
Top Challenger: Raytown
Story line: Mark Nusbaum's Hawklets(22-3) begin
their march back to Columbia where they finished fourth a season ago. 6-5
junior Conner Teahan is emerging as a top player in the Show-Me State
along with 6-1 senior guard Phillip Strozier a talented football star who
is a super athlete on the basketball court too. The Hawklets are very
athletic, have great size, and talent including 6-6 senior center Alex Potts.
Raytown is led by a possible Mr. Show-Me Basketball
candidate Jajuan Maxwell, a talented senior who has committed to attend
Southeast Missouri State. Maxwell has guided the Blue Jays to a 20
win season and the conference crown.
MOsports fearless prediction: Rockhurst
District 16
Top Seed: St. Joseph Central
Top Challenger: Oak Park, Park Hill South
Story line: Suburban Kansas City foes meet at Oak Park
High School to determine the District 16 champion.
MOsports fearless prediction: Oak Park, home court
advantage
