District Championship Predictions: 10 Intriguing Matchups
District championships will be on the line this weekend for the Class 4 and 5 schools around the Show-Me State. Of the 32 games being played, here are 10 of the most intriguing matchups that I have chose to highlight as well as give a prediction. Here we go:
SLUH vs. Chaminade, Class 5, District 4 (at SLUH), Friday, 7 p.m. – The most anticipated matchup of the night features these two Metro Catholic Conference rivals who have both been to the Final Four in the past two seasons. That run will end for one of these two teams. Defending state-champion Chaminade looked like the best team in the state for much of the season before a little tailspin in February in which they lost three out of four games. One of those losses was to SLUH, which enabled the Jr. Billikens to take the MCC crown. SLUH has experienced its share of struggles at times this season, especially on the offensive end. Both teams are going strong again, which should make for a tremendous final. (Prediction: SLUH)
Park Hill vs. Oak Park, Class 5, District 16 (at Park Hill), Friday, 7 p.m. – One of the most dramatic moments of the early season came in the first meeting between these two teams when guard Dru Smith of Park Hill drove the length of the floor and scored on a layup as time expired to give the Trojans a 53-52 victory at Oak Park. It was a heartbreaking loss for Northmen, who led by 10 points at halftime. It’s a great backdrop for tonight’s district championship game at Park Hill. The Trojans are deep and very talented, which enabled them to defeat Staley in the semifinals despite heavy foul trouble. Oak Park defeated St. Joe Central in the semifinals as 2018 guard Ochai Agbaji scored his 1,000th career point in the process. It should be a good one. (Prediction: Park Hill)
Nixa vs. Republic, Class 5, District 12 (at Nixa), Friday, 6 p.m. – Another outstanding matchup between two of the top programs in the Ozark region. The two teams met on Feb. 15 with Republic coming away with a 58-57 victory, which is no surprise. Expect another tight game with two well balanced and well-coached teams. Republic has some good perimeter shooters in 2017s Treydon Rackley, Ty Stevens and 2019 Broc Smith, but the Tigers really get it done on the defensive end, where they really dig in. If you score 50 points on them, you’ve had a great night. Nixa is a team that is capable with his inside-outside balance. Athletic 6’6″ 2017 forward Christian Bundy is a force in the paint while 5’8″ 2017 point guard Seth Viebrock is capable of a big scoring night. This one should go down to last few possessions. (Prediction: Nixa)
Hillsboro vs. Farmington, Class 4, District 2 (at Hillsboro), Friday, 7:15 p.m. – An entertaining matchup between two young teams with excellent talent in the front court. They have split their two meetings this sesaon. Farmington won the first meeting in late December to win the championship of the Park Hills Central Christmas Tournament. Hillsboro came back about three weeks later to post a solid victory at home. Hillsboro has an steller 1-2 punch inside in 6’8″ 2018 forward Gaven Pinkley and 6’5″ 2019 forward Michael Brewer. Farmington is just as talented up front with 6’6″ 2019 forward xx Laurence and 6’4″ 2019 beast Tycen Gray. Farmington also has the best perimeter player in the game in 6’3″ 2018 guard Brendon Hardy. He could be the difference in the game. These two teams should be battling for the district crown for the next couple of years. (Prediction: Farmington).
Grandview vs. Nevada, Class 4, District 12 (at Clinton), Friday, 7:30 p.m. – A very interesting matchup between one of the most talented teams in Class 4 against a team with one of the top individual players in Class 4. Grandview is loaded with good young talent with a showcase player in 6’4″ 2018 guard Jordan Lathon, who has received numerous offers from Division I schools. Lathon gets plenty of support from talented teammates such as 2018 guard Mason Taylor and 2017 guard Tremaine Banks. Nevada boasts one of the state’s most dominant performers in 6’6″ 2018 forward Clay Gayman, who is averaging close to 25 points and 12 rebounds a game. Gayman will need to have another big game on Friday night, plus he must get some help from his friends, mainly 2017 guard Matt Sommer. (Prediction: Grandview).
Pattonville vs. Hazelwood Central, Class 5, District 3 (at McCluer North), Friday, 6 p.m. – These two teams were up and down during the season, but are now hitting their stride at the right time. Pattonville has the ingredients for postseason success with a stellar point guard in 5’9″ 2017 Destan Williams, a dominant post in 6’6″ 2017 Richard Henderson and a supporting cast full of nice athletes. Hazelwood Central has played a brutal schedule this season with its young team and it is hoping to reap the big reward in the form of a district title. The Hawks have been led by 6’3″ 2018 guard Shaun Williams, who is capable of an explosive scoring night. He scored 36 points in the regular-season finale against Kickapoo and 30 points against McCluer North in the semifinals. Fellow 2018 guard Cameron Williams is a versatile athlete who plays both ends of the court well. (Prediction: Hazelwood Central)
Raytown vs. North Kansas City, Class 5, District 14 (at Park Hill South), Friday, 3 p.m. – Top seed Raytown escaped in the semifinals with a 39-37 victory over Rockhurst on a offensive put-back by bullish 2018 forward at the buzzer. Guard Marcus McGee also came through with some clutch 3-point shooting for Raytown. North Kansas City looked impressive in defeating host Park Hill South 51-39 in the quarterfinals as 2018 guard T.J Babikir scored a game high 19 points. It should be a good game between two strong teams. (Prediction: Raytown).
Bolivar vs. Hillcrest, Class 4, District 9 (at Bolivar), Saturday, 2:15 p.m. – This is a rematch of the championship game of the Liberator Classic in Bolivar, which was won by Hillcrest in a 68-66 thriller. Hillcrest rallied from a 13-point deficit to take the victory. Tonight’s game should be just as exciting. Both teams were in the Final Four of the state tournament in 2015 and many of those players are still around. Bolivar still has the dangerous inside-outside combination of 6’6″ 2017 forward Brandon Emmert and 2017 point guard Conley Garrison. Hillcrest still has 2017 guard Shahn Clark and 2018 guards Cole Pryor and Tim Washington from that team, but the new standout is athletic 6’4″ 2019 forward Tyem Freeman, who is one of the most explosive young players in the state. This will be another barnburner. (Prediction: Bolivar)
Rock Bridge vs. Blue Springs, Class 5, District 9 (at Hickman), Saturday, 1 p.m. – Rock Bridge squeezed into the finals with a narrow 57-56 victory over Blue Springs South in the semifinals on a late steal and free throw by 2019 DaJuan Harris. The 6’2″ Harris is one of the quartet of talented 2019 players that drive the Rock Bridge engine, which includes 6’6″ forward Isiaih Mosley. Senior post player Eysan Wiley is also a major factor. Wiley will have quite a battle with 6’4″ 2018 major football recruit Daniel Parker of Blue Springs, who scored 30 points in the Wildcats’ victory over Hickman in the semifinals. He is quite a load. 2017 guard Tyree King scored 22 points and he is quite a bucket-getter as is 5’11” 2018 guard R.J. Lawrence. (Prediction: Rock Bridge).
Francis Howell vs. Lafayette, Class 5, District 5 (at Eureka), Friday, 7 p.m. – This is a rematch of a game from early December which was won by Francis Howell 48-46 in December. Howell has enjoyed an excellent season with 22 victories and a conference title. They are led by very good 6’5″ 2017 Mike Brohm and speedy 2019 point guard Daylon Dalton, who can score and create offense for his teammates. Lafayette has grown as a team after struggling early against a brutal schedule. The Lancers seem to put things together come district time every year and they have a good senior core to lean on in guards Adam Flinn, Kory Brubaker and Jake Messer. Francis Howell has already made a fool out of me once by winning the GAC title when I picked them to finish last. I’m going to give them a chance to do it again. (Prediction: Lafayette).