District Championships: Class 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're in the final stretch of this season. District championships are about to be played. Let's take a look at the state, remaining teams, and key factors.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Game: </strong>SIkeston vs. Cape Central</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Prospect to Watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259029' first='Dontrez' last='Williams']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Underclassmen to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1789998' first='Marquel' last='Murray']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>X-Factor: </strong>PJ Farmer</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Comments: </strong>These teams have played already this season and it was an up-and-down game. Both are great in transition and feature a number of high level athletes. This matchup always comes down to execution. The teams are good off script but executing the game plan can be a big differentiator.&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Game: </strong>St. Mary's vs. Vianney</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Prospect to Watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422723' first='Zyree' last='Collins']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Underclassmen to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1790001' first='Eddie' last='Smajic']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>X-Factor: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1419873' first='Luke' last='Walsh']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Comments: </strong>What a great matchup. Everybody in St. Louis has wanted to see these two play for a right to compete in sectionals. [player_tooltip player_id='1422723' first='Zyree' last='Collins'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='1419873' first='Luke' last='Walsh'] will be a guard battle that has fireworks. Vianney has a lot more size but then again, St. Mary's speed and aggression has been their strength. This is shaping up to be a great game.&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Game: </strong>Ladue vs. De Smet</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Prospect to Watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715259' first='Riley' last='Massey']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Underclassmen to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1850530' first='Ian' last='Thomas']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>X-Factor: </strong>Dwayne Foleu</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Comments: </strong>These teams have been destined to meet in this game all season. Ladue is having a nearly perfect season and De Smet is going to be one of their biggest challenges yet. The Spartans play a great brand of basketball and have a talented roster. Both coaches do an excellent job with their programs. The winner has a strong chance to make the state championship game.&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Game: </strong>Fort Zumwalt South vs. Warrenton</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Prospect to Watch: </strong>Troy Anderson</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Underclassmen to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2410123' first='Deadrick' last='Forrest']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>X-Factor: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1756125' first='Isaiah' last='Clark']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Comments: </strong>Two teams who have really emerged and ended up having strong seasons. Warrenton is led by Truman State signee, Troy Anderson, who's an explosive scorer and downhill jumper. [player_tooltip player_id='1756125' first='Isaiah' last='Clark'] is a solid 6'5 stretch forward. Both played summer ball together and know each other well.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Game: </strong>Helias vs. Jefferson City</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Prospect to Watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1424921' first='Jordan' last='Martin']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Underclassmen to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2113567' first='Logan' last='Hillman']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>X-Factor: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1160827' first='Nelson' last='Shinkle']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Comments: </strong>It's always a fun game when these cross town rivals matchup. One of the premier public vs. private games in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='1424921' first='Jordan' last='Martin'] is one of the more difficult individual matchups in the state. Helias plays solid team defense and has shown ability to hold him in check. Who will be the breakout player in this game?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Game: </strong>Parkview vs. Hillcrest</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Prospect to Watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1424917' first='Elias' last='Govan']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Underclassmen to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2334926' first='Kyrese' last='Simpson']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>X-Factor: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1579715' first='TJ' last='Hill']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Comments: </strong>This is an underrated matchup statewide. Hillcrest is coming off a big upset win in some people's eyes against Rolla. Their freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2334926' first='Kyrese' last='Simpson'] scored 33 points and looks like a future star in the area. A smooth 5'9 guard. Parkview has a lot of length in the frontcourt. Who takes control of the game early will be key if we had to guess.&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Game: </strong>Grandview vs. Raytown</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Prospect to Watch: </strong>Ramelo Smith</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Underclassmen to Watch:</strong> David Boston</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>X-Factor: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263625' first='Josiah' last='Kirkwood']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Comments: </strong>Kansas City has seen some good basketball out of these two programs in the past few years. They're always among the best and this year is no different. Guard play will be the name of the game. Each squad has a number of talented ball-handlers and there will be good matchups going both ways.&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Game: </strong>Winnetonka vs. William Chrisman</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Prospect to Watch: </strong>Ky Coleman</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Underclassmen to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1850450' first='Antonio' last='Fowler']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>X-Factor: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1425347' first='Leo' last='Gayman']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Comments: </strong>Winneonka has been a sleeping giant all season. They pose a serious threat to anybody who might have to play them. Their starting guard duo is very talented. They have a lot of firepower on all three levels. William Chrisman is the 3 seed and has nothing to lose in this game. They're playing well right now.&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->