New District Assignments
The Missouri State High School Activities Association released its class and district assignments for basketball on Friday morning. The new assignments brought out some very interesting developments that will change the landscape of the 2018-19 postseason.
Here are some of those main changes:
Vashon Moves to Class 3
*The Vashon Wolverines have been moved to Class 3 after being a Class 4 powerhouse in recent years, including back to back state championships in 2016 and 2017. The Wolverines have one of the most talented teams in the state with a national schedule of games on tap for the season.They are now in Class 3, District 6 along with Cardinal Ritter, another top program.
Webster Groves and Chaminade
Webster Groves and Chaminade played each other for the Class 5 state championship last season with Webster Groves winning a high-scoring contest. That won’t be the case this season. These two state powers have been grouped together in the same Class 5, District xx field. Webster Groves has been to the Final Four and won the past two state championships while Chaminade has made four consecutive trips to the Final Four. One of those streaks are going to end this season.
Emenince and Dora
Defending Class 1 state champion Emenince and Dora are two of the top Class 1 teams in the state. They met in state sectionals last season and this year’s clash would make a very nice state-championship game. If that game is to happen this year, it will have to take place in the Class 1, District 3 tournament.
Ladue moves down to Class 4
For the past six years, the Ladue Rams have been in Class 5 with some excellent teams, but have had the misfortune of being in the same district with powerful Chaminade throughout that entire time. The Rams caught a break this season when they not only were separated from Chaminade, but also moved into Class 4 this season. They have the talent and experience to make some noise in Class 4.
Soldan moves to Class 3
The Soldan Tigers have a very talented team that was looking at the prospect of seeing a powerful Vashon team in Class 4. Instead the Tigers are now in Class 3, District 7. However, sitting in that district is a powerful Trinity Catholic team that will also be a state contender.
Wellington-Napoleon Moves to Class 1
Wellington-Napoleon has been a consistent contender in Class 2 in recent years with a strong winning tradition. The Tigers are now in Class 1 where they will compete in District 13. Also in that district is Winston, who is a perennial state contender and SW Livington, who won 20 games last season. That makes things a lot more interesting.
Other Movement
Hazelwood East has changed from Class 5 to Class 4 where it will compete in District 6 alongside 2018 Final Four participant Jennings. St. Joe Christian has changed from Class 1 up to Class 2. Christian competed for a district championship in Class 1 last season…Park Hills Central has been moved from Class 3 up to Class 4. The Rebels have been a consistent sectional qualifier in recent years in Class 3 and were looking the part again this season. Now, they are in Class 4, District 2 alongside conference rival Farmington.