A pair of teams advanced to the Missouri State High School Activities Association Class Three quarterfinals while the Civic Memorial girls look to make the most of their first trip to the Illinois High School Association Class 3A Final Four. Plus, it was a wild week of district basketball action with a few upsets mixed in along the way.
Let’s get everyone brought up to speed in the week’s Friday Fast Break!
Civic Memorial punched their ticket to their first-ever final four as the Eagles held on to defeat Mahomet-Seymour 53-48 Monday night in the Class 3A super-sectional. Civic Memorial had a lead of as many as 15 points during the game only to see Mahomet cut the advantage to five before the Eagles pulled away in the fourth period to get the win. Olivia Durbin paced the Eagles with 25 points while Kelbie Zupan hit 12 free throws en route, adding 18 markers to propel Civic Memorial to their first appearance in the state semifinals. The Eagles will take on Mundelein Carmel Friday at 10 a.m. at Redbird Arena in Bloomington, Ill., for a chance to advance to the title game Saturday.
On the boys’ side in Missouri, Bishop DuBourg advanced to the state quarterfinals with a 67-46 victory over Kingston Wednesday night at Parkway West. This is the first time since 1973 that the Cavaliers have advanced to the quarterfinals. After holding a 36-33 lead after three quarters, DuBourg took control of the contest by out-scoring Kingston 31-13 in the final stanza to gain the win. LeMond Shaw led the Cavalier attack with 17 points while Jalen Davis chipped in with 16 markers to push DuBourg to the quarterfinals against Charleston Saturday at 2:45 p.m. at Farmington.
Photo by Angela Calloni/Bishop DuBourg HS
Duchesne needed a tip-in with 1.2 seconds left from Nathan DeGuentz to push the Pioneers to a 45-44 win over Monroe City. Duchesne moves on to play Cole Camp in the quarterfinals Saturday at 7:45 p.m. at Battle High School. DeGuentz finished the game with four points as he scored the first points of the contest and then the game-winner to aid the Pioneers while Cam Lee led the scoring attack with 18 points in the win. Duchesne is looking to make the state final four for the first time in school history.
In district action this week, we saw a few lower-seeded teams pull off upsets to advance to the finals coming up this weekend.
Cardinal Ritter used a big first quarter to gain a 52-45 win over De Smet in the Class Five district at Westminster. The Lions led by as many as 11 points in the first quarter before the Spartans started to make a comeback that saw De Smet get to within a point in the fourth quarter. Cardinal Ritter was then able to convert free throws over the final two minutes to hold on for the win.
In girls’ district play, St. Joe’s used a huge second quarter to upend top-seeded Eureka 51-33 to advance to the title game Saturday afternoon. The Angels outscored the Wildcats 15-8 in the second to take a 23-17 advantage to the locker room and grabbed control of the contest in the final frame to earn the win. Kayla Jensen scored 15 points to lead the St. Joe’s attack while Zoe Stewart added 12 markers to propel the Angels to the district final.
Orchard Farm claimed their first district title in 30 years as the Eagles defeated state-ranked St. Charles West 56-52 Thursday night. After taking a 47-37 lead heading into the fourth quarter, Orchard Farm held off a frantic West comeback to claim the title. Amelia Thro led all scorers with a game-high 21 points to push the Eagles to the sectional round next week.
It will be an extremely busy weekend as teams look to advance in the MSHSAA state basketball tournament while the hardware will be given out on the ice at Centene Ice Center in the Mid-States Club Hockey championships.
On the ice, things will kick off at 6 p.m. Friday as Lafayette takes on top-seeded Priory in the finals of the Wickenheiser Cup while at 8:30 p.m., De Smet and St. Louis University High do battle in the Challenge Cup final. The Ravens are looking to claim their third Wickenheiser Cup while the Lancers are looking for their third title as well. The Jr. Bills are attempting to claim their third Challenge Cup in five years and its fourth overall while the Spartans are in search of their 15th title.
Here is the rundown of the district finals in the area that will be played this weekend.
Boys Districts:
Friday:
John Burroughs vs MICDS at University City – 5 p.m.
Eureka vs CBC at CBC – 6 p.m.
Orchard Farm vs St. Charles West at St. Charles West – 7 p.m.
Hannibal vs St. Dominic at Warrenton – 7 p.m.
Saturday:
Francis Howell vs Chaminade at Pattonville – 1 p.m.
Vianney vs Webster Groves at Webster Groves – 2 p.m.
Jackson vs SLUH at SLUH – 3 p.m.
Troy vs Ft. Zumwalt South at Liberty – 6:30 p.m.
Cardinal Ritter vs Westminster at Westminster – 7 p.m.
Girls Districts:
Friday:
St. Dominic vs Warrenton at Warrenton – 5:30 p.m.
Ursuline vs Lutheran South at Lutheran South – 6 p.m.
Incarnate Word vs Howell Central at Howell Central – 6 p.m.
MICDS vs Whitfield at MICDS – 7 p.m.
John Burroughs vs Westminster at Westminster – 7 p.m.
Saturday:
Lift for Life vs Webster Groves at Webster Groves – Noon
Oakville vs Jackson at SLUH – 1 p.m.
Marquette vs St. Joe’s at St. Joe’s – 1 p.m.
Troy vs Ft. Zumwalt South at Liberty – 5 p.m.
Illinois State Sectional Friday Night:
Nashville vs Breese Central at Carterville – 7 p.m.
East St. Louis vs Chatham Glenwood at Highland – 7 p.m.
Jim Powers has been covering prep sports in the St. Louis area for 15+ years and a part of the Missouri State High School Activities Association Championship Broadcasts for the past 11 years. Powers is also a part of the Fox 2 Verlo Mattress Prep Zone Friday nights at 10:10 during the football and basketball seasons. If you have a prep sports story, please contact Jim at japowers2421@yahoo.com. Follow Jim at @hssportscaravan
