Jefferson City vs. Incarnate Word Academy, Friday, 4:30 PM
Hazelwood East vs. Notre Dame DeSion, Friday, 6:00 PM
JEFFERSON CITY—The Lady Jays lost their final game of the regular season in a 50-43 defeat against Incarnate Word Academy. Luckily for them, they haven’t lost since, with a four-game winning streak. The bad news for Jefferson City? They’ll face Incarnate Word again on Friday at the MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown. Defense has been the key for Jefferson City, as the Lady Jays have allowed more than 50 points twice this season. They’re going in search of their first state title.
Head coach: Doug Light (438-186)
Record: 24-5
Current winning streak: 4
Semifinal appearances: 2
State titles: 0
Sectionals: 58-39, Ft. Zumwalt South
Quarterfinals: 52-44, Hillcrest
Leaders
•Scoring: Brianna Culberson 17.2 ppg
•Rebounds: Brianna Culberson 6.4 rpg
•Assists: Amber Thomas, 3 apg
INCARNATE WORD ACADAMY—The Red Knights are making their seventh trip to the MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown—their sixth was last season, when they finished third by beating Nernix Hall in the consolation game. They lost to eventual champion Kickapoo. This season Red Knights come into the final four with the longest winning streak in the state. They lost to John Hope High School (Ill.) on November 26—since then they’ve won 27 in a row. The only senior on the squad is Felicia Chester, who leads the team in scoring and rebounding.
Head coach: Dan Rolfes (187-40)
Record: 29-1
Current winning streak: 27
Semifinal appearances: 6
State titles: 1 (1995)
Sectionals: 65-38, Lafayette (Wildwood)
Quarterfinals: 51-42, St. Joseph’s Academy
Leaders
•Scoring: Felicia Chester, 16.1 ppg
•Rebounds: Felicia Chester, 9.4 rpg
•Assists: Bianca Beck, 2.5 apg
HAZELWODD EAST—The Spartans are in uncharted territory as they prepare for their first ever trip to the final four. Hazelwood East’s success can be attributed a youth movement. Sophomore Channon Haywood is the leading scorer and freshman Robinesha Wood is third on the team. Haywood is also the leading rebounder.
Head coach: Terry Creamer (139-124)
Record: 26-3
Current winning streak: 11
Semifinal appearances: 0
State titles: 0
Sectionals: 69-43, Normandy
Quarterfinals: Mehlville, 52-50
Leaders
•Scoring: Channon Haywood, 15.6 ppg
•Rebounds: Channon Haywood, 11.2 rpg
•Assists: Heather Damper 3.1 apg
NOTRE DAME DE SION—The Storm has had the most success of any team in the Class 5 Girls MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown, having won state titles in each of their two trips to Columbia—they won back-to-back- championships in 2001 and 2002. Interestingly enough, two of their three losses this season have come against two of the other teams in the final four. On January 6, they lost at Jefferson City 45-38 and on February 11, they dropped a 45-40 decision at Incarnate Word.
Head coach: Mike Dunn (106-40)
Record: 26-3
Current winning streak: 5
Semifinal appearances: 2
State titles: 2 (2001, ’02)
Sectionals: 47-26, Oak Park
Quarterfinals: 52-33, Lee’s Summit
Leaders
•Scoring: Morgan Henderson, 15.5 ppg
•Rebounds: Hillary Buren, 6.3 rpg
•Assists: Anna Florzak, 2.8 apg
