Even though it is still over a week until Christmas, last Friday felt like it for basketball and wrestling coaches throughout Missouri with the unveiling of district assignments by the Missouri State …
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Even though it is still over a week until Christmas, last Friday felt like it for basketball and wrestling coaches throughout Missouri with the unveiling of district assignments by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA).
Ryan Flanagan’s Owensville Dutchgirl basketball team will see new but familiar teams added to this year’s Class 4, District 9 Basketball Tournament field.
Only two teams remain the same in the Dutchgirls and Salem’s Lady Tigers.
With the expansion to six classes by MSHSAA, numerous teams either moved up or down in their respective classifications.
For at least four teams, this meant a move from Class 3 to Class 4.
Cuba’s Lady Wildcats made the move to Class 4, District 9 from Class 3, District 3 while St. James’ Lady Tigers moved up from Class 3, District 4.
Rounding out the field from Class 3, District 9 up to Class 4, District 9 this year are Fatima’s Lady Comets and Blair Oaks’ Lady Falcons.
“It couldn’t have been much more difficult, Flanagan said. “Most likely every team except Cuba will be above .500.”
Knowing this, Flanagan and the Dutchgirls beefed up their schedule this year with the additions of Jefferson City and Fort Zumwalt West.
“But I expected it to be difficult,” Flanagan said. “This is why we took measures to strengthen our schedule to prepare us for a tough district.”
First-year Dutchmen head basketball coach Cullen VanLeer will also see Blair Oaks, Cuba, Fatima, Salem and St. James in the MSHSAA Class 4, District 9 Boys Basketball Tournament.
Postseason wrestling will have a new look thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Normally divided into four districts, all four classes will be divided into eight districts.
There will also be a sectional round prior to the MSHSAA Wrestling Championships in February.
In his first year as head coach of the Owensville Dutchmen wrestling program, Dustin Howard’s squad will be in Class 2, District 2 along with Affton, St, Clair, St. Francis Borgia, St. James, St. Mary’s (St. Louis), Sullivan and Westminster Christian Academy.
St. Marys (St. Louis) and Westminster Christian Academy dropped down to Class 2 after being in Class 3 last year.
