Stars Or Hawks Are A Win Away
From Final 4, While Titans Fall Short

By Jim Wieners

For years, the Boys Basketball rivalry between McCluer North and Hazelwood Central included numerous district tournaments.
Since 2010, McCluer North and Hazelwood Central met in four district tournament games, each winning twice. In 2011, McCluer North defeated Hazelwood Central 60-44 in the Class Five, District Two final on the way to the second of three state titles for the Stars. In 2014 Central defeated North56-54 in the Class Five District Seven final as the Hawks took fourth place, instate.
McCluer North and Hazelwood Central met once again on Ash Wednesday, March 6, at St., Charles West in a Class Five Sectional. The winner plays against Francis Howell or Columbia Battle Saturday, March 9, 1 p.m. at Lindenwood University’s Robert F. Hyland Arena, in St. Charles. That winner heads to Missouri State University in Springfield to play in the March 15 3:30 semifinal at Hammons Student Center and in the March 16 finals at JQH Arena, at 6:20 for the Championship or 11 a.m. for third place.
McCLUER NORTH (25-3) won their first district title since 2013, their 11th overall March 1 at Webster Groves’ Roberts Gym as the Stars dethroned the host and two-time state champion Statesmen, 75-55 in Class Five, District Five. Senior A’Tavian Butler led the Stars with 27 points, on 11 out of 17 shots inside the three-point arc, and pulled down 10 rebounds while senior Aaron Daniels added 14 points.
In the Feb. 26 district semifinal the Stars rolled over St. Louis University High 65-39 in Roberts Gym. Butler scored 21 points, making 10 out of 16 shots inside the three-point arc, while senior Patrick Evans added 14.
HAZELWOOD CENTRAL (16-12), which won 59-57 at home Jan. 15 over McCluer North, won Class Five, District Six, their second in a row March 1 as the Hawks pulled off a 57-56 win at top-seed and district host Francis Howell Central in Cottlevillle. Hazelwood Central led 30-25 at halftime but after the Spartans outscored the Hawks 15-9 in the third quarter Hazelwood Central came back in a see-saw fourth quarter by outscoring Howell Central 19–15 and it was a free throw by junior Nate Garrett Jr. that won the game for the Hawks.
In the Feb. 26 semifinal, at Howell Central, the Hawks defeated Pattonville 72-66 as senior Isaiah Ervin led the Hawks with 32 points. Hazelwood Central led at halftime 36-17 at halftime but after Pattonville had a 23-8 third quarter the Hawks came back with a 28-26 fourth quarter.
TRINITY CATHOLIC — After losing the first three games by a combined margin of five points, the Titans’ season ended March 2 with a Class Three State Quarterfinal loss to Vashon, 70-53 before a standing room only crowd at Normandy’s Viking Hall. Junior Ryan Kalkbrenner score the Titans first two points with 2:30 left in the first quarter after spotting Vashon a 9–0 lead. Trinity’s deficit got no closer than 17-12 with five minutes left in the first half and the Wolverines took over and their supporters cheered “V, get ready to roll” to a rout.  Junior Rashad Weekly led Trinity (25-4) with 10 points.
The Titans rolled over Hermann 63-32 Feb. 27 at Francis Howell Central in the Sectional. Trinity, led by Weekly’s 12 points, scored the games first 17 points, in 6:30, and coasted from there. Trinity won Class Two District Seven at North Tech by rolling over Sumner, 114-31, and Duchesne , 56-22 before holding off Soldan-International Studies 72–66 to win their first district title.. Senior JaRon Thames scored 23 points against Sumner, Weekly scored 18 against Duchesne and junior Terrell Rush scored 15 against Soldan.

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