Despite COVID-19 Pandemic, McCluer North,
IWA Win Girls Basketball Districts

By Jim Weiners

It’s one year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic affecting all lifestyles including High School Sports, Eventually, with some restrictions, High School Sports were able to compete. Last week, McCluer North High School and Incarnate Word Academy won Girls Basketball District Titles. Moreover, both teams had different season lengths.
McCluer North, which is currently having virtual classes, waited until the Ferguson-Florissant School District Board of Education, in their January meeting, allowed for interscholastic events. North began Feb.1 with four straight losses followed with five straight wins and won the Class Five, District Six title. It was the Stars’ 14th District title since 1976 High school students in the district can re-enter schools on March 24, for those who want to. Some prep football games involving McCluer North and the two other high school have games scheduled started this weekend.
IWA is now undergoing unfinished business after their 2019-2020 season (27-4) ends during a 10-game winning streak and after a Class Four Quarterfinal win over Ladue Horton Watkins due to COVID and schools closing before the Semifinal. So far this year, IWA, which began Dec. 1, 2020, is unbeaten through 25 games, won the Metro Women’s Athletic Association title (5-0) and won the Class Six, District Five title. The district title marks 12 years in a row, 20 in the last 22 years and 32 District or Regional titles since 1974. Since 2000 IWA is 20-2 in district finals losing only to Rosary High in 2002 and St. Joseph’s Academy in 2009.
McCluer North (5-4 as of March 6) was at home in Class Five, District Six and began Feb. 27 with a 48-8 semifinal win over winless McCluer (0-6), which scored only three points in an 18-3 loss Feb. 18 at 1-10 Northwest Academy of Law. The Stars won the district title at home March 2 with a 53-32 home win over district host Hazelwood East (4-7). In two games, Samya Johnson scores 24 points including 14 against Hazelwood East while Capri Garrett scored 22 points against McCluer.
IWA, 25-0 and on a 35-game winning streak dating back to last year as of March 6, began Class Six, District Five at home March 1 with an 89-34 rout of winless Hazelwood Central (0-10), which was 20-9 after a Class Five Quarterfinal win last year over Troy-Buchanan before COVID ended the season. The Red Knights won their 24th district game in a row March 4 with a 78-27 district final rout at district host Pattonville (13-14). Both games used a fourth-quarter Mercy-Rule rolling clock.
Sophomore Natalie Potts led IWA in Class Six, District Five with 46 points and shot 75 percent (21 of 28) of her two-point shots. Potts scored 20 points and pulled down 12 rebounds against Hazelwood Central while scoring 26 at Pattonville. Against Hazelwood Central, sophomore Olivia Hahn scored 14 points and sophomore Violet McNece added 13.
BOYS WRESTLING — Hazelwood East senior Ettien Rodgers (10-2) adds a Class Three, Sectional Two title (Feb. 27) to a District Four title (Feb. 13) at 132 pounds in meets at Fort Zumwalt South. After a quarterfinal bye Rodgers won an 11-5 decision over Fort Zumwalt South sophomore Joseph Kenny in the semifinals and won the sectional title with a third-period fall (4:57) over Lake St. Louis.

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