Blog

By Jim Wieners

However IWA will be traveling to McEachern, Ga., Nov. 24 to open the season.

After returning from Georgia IWA will open the Troy Invitational Nov. 27, 4 p.m., against Fort Zumwalt East. The winner plays Wentzville-Holt or St. Dominic Nov. 29 at 5:30 while the loser plays the same night at 8:30. The final round is Dec. 1 with the seventh-place game at 12 noon, the Consolation final at 1:30, third place at 3 p.m. and the championship game is at 4:30.

IWA is coming off a 26-7 season and a third-place finish in Class Five State. This year IWA will compete for a state championship at the end of the season in Class Four. IWA will also defend the Visitation Christmas Tournament title Dec. 22, 26-28.

IWA returns seven from last year’s roster but will have to replace gradated players including Taylor Manuel, 15.6 points per game and 9.7 rebounds per game, and Cierra Young, 10.3 points per game.

HAZELWOOD CENTRAL OPENS AT WEBSTER GROVES — Hazelwood Central will be one of those teams that will not open the season with a tournament. Instead the Hawks open Dec. 4 with a 7 p.m. game at Webster Groves. Hazelwood Central will return for the Webster Winter Challenge, Jan. 30-Feb. 2, and will also compete in the Visitation Christmas Tournament.

Hazelwood Central was 16-10 last year, was second to Pattonville in the Suburban North Conference (6-1) and was the only Suburban North team to compete in the Sectional round before losing to Francis Howell Central. Hazelwood Central returns eight from last year’s roster including Alexis Chappelle, 13.2 points per game.

HAZELWOOD WEST TO HOST DISTRICT TOURNAMENT (FEB. 23-MAR. 2, 2013) — Hazelwood West will host a five-team district tournament (Class Five, District Eight) for both boys and girls with Hazelwood Central, Hazelwood East,. McCluer High and McCluer North competing to assure the Florissant Valley a boys and girls team in the Sectional.  Riverview Gardens will be in Class Five, District Two.

On the girls side Hazelwood West had a 16-9 season and was 5-2 in the Suburban North, losing only to Hazelwood Central and Pattonville. However Hazelwood West was one and done in district tournament play as the Wildcats lost at Parkway Central, 51-46.

Hazelwood West will have seven seniors on this year’s roster including Alexis Robinson, who averaged 15.5 points and 15.3 rebounds per game as a junior while losing Mia Williams to graduation after averaging 12.1 points per game.