Cape Central (22-5) vs. Webster Groves (21-8)

The Cape Central Tigers take on the Webster Groves Statesmen at 2:45 pm March 12 at St. Louis Community College. According to MaxPreps, the Tigers are entering the contest ranked the 24th best team in Missouri, while the Statesmen are ranked slightly higher at 17th. Central edges Webster Groves in win percentage 81.5% to 72.4% while the Statesmen hold the slight advantage in points for, with an average of 67 points to Central’s 60 points. The two teams only had two common opponents, the Mehlville Panthers and the Jackson Indians where both Central and Webster Groves were able to pick up wins against both opponents. The Tigers are coming out of a fairly strong District 1 with six of the eight teams having a winning record, while Webster Groves were just one of two teams in District 2 with a winning record. The Tigers are going into the state tournament as the underdog in their first matchup, but there is plenty of room for an upset. 

Cardinal Ritter (19-9) vs. St. Dominic (23-5)

The Cardinal Ritter Lions face another tough test going head-to-head against the St. Dominic Crusaders. The game will take place following the quarterfinal game between Cape Central and Webster Groves at St. Louis Community College. Cardinal Ritter have lost nine matchups in the regular season, but four of the nine opponents they’ve lost to went on to win their district championship. Three of those schools were class 6 schools. On the other hand, the Crusaders have only lost five games. At the moment, St. Dominic is on a very hot streak winning their last 12 games. On paper, St. Dominic is the more defensively sound team, while the Lions are more dominant on the offensive side. This game is a highly-anticipated matchup and the St. Dominic Crusaders are looking to avenge their past five matchups versus Cardinal Ritter, losing each of the past five contests. 

Springfield Catholic (23-6) vs. Bolivar (25-4)

March 12th at 2:45 in Bolivar, Missouri, the Springfield Catholic Fightin Irish take on the Bolivar Liberators in hopes of advancing to the final four of the class 5 state tournament. This game will be a highly touted rematch between these two tough teams. Both teams played each other in February with the Liberators narrowly edging out the Fightin Irish 60-58. Springfield Catholic has yet to lose since their last defeat to Bolivar. Of the eight teams remaining, Bolivar remains the team with the least amount of losses, while Springfield Catholic only has two more losses. Half of the Fightin Irish’s losses came in a three day span when they competed in the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions. On the other hand, Bolivar lost at the hands of Rolla, Thayer, Helias Catholic, and Kickapoo. This quarterfinals matchup will be one for the ages between the two Southwest Missouri powerhouses.            

Helias Catholic (16-13) vs. William Chrisman (21-7)

The Helias Catholic Crusaders of Jefferson City take a trip to the Bears of William Chrisman’s hometown of Independence, Missouri for a chance to go to the class 5 semifinal. Comparing records, William Chrisman seems to be a much better team but Helias Catholic has faced the majority of top teams in Missouri. The pair have only faced two common opponents in Hickman and Jefferson City and both sides emerged victorious. The Crusaders are averaging 63.5 points per game while the Bears are only allowing an average of 50.9 points per game. Both teams are pretty evenly matched and should make for a very entertaining quarterfinals.