Missouri High School State Championship

Pool A
(1) Rockhurst (Kansas City, MO)
(3) Marquette (STL)
(6) FHC’s VII Sages (STL)
(8) Lindbergh (STL)
(9) CBC (STL)

Pool B
(2) Parkway North (STL)
(4) Desmet (STL)
(5) Priory’s Jeromans (STL)
(7) SLUH (STL)
(10) Valley (West Des Moines, IA)
(11) Ames ToP (Ames, IA)

Sorry, folks. I don't know how to enter content "below the fold." What follows is just one guy's opinion, and a semi-informed one at that. Don't take it too seriously, please . . .

Pool A

(1) Rockhurst (Kansas City, MO)
What to say about Rockhurst? They appear to operate on an entirely other level than the St. Louis teams. Quick give-and-go’s are their bread and butter, and they’re extremely adept at recognizing and taking what you give them downfield. By far the most widely-traveled of the Missouri teams, Rockhurst will also smother less experienced teams with a 4-man cup. Very Spirited, too, and will happily cheer opponents after totally demoralizing them. It will be tough to unseat this returning champion, but the 2 & 3 seeds, both from St. Louis, might just have a shot . . .

(3) Marquette (STL):
I don’t know much about this senior-heavy squad, except that everyone says they’re the team to beat in STL this year. With a league record of 4-0, they’ve dominated teams with a senior-heavy roster and a fundamentally sound game. Coached by cagey veteran Jack Curran, some people in St. Louis have been whispering about the possibility that Marquette might have a chance at defeating Rockhurst this year. Should be interesting.

(6) FHC’s VII Sages (STL):
This is the team I coach. Last year, we won only one game at the state tourney; this year, I think we’ll do exponentially better. I’m not sure we’re ready to break into the top three, but our team is vastly improved from that of last year. I think our main advantage over many other teams is our ability to mix it up on defense, show a few different looks and break the offensive rhythm of our opponents. We’ll be missing a key player, senior Casey Boyer (stupid DECA Nationals), but I believe we have the depth to absorb that loss without much ill effect. Also, a sideline 24-deep should help our cause late in the day.

(8) Lindbergh (STL)
With a league record of 2-1, Lindbergh is a team with great potential. Mostly comprised of rookies still learning the game, they were a little unsteady when we played them (so were we), going through phases of chilly execution and reckless abandon. It’s hard to say how they’ll do, but they’re a great group of kids. Very fun to play.

(9) CBC (STL)
This is another large team with a deep sideline; however, they don’t appear to be as athletic as many of the teams, and so they might still tucker out as the day wears on. They play a fundamentally sound game though, complete with junk defenses and well-designed zones on both sides of the disc. Another fun fact, not unrelated to the above commentary—they have three coaches!

Pool B

(2) Parkway North (STL):
Intensity. Intensity, intensity, intensity. Parkway North is a team of FIERCE competitors, coached by Doug Parrish (who also coaches Washington University’s Contrabears). They can hurt you all over offensively, with senior handler Brian Parrish leading the charge. The kid has a bevy of nasty throws from all release points, including a nice high-release backhand and a sick quick-release I/O flick. The team’s other handlers can play, too, but their tenacious man-to-man defense is what has won them most of their games this year. Another fun-fact: Parkway North is one of the only teams in the tourney to carry girls on their roster FHC is another.

(4) Desmet (STL)
3rd in the state last year, Desmet has struggled more than usual in league play and during off-the-record scrimmages this year. Regardless, coach Pete Lenzini will no doubt bring a sideline overflowing with maroon jerseys, and most of the kids in those jerseys will be pretty amazing. Several of their players are active in the SLUA summer and fall leagues, and so spend nearly all year round learning and improving. Desmet is a scrappy team that will keep coming at you, no matter the score.

(5) Priory’s Jeromans (STL):
This first-year team is the epitome of the pure-athlete model. Mostly 6-footers, all very quick on their feet, they bring a level of athleticism greater than that of most, if not all, of the other teams in the tournament. They are, however, quite raw, as they have been playing without a coach all season long. I predict that more organized teams with a better understanding of the game will walk all over these guys. Still, defenses will need to respect their HUGE huck-n-run game and adjust accordingly.

(7) SLUH (STL):
2nd in the state last year, SLUH has earned a league-record of 0-2 so far. I don’t know much about this year’s team, not having seen them in action yet; however, last year, they made a habit out of showing up savage and still winning the day. I wouldn’t count them out of shaking things up in pool B, but I don’t predict that they’ll finish in the top 3 on Sunday, either.

(10) Valley (West Des Moines, IA):
I know nothing about this team. They’re not even listed on the RRI. If anyone knows anything about them, please share!

(11) Ames ToP (Ames, IA)
Ditto. Please tell me ANYTHING about this team!

All in all, it looks to be an exciting weekend. The big story, of course, will be whether or not St. Louis has developed enough talent to seriously challenge Rockhurst for the title. Stay tuned for live reporting over the weekend.