Rock Bridge extends its winning streak to 10, defeating Battle

For the second time this season, Rock Bridge (19-8) came away victorious over Battle (14-14). The top-seeded Bruins defeated the No. 4-seeded Spartans 54-44 in the semifinal round of the Class 6, District 7 Tournament. Rock Bridge trailed Battle after the first quarter by a score of 13-9, but rallied in the second to take a four-point lead and outscored the Spartans 20-15 in the fourth.

The Bruins are no stranger to the district finals, as they’ve appeared in the game 15 of the past 17 seasons. It will be the team’s first time hosting the district championship since 2021.

Battle’s season comes to an end under first-year head coach Chaun Davis. While the team will graduate key players, Tayla Robinson and Jaleah Brookins, it will return key contributors Brennan Johnson, Kumani Clark, Nyla Warren, SemaJai Hayes-Warren, Sway Jones, and Tiyelle Frye next season.

Hickman ends Grain Valley’s historic season

No. 3 seed Grain Valley came into Columbia with a school record 24 wins, with its lone loss coming to Rolla by a score of 43-41 on Dec. 28. That didn’t phase No. 2 seed Hickman as the Kewpies stunned the Eagles 63-51 at Rock Bridge High School. Hickman trailed 9-8, but went ahead 28-20 at halftime. The Kewpies have been red hot the past 10 days as they’ve won four in a row.

Hickman will play Rock Bridge in the Class 6, District 7 title game. It will be a rematch from Jan. 30, where the Kewpies fell in the final seconds 45-43 behind a Jayda Porter jumper. The teams also met in last year’s district championship, where the Bruins came away victorious 62-51.

The Kewpies will aim to snap their 15-game losing streak against the Bruins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Rock Bridge High School.

Centralia’s season comes to an end at Principia

Centralia (28-8) fell to Principia 47-41 (25-5) in the Class 3 State Quarterfinals. The Lady Panthers briefly led in the second quarter behind a 9-0 run to go up 16-15 before Principia went back in front at half. Junior Braylin Brunkhorst scored 15, while sophomore Ryenn Gordon added 13 more. Centralia finishes with 28 victories, the most in school history.