MSHSAA Releases New District Basketball Assignments

The basketball district concentrated in this area has rarely been transformed. 

It typically includes Sullivan, St. Clair and Union. Over the last 10 years, it has typically included local powers St. Francis Borgia and Pacific with Owensville and Salem sometimes floating in and out.

The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) threw a curve ball Friday when assignments were released for the 2018-2019 season.

Borgia, Pacific and Parkway West, which was in the tournament the last two seasons, are gone. Salem, Owensville and Rolla join Sullivan, St. Clair and Union in Class 4 District 10.

The path to a district title for the boys has been blocked by one of Borgia or Pacific since 2009. The Eagles came up short against Borgia seven times, including four district title games. 

Pacific had its own struggles against the Knights until finally breaking through last March. Both of those teams have been separated.

If Sullivan is going to claim its first district championship since 2003, they will still face stiff competition. 

Rolla finished as the No. 8 team in Class 4 at the end of 2018 and the program has been competing in a very difficult Ozark Conference. 

Sullivan could wind up seeing all five district opponents in the regular season. Besides Owensville, St. Clair and Union being built into the schedule, Rolla and Salem are both scheduled for the St. James Tournament. 

Girls

Like the boys, Sullivan’s girls’ district battles have frequently come up against Borgia and Pacific. 

The two-time defending district champion Lady Eagles begin the new season against a possible district opponent when they tip-off against Rolla on Tuesday, November 20. 

Sullivan’s girls also could get a look at their entire district competition, since Salem is scheduled for the Peoples Bank Holiday Classic in December.