Lutheran Boys and Girls Begin District Title Chase

Basketball season is winding down, which means it's the best time of the year.

The playoffs are in full bloom—finally. All teams, big and small, are now just one loss away from packing up and waiting until next year. Last week Fort Zumwalt East, Zumwalt South and Francis Howell Central each sent the boys and girls teams into the District wood chipper. Only two teams came out as District champs. 

The Howell Central girls and Zumwalt South boys have advanced to the Sectional rounds, starting Wednesday. 

Francis Howell Central Girls

• Class: 5
• How they got here: The Howell Central girls went 2-0 in the District 7 Tournament to reach the Sectional round. The Lady Spartans beat Fort Zumwalt South 42-25 before knocking off Francis Howell North 37-25 to win the District title. 
  
• Sectional matchup: Howell Central will face Hazelwood Central at 6 p.m. on Feb. 29, at Maryville University in the opening round of the Championship Tournament. 

• Class: 5
• How they got here: Zumwalt South kept its season alive with back-to-back wins in the District 7 tourney. The Bulldogs beat Zumwalt East 61-46 before defeating Howell Central 58-48 to claim the District crown.  
  
• Sectional matchup: Howell Central will face McCluer North at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 29, at Maryville University in the first round of the march to Columbia. 

District Basketball

The big schools in St. Peters took part in Districts last week. Now? It's time for the smaller schools.

, and the rest of the Class 3 teams, will open up the District tournament today. The Cougars and Lady Cougars will take part in the District 6 tournament, knowing that a win is needed from here on out, or the season is over. 

Lutheran Boys: Class 3, District 6 Bracket

• Teams involved: John Burroughs, Lutheran, Orchard Farm, Transportation and Law, Lutheran North, Principia, Whitfield, North Technical 
• Top seed: John Burroughs
• Lutheran's first game: The Cougars (7-14) will open the tournament with a game against the top-seeded Burroughs Bombers (18-5) on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Tip-off at at 3:30 p.m. at Whitfield High School.

Lutheran Girls: Class 3, District 6 Bracket

• Teams involved: John Burroughs, Lutheran, Orchard Farm, Transportation and Law, Lutheran North, Principia, Whitfield, North Technical 
• Top seed: Principia
• Lutheran's first game: The Lady Cougars (16-6) will open the tourney at 6:30 p.m. on  Monday, Feb. 27, at Whitfield High School. Lutheran will take on Lutheran North (3-21).