2A's `BEST DEBATE' GOES TO COURT

The time has come to finally decide which area boys basketball team is the best in Class 2A.

It's been debated all season, but with the opening round of several 2A districts in the area beginning today, the time for talk will end as only one team will emerge as the district champion.

A look at the 2A districts with local relevance:

Boys Class 2A, District 2

Bloomfield will host the tournament most eyes in the area will be focused on as the Kelly Hawks and Scott City Rams stake their claims as the best 2A teams in the area.

Kelly, with a 23-3 record, has the top seed and a higher state-ranking at No. 4. Scott City, ranked sixth in 2A, has a better record (24-2) and arguably the best player in Southeast Missouri with junior Jon Beck.

The clubs split their two meetings this season. Kelly won the Scott-Mississippi Conference Tournament at Scott City in January with an 86-66 victory over the Rams. Scott City returned the favor this month with a 73-65 win at Kelly that clinched the regular-season league title for the Rams.

Considering the way these two teams matchup with each other, both were certainly deserving of the No. 1 seed. A coin toss gave the Rams the top seed in the conference tournament over Kelly last month, but this time the 10 coaches in the district gave the Hawks the nod.

"We knew it was going to come down to either us or Scott City," said Kelly coach Kent Mangels. "It's an honor and we're happy with the top seed, but it just as easily could have been Scott City."

Rams' coach Derek McCord agreed, but is hoping his team's lower seed will work to their advantage.

"It (the second seed) doesn't bother us at all," said McCord. "It takes the pressure off us a little bit. Any time you're the No. 1 seed, especially when teams have similar records, the pressure is there."

Right now, the extra pressure as the favorite isn't a concern for the Hawks.

"We don't feel any added pressure on us," Mangels said. "Scott City beat us at our place (this year) so there will be plenty of motivation if we were to make it to the finals and meet them."

Avoiding a major upset and making it to the championship game Friday at 8 p.m. will be the key. Kelly could face No. 4 Notre Dame (7-16) in a semifinal if the Bulldogs beat fifth-seed Woodland (16-9) on Tuesday. The Bulldogs upset Kelly at home Jan. 9 on a last-second shot by junior Anthony Ressel.

Scott City may also find a bumpy road to the finals with host Bloomfield, the No. 3 seed, in its half of the bracket. The Rams escaped Bloomfield (15-11) on Feb. 13 with a two-point victory.

"It ought to be a dandy district," Mangels said.

No. 8 Greenville and No. 9 East Prairie (5-17) get action started today at 3 p.m. The winner plays Kelly on Monday at 5:30 p.m.

The other boys game tonight pits seventh-seed Puxico against No. 10 Chaffee (2-19) at 7:30 p.m. The winner meets Scott City on Monday at 7 p.m.

Girls Class 2A, District 2

Notre Dame begins its quest to reach the state finals for the second straight year as the top seed of this district hosted by Bloomfield.

The Lady Bulldogs bring an 18-7 record and No. 10 state-ranking into the tournament. Notre Dame should roll to the finals starting with its opening-round contest today against eighth-seed East Prairie (0-21) at noon.

Second-seed Kelly (19-6) and No. 3 Scott City (18-5) could pose threats, but the Lady Bulldogs have beaten both teams handily this season. Kelly plays No. 7 Woodland today at 4:30 p.m., and the Lady Rams follow with a 6 p.m. game against sixth-seed Chaffee (4-18).

Greenville and Puxico, the fourth and fifth seeds respectively, also play today at 1:30 p.m. The winner faces Notre Dame in a semifinal Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The district final is set for Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Boys Class 2A, District 3

Valley Park (18-5) takes the top seed into this relatively weak district hosted by Crystal City.

The only local team represented will be St. Vincent of Perryville. The Indians (5-19) are the sixth seed and face No. 3 West County at 8 tonight. The Bulldogs also have a losing record.

Other teams competing for the district crown are: No. 2 Bismark, No. 4 Hancock, No. 5 Crystal City, No. 7 Caladonia, No. 8 Grandview, No. 9 Kennedy and No. 10 Career Academy.

The title game is scheduled for Friday at 8 p.m.

Girls Class 2A, District 3

Top-seed Caladonia is the team to beat in this district starting today in Crystal City.

St. Vincent, featuring one of the better records in this bracket at 9-15, could make some noise as the fourth seed. The Squaws play Jefferson County Conference foe Grandview Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Other teams vying for the district crown: No. 2 Kennedy, No. 3 Bismark, No. 6 Hancock, No. 7 Crystal City, No. 8 Valley Park, No. 9 West County and No. 10 Career Academy.

The championship game will be played Friday at 6 p.m.