Inside “District of Death,” challenging road to Class 3 District 2 boys title

One of the most anticipated parts of every preseason for local schools, players and fans is the release of MSHSAA’s class and district assignments.

It gives you a great representation of what to expect in the postseason, giving out the teams, location and your paths to a district and state title.

But when it comes to the teams assigned to the Class 3 District 2 boys bracket this past fall, there wasn’t a lot of room for excitement.

In fact, it gave heed to a lot of chaos, particularly for schools such as Saxony Lutheran that had big hopes for a postseason run.

“What are you gonna do?” Crusaders coach Justin Callahan laughed. “You’ve just gotta go out there and play.”

Saxony got filtered into something of a “District of Death,” with six of SEMO’s top small schools all vying to keep their seasons alive.

The Crusaders are a phenomenal 17-8 on the season, having cemented themselves as one of the top local small schools after dominating their regional competition.

They’ve picked up wins over Poplar Bluff, Jefferson, Chaffee and Oak Ridge this year as they near postseason play on a hot streak with plenty of local respect.

That respect got them the six seed in a district of seven.

Grabbing the top seed is Charleston, a middle-of-the-road SEMO Conference team with some big important wins this season, a talented roster but a rough second half of the year.

The second-seeded Notre Dame Bulldogs are slated to host the district, coming in with a 10-14 record that shines brighter than they get credit for after a loaded slate.

Kelly, Scott City, Woodland and Saxony make three, four, five and six respectively. Those four combine for an unbelievable 73-21 record, rising above the pack as some of the top small schools in the area.

The only school that Saxony got the benefit of the doubt over was Valle Catholic, currently sitting at a 9-15 clip on the season.

Two of the three worst records in the district ended up grabbing the top two seeds, with Charleston and Notre Dame getting respect as larger schools with more hefty schedules.

But Callahan made a critical note of the balance of the district, no matter where his Crusaders inevitably finished at in the district seeding.

“I don't know there's a whole lot of difference between one through six,” Callahan said. “On the grand scheme of things, seeding-wise, I don’t know if it’s gonna matter.”

Among some headlines to watch in the district, Kelly faces Saxony in the opening round with a chance to set up a duel with host Notre Dame in the second round.

While Notre Dame’s been on the up and down this year, first-year Bulldogs coach Jeremy Brinkmeyer should have his squad push past Valle Catholic for a matchup with his old school.

First-seeded Charleston has defeated No. 2 Notre Dame twice in three attempts and No. 3 Kelly twice, giving it a clear upper hand in the district.

The Blue Jays open up the district with a bye before taking on either No. 4 Scott City or No. 5 Woodland.

Lots of eyes have been cast to the idea of a fourth matchup between Scott City and Kelly, something of a brewing rivalry, but that path will go through the tourney’s top two seeds first and foremost.

Led by Korbin Kinder with a deep supporting cast, Woodland has battled expectations this season but has the firepower to compete in games.

And finally, seeded sixth, it’s an uphill climb for Saxony. Despite sitting nine games over .500 with some huge wins this year, the Crusaders sit near the bottom of the bracket.

The senior duo of Luke Eggemeyer and John Hartmann will look to have Saxony emerge from the depths of the district and keep its season alive.

For these seven squads, they won’t have to wait until the state bracket to face a true challenge.

Even for Charleston and Notre Dame, the supposed overdogs with greater clout and respect, the fight for a district plaque is going to be long and strenuous.

“I don't know that there's a tougher district out there,” Callahan said. “It's got that many good teams.

“Obviously, there are some good teams out there like District 1 with New Madrid, the number one team in the state from top to bottom.

“I don't think there's a district as good as ours.”