U-High promises to keep you guessing

Parity was the prevailing theme entering last year's University High School Christmas Tournament. While there appeared to be no super teams at the top of the field, there seemed to be plenty of balance throughout the 16-team event.

And that's exactly how things played out as, for the first time since 1990, a Class 1A squad -- Advance -- won the tournament. And the Hornets happened to be seeded fifth, which was the lowest seed to capture the event in a long time.

Well, guess what? Parity again appears to rule as the 57th annual U-High event is held Wednesday through Saturday at the Show Me Center.

Sure, the tournament has taken plenty of shots from people who complain about how weak the field continually seems to get. They long for the good old days when several tourney teams would end up winning state titles.

And, while it's true that it's been quite a while since there have been any really super squads in the field, the tourney now is probably more exciting than ever because no longer do two or three teams totally dominate.

These days, it seems like almost every team has a chance to capture the crown and that shouldn't change this week because the tournament just might very well be as competitive and unpredictable as it's been in years.

Perennial powerhouse Charleston enters as the pre-tourney favorite -- and you really can't argue with the selection. But the Bluejays were also favored the past two years yet failed to reach the championship game.

Once again, this is not one of the Bluejays' vintage teams, but they do appear to be solid and should make a strong run at their record 14th U-High title. But, like the last two years, it's hard to consider them too big a favorite.

As many as seven or eight squads appear to have a legitimate chance of bringing home the championship and many more seem to have the possibility of pulling off upsets.

No. 2 Notre Dame recently beat Charleston in a two-point thriller so you'd have to rate the Bulldogs and Bluejays as co-favorites. But my warning is don't bet the house on any team.

No. 3 Jackson's record isn't impressive, but the Indians have faced a tough schedule, while No. 4 Oran, No. 5 Bell City and No. 6 Advance are all playing extremely well.

No. 7 Cape Central has only one victory against a brutal schedule but the young Tigers appear to have enough talent to make some noise. No. 8 Scott County Central enters the tournament on a roll and No. 9 Meadow Heights is perhaps the area's surprise team after being down for so long.

No. 10 Woodland has six wins -- the same number as Oran, Bell City, Advance, Scott County and Meadow Heights -- which is impressive for such a low seed.

And even Chaffee -- the 16th and final seed -- has been much more competitive than its one victory suggest. In fact, 14 more points and the Red Devils would be undefeated.

When little Advance won the title last year, it almost seemed like something right out of the movie classic Hoosiers.

Don't be surprised if a similar tale unfolds this week.

I hope everybody has a wonderful Christmas and I'll see you at the tournament.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian