Jay Senter  - Boys basketball

SM North advances to winner’s side of Championship Showdown bracket, SM East falls to St. Louis team

Senior Michael Weathers stuffed the ball in the basket on a breakaway, part of the Indians impressive win over St. James.
Senior Michael Weathers stuffed the ball in the basket on a breakaway, part of the Indians impressive win over St. James. All photos by Andrew Poland.

SM North showed that it was still in the top form that propelled it to a post-season run last school year on Thursday with an opening round win over a tough St. James Academy in the opening round of the Championship Showdown public vs. private basketball tournament.

Before a lively home crowd at the Brickhouse, the host team bounced back from a one-point halftime deficit to beat St. James 63-55.

The Indians move on to face St. Louis’s St. John Vianney, which beat SM East 70-61 Thursday, in semi-final play today. That game tips at 8:30 p.m.

The Lancers move to the consolation side of the bracket, and will face St. James at 5:30 p.m.

Olathe East and Barstow also advance in the opening round, beating Rockhurst and SM West, respectively.

The championship game is slotted for 5 p.m. Saturday at SM North.

(Big H/T to Andrew Poland for shooting the games last night).

SM North students had to endure a tense third quarter before the Indians pulled away for the win.
SM North students had to endure a tense third quarter before the Indians pulled away for the win.
Steven Stitzer is back for his third season as SM North's head coach.
Steven Stitzer is back for his third season as SM North’s head coach.
SM East's Jay Guastello drives on the basket.
SM East’s Jay Guastello drives on the basket.
The Lancers fans were all smiles as SM East led at the half.
The Lancers fans were all smiles as SM East led at the half.
The bracket now lines up for a possible early-season game between SM East coach Shawn Hair's Lancers and his alma mater, Rockhurst.
The bracket now lines up for a possible early-season game between SM East coach Shawn Hair’s Lancers and his alma mater, Rockhurst.