Central, Steelville Battle For Boys, Girls District Titles

Feb 22, 2018 @ 9:30am

(CUBA, Mo.) – On Thursday night on J-98, the Central Rebels and Steelville Cardinals will fight for both the boys and girls Class 3 District 3 basketball championships at Cuba High School. The girls championship features a rematch of last year’s title game, when Central topped Steelville 59-45. These two teams also met in the championship of the Central Christmas Tournament, with the Rebels outlasting the Cardinals in double-overtime 79-68. At 23-1 and on a 19-game winning streak, Central head coach Josh Mapes says their work isn’t done.

Steelville comes in with a 21-4 record after an impressive 47-41 win over Grandview on Monday. Head coach Seth Collins says his girls will have to lock in if they want to avenge the earlier losses to the Rebels.

In the boys championship, the 19-9 Rebels are seeking their fourth-straight district title. Head coach Adam Barton says Steelville serves as one of their toughest obstacles to achieving that goal.

The Cardinals come in red hot, winning 15 of their last 16 games and touting a 19-4 season record. Head coach John Tolly says he has confidence in his young group against an experienced Central squad.

The Central and Steelville boys and girls teams all won their regular season conference titles this year. They will all look to add a district title Thursday night in Cuba with the girls playing first. Coverage begins at 5:45 p.m. on J-98.