(KMOV.com) -- A Freeze out that had a red-hot ending was at Ft Zumwalt South. With star Cody Sorenson on the bench due to an injury, the Francis Howell staff decided to slow things down. They did just that! It was 13-9 Howell at the halftime buzzer. The Bulldogs opened up a modest lead 24-21 lead at the end of three quarters. The crowd went into a frenzy.

Each possession was extremely crucial during the 4th quarter. With Zumwalt South leading 29-27 as the clock ticked downward inside 10 seconds, Howell was fouled. Both Free throws were missed and a short jumper on the baseline after the rebound rimmed out -- South advances in a thrilling game. I know many people "rail" stall ball games. It takes many factors to succeed-- the coaching staff and players have to buy into it, long possessions that mandate extreme ball protection and control, successful free throws and a tight defense are some of the essential ingredients. Francis Howell lost the game but their team had their "shot" to win-- that's all a coach can do for his team.

Sometimes a new "star" is born in district championships. Such was the case at Grain Valley(20-7) this week. When leading scorer Taylor Lipps suffered dizziness after a rugged collision  for the Eagles, 5-4 Ashley Bundren pumped in a career high 23 points to lead Grain Valley past

Odessa(18-7) 54-43 to earn their first District title in 28 years !

Bundren's 4 late free throws iced it up for the Eagles.

The #1 & #2 teams (Nixa & Kickapoo) of Southwest MO area in Class 5 Girls action had a shootout that lived up to all the pre-game hype about the game being the "actual" STATE Championship game. The game was tied at 56 with 1.6 seconds left. Nixa's Bethanie Funderburk was fouled. As the crowd all screamed "pressure...pressure...pressure...", Funderburk missed her first toss so the crowd chanted even louder. Funderburk knocked down her 2nd toss and despite the valiant last second efforts by the Lady Chiefs, the FT was the winner for the Eagles 57-56!  It was a tremendous game!

More free throws in the waning seconds of the game were in order as Springfield Central's Johnny Gray was eyeing the basket from the FT line as Central led Hillcrest by a point with just 8.5 seconds. Gray,  who kept thinking to bend his knees and follow-through, followed his own advice and hit both charity throws to lead Central to a 63-60 Championship win. It was the first District Crown since 1999 for Central.

Sometimes, one particular play is the catalyst to turn the tide of the game. Such was the case when Cape Central's Josh Smith drove aggressively to the basket with 2:30 left against top seeded Poplar Bluff with his team trailing by 4 points. Smith's shot went in  as the whistle blew.  It was waved off and he was called for charging! Instead of having the chance to slice the lead to a single point, the margin stayed at 4 points and Smith headed to the bench with his 5th foul.

Bluff scored on the next possession and the Mules went on to grab the district ring.

Who's the best shot to make it to Mizzou Arena ? Well there are many very good teams in classes 4 & 5 but I'd have to look to the Dexter Lady Bearcats who are 26-0. Dexter tripped up Cape-ND 63-54 to ice up the District Title. Dexter "sealed the deal" by draining 9 of 12 free throws in the last quarter while the Bulldogs were chomping into the lead.

It was inside and outside for the  Lady Wildcats of Neosho who notched their 1st EVER District Championship with an impressive 76-54 over Springfield Central. Sr. Lorelei Snow led the way on the outside with 30 points, 5 assists and 6 rebound. ON the inside it was Kayln Vlasin who recorded 18 points, 12 rebounds and 6 blocks.

You must have a strong point guard to advance into the STATE dance. No ifs, and or buts...it is an essential ingredient for this formula.

Recently, Coach Bill Gunn of Kirkwood inserted Darrin Young into the 1 spot. With Young slashing, dishing and kicking out, the Pioneers offense has come alive. Kirkwood tumbled the #1 seed Webster Groves Statesman in the semi and topped the Vianney Golden Griffins 62-51 in the final. The Pioneers have now won 8 straight with 4 of those wins over teams who have 18+ wins this season!

Third time was a charm for the Angels! The St Joseph Angels (19-9) had fallen twice to Incarnate Word earlier in the season. However, in the District Championship while overcoming foul trouble, converting seven straight from the line in the final quarter and holding the #1 ranked IWA team to only 49 points, the Angels won 55-49.

One the best girls sectional matchups in Class 4 will see the Republic Tigers tangling with the Webb City Cardinals(23-4). The Tigers handedled the Cards just a couple weeks ago. The  highly ranked Cardinals will be facing a scorching red-hot Tiger team in this 1st round game of the STATE tournament.

Congrats to these schools who advanced both their girls and boys teams into the STATE tournament-- Class 5-Poplar Bluff, Oakville, Rock Bridge, Waynesville and Liberty. Actually, we have a Rock Bridge-Waynesville doubleheader on Wednesday!  In Class 3, Farmington, Miller Career and Webb City sent both teams onto the final 16. For you numbers crunchers-- that's 16 of the final 64 teams in classes 4 & 5!