Panthers capture Round-Ball District title!

The FZN boys basketball team defeated Fort Zumwalt South 46 – 32 last Friday in the District championship game to claim their first District title since 2016. With the victory, the Panthers advanced to the sectional round of the MSHSAA Class 5 playoffs where they will face Francis Howell. The sectionals, originally to be hosted at Maryville University, will be hosted at Fort Zumwalt Eat High School on Wednesday, March 11th. Tip-off at Wednesday’s game is scheduled for 7:45 pm. The District title for the Panthers, who also notched their 20th victory of the season on Friday, represents a remarkable turn-around for the program that won just six games two seasons ago. It was also the Panthers first win over their long-time rival, South High, since 2016. The Panthers have played particularly well the later portion of the season winning 12 of their last 14 games, with their only losses in that time period being to Fort Zumwalt South and defending state champion Rock Bridge. In the district final, the team was led by the Senior Grant Rapplean, who scored a game high 15 points, and Junior Drake Stevenson who added 14 points for the Panthers to go along with his 10 rebounds. The team’s two leading scorers on the season, KJ Lee and “Moosh” Alkhaldi, who were both the focal point the South defense, added 6 points each. The reliable Senior Cole Riggleman scored 5 points in the game. FZN Head Coach Mike Uffmann, in his third year at the helm, said the game on Friday was a reflection of the way the team had practiced leading up to the game. He stated, “Our guys were extremely focused and detailed oriented in practice during the week of district.” When asked to explain the team's ascent over the course of the last few seasons, Coach Uffmann replied, “The guys have prepared and worked hard since the season ended last year. Seeing the joy across everyone’s face while they embraced each other rand celebrated with teammates, family and friends made the all the time we put in over the season and off-season completely worth it.”

The Panthers sectional opponent is a very formidable Francis Howell squad that stands at 27 – 1 heading into Wednesday’s game. The Panthers and Viking are both charter members of the Gateway Athletic Conference but have met on the hardwood since the 2016. Francis Howell has won three consecutive district titles and was undefeated in conference (GAC South) play this season.

Admission to the Sectional game is $7.00