Ladue’s varsity basketball team continued their dominant season and advanced to their district finals after rolling past St. Louis University High School (SLUH) with a 67-51 win at Ladue High School Feb. 27.

“The last time we played them (and won 65-62), we didn’t have a very good start,” Ladue coach Chad Anderson said. “We really stressed good team defense and rebounding and making good decisions offensively.”

This time, Ladue did not suffer a slow start. With the score tied 2-2 early in the game, Ladue went on a 9-0 run, aided by two quick steals and layups by junior guard Connor Spirtas and a huge three-point play by senior center Austin DaGue, allowing Ladue to go into the second quarter with an 18-5 lead.

However, SLUH was not beaten yet and began the second quarter with an 8-2 run, drawing them within seven points of Ladue. However, a SLUH technical ended the spree and returned the momentum to Ladue, allowing Ladue to hold a 36-26 lead going into halftime.

Though SLUH narrowed the Ladue lead to seven points going into the fourth quarter, junior forward Andrew Maddock, DaGue, and junior guard Cornell Johnston widened the lead in the final quarter, giving Ladue a comfortable victory. Maddock, DaGue, and Johnston finished with 12, 11, and 19 points respectively.

Ladue will play Chaminade High School March 1 at Ladue High School at 7 for the district championship. Chaminade, who is ranked fourth in St. Louis and is 17-8, defeated Riverview Gardens 81-56 in their district game and should prove a good test for Ladue. #