The 2024 MSHSAA District playoffs are set to start tomorrow, May 10th, for Classes 1-through-4, with the Class 5 and Class 6 bracket kicking off next week. From now until then, teams across the state will compete for an opportunity to capture a District crown and punch their ticket to Sectionals, and ultimately a spot in Ozark. 

Over the next few days, our staff will be previewing each District for Class 5 and Class 6. Here are the Districts we have previewed so far: 

+ Class 6, District 8
+ Class 6, District 7
+ Class 6, District 6
+ Class 6, District 5
+ Class 6, District 4
+ Class 6, District 3
+ Class 6, District 2
+ Class 6, District 1
+ Class 5, District 8
+ Class 5, District 7
+ Class 5, District 6
+ Class 5, District 5
+ Class 5, District 4

Below you’ll learn more about Class 5, District 3 and its outlook with the playoffs set to start next week. 

+ Rockwood Summit (19-11) earns the top seed in this deep District after a strong regular season. They started the spring on a seven game win streak, beating Francis Howell in that run, and also have wins on the year over Eureka, Parkway Central, Webster Groves, Parkway West, and two over Lindbergh. Summit has a real ace in Logan Darnell (2024; Mississippi Valley State), who will give them a chance to win each game he takes the ball. Their offense has seen success in bunches throughout the year and it’s a group led by Tyler Metz (2024), Kaden Dinges (2026), Jackson Miller (2025), and Gabriel Sieve (2025). Rockwood Summit will look to defend the District title they won last year. 

+ Parkway West (18-15) draws the second seed in this grouping with multiple impressive wins on their resume - they beat Liberty (Wentzville), CBC, Eureka, SLUH, Vianney, Lafayette, and Rockwood Summit this spring. Multiple Longhorns’ had productive years at the plate, starting with Mason Beno (2024; South Alabama), who’s slashing .375/.481/.545 with 11 extra-base hits and 20 RBI. Daniel Carmichael (2024) also drove in 20 runs in the regular season, while Zach Taylor (2024) hit .351 with 10 doubles and reached base at the second highest mark (.445) on the roster. Griffin Beno (2025) and Mason Roth (2024) are two more names to know that deepen this lineup. Taylor anchors this group on the mound, making eight starts with a 2.68 ERA in 44 ⅓ innings. Henry Wild (2025) pitched to a 1.97 ERA over his 39 innings of work and the aforementioned Mason Beno fanned 43 in 31 ⅓ innings of work with a 2.23 ERA. 

+ Westminster Christian (20-14) is a club that, as the three seed, is capable of really making some noise in this District. Ethan Martin (2025) and Devin Coulter (2024) are two arms that have thrown the ball well for the Wildcats in bulk workloads. Martin sports a 1.45 ERA in 43 ⅓ innings, pitching to a 7-0 record with 55 strikeouts and 15 walks on the year. Coulter isn’t too far behind, posting a 1.82 ERA in 42 ⅓ frames, punching out 48 while walking only 17. Isaac Boss (2024; Evansville) adds to the pitching depth, tossing 38 ⅓ quality frames for Westminster this spring. Martin is also a key piece for the Wildcats’ offense, with names like Joey Fentress (2025), Cal Leighton (2025), and Cam Schlegl (2024; Westminster) all playing key roles. Fentress swings a physical right-handed bat, driving in a team-high 34 runs on 15 extra-base hits. Leighton leads the way with a .347 batting average, he also doubled 10 times, and Schlegl brings juice to the plate as well, plating 25 with 12 of his 30 hits going for extra bases. 

+ Parkway Central (15-14) has a winning pedigree as a program, winning this District two years ago and finishing as runner-ups last season. The Colts are the fourth seed and are a balanced club that does things well on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they have multiple names having productive years at the dish, like Jonah Loiterstein (2024), James Huff (2025), Sam Sailors (2024; East Central College) and Jared Chorlins (2025). On the mound, Owen Grater (2024) leads the club with a 2.58 ERA over a team-high 40 ⅔ innings of work, with Brian Kang (2025) and Seungmin Song (2024; Maine) each throwing the ball well in their 20+ innings on the hill. 

+ Pacific (18-6) isn’t going to be an easy out for anybody, especially because they have one of the top arms in the state in Jake Collier (2025). The talented left-hander has continued his storied high school career with a dominant junior campaign, fanning 81 batters in 39 ⅔ innings of work with 17 walks and a 1.06 ERA. Colton Kossuth (2026), Trey Kulick (2025), and Ethan Broser (2024; Black Hawk JC) all hit over .400 during the regular season. Broser (25) and Kossuth (24) led the offense in total RBI, while Kulick and Connor Mooney (2025) each drove in 19 runs. 

+ Ladue (), Chaminade (), and Parkway North make up the final three seeds in this District. 

CLASS 5, DISTRICT 3 SEEDINGS

Host: Chaminade

1. Rockwood Summit
2. Parkway West
3. Westminster Christian 
4. Parkway Central
5. Pacific
6. Ladue 
7. Chaminade
8. Parkway North 

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