BATTLE
Record: 4-4.
Previous Classic appearances: none.
Best finish: n/a.
Notes: The Spartans are averaging 55 points per game while allowing just under 51 to opponents. … This is Battle’s second tournament this season. The Spartans went 2-1 to take third in the Stephanie Phillips Classic at Kickapoo earlier this month. … Battle’s last game was a 59-55 loss to St. Joseph Benton, which is also in the Classic. … Battle recorded a program-best 20 victories last season.
CAPITAL CITY
Record: 4-6.
Previous Classic appearances: 2.
Best finish: Sixth (2021).
Notes: The Lady Cavaliers are under the direction of first-year coach Tracey Braden. Braden has been the head coach at Sewanee University and Westminster College. … Capital City is hosting the Classic for the third consecutive season. … The Lady Cavaliers finished eighth in the Classic last season. … The Lady Cavaliers posted eight victories last season, the most in the program, now in its fifth season.
FATIMA
Record: 8-3.
Previous Classic appearances: 3.
Best finish: Fifth (2014, 2022).
Notes: The Lady Comets have posted a winning record for 14 consecutive seasons. … Fatima captured the Class 4 District 10 Tournament title last season. … Fatima has played only two teams with a losing record so far this season. … The Lady Comets finished second in the Linn Holiday Tournament earlier this month. …Fatima has won consecutive state titles in softball.
HELIAS
Record: 5-2.
Previous Classic appearances: 26.
Best finish: First (1999-2001, 2021).
Notes: Helias is 19-7 all-time in first-round games in the Classic. … Adalyn Koelling is a two-time all-state selection for the Lady Crusaders. She has signed with Murray State. … Helias guard Claire Galbraith has committed to Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa. … The Lady Crusaders have finished in all eight places in its time in the Classic.
JEFFERSON CITY
Record: 3-5.
Previous Classic appearances: 28.
Best finish: First (1995-96, 1998, 2002-04, 2016, 2018-20).
Notes: Jefferson City has finished first or second in the Classic a total of 19 times, including in each of the last seven seasons. … The first-round matchup against Lincoln College Prep is the first between the two programs. … Jefferson City is averaging 42 points through eight games, while allowing 47.3 to its opponents. … Jefferson City’s five losses have come to opponents who have lost a combined nine games this season.
LINCOLN COLLEGE PREP
Record: 2-4.
Previous Classic appearances: none.
Best Finish: n/a.
Notes: The Lady Blue Tigers have posted a winning record for the past 10 seasons, winning 20 or more games five times.… Lincoln College Prep finished 17-10 last season, winning a district title. It was the fifth district title in 10 years for the Lady Blue Tigers, who finished second in the state in 2019 in Class 4.
ST. JOSEPH BENTON
Record: 7-2.
Previous Classic appearances: 17.
Best finish: First (2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2017).
Notes: Benton, ranked No. 6 in Class 4 by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association, has won six of its past seven games. … This is the second tournament of the season for Benton, who finished 2-1 in the Savannah Invitational from Nov. 27-Dec. 1. The Cardinals lost 55-45 to Class 5 No. 6 Smithville in the event. … Benton has limited four of its opponents to 25 points or fewer. … Andrea Simmons is a returning all-state player for the Cardinals.
STALEY
Record: 6-1.
Previous Classic appearances: 1.
Best finish: Seventh (2022).
Notes: Staley is ranked No. 7 in Class 6 by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association. … Staley finished second in the Liberty North Tournament, falling 60-58 to the host school in the title game earlier this month. Liberty North is ranked second in Class 6. … The Falcons are outscoring their opponents by an average of 26 points per game this season.