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. Below you’ll learn more about Class 6, District 8, which is one of the more talented groups in the state. 

+ The back-to-back Class 6 state champions are the No. 1 overall seed in this District, as Liberty North (26-8) continues to do something they’ve done a lot in the last three years - win games. Playing one of the toughest schedules in the state, Liberty North has once again proven themselves to be an upper-tier program in Missouri. They recently swept Blue Springs South and Ray-Pec, with wins on the year over Republic, Glendale, Kearney, and three different quality Kansas programs in the River City Tournament. Getting back to Ozark won’t be an easy task for the Eagles, but they’ve earned the top seed in a tough, highly competitive District. 

+ Liberty (25-8) continues their strong season by earning the No. 2 seed. Liberty has won eight straight games, including 11 of 12, and they’ve beaten four District opponents in that span (Staley 3-0, Park Hill South 3-2, Park Hill 3-0, Oak Park 5-1). Their resume, in totality, is plenty impressive - they beat Staley again earlier in the year, took down Blue Springs in the season opener, swept Blair Oaks, and also beat Willard, who’s one of the top teams in Class 5. They’ll draw Liberty North in a monumental rivalry matchup, but the Blue Jays have proven time and time again this spring that they’re able to beat anybody on any given day. 

+ Currently the top team on our ‘Large School’ rankings, Staley (25-8) is the third seed in this District. They’re on a heater right now, winning seven in a row with four total runs allowed in that span. They boast one of the deepest rosters in Missouri, having loads of talent on the mound as well as from a position player perspective. Their best wins on the year have come against Liberty North, Rock Bridge, Blue Springs, a sweep of CBC, and Blue Springs South. 

+ After a slow start to the season, Oak Park (21-14) has rebounded nicely, earning the fourth seed in this deep district. The Northmen are an older, experienced group that bring back a chunk of their core from a group that made it to the District semi-final last year. 

+ Park Hill (12-18), Park Hill South (18-16), Central St. Joseph (10-15-1), and North Kansas City (2-21) round out the final four seeds in the District. 

CLASS 6, DISTRICT 8 SEEDINGS

Host: Liberty North

1. Liberty North
2. Liberty
3. Staley
4. Oak Park
5. Park Hill
6. Park Hill South
7. Central St. Joseph
8. North Kansas City

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