Beyond the Powerhouses: Missouri’s Best High School Basketball Venues

Growing up in Illinois, you become aware of the special place high school basketball has within the state, including the historic gyms that have been hosting games for decades. Places like Wharton Field house in Moline, The Bowl in Jacksonville, Boylan Catholic High in Rockford, and Blue Devil Gymnasium in Quincy.

Does Missouri have the high school basketball venues to match Illinois?

I asked A.I. to list off the must visit Missouri locations to watch high school basketball. Some of these might surprise you, as they aren’t the home courts for Show-Me state basketball juggernauts. Beaumont is a tech school these days, CBC has moved its campus from Clayton Road to the current location west of I-270 next to Mo. Baptist University. De Smet, Kansas City Central, Vashon? All of these schools have won multiple state championships, their gyms are not included on this list. Although. seeing CBC, De Smet, Vashon or Kansas City Central play basketball are worthwhile goals, seek out these other destinations to fully experience basketball in the Show-Me State.

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Liberty High School Gym – Seating almost 1800, the newer facility on the Liberty high campus was built in 2015.

Joplin High School Gym – Rebuilt following the tornado of 2011, it opened in 2014 and has a capacity close to 2,500 fans.

Oak Park High School – Kansas City – This one has some history to it as it was built in 1965. It was renovated in 2018. The home of the Northmen can hold 1800 fans when full.

St. Charles High School – The oldest facility on this list, the current school was built in 1923. The gym was built not long after that. There were years of facility improvements in the 1990s and the current home of the Pirates can hold a large crowd.

Are these the best places to take in a high school basketball game in Missouri? Go and find out. Pick a rivalry game on the schedule to get the full effect of the experience.