Cardinals seek 5th state Final 4 appearance in 6 seasons

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The Benton Cardinals girls basketball team is one win away from its fifth state Final 4 appearance since 2021.

The Cardinals (21-7) face Oak Grove (26-1) Friday night at 6 p.m. at Liberty North High School.

Benton is coming off a 14-point win against Smithville, 51-37, on Monday night in the Class 4 Sectional round.

Oak Grove defeated Notre Dame de Sion, 52-40, in its Class 4 Sectional round matchup.

With a win, the Cardinals will play in their fifth Class 4 state semifinals in six seasons.

Benton has finished second in three of the last four seasons including last year. The Cardinals went 25-7 with a second-place trophy in 2024-25. They were 27-4 in 2022-23 and finished second in Class 4. In 2021-22, Benton went 25-6 and finished second.

The Cardinals had a 15-11 mark in 2020-21 and finished fourth in Class 4.