First place wins at State Championship and athletes and coaches recognized on the national stage
St. Louis, MO (March 2026)—Principia School is proud to celebrate an extraordinary basketball season defined by championship performances and national recognition for both its student-athletes and coaching leadership. Principia School’s girls and boys basketball teams each earned first place at the Missouri State Championship, marking a historic year for Panther athletics.
The state tournament brought milestone moments for both teams. The girls' basketball team captured its program’s first state championship in Principia School history, securing the Missouri Class 3 title with a 60–32 victory over St. Vincent at Mizzou Arena on the campus of the University of Missouri–Columbia. The girls closed the season with an impressive 30–2 record, competing against a highly challenging schedule that included many of Missouri’s top programs.
Under the leadership of head coach Joshua Spuhl, the girls' basketball program has emerged as one of the most consistent forces in the state. This championship marked the team’s third consecutive trip to the Final Four.
The boys’ basketball team secured a repeat state championship in an St. Louis teams’ matchup against Miller Career Academy. They achieved a 98–34 victory, earning their second consecutive state title in front of a packed crowd of fans from Principia and the wider community. Ranked among the top teams in the country throughout the season, the boys’ state championship performance served as a fitting conclusion to a season in which they established themselves as a national contender.
Adding to this milestone year, Jay Blossom, head coach of Principia School’s Boys Basketball Team, has been named to the Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Boys Basketball Coach of the Year Watch List, placing him among just 10 coaches across the nation selected for the honor. Announced February 25 by the Naismith organization, the Watch List recognizes coaches whose programs exemplify excellence, integrity, and competitive success at the highest level. The award winner will be announced April 1, 2026.
Additionally, Quentin Coleman, a standout player on the boys' basketball team, was named the 2025-26 Gatorade Missouri Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Gatorade Player of the Year is the top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes for their excellence in sports, academics, and community. The award recognizes Coleman as Missouri’s best high school boys' basketball player, and he joins an elite legacy that spans professional athletes and coaches to CEOs.
“Quentin’s recognition reflects the values we strive to instill in every student‑athlete,” said Coach Jay Blossom. “He competes at an elite level and represents Principia with humility and integrity—on and off the court.”
“Coach Blossom’s recognition, our championship titles, and Quentin’s award collectively speak to the powerful culture that surrounds Principia athletics,” said Shawn Brown, Principia School Athletic Director. “Principia attracts student‑athletes from around the country and the world who are seeking both academic excellence and high‑level competition. This season also reflects what’s possible when talented students come together in a community of high-minded, hard-fighting athletes and staff committed to developing character and winning beyond the scoreboard.”