Preview: Blue and Gold tournament
Dec. 26 at Hammons Student Center (Blue Division) No. 8 Stockton vs. Hillcrest – 9:30 a.m. No. 1 Kickapoo vs. Willard – 11 a.m. No. 5 Republic vs. Skyline – 12:30 p.m. No. 4 Fair Grove vs. Mansfield – 2…
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Continue ReadingDec. 26 at Hammons Student Center (Blue Division)
No. 8 Stockton vs. Hillcrest – 9:30 a.m.
No. 1 Kickapoo vs. Willard – 11 a.m.
No. 5 Republic vs. Skyline – 12:30 p.m.
No. 4 Fair Grove vs. Mansfield – 2 p.m.
No. 7 Strafford vs. Spokane – 5 p.m.
No. 2 Hartville vs. Camdenton – 6:30 p.m.
No. 6 Conway vs. Hollister – 8 p.m.
The Favorite
Kickapoo Chiefs (6-0)
The state’s second-ranked team in Missouri Class 5 has played a brutal schedule early in the season. They have several key wins, including Helias, DeSmet, Glendale, Champaign (Ill.) Central and Ozark. Its most recent win over Ozark however was its toughest test to date, and the two teams could meet again in the championship.
Top player
Jared Ridder, 6-7, Jr., F, Kickapoo
Others to watch
Dylan Caruso, 6-8, Fr., F, Mansfield
Kyle Cavanaugh, 6-2, Sr., G, Fair Grove
Cam Davis, 6-1, Jr., G, Kickapoo
Andrew Huckaby, 6-2, Sr., G, Conway
Isaac Johnson, 6-2, Sr., G, Kickapoo
Deric Jones, 6-2, Jr., F, Hartville
Garrett Kesterson, 6-2, Jr., G, Fair Grove
Dune Piper, 5-10, Jr., G, Hartville
Niekie Thomas-Fontleroy, 6-2, Sr., G, Kickapoo
Ryan Ward, 6-3, Sr., F, Hartville
Dec. 26 at JQH – First Round (Gold Division)
No. 8 Marshfield vs. Willow Springs – 9:30 a.m.
No. 1 Nixa vs. Rogersville – 11 a.m.
No. 5 West Plains vs. Buffalo – 12:30 p.m.
No. 4 Mountain Grove vs. Reeds Spring – 2 p.m.
No. 7 Aurora vs. Greenwood – 5 p.m.
No. 2 Bolivar vs. Branson – 6:30 p.m.
No. 6 Crane vs. Lebanon – 8 p.m.
No. 3 Clever vs. Mount Vernon – 9:30 p.m.
The Favorite
Nixa Eagles (4-0)
Nixa has won five consecutive Blue and Gold titles and are coming off a season in which the Eagles were 28-2 and narrowly missed a win over eventual Class 5 state champion Blue Springs South in the quarterfinals. Nixa is led by a big front line that features football recruit Chase Allen (6-7, 2016) and Garrett Bacon (6-6, 2016) among others. However, don’t be surprised if Bolivar gives Nixa a tough test should the Nos. 1-2 seeds meet in the finals.
Top player
Chase Allen, 6-7, Sr., PF, Nixa
Others to watch
Garrett Bacon, 6-6, Sr., F, Nixa
Logan Bader, 6-6, Sr., F, Aurora
Christian Brown, 6-1, Sr., F, Rogersville
Brandon Emmert, 6-6, Jr., PF, Bolivar
Wyatt Findley, 6-3, Sr., G/F, Marshfield
DJ McNew, 6-1, Sr., G, Mountain Grove
Trent Millsap, 6-0, Sr, G, Lebanon
Jakob Partee, 6-5, Jr., F, Clever
Johnny Scott, 6-2, Sr., G, Bolivar
Julius Walker, 6-2, Jr., G/F, Greenwood