Friday Night Predictions
It is the first Friday night of the New Year and there are some pretty nice matchups on tap. Here are my predictions from some of the key games around the state: Sikeston at Charleston, 6 p.m. – A SEMO…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIt is the first Friday night of the New Year and there are some pretty nice matchups on tap. Here are my predictions from some of the key games around the state:
Sikeston at Charleston, 6 p.m. – A SEMO Conference showdown featuring two teams that won holiday tournament championships. Sikeston won the St. Dominic Tournament while Charleston won the Southeast Missourian Tournament. Both teams staged a spirited high-scoring battle in the semifinals of the SEMO Conference Tournament a month ago, with Sikeston taking the victory. (Prediction: Charleston)
St. Joe Central at Park Hill South, 7 p.m. – Some outstanding backcourts will be on display in this battle in the Kansas City area. Central enters 2017 with a 10-1 record with the stellar 2017 backcourt of Jaiden Bristol and Matt Austin leading the way. Both are capable of dominating games. Park Hill South will counter with some excellent young guards of its own in 2019s Lamel Robinson, Desi Williams and 2018 Saadique Perkins. (Prediction: Park Hill South)
SLUH at DeSmet, 7 p.m. – One of the many big battles that will take place in the rugged Metro Catholic Conference. The Junior Billikens took the first meeting 61-51 at home. This time, DeSmet will have the game on its home court at the Palace on Ballas. SLUH has been getting excellent play from much improved senior Anthony Hughes. DeSmet is led by 6’7″ Bradley signee Ryan Stipanovich. (Prediction: SLUH)
Kickapoo at Blue Springs South, 7 p.m. -Kickapoo goes on the road to Kansas City to take on a good Blue Springs South team. The Chiefs are led by 6’7″ Xavier signee Jared Ridder and his 27 points a game. Blue Springs South counters with versatile 6’6″ 2018 Eathan Swanegan. (Prediction: Kickapoo).
Trinity at Cardinal Ritter, 6 p.m. – An Archdiocesan Athletic Association contest between a couple of teams that love to play up-tempo basketball. Ritter has spent the first month as the No. 1 team in Class 3 while Trinity has an exciting young team that plays fast and fearless. One player who could make the difference is 6’6″ 2017 forward Xavier Womack of Cardinal Ritter. (Prediction: Cardinal Ritter)
Chillicothe at Maryville, 7 p.m. – A real good matchup in the Midland Empire Conference tonight. Host Maryville has been on a roll this season. The Spoofhounds are coming off a big road victory over perennial conference power St. Joe Lafayette earlier this week. They are led by 2017 guard John Zimmerman. Chillicothe fields a solid team led by 2017 guard Cade Snyder.
Southern Boone vs. Blair Oaks, 9 p.m. – The championship of the Tri-County Tournament will be decided tonight in Hallsville. The top two teams advanced to the championship with guard-oriented Southern Boone taking on Blair Oaks and its standout 2017 big man in 6’7″ Jason Rackers. Should be a good one. (Prediction: Southern Boone).
Sacred Heart at Father Tolton, 7:30 p.m. – This game features a pair of outstanding point guards in 2017 Isaiah Wilson of Father Tolton going up against 2018 Trent Lyles of Sacred Heart, which is one of top teams in Class 2. (Prediction: Father Tolton).
Blue Springs at Lee’s Summit West, 7 p.m. – Lee’s Summit West is coming off a championship performance at the William Jewell Classic, its second of the season. The Titans will host a dangerous Blue Springs team with excellent guard play. (Prediction: Lee’s Summit West).