10 Intriguing Matchups: District Championship Predictions (Feb. 24-25)
Championship hardware will be handed out across the state this weekend as district tournaments wrap up at the Class 1, 2 and 3 levels. Here is a look at 10 of this weekend’s top district championship matchups and predictions. Friday’s…
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Continue ReadingChampionship hardware will be handed out across the state this weekend as district tournaments wrap up at the Class 1, 2 and 3 levels. Here is a look at 10 of this weekend’s top district championship matchups and predictions.
Friday’s Games
Hogan Prep vs. Barstow (Class 3, District 14 at O’Hara), 7:30 p.m. – On your marks. Get set. Go. An entertaining final that promises to be a high-scoring affair. Two of the state’s top point guards will be on display with 2017 Mr. Basketball candidate Jacob Gilyard of Barstow going up against 2018 speedster Damien Daniels of Hogan Prep going head to head. Last season, Hogan Prep had a 14-point lead on heavily favorite Barstow in the district finals, but Barstow rallied to win and advance all the way to the state championship game for the third consecutive year. Can Hogan finish the job this season and deny Barstow a fourth trip to Columbia. (Prediction: Hogan Prep).
Northwest Academy vs. Lutheran North (Class 3, District 6 at Orchard Farm), 7 p.m. – An intriguing matchup featuring a talented Northwest team that is the No. 1 seed against the suprising young, upstart Lutheran North team that is the No. 7 seed. Northwest has a tremendous backcourt in 2017 Ryan Warren and his cousin, athletic 2018 Wilshon Warren. Holding down the paint is 6’6″ 2018 rebounding machine Jamarr Williams. The Crusaders are young and hungry. They are led by 6’5″ 2020 guard Jordan Nesbit and 6’2″ 2019 guard Jalen White, who both came through with big scoring games in the districts. (Prediction: Northwest).
Hartville vs. Mansfield (Class 2, District 4 at Sparta), 7:45 p.m. – A battle between the top two seeds in the district. No. 1 seed Hartville is looking to repeat as state champions. They won their first two district games by by an average of 40 points. The Eagles can score in waves and can also defend as well. They have several weapons, led by Deric Jones, Dune Piper and Wyatt Ward. Mansfield has an imposing figure in the post in 6’9″ 2019 Dylan Caruso and a talented guard in 2017 Mason Roy. (Prediction: Hartville).
Saturday’s Games
Blair Oaks vs. Southern Boone (Class 3, District 9 at Blair Oaks), 6 p.m. – The “Green House” in Wardsville will be rocking as these two conference rivals will wage battle for a third time this season. Each team has won a game, so this will be the rubber match with a district title at stake. Top-seed Blair Oaks has excellent all-around players on the perimeter and 6’6″ 2017 forward Jason Rackers anchoring the post. Southern Boone doesn’t have a matchup inside for Rakers, but they have a athletic 6’1″ 2019 forward in Sam Stichnote inside. The Eagles also have several excellent perimeter players, led by 5’10” 2019 Maguire Scheer. (Prediction: Southern Boone)
Mountain Grove vs. Licking (Class 3, District 10 at Cabool), 6:30 p.m. – Top-seeded Mountain Grove has one of the most well-balanced teams in the state with five players averaging in double figures for the season. They are led by Brock Coffman, Treye Collins and Cade Coffman. The Panthers finished third in the state tournament a year ago. No. 2 seed Licking features one of the state’s top dynamic duos in versatile 6’5″ 2017s Nathan Wilson and Brady Smith. Both can operate just about anywhere on the floor. (Prediction: Mountain Grove).
Hallsville vs. Monroe City (Class 3, District 8 at Palmyra), 1 p.m. – A battle between two excellent teams that topped the 20-victory mark this season. Both teams have good talent and a lot of depth. Monroe City features a talented 2019 point guard in CE Talton, who can score and pass. 2017 forward Michael Speaks can score in the paint and rebound. Hallsville has excellent perimeter personnel in 2018 guards Graham Moser and Ethan Thompson and athletic 6’5″ 2017 forward Brayden Blakemore. (Prediction: Hallsville)
Clopton vs. Louisiana (Class 2, District 6 at Clopton), 4 p.m. – This will be another third meeting with each team taking a victory. Clopton won the first game to win their own tournament title. Louisiana came back to win the rematch a couple of weeks later on a buzzer-beater by standout 2019 guard Derek Richards. The 5’9″ Richards can really score and that will be needed against a well-balanced Clopton team that plays together and executes in tough games. (Prediction: Clopton)
Maryville vs. Penney (Class 3, District 16 at Lathrop), 3:30 p.m. -Top seeded Maryville is on an impressive run which includes 20 victories and the championship of the M Empire Conference. The Spoofhounds have an excellent guard combo in John Zimmerman, Trey Oglesby as well as a capable 6’6″ forward in 2017 Jackson Golighty. Penney advanced to the championship game with a dramatic rally against Trenton on Thursday night. The Hornets trailed by 25 points at halftime before staging a comeback for the ages to take a 72-63 victory. They are led by athletic, high scoring 6’1″ 2018 Latroy Harper, who is averaging 25 points a game. (Prediction: Maryville).
Meadville vs. Northwestern (Class 1, District 12 at Norbonne), 2:15 p.m. – These two conference rivals have been battling all season with each team taking victories over the other. They won each other’s tournaments this season while Northwestern took the CLAA championship. It’s fitting that they should meet for the district championship. Meadville is led by 6’2″ 2017 forward Ryan Young, who can score and rebound. Garrett Johnson of Northwestern is a knock down 3-point shooter. (Prediction: Northwestern).
Sacred Heart vs. Smithton (Class 2, District 14 at Smithton), 2:30 p.m. – Everything pointed to a third and final showdown between Sacred Heart and Lincoln, which split two meetings. However, host Smithton had other ideas as they stunned Lincoln 80-77 in the semifinals after losing to them twice during the regular season, including a 31-point blowout in December. Smithton features the prolific scoring of 2017 guard Drew Aspher, who has more than 2,000 points in his career. Top-seeded Sacred Heart features an excellent 2018 point guard in Trent Lyles, plus talented 2018 bigs Michal Tanguay and Colby Young. (Prediction: Sacred Heart).