Class 2 Sectional Preview and Predictions
The pairings are set for the upcoming Class 1 Sectional playoffs, which will be held on Wednesday night. Here are the matchups and predictions: Hayti (18-11) vs. Oran (19-8) at Jackson, 6 p.m. – A good matchup of Southeast Missouri…
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Continue ReadingThe pairings are set for the upcoming Class 1 Sectional playoffs, which will be held on Wednesday night. Here are the matchups and predictions:
Hayti (18-11) vs. Oran (19-8) at Jackson, 6 p.m. – A good matchup of Southeast Missouri teams. Hayti is small, but very quick and aggressive. They are led by 6’0″ 2017 Kemron Rollings, 5’11” 2029 Kedron Rollings and 5’11” 2018 Kobe Cooper. Oran is led by 2017 guard Max Priggel, who scored 29 points in the district finals against Bell City. 2019 guard Jacob Shoemaker and 2018 guard Cole Priggel form and excellent backcourt. (Prediction: Hayti).
Thayer (26-3) vs. Hartville (24-5) at Mountain Grove, 6 p.m. – One of the best matchups of the sectional round, Hartville begins defense of its state championship from last year. They are led by excellent 6’2″ 2017 Deric Jones and a strong point guard in Dune Piper. Hartville can score and defend. Thayer has a balanced team, led by 6’0″ 2018 guard Kobe Meyer, a transfer from Hartville, 5’7″ 2017 guard Zyman Langley and improving 6’5″ 2019 forward Ayden Stone. (Prediction: Hartville)
Lockwood (17-11) vs. Sacred Heart (23-5) at Clinton, 6 p.m. – A talented Sacred Heart team is back to make a run after being upset in the playoffs last season. The Gremlins feature talented 6’0″ 2018 point guard Trent Lyles and a pair of nice 2018 bigs in Colby Young and Micah Tanguay. (Prediction: Sacred Heart)
Wellington-Napoleon (26-1) vs. Mid-Buchanan (18-9) at Staley, 6 p.m. – Wellington is making its fifth consecutive appearance in the sectionals. They also finished third in the state tournament last year. They are led by 6’0″ 2017 guard Duncan Hughes and 6’0″ 2019 guard Trey Shannon. Mid-Buch features 6’5″ forward Hunter Skaggs who scored 22 points in the Dragons victory in the district finals last weekend. (Prediction: Wellington-Napoleon).
Elsberry (12-16) vs. Clopton (22-6) at Hannibal, 6 p.m. – A pair of EMO Conference rivals will meet again, but on a bigger stage this time around. Clopton won the first meeting 57-43 on December. 8. Clopton features a solid group, led by 6’2″ 2017 forward Stephen Talbert and 6’1″ 2017 guard Landon Hall. Elsberry features strong guard play in 5’9″ 2019 Nathan Reed and 5’9″ 2017 Tyler Turnbull. (Prediction: Clopton).
Salisbury (25-3) vs. Harrisburg (20-8) at Mexico, 6 p.m. – These two teams have already met twice with Salisbury winning both games. Both teams feature a showcase player with Salisbury being led by 6’3″ 2017 Garrett Francis, who had 26 points and 11 rebounds in the district championship game. Harrisburg is led by 6’4″ 2018 Cade Combs, who scored 36 points in a district final win over Eugene. Both can dominate a game. This should be a good one. (Prediction: Salisbury).
Iberia (20-7) vs. Greenwood (24-3) at Lebanon, 6 p.m. – After graduating a big class that participated in three Final Fours, Iberia is back in the sectionals after another district crown. The Rangers are led by 6’4″ forward Carter Halley, who averages 16 points a game. Greenwood is led by the versatile and athletic 6’4″ 2017 Julius Walker, who has scored more than 2,000 points in his career. He scored 28 points in Greenwood’s victory over Fair Play in the district finals. (Prediction: Greenwood).
Crane (17-10) vs. Pierce City (22-7) at Carthage, 6 p.m. – The two teams met earlier this season in the Pierce City Tournament with Crane taking a 71-58 victory. Crane features a nice set of guards in 2017 Dalton Hayes and 5’11” 2018 Colton Elder. Pierce City has some good guards as well in 5’11” 2018 Donell Kleiboeker and 5’11” 2017 Mason Moreland, as well as a good post player in 6’4″ 2017 forward Devin Cox. (Prediction: Crane)