Class 1 Quarterfinals Preview and Predictions
The field is set for the Class 1 state quarterfinals, which will be held on Saturday. There will be some familiar programs with players lacing them up in the Elite Eight this weekend. Walnut Grove and Glasgow were Final Four participants a year ago while Advance and Meadville were in the Final Four in 2015 with Meadville winning the state title. The winners will advance to the Final Four of the state tournament, which will be held at the Mizzou Arena from March 7-9.
Here is a look at the four quarterfinal contests and our predictions:
Advance (24-5) vs. Eminence (20-9) at Van Buren, 1 p.m. – Advance powered its way to the quarterfinals with an impressive 79-60 win over rival Scott County Central. The Hornets are a battled tested team that is eager to get back to the Final Four after making it in 2015, but begin getting upset last year in the sectionals. 2018 guard Armani Vermillion scored 26 points against SCC while 6’4″ 2017 forward Dawson Mayo scored 20 points and 2017 guard Preston Wuebker added 11 points. The trio have been mainstays at Advance for this entire run. Meanwhile, Eminence is a young team without a senior on its roster, yet they are in the middle of an excellent run as well. They showed some heart in battling back from an 11-point second-half deficit to defeat Bradleyville 78-69 in the sectionals. The Redwings got 19 points from Ethan Drake and 18 and 17 respectively from Wade and Grant Dyer. It’s experience against youth. (Prediction: Advance)
Worth County (22-7) vs. North Andrew (27-1) at St. Joe Civic Arena, Friday, 6 p.m. – The two teams met in December with North Andrew taking a 61-48 victory. North Andrew continued its stellar season with a hard-fought victory over Jefferson in the sectionals. Guard Aiden DeLong scored 12 points while 6’4″ 2018 forward Caleb Patterson added 11 points to lead a balanced attack. Worth County is getting excellent play from 6’3″ 2018 Drake Kinsella, who scored 23 points in WC’s victory over Braymer in the sectionals. 6’4″ 2018 Cade Allee added 11 points and 6’3″ 2018 forward Ryan Kinsella added 10 points. (Prediction: North Andrew)
Walnut Grove (27-3) vs. Hermitage (27-3) at Clinton, 1 p.m. – Powerful Walnut Grove is looking for a return trip to the Final Four, but standing it its way is a determined Hermitage squad that is hoping that the third time is the charm this season. Walnut Grove won the first meeting 85-65 on Dec. 30 and escaped with a 66-64 win at Hermitage about a week later. Both teams have multiple offensive weapons. Stellar 2018 guard Logan Thomazin scored 22 points in Walnut Groves’ victory over Montrose in the sectionals. Jason Dishman, Ryan Keith and Hunter Gilkey all scored in double figures as well. Hermitage got 24 points from Victory LeVerdier, 17 points from Jeff Salmon and 15 points from Dillon Meyer in its 69-53 sectional victory over Green Ridge. This could be quite a game. (Prediction: Walnut Grove)
Glasgow (26-3) vs. Meadville (25-4) at Salisbury, 6 p.m. – These two teams are no strangers to one another in postseason play over the years. They met once this season on Valentine’s Day with Glasgow taking a 57-50 at Meadville. Glasgow can play power basketball with 6’4″ 2017 forward Kennedy Davis in the paint, but fellow 2017s Hayden Hackman and Adam Monnig can also get buckets. Meadville got a tussle from conference rival Linn County in the sectionals, but it managed to pull out out a 56-49 victory. Glasgow finished third in last year’s state tournament while Meadville won the whole thing in 2015. Both teams want to get back to Mizzou. (Prediction: Glasgow)