Class 4 Quarterfinals Preview and Predictions
The pairings are set for the Class 4 state quarterfinals, which will be held on Saturday. The winners will advance to the Final Four of the state tournament, which will be held at the Mizzou Arena on the campus of the University of Missouri.
Sikeston (24-4) vs. Vashon (24-3) at Jefferson College, noon – This is a rematch of last year’s overtime thriller in the state semifinals, won by Vashon. Both teams have spent time ranked No. 1 in the state this season. The action will be hot as both teams love to put extreme pressure on their opponents. Vashon is big and deep, but they are led by 2017 point guard Daniel “Peanut” Farris, who scored 23 points in the Wolverines overtime victory over St. Mary’s in the sectionals. Sikeston is led by 6’3″ 2018 swingman Fred Thatch, Jr. and 5’10” 2019 guard Kevin Jones. The team that can force its will on the other late in the game will be victorious. (Prediction: Vashon)
Raytown South (13-15) vs. Kearney (20-7) at Independence, 1 p.m. – For the second consecutive year, Raytown South is on a big postseason run after a less-than-stellar regular season. The Cardinals got 20 points from 2017 guard Alex Herndon in a sectional playoff victory over Center. 2018 6’6″ forward Savon Witt added 12 points. He provides scoring and athleticism as a versatile post. Kearney put on an excellent offensive show in its 82-74 sectional victory over St. Joe Lafayette. The Bulldogs got 29 points from 2017 wing Anthony Pritzel and a combined 33 points from 6’0″ 2017 twins Dylan and Connor Ritz. This will be a third meeting with Kearney winning the first two games. (Prediction: Kearney)
Parkway Central (22-8) vs. Jennings (25-4) at Washington, 1 p.m. – Both teams escaped the sectional playoffs with narrow, yet excited two-points victories. They share two things in common. They have outstanding 2018 point guards in 6’0″ Deandre Campbell of Parkway Central and 5’10” Kyle Younge of Jennings. They also feature a 6’3″ athletic, high-motor warrior up front in Arther Green of Parkway Central and Rajae Johnson of Jennings. Both are very good defensively, but Parkway Central is halfcourt based while Jennings picks up opponents in the parking lot. It should go down to the final possessions. (Prediction: Parkway Central)
Bolivar (25-4) vs. Grandview (24-4) at Southwest Baptist, 6 p.m. – This is a matchup of a very talented Grandview team against a veteran Bolivar team that tasted the Final Four back in 2015. Grandview had to rally from a double-digit deficit to defeat Helias 55-51 in the sectionals. They got a strong game from 6’4″ 2018 forward Cartez Crook-Jones, Bolivar got a combined 48 points from its 2017 duo of 6’6″ Brandon Emmert and Conley Garrison in its 63-42 victory over Webb City in the sectionals. Emmert dominated the paint with 25 points while Garrison added 23 points from the perimeter. (Prediction: Grandview)