Class 4 Sectional Previews and Predictions

The pairings are set for the Class 4 Sectionals, which will be held on Tuesday night with all games beginning at 6 p.m. The four teams that were in the Final Four last season, Vashon, St. Joe Lafayette, Sikeston and Helias, are all still alive in sectional competition. Here is a look at the matchups with our predictions. Sikeston (23-4) vs. Hillsboro (25-3) at Farmington: A game featuring two of the top Class of 2018 prospects in the state in 6'4" SLU commit Fred Thatch, Jr. of Sikeston and 6'8" Gaven Pinkley of Hillsboro. Sikeston is in familiar territory as they finished fourth in the state tournament a year ago. The Bulldogs also feature 5'10" 2019 guard Kevin Jones, who fuels the full-court pressure defense. It will be a battle for tempo as Sikeston wants to be fast and furious while a big Hillsboro team wants to keep it at a manageable pace. It will be difficult against Sikeston's constant pressure.  (Prediction: Sikeston) St. Mary's (25-3) vs. Vashon (23-3) at Parkway West: The biggest matchup in the state tonight. The defending state champion Vashon Wolverines face a giant obstacle in St. Mary's, which is enjoying a outstanding season. The Wolverines have excellent size, athleticism and most important, experience as the crew has been to the Final Four in the past three years at Madison Prep and Vashon. Seniors Daniel Farris, Levi Stockard, Casey Cody-Jackson and Koray Gilbert have seen it all. St. Mary's gave Vashon a good run for its money in the district finals a year ago. Now, they get a shot in the sectionals. The Dragons are led by stellar 2019 point guard Yuri Collins, 6'6" 2018 forward Yahuza Rasas and 6'2" 2018 scorer Tony Burks. Can Vashon take that next step in their quest to repeat? Or can St. Mary's jump the shark a year early and pull off the upset? (Prediction: Vashon) Raytown South (12-15) vs. Center (21-6) at Blue Springs South: An excellent matchup between two excellent teams in the KC area. Do not let Ray South's record fool you. The Cardinals have a nice group of athletes who are capable of a big run in the state tournament. 2017 guard Alex Herndon has been shooting the ball at an excellent rate while 6'6" 2018 forward Savon Witt is a young stud. Center  also has an impressive group of athletes, led by 6'4" 2017 guard Franck Kamgain and 6'2" 2017 guard Rachaad White, who combined for 39 points in Center's district championship victory. (Prediction: Raytown South) Kearney (19-7) vs. St. Joe Lafayette (14-10) at Liberty North: After adjusting to a new coaching staff and some early injuries to key players, Lafayette is back in business after finishing second in the state tournament a year ago. Lehigh signee Caleb Bennett is healthy and playing excellent basketball again while fellow 2017 guard Sterling Hicks and 2018 point guard Diego Bernard are also back to attempt another run. Kearney has quietly been a productive program and they brought home another district championship last week. They are led by 6'0" 2017 guard Dylan Ritz, who scored 21 points in a district championship victory over Platte County. Dylan and twin brother Connor Ritz form a very good backcourt combination. (Prediction: St. Joe Lafayette) Parkway Central (19-7) vs. Borgia (18-10) at Kirkwood: Two teams that are surging at the right time will meet in this sectional matchup. Parkway Central is led by stellar 2018 guard Deandre Campbell, who is a multi-tasking performer who does everything for the Colts, who also play solid half-court defense. 2018 forward Arther Green is an explosive athlete in the post. Borgia was dominant in winning its district title by an average margin of 20 points. The Knights feature a formidable big in 6'8" Alex Movilla and a talented guard in 6'3" 2017 Gus Kleekamp. (Prediction: Parkway Central) Jennings (24-4) vs. Wentzville Liberty (21-6) at Francis Howell Central: It's a team with a solid tradition against a team that's making history. Jennings has been on an impressive run this season. The Warriors like to press and play at a frenetic pace and they have depth. They are led by 5'10" 2018 guard Kyle Younge and hard-working 6'3" 2017 forward Rajae Johnson. Liberty has made history in only its fourth year of existence by winning a conference title and a district title. They have an excellent perimeter duo if 6'4" 2018 Kaleb Overall and 6'1" 2018 Jaylen Sims. 2017 forward Brian Jones has been with the program since the start and is a solid inside player. (Prediction: Jennings). Bolivar (24-4) vs. Webb City (15-12) at Nixa: After advancing to the Final Four two years ago, Bolivar is aching for another trip to Columbia. The first step was defeating a tough Hillcrest team for the district championship as stellar 6'6" 2017 post Brandon Emmert scored 27 points. Emmert and fellow 2017 Conley Garrison were mainstays of that 2015 team who are the big producers for the Liberators this season. Webb City has a balanced scoring attack, led by 6'1" 2017 guard Trey Gibson, 6'5" 2018 forward Alex Pickett and 6'0" 2020 guard Terrell Kabala, who all average in double figures.  (Prediction: Bolivar) Helias (20-7) vs. Grandview (23-4) at Smith-Cotton: In this matchup, you have a talented Grandview team against a solid Helias team with Final Four experience. You have also have to premier 2018 guards on display in 6'4" Jordan Lathon of Grandview and 5'11" Landon Harrison of Helias. Both are capable of taking over games. Helias will neeed a strong game from 6'6" 2018 post Nathan Bax as Grandview will come at you with waves of talented athletes such as 2018 guard Mason Taylor and 6'3" 2017 guard Tremaine Banks. (Prediction: Grandview)