Previews and Predictions: Class 3 Sectionals

Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the Class 3 Sectionals, with all eight games scheduled for Wednesday night at 6 p.m.   Charleston (18-10) vs. Mountain Grove (15-12) at Dexter   These two programs had large graduation losses after going to multiple Final Fours in recent years, but they showed the strength of their respective programs by regrouping and winning another district championship. It will be a good battle of bigs with 6'5" 2020 Blessin Kimble of Charleston going up against 6'6" 2019 Dylan Massey of Mountain Grove. Both are very strong performers around the hoop. Charleston also features guards Terridean Bogan, Latrell Porter and shooter Samuel Bledsoe. Mountain Grove surrounds Massey with Dawson Hiler, John Felker and Andrew Holden. (Prediction: Charleston).     Jefferson (19-8) vs. St. James (17-11) at Hillsboro   Jefferson made history last week by winning its first ever district championship in boys basketball. They are led by four-year starter Easton Null, a 6'1" guard with tremendous shooting range and averages 20 points. 6'4" 2020 forward Jon Weik averages 17 points a game and had a big night in the district final against St. Pius. St. James advanced to the sectional with a series of one-point victories to win its district, so they know how to operate in close games. They also feature a high-scoring guard in 6'0" 2020 standout Andrew Branson, who averages 21 points a game. Fellow guards Tyler Recker and Austin Ridenour also score in double figures. (Prediction: St. James).     Hancock (19-5) vs. Vashon (22-5) at Webster Groves   After three years, Hancock finally solved the Whitfield riddle to win a district championship and the sectional berth. Their reward is a meeting with perennial state powerhouse Vashon, who is down at Class 3 this season. Hancock features a strong tandem in 6'5" 2020 forward Sam Richardson and 6'2" 2019 guard Rico Sutton. They combined to scored 39 points in the district championship victory over Whitfield. Vashon is coming off a big 85-62 win over a strong Cardinal Ritter team in its district final. They were led by 6'0" 2020 guard Phillip Russell, who scored a game-high 25 points. Mizzou recruit Mario McKinney, 6'7" 2020 Cam'Ron Fletcher and 6'6" 2020 Kobe Clark led a deep and talented Vashon team. (Prediction: Vashon).     Trinity (24-3) vs. Hermann (22-6) at Francis Howell Central   Trinity Catholic won its first district championship in school history last weekend against Soldan. The Titans are talented and deep, led by 7'0" junior Ryan Kalkbrenner, who can score and block shots. Also in the mix are 6'5" 2019 guard Jaron Thames, 6'0" 2020 guard Rashad Weekly and 5'10" 2019 football star Isaiah Williams. Hermann is coming off an impressive victory over Christian-O'Fallon in the district finals. They are led by strong 6'4" 2020 forward Trent Anderson, a lefty who averages 17 points. He gets perimeter support from 6'2" 2019 Chet Moeckli and 6'3" 2019 Rhet Scheidegger. (Prediction: Trinity)     Blair Oaks (23-5) vs. Versailles (13-15) at Sedalia   Blair Oaks pulled off one of the most impressive victories in last week's district finals with its victory over a very good Father Tolton team. Blair Oaks had lost two previous meetings to Tolton, but it came through in a big way on the third try. The Falcons feature one of the top bigs in Mid-Missouri in versatile 6'8" 2020 forward Eric Northweather. 2019 guard Trent Martin can knock down perimeter shots while 6'6" forward Dru Rackers adds even more size. They will face a hot-shooting Versailles team that scored 91 points in its district championship game. 2020 guard Coby Williams scored 42 points in the district finals. He averages 27 points a game while fellow guard Wyatt Espinosa averages 17 points. (Prediction: Blair Oaks).     Springfield Catholic (26-3) vs. Lamar (18-10) at Willard   Catholic is back in the sectional once again after advancing to the state quarterfinals last season. They are led by 6'2" 2019 guard Jake Branham, who is one of the top guards in Southwest Missouri. He is looking for a big game after being injured in last year's sectionals and missing the state quarterfinals. Fellow seniors Charlie O'Reilly and Mike Manzardo can also provide scoring and all-around play. Lamar had some solid 2019 performers in 6'1" J.D. Bishop, 5'10" J.D. Jeffries along with 6'7" forward Truman Kaderly. (Prediction: Springfield Catholic).     Monroe City (24-4) vs. St. Paul Lutheran (25-1) at Moberly, 6:30 p.m.   A very intriguing matchup right here in Mid-Missouri. Monroe City is a three-time district champion with excellent tradition while St. Paul hasn't lost a game since dropping its season opener back in November. Monroe City features stellar 6'3" 2019 guard CE Talton, who can do it all on the court. He gets support from 2019 guards Zach Osborn and Blake Harris and youngsters Josh Tolton and Logan Buhlig. St. Paul has a talented guard in 2019 Elijah Muehler, who can fill it up from long distance. 6'3" 2019 forward Dobrivoj Andiejic is a solid performer while Dominic Alicea, Justin Griffith and Vlade Vretenicic are good underclassmen. (Prediction: Monroe City).     St. Michael (15-10) vs. Maryville (23-2) at Excelsior Springs   St. Michael won a district championship behind the play of excellent 6'4" 2020 guard Ben Palacios, who is one of the top all-around performers on the West side of the state. The Maryville Spoofhounds have an experienced crew led by dynamic 6'2" 2019 guard Eli Dowis, 6'1" 2020 guard Tate Oglesby and a host of good perimeter shooters. (Prediction: Maryville).