Preview: Class 3 State Quarterfinals (Predictions)

<p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the Class 3 state quarterfinals, with the four winners advancing to the Final Four of the state tournament on March 13-14 at the JQH Arena in Springfield on the campus of Missouri State University. Here is a preview of the four games along with our fearless predictions:</p> <p>Charleston (26-4) vs. Ava (24-5) at Farmington, 7:45 p.m. - Charleston is looking to punch its ticket to yet another Final Four appearance and the Bluejays have been impressive with a number of double-digit victories in the postseason. they scored 91 points in the sectionals against Scott City. Their guard play is strong with 2020’s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="822896" first="Samuel" last="Bledsoe"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="822971" first="Terridean" last="Bogan"]</strong> while 6’6" 2020 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="822856" first="Blessin" last="Kimble"]</strong> and 6’2" 2020 <strong>Isaiah Gillespie</strong> hold it down in the post. Ava has displayed some mettle in a pair of down to the wire victories over St. James in the district finals and St. Pius in the sectionals. The Bears boast an excellent all-around player in 6’2" 2022 Andrew Dalton, who gets support from <strong>Blake King, Nate Swofford</strong> and <strong>Quinton Donley.</strong> (Prediction: Charleston)</p> <p>Monroe City (27-2) vs. Kansas City Central (23-6) at Blue Springs, 2:45 p.m. - After three consecutive defeats in the sectionals, Monroe City cleared that big hurdle to advance to the quarterfinals with a solid win over Richmond. The Panthers have a solid all-around team with 6’2" 2020 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="822964" first="Bryce" last="Stark"]</strong> and the talented 2022 duo of twin brothers <strong>Joshua</strong> and <strong>Josiah Talton.</strong> Central advanced with a victory over University Academy in a high-scoring 83-75 game. Central can get up and down the court with anyone. The Blue Eagles feature talented 6’0" 2020 guard <strong>Jordan Fortune</strong> and 6’5" 2020 forward <strong>Noa Jones,</strong> who is strong around the basket. (Prediction: Kansas City Central)</p> <p>Cardinal Ritter (22-6) vs. Christian-O’Fallon (25-5) at Normandy, 1:45 p.m.- It’s a battle of size vs. quickness in this one. Ritter has a big and athletic front line with 6’7" 2020 <strong>Garry Clark,</strong> 6’6" 2020 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="822858" first="Brandon" last="Ellington"],</strong> 6’8" 2021 <strong>Josh Robinson</strong> and 6’3" 2021 power guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="824116" first="Mario" last="Fleming"].</strong> Christian is small, but determined and fearless. Their dynamic duo is 5’11" 2021 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="824189" first="Roddy" last="Alexander"],</strong> 6’1" 2021 wing <strong>Kalin Black</strong> and 2021 point guard <strong>Ray Horry.</strong> The Eagles will not back down. They could also get a boost if 6’3" 2022 guard <strong>Kristian Davis</strong> is able to come back from an injury that has kept him out of the last several games. (Prediction: Cardinal Ritter)</p> <p>Blair Oaks (27-2) vs. Fair Grove (22-7) at Southwest Baptist, 7:45 p.m. - There was no letdown for No. 1 Blair Oaks after their dramatic victory over Father Tolton in the district finals as the Falcons routed Butler in the sectionals. The 6’9" brother combination of <strong>Eric</strong> and <strong>Luke Northweather</strong> is one of the best inside duos in the state. Fair Grove has been on a roll after winning its district as a No. 4 seed. They feature a pair of nice 6’5" players of their own in 2020s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="822956" first="David" last="Oplotnik"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="822965" first="Cole" last="Gilpin"].</strong> Oplotnik scored 26 points in Fair Grove’s victory over Pierce City in the sectionals.  (Prediction: Blair Oaks)</p>