Preview: Class 4 Sectionals (Predictions)

Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the Class 4 sectional playoffs, with all eight games taking place on Tuesday. The eight sectional games are scheduled to tip off at 7:45 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Here is a preview of the sectional playoff games, along with our fearless predictions. Cape Notre Dame (24-4) vs. Park Hills Central (21-7) at Farmington: This is a rematch of a game played in January where Cape Notre Dame posted a road victory at Park Hills Central. Notre Dame is coming off a pair of heartstopping victories to win the District 1 championship. The Bulldogs have a veteran crew, led by 6’5" 2020 [player_tooltip player_id="822867" first="Justice" last="Thoma"], 2020 guards Tyler Landewee and Kam Dohogne and 6’5" 2021 forward [player_tooltip player_id="824150" first="Caleb" last="Legrand"]. Park Hills Central has bonafide scorer in 6’5" 2020 forward [player_tooltip player_id="580387" first="Breven" last="McMullen"] and very solid 6’3" 2020 guard Brenton Wagner. Point guard Mason Williams is one of the state’s top 2023 performers. (Prediction: Cape Notre Dame) St. Mary’s (11-16) vs. Westminster (23-4) at Northwest Cedar Hill: St. Mary’s was the state runners-up last year and they survived a rugged schedule to win another district championship. The Dragons are led by 6’4" 2020 wing [player_tooltip player_id="822866" first="Sofara" last="Rasas"], who scored 32 points in the district championship victory. Other top contributors are 5’7" 2020 guard [player_tooltip player_id="822976" first="Noah" last="Hamilton"] and 6’6" 2020 forward [player_tooltip player_id="822959" first="Cameron" last="Garrett"]. Westminster was the co-champs of the Metro League and it features a strong inside-outside duo of 6’3" 2020 forward Brennan Orf and 5’10" 2022 guard Casen Lawrence. They are supported by a group of talented young athletes. How the Wildcats’ handle the St. Mary’s pressure will be the big key here. (Prediction: Westminster) Grandview (21-6) vs. Raytown South (23-3) at Lee’s Summit: This is the top matchup in the state tonight. They met for the state championship two years ago and last year met in a classic game in the sectionals, with Grandview winning both games. They have split a pair of meetings this season. Two-time state champion Grandview has a dynamic duo of 6’2" 2020 guard [player_tooltip player_id="580383" first="Reggie" last="Morris"] and 6’7" 2022 forward Taj Manning. The Bulldogs have also have championship moxie, which they displayed in a big come-from-behind victory over Ruskin in the district championship game. Raytown South has a tremendous team that is capable of competing for a state title as well. The Cardinals have a talented three-year starting backcourt in 2020s [player_tooltip player_id="580417" first="Dez" last="McKinney"] and Kobe Campbell and a talented combo forward in 6’5" 2020 [player_tooltip player_id="822857" first="Mark" last="Cann"]. This one will be fun. (Prediction: Raytown South) Lincoln Prep (16-10) vs. St. Joe Lafayette (18-9) at Liberty, 8 p.m. - Lincoln Prep survived an overtime thriller with Van Horn to win a district title. They are led by 6’2" 2020 Jontell Washington and some good young talent in 6’2" 2021s Elijah Betts and Aaron Bedell and talented 2022 point guard A’justin Pearson. St. Joe Lafayette is making its fifth consecutive appearance in the sectionals playoffs. The Fighting Irish feature a strong front court player in 6’5" 2020 [player_tooltip player_id="822893" first="Kolten" last="Griffin"] and a backcourt leader in 6’0" 2020 T.J. Alexander. (Prediction: Lincoln Prep) Ladue (19-7) vs. Vashon (22-5) at Parkway West: Vashon cruised into the sectional round with a pair of 20-point victories in their district playoffs. The Wolverines have plenty of talent and experience with 6’7" [player_tooltip player_id="580367" first="Cam’Ron" last="Fletcher"], 6’6" [player_tooltip player_id="789823" first="Kobe" last="Clark"], 6’0" [player_tooltip player_id="822850" first="Phillip" last="Russell"] and 6’5" [player_tooltip player_id="824112" first="Nicholas" last="Kern"]. Ladue finished third at state last year and won another district title last week at Clayton. The Rams are seasoned and battle-tested with stellar 6’1" point guard [player_tooltip player_id="580397" first="Jaylen" last="Boyd"], physical 6’6" forward [player_tooltip player_id="822884" first="Evan" last="Schneider"] and 6’3" shooter Henry McIntosh back from that Final Four team. (Prediction: Vashon) St. Dominic (17-10) vs. Kirksville (21-5) at Troy: St. Dominic pulled off one of the big stunners of the districts when they defeated No. 1 seed McCluer in the championship game. The Crusaders feature a talented wing in 6’3" 2022 Ryan Schwendeman and a strong backcourt duo in 2021s [player_tooltip player_id="824155" first="Brendan" last="Deters"] and [player_tooltip player_id="824200" first="Anthony" last="Lewis"]. Kirksville survived the challenge of conference rival Fulton to win its district. They rely on multi-talented 6’2" 2021 Noah Copeland and 2020 point guard Paxton Dempsay. They combined to score 49 points in the district championship victory over Fulton.(Prediction: St. Dominic) Rolla (12-16) vs. Helias (20-6) at Missouri S&T: These two teams have had some exciting postseason battles in recent years and they will meet again. Helias has a lot of offensive talent, but the leader is 6’2" 2020 guard [player_tooltip player_id="822901" first="Marcus" last="Anthony"], who can get buckets from everywhere. The Crusaders also have 2020 guard [player_tooltip player_id="822963" first="Isaac" last="Johnson"], 6’3" 2021 Damon Johanns and 2022 guard Malcolm Davis. Rolla is led by versatile 6’5" 2021 forward Trey Brown, who has a nice perimeter stroke from 3-point range. Helias won the first battle 62-47 in February. (Prediction: Helias) Logan-Rogersville (20-8) vs. Webb City (16-9) at Nixa: Logan-Rogersville is back in the state playoffs after making a Final Four run a year ago. The Wildcats have one of the best players in SW Missouri in 6’5" 2020 wing [player_tooltip player_id="822860" first="Cade" last="Blevins"]. He gets support from 2020 guard Josh Linehan and 2021 guard Kannon Gipson. Webb City features a potent three-headed backcourt monster in 6’1" 2020 [player_tooltip player_id="580388" first="Terrell" last="Kabala"], 6’0" 2021 Mikhai Howard and 5’9" 2022 Cohl Vaden. (Prediction: Webb City)