Preview: Class 5 Sectionals (Predictions)

<p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the Class 5 Sectionals, which will be held on Wednesday night. The starting time for the games will be at 7:45 p.m., unless otherwise noted below. Here is a preview of those eight sectional playoff games, along with our fearless predictions:</p> <p>Jackson (11-16) vs. Mehlville (21-5) at Jefferson College: A battle of youth vs. experience in this one. Mehlville features four Class of 2020 standouts in 6’5" [player_tooltip player_id="580373" first="Dylan" last="Branson"], 7’0" [player_tooltip player_id="580372" first="Davion" last="Bradford"], 6’8" [player_tooltip player_id="822854" first="Lamontay" last="Daugherty"] and 6’2" King Waller. All four players are career 1,000-point scorers. Jackson has a group of good young players in 6’7" 2023 forward Clayton Ernst, 6’5" Keith Wasilewski and 6’2" 2022 guard Quinn Scott. (Prediction: Mehlville)</p> <p>Marquette (15-13) vs. Chaminade (19-6) at Lindenwood University: Perennial power Chaminade has another excellent group that features experience in 6’5 2020 [player_tooltip player_id="822848" first="Luke" last="Kasubke"], 6’5" 2020 [player_tooltip player_id="580400" first="Harrison" last="Vickers"] and 6’5" 2020 [player_tooltip player_id="822873" first="Matteus" last="Case"] and excellent youth in 6’8" 2022 Tarris Reed, Jr. and 6’2" Damien Mayo. Marquette is in the sectionals after an upset of No. 1 seed Eureka in the district finals. The Mustangs are led by 6’2" 2021 Brendan Harter and 6’3" 2021 guard Hunter Hacala. (Prediction: Chaminade)</p> <p>Raymore-Peculiar (24-3) vs. Blue Springs (16-10) at Independence Civic Center, 4:45 p.m. Ray-Pec continued its brilliant season by rolling to a district title last week behind its dynamic duo in 6’2" 2020 guard Jordan Jermain and 6’8" 2020 forward [player_tooltip player_id="580422" first="Kian" last="Scroggins"] along with 3-point shooter Matthew Harrison. Blue Springs features a talented young cast, led by 6’5’ 2022 forward Ikenna Ezeogu, 6’5" 2022 guard Braden Appelhans and 5’8" 2020 point guard Kyle Bruce.  (Prediction: Raymore-Peculiar)</p> <p>LIberty (21-6) vs. Staley (21-6) at Independence Civic Center, 8:15 p.m. - This is the fourth meeting between the two teams with Staley winning two of the first three games. Staley is paced by 6’3" 2020 guard [player_tooltip player_id="822868" first="Byron" last="Alexander"], who has signed with Northwest Missouri State. They also rely on 2023 point guard Kyan Evans and 6’2" 2020 guard Kendrick Stone. Liberty is led by 6’5" 2020 forward [player_tooltip player_id="580421" first="Grant" last="Stubbs"], a William Jewell commit, along with 2020 guard Jermaine Booker and 2022 wing Bennett Stiritz. (Prediction: Staley)</p> <p>Hazelwood Central (17-10) vs. CBC (19-7) at St. Charles West: The two teams met on January 23 with CBC taking an 80-64 victory on the road. The Cadets survived a challenge from rival DeSmet to win a district title. They are led by 6’3" McDonald’s All-American [player_tooltip player_id="580366" first="Caleb" last="Love"], and a young supporting cast that includes 5’9" 2023 point guard Robert Martin, 6’3" 2021 forward [player_tooltip player_id="824140" first="Chevalier" last="Brenson"] and 6’4" 2022 guard Larry Hughes, Jr. Hazelwood Central has a nice young team that is led by 6’7" 2021 forward [player_tooltip player_id="824130" first="Jonathan" last="Dunn"], 6’4" 2021 guard [player_tooltip player_id="824118" first="Cole" last="Farrell"], 6’4" 2023 guard Jayden Nicholson and 6’2" 202o guard [player_tooltip player_id="610644" first="David" last="Roberts"]. (Prediction: CBC)</p> <p>Fort Zumwalt North (19-7) vs. Francis Howell (27-1) at Maryville University: Francis Howell has followed up its Final Four season with another big year with only one loss. The Vikings are led by 6’5" 2020 forward [player_tooltip player_id="822883" first="Matt" last="Schark"], who is the school’s all-time leading scorer. A trio of juniors in 6’10" 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="583715" first="Sam" last="Thompson"], 5’9" Preston Fortner and 6’0" [player_tooltip player_id="824217" first="Sam" last="Maddox"] are also big contributors. Zumwalt North is coming off a big victory over rival Fort Zumwalt South in the district finals. The Panthers are led by 6’6" 2021 guard K.J. Lee, 6’7" 2020 forward Mujtaba Alkhaldi, 6’5" 2021 forward Drake Stevenson and 5’9" 2020 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="822973" first="Grant" last="Rapplean"]. (Prediction: Francis Howell)</p> <p>Rock Bridge (23-3) vs. Ozark (18-10) at Camdenton: Defending state champion Rock Bridge enters the sectionals on a 20-game winning streak and a big come-from-behind victory over Battle in the district championship game. The Bruins have a potent backcourt in 5’9" 2021 guard [player_tooltip player_id="824128" first="Xavier" last="Sykes"] and 6’3" 2020 shooter [player_tooltip player_id="822938" first="Brant" last="Bowers"]. 2020 guard [player_tooltip player_id="822914" first="Charles" last="Wilson"] is a versatile performer while 6’6" 2020 [player_tooltip player_id="822904" first="Jacob" last="Ungles"] handles the post. Ozark features a stellar post player in 6’5" 2020 forward A.J. Elliott, who is a load in the paint. 2020 wing Alonzo Riwa and 6’4" 2021 forward Blaine Cline provide support. (Prediction: Rock Bridge)</p> <p>Kickapoo (18-9) vs. Joplin (21-5) at Webb City: This is a rematch from a game earlier this season, which was won by Joplin 64-60. Kickapoo is seeking a return to the state quarterfinals and they will rely of stellar 6’2" 2021 guard [player_tooltip player_id="583709" first="Anton" last="Brookshire"], who is supported by 2020 guards Micah McIntire and Elijah Bridges and 2021 guard Cam Liggins. Joplin is paced by its standout backcourt of 6’2" 2020 Dakarai Allen, 6’2" 2022 Always Wright and 2020 football standouts Isaiah Davis and Zach Westmoreland. (Prediction: Kickapoo)</p>