Show Me Showdown: Class 2 Semifinal Studs

<p>The Class 2 Final Four tipped off Friday night from the Hammonds Student Center at Missouri State. Game 1 saw the Skyline Tigers ride an impressive back-court performance to a 70-51 win over Oran. In the nightcap, Hartville continued its run of dominance with a 71-37 victory over Milan. Skyline and Hartville will meet Saturday with the Class 2 State Championship on the line in what should be an exciting battle between two high-octane offenses. Oran and Milan will be awarded Co-3rd place honors.</p> <p>Here’s a look at the top performers from Friday’s semi-final action:</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Skyline Tigers</strong></em></span>:</p> <p><em><strong>5’10 Sr Dax Beem</strong></em>: Dax had a game-high 24 points, putting on a scoring clinic in Skyline’s win. He proved capable of scoring at all three levels. Knocked down a three, showed a nice pull-up jumper, and drove it to the rim with purpose.</p> <p><em><strong>5’9 So Lawson Beem</strong></em>: Lawson pitched in 20 of his own for the Tigers. He finishes really well in the lane. Gets north to south off the bounce, has a nice runner, solid getting defenders on his hip and getting just enough separation to finish at the cup.</p> <p><em><strong>6’3 Jr Bradyn Porter</strong></em>: Bradyn connected on three first-quarter three-pointers to make an early statement that set the stage for Skyline’s runaway victory.</p> <p><em><strong>6’3 So Jaytin DeFreece</strong></em>: Jaytin was a big time factor inside for Skyline. Smart player that times his cuts quite well. He scored 11 points and yanked down 8 rebounds. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Oran Eagles</strong></span>:</p> <p><em><strong>6’1 Sr Tyson Goodale</strong></em>: Tyson scored a team-high 21 points and was literally all over the floor for Oran. He made most of his money from 15-in where he can hit the mid-range or use his bouncy athleticism to finish at the rim. Also finished in the pick and roll and stepped into a deep three pointer. </p> <p><em><strong>5’10 Jr Ty Johnson</strong></em>: Ty scored 14 points for Oran but caught my attention by the things he did aside from scoring. He handled the ball pretty well against pressure, showed nice vision in the passing lanes, and played tough, physical defense.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Hartville Eagles</em></span></strong>:</p> <p><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><em><strong>6’3 Jr Braden Branstetter</strong></em>:</span> Braden was lights out Friday night, pouring in a game-high 27 points. He connected early and often from three and then started mixing in a variety of scores in the lane including pull-ups, runners, floaters, and fancy finishes. He is one of several takeover threats for the Eagles.</p> <p><em><strong>6’2 Jr Brady Ward</strong></em>: Ward dropped in an efficient 16 points that included dialing up from long distance, putting back offensive rebounds, and getting loose in transition for easy baskets. </p> <p><em><strong>6’3 Jr [player_tooltip player_id="824199" first="Ryce" last="Piper"]</strong></em>: After battling early foul trouble, Ryce responded with a dozen tough points. When I say tough, I mean he played tough converting on a pair of hoop and harm opportunities in traffic.</p> <p><em><strong>6’2 Sr Holton Simmons</strong></em>: Hartville is deadly when they are forcing turnovers and getting out in transition. Insert Holton, who pitched in 11 points doing just that. He forced Milan into mistakes and beat them back down the floor several times for easy lay-ups.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Milan Wildcats</strong></em></span>:</p> <p><em><strong>6’5 Sr [player_tooltip player_id="610653" first="Ryan" last="Dabney"]</strong></em>: Ryan is a big, physical body that has some finesse to his game at his size. He scored the team’s first 7 points and finished with a team-high 14 mixing in rip and go drives, give and go and-1’s, and some smooth footwork on the block.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>