Class 6 Sectionals: My Fearless Predictions

<p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the Class 6 sectional playoff matchups that will take place tonight, along with our fearless predictions. Tip off time for all eight games is at 6 p.m.</p> <p>Oakville at Poplar Bluff: Oakville is headed South to take on a small, yet scrappy and tough Poplar Bluff team. The Tigers are led by 6’4’ 2022 forward Grant Hastings. Poplar Bluff is led by 5’11" 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="824163" first="Joseph" last="Hardimon"], who scored 20 points in the Mules district championship victory over Jackson. (Prediction: Poplar Bluff)</p> <p>Marquette vs Chaminade (Site, TBA): Chaminade  survived a third meeting with conference rival CBC on a buzzer-beater by 2022 guard [player_tooltip player_id="984503" first="Damien" last="Mayo"]. Marquette has been solid throughout the season. Chaminade won the first meeting in January. (Prediction: Chaminade)</p> <p>Jefferson City vs Waynesville: A game featuring two teams who have put things together at the right time to win district championships. Jefferson City has been on a roll after a 1-9 start. The Jays feature a prime scoring threat in 6’3" 2021 guard [player_tooltip player_id="985215" first="Sterling" last="DeSha"]. Waynesville punched its tickets to the sectionals with an impressive victory over Parkview in the district championship game.  (Prediction: Jefferson City)</p> <p>Nixa at Kickapoo: The two powerhouse teams have the talent to go the distance, but only one will advance after tonight. It’s the third meeting with Kickapoo taking the first two meetings. Both teams are blessed with multiple scoring options and talented guard combos. Kickapoo features [player_tooltip player_id="583709" first="Anton" last="Brookshire"] and [player_tooltip player_id="824115" first="Isaac" last="Haney"] while Nixa has underclassmen Collin Ruffin and [player_tooltip player_id="1070087" first="Kael" last="Combs"]. Prime-time matchup.  (Prediction: Kickapoo)</p> <p>Fort Zumwalt North at Pattonville: Both teams are having dream seasons with conference and district championships under their belts. Each has a showcase player with 6’7 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="824121" first="KJ" last="Lee"] of Fort Zumwalt North and 6’5 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="984517" first="Kellen" last="Thames"] of Pattonville. (Prediction: Pattonville)</p> <p>Washington at Troy: A hot-shooting Troy team comes in with a 19-6 record. The Trojans have several players who can hit 3-pointers, led by 2021 guard Griffin St. Pierre. Washington has a well-balanced team led by 6’1" 2021 guard Zac Coulter and 6’6" 2021 forward [player_tooltip player_id="981138" first="Todd" last="Bieg"].  (Prediction: Troy)</p> <p>Blue Springs at Lee’s Summit: A battle of two excellent teams from the KC area that feature and excellent nucleus of 2022s. Blue Springs has 6’6" 2022s [player_tooltip player_id="984508" first="Braden" last="Appelhans"], Ikenna Ezeogu and 6’7" 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="824200" first="Eli" last="Wingert"]. Lee’s Summit completed a big turnaround season with a district championship. The Tigers feature 6’2" 2022 guard [player_tooltip player_id="1045830" first="Alex" last="Benassi"] and 6’3" 2022 Brycen Larue.  (Prediction: Blue Springs)</p> <p>Staley at Liberty: Two of top teams in the KC area in a rematch of the championship game of the C.W. Stressman Tournament, won by Staley in January. Host Liberty has some excellent perimeter talent in 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="824152" first="Javion" last="Byers"] and 2022s Bennett Stirtz and [player_tooltip player_id="1050176" first="Luke" last="Stubbs"]. Staley has a dynamic 2023 duo in 6’1" point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1070094" first="Kyan" last="Evans"] and 6’6" forward Kayden Fish. (Prediction: Staley)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>([player_tooltip player_id="824115" first="Isaac" last="Haney"] photo, courtesy of Darryl Woods of 810 Varsity)</p>