Final Four: Class 1&3: My Fearless Predictions

<p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the matchups for the Class 1 and 3 Final Fours, which get underway today at the JQH Arena in Springfield on the campus of Missouri State University.</p> <h4>Class 1</h4> <p>Friday, March 12 (Semifinals)</p> <p>South Iron vs Higbee, 10 a.m. - No. 1 South Iron has been on a mission for a state title and they have been posting a series of postseason blowouts. Guards [player_tooltip player_id="824117" first="Brock" last="Wakefield"] and [player_tooltip player_id="984510" first="Drenin" last="Dinkins"] lead a potent offensive unit. Higbee has an exciting young club led by its 2024 backcourt of Derek Rockett and Jordan Fuemmeler. These youngsters have displayed tremendous poise during the state run. (Prediction: South Iron)</p> <p>St. Elizabeth vs Mound City, noon - St. Elizabeth is making its third consecutive Final Four appearance. Leading this revamped St. E team is 6’3 2022 guard Brock Lucas and his 20 points a game. He can light it up. Mound City brings a potent offensive unit to Springfield, led by 2,000-point scorer [player_tooltip player_id="984951" first="Tony" last="Osburn"] and 1,500-point scorer [player_tooltip player_id="824183" first="Landon" last="Poppa"]. This should be an entertaining game. (Prediction: Mound City)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Saturday, March 13</p> <p>Third Place, noon (Prediction: St. Elizabeth)</p> <p>Championship, 2 p.m. (Prediction: South Iron)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Class 3</h4> <p>Friday, March 12 (Semifinals)</p> <p>Lift for Life vs Hartville, 2 p.m. - No. 1 Hartville is looking to repeat as state champions and complete and undefeated season in the process. The senior-laden Eagles are led by guards [player_tooltip player_id="824178" first="Ryce" last="Piper"], [player_tooltip player_id="986468" first="Braden" last="Branstetter"] and Brady Ward, who 16 points in the victory over Greenwood in the quarterfinals. Lift for Life is a surprise team in the field as the Hawks have advanced with a pair of big road victories in the playoffs. They were led by 6’0" 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="824207" first="Rico" last="Singleton"] and 5’11" 2023 Odis Grissom. (Prediction: Hartville)</p> <p>Monroe City vs Summit Christian, 4 p.m. (Prediction: Summit Christian): Monroe City is making a return trip to the Final Four after a third-place finish a year ago. The Panthers are led by 6’1" 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="993528" first="Joshua" last="Talton"], 6’4" 2021 Logan Buhlig and 6’3" 2022 Jaedyn Roberston. Summit Christian has been riding the talents of their dynamic duo in 6’3" 2021 Griffin Kliewer and 6’8" 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="824216" first="Jared" last="Gerdes"] throughout the season. (Prediction: Summit Christian)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Saturday, March 13</p> <p>Third Place, noon (Monroe City)</p> <p>Championship (Hartville)</p>