Final Four: Class 1&3: My Fearless Predictions

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. Class 1 Friday, March 12 (Semifinals)…

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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.

Class 1

Friday, March 12 (Semifinals)

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 Brock Wakefield Brock Wakefield 6'4" | SG South Iron | 2021 State MO and Drenin Dinkins Drenin Dinkins 6'0" | PG South Iron | 2022 State MO 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)

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 Tony Osburn Tony Osburn 6'2" | CG Mound City | 2022 State MO and 1,500-point scorer Landon Poppa Landon Poppa 6'4" | SG Mound City | 2021 State MO . This should be an entertaining game. (Prediction: Mound City)

Saturday, March 13

Third Place, noon (Prediction: St. Elizabeth)

Championship, 2 p.m. (Prediction: South Iron)

Class 3

Friday, March 12 (Semifinals)

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 Ryce Piper Ryce Piper 6'2" | PG Hartville | 2021 State MO , Braden Branstetter Braden Branstetter 6'3" | SG Hartville | 2021 State MO 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 Rico Singleton Rico Singleton 6'2" | SG Lift for Life | 2021 State MO and 5’11″ 2023 Odis Grissom. (Prediction: Hartville)

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 Joshua Talton Joshua Talton 6'1" | SG Monroe City | 2022 State MO , 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 Jared Gerdes Jared Gerdes 6'3" | SG Summit Christian | 2021 State MO throughout the season. (Prediction: Summit Christian)