Preview: Class 5 Finals
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A preview of the Class 5 championship series this Wednesday and Thursday! March 13th at 2:00pm Vianney vs. Jefferson City Key Players: Luke Walsh Luke Walsh 6'2" | SG Vianney | 2025 State #374 Nation MO , Eddie Smajic Eddie…
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Continue ReadingA preview of the Class 5 championship series this Wednesday and Thursday!
March 13th at 2:00pm Vianney vs. Jefferson City
Key Players: Luke Walsh Luke Walsh 6'2" | SG Vianney | 2025 State #374 Nation MO , Eddie Smajic Eddie Smajic 6'5" | SF Vianney | 2026 State MO , Symon Ghai Symon Ghai 7'3" | C Vianney | 2026 State MO , Jordan Martin Jordan Martin 6'6" | SF Jefferson City | 2025 State MO , Nelson Shinkle Nelson Shinkle 6'8" | PF Jefferson City | 2024 State MO
Role Players: Ben Karsten Ben Karsten 6'2" | SG Vianney | 2026 State MO , JD Dohrmann, Rowen Buffington Rowen Buffington 6'2" | PG Jefferson City | 2026 State MO , Kendric Johnson Kendric Johnson 5'10" | PG Jefferson City | 2025 State MO
A game between two excellent coaches. This is going to be a game with great Xs and Os. Both teams have shooters and size on the interior. The difference maker in this game, per usual, is going to Luke Walsh Luke Walsh 6'2" | SG Vianney | 2025 State #374 Nation MO . He’s on fire so far this playoffs. He seems destined to score 20+ points every night. The most competitive player in the state right now. Smajic and Martin are both 6’6 and will be battling each other. Smajic has a more perimeter oriented game while Martin has an interior oriented game. Can Martin move his feet with Smajic? Can Smajic be physical and stay out of foul trouble vs. Martin? These will be major questions. Symon Ghai Symon Ghai 7'3" | C Vianney | 2026 State MO is the best defender in Missouri at the moment and will be playing a solid 6’8 forward, Nelson Shinkle Nelson Shinkle 6'8" | PF Jefferson City | 2024 State MO . It’s going to be tough for Jefferson City to score around the basket. Ghai is the unsung hero on this team and potentially the most polarizing talent in the state.
March 13th at 4:00pm De Smet vs. Winnetonka
Key Players: Riley Massey Riley Massey 6'3" | PG De Smet Jesuit | 2025 State MO , Dillon Duff, Ian Thomas Ian Thomas 6'3" | SG DeSmet | 2026 State MO , Ky Coleman, Antonio Fowler Antonio Fowler 6'1" | SG Winnetonka | 2026 State MO
Role Players: Jordan Boyd Jordan Boyd 6'4" | SF DeSmet | 2026 State MO , Will Foulk Will Foulk 5'11" | PG DeSmet Jesuit | 2027 State MO , Ryan Barnhart Ryan Barnhart 6'4" | SG Winnetonka | 2025 State MO , Jaylen Craig
De Smet is as well coached as anybody in the state right now. They are moving the ball on offense, have a well connected defense, and Kent Williams is drawing up some of the best BLOB sets in the area. He knows how to put his team in a position to win. This team is four shooters surrounded by a football player in the interior most of the time. Winnetonka on the other hand is a fast team with a bunch of guards. They rebound well for their size and apply pressure to the ball defensively. This is an interesting matchup with some mysterious elements. Two teams most didn’t expect to be in this game at the start of the season. These are the type of matchups that end up being exciting.
March 14th at 6:00pm Championship