Our Fab Five Friday Featured Quarterfinals Matchups

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First of all, we start you off either a little alliteration in the headline. Next, it's time to hand out some Final Four berths as we have 16 state quarterfinals games happening tonight at the Class 1,2 and 3 state tournaments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at five of those great matchups that are happening tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PRINCIPIA VS MONTGOMERY COUNTY (at Webster Groves, 7 p.m.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2468378,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_4894.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_4894.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2468378" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Historic Roberts Gym at Webster Groves High is the site of this Class 3 showdown between No. 1 ranked Principia and No. 2 Montgomery County. These two powerhouse squads have been on a collision course ever since the brackets came out. Both teams enter the game with 28-1 records.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Principia fields one of the most talented teams in the state, regardless of class, and they were also still very young. They are led by 6'3" 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2352805' first='Quentin' last='Coleman'], who has emerged as one of the top guards in the state. The Panthers have some excellent 2027 talent in 6'3" guard [player_tooltip player_id='2334905' first='Gassim' last='Toure'], 6'9" forward [player_tooltip player_id='2334910' first='Sekou' last='Cisse'], 6'3" guard [player_tooltip player_id='2348237' first='Wyatt' last='Slay'] and 6'3" guard [player_tooltip player_id='2377735' first='Kingston' last='Money'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montgomery County is seeking a return to the Final Four after finishing fourth in the state tournament last season. The senior-laden Wildcats are led by 6'8" forward [player_tooltip player_id='1315419' first='Clayton' last='Parker'], who is headed to Morehead State. Standout shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1424415' first='Andrew' last='Moore'] is a 6'3" standout who's headed to McKendree. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1557470' first='Isaiah' last='Thomas'] and 6'3" Zach Erwin are also big keys in talented 2025 group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*********<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CHADWICK VS RISCO (at Sparta, 6 p.m.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2376530,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_0581.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_0581.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2376530" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Class 1 showdown features defending state champion Chadwick against a Risco team that has state championship aspirations of its own. Chadwick is currently 20-7, but the Cardinals have played a terrific schedule against some very good bigger schools. They are led by 6'3" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1424402' first='Clayton' last='Garrison'], who can do it all. He gets plenty of support from 2025 guard Tristan Smith and all-purpose player Prestin Kinyon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Risco is one of the many talented small-school teams from the SEMO area. They have one of the best Class 1 players in the state in 6'3" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2357746' first='Sammy' last='Smith'], who is a mid-range monster and a bucket in the paint. [player_tooltip player_id='2541260' first='Owen' last='Fortner'] is a 6'4" 2026 forward who can score inside while 6'0" 2026 Eli Rodgers is a talented guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PUXICO AT SOUTH IRON, 6 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1982593,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_2092.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_2092.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1982593" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a very intriguing match featuring a loaded Puxico team that has been primed to make a run at a state championship from the opening of the season. In order to get to the Final Four, the Indians must go through South Iron, who has moved up to Class 2 after its recent dominance at Class 1. The Panthers won three consecutive Class 1 state championships and four districts title in the past four seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Puxico comes into tonight's game with a 26-3 record against a beefed up schedule. The linchpin of this talented team 2026 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2539650' first='Landan' last='Burchard'], a three-level scorer who can also distribute the ball. The Indians have plenty of other offensive weapons in 6'3" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2748515' first='Scyler' last='Zimmerman'], 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2843261' first='Jett' last='Hancock'], 2025 guard Mason Parsley and 2025 forward Kaysen Long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Iron is led by 6'3" 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1424424' first='Sawyer' last='Huff'], who is a four-year varsity standout. The athletic shooting guard scored 37 points in the Panthers' victory over Hayti in the sectionals. South Iron also features 5'10" point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1320248' first='Ty' last='Harlow'], who scored his 1,000th career point in the sectionals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>EAST BUCHANAN VS. KIPP LEGACY (at Center, 6 p.m.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An excellent Class 3 matchup that features a talented KIPP Legacy team that has played a challenging schedule against several big schools. East Buchanan has been on the cusp of the Final Four in recent years and they are back for another run at it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>KIPP features one of the most talented young players in the KC area in 6'7" 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2334943' first='Leeric' last='Torrence'] along with excellent perimeter players King Smith and [player_tooltip player_id='2357755' first='Vincent' last='Moss'] who are both 2025s. East Buch has a very talented backcourt combination in 6'3" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2748368' first='Isaiah' last='Watkins'] and 5'8" 2025 point guard Aidan Smith along with 6'5" 2026 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2843284' first='Clark' last='Scott'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>BRAYMER AT ROCK PORT, 6 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2764761,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_9792.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_9792.jpeg?w=886" alt="" class="wp-image-2764761" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Class 1 matchup that is a rematch from a January 30 game in which Rock Port took a 62-58 victory. Last season, a young Braymer team made a surprise run to the Final Four. Braymer is one step away from a return trip, but standing in its way is a very young Rock Port team that wants to be this year's Braymer and make its own Final Four appearance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rock Port is one of the youngest teams left in the state tournament. They are led by 2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2626120' first='Jack' last='Meyerkorth'], who is averaging 23 points a game. Other talented kiddos include 2027 guard Brock Holmes and 2028 twins Logan and [player_tooltip player_id='2822899' first='Reid' last='Ellis']. Braymer in once again led by its dynamic duo of 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2575974' first='Jordan' last='Haley'] and 2026 guard Dakota Brandon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->