Wednesday's Class 2 and 3 Final Four Standouts

The MSHSAA State Championships got underway on Wednesday at the University of Columbia with the Class 2 and Class 3 semifinals. Here is a look at five of the top standouts from Wednesday's opening Final Four games, which are being held at The Mizzou Arena.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/IMG_2331.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/IMG_2331.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2437573" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1881003' first='Preston' last='Brewer'] (Canton): The 6'8" 2025 forward was a dominant force in Canton's xx victory over an excellent Puxico team in the Class 2 semifinals. He controlled the game at both ends of the floor with 23 points, 14 rebounds and three blocked shots. The Quincy U. recruit was a matchup nightmare as he was the biggest player on the floor and also the most skilled. He had his way around the basket and he knocked down a big Corner 3 in the third quarter when Canton really made its decisive run to take control of the game. He was also a good secondary ball handler when needed against the full court press.     ******     <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_8020.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_8020.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2683215" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='2352805' first='Quentin' last='Coleman'] (Principia): The 6'3" 2026 guard continued his rise as one of the top backcourt players in the state with a strong all-around performance in the Panthers' 85-50 victory over Woodland in the Class 3 semifinals. He finished the game with 18 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. He started the game off with a deep 3-pointer from five feet past the top of the key. What's also impressive about his game is his offensive rebounding, where he had five. He's athletic and he has a nose for the basketball. He also showcased his ability to make his teammates better with his passing skills.     ******   King Smith (KIPP KC Legacy): The 2025 guard was excellent in leading the Gators to a 56-49 victory over Thayer in the Class 3 semifinals and the school's first ever berth in the state championship game. The scoring point guard scored a game-high 23 points and also grabbed five rebounds. He took over the game in the third quarter when he scored 11 points to rally the Gators back from a halftime deficit. His 3-point shot was working as he made five of them on the game. He's physically strong and he's able to create his own shot off the dribble from all three levels.     ******     <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_3864.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_3864.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2058250" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1887579' first='Easton' last='Pitts'] (Thayer): The 5'9" 2025 point guard has enjoyed a strong postseason in helping lead the Bobcats to another Final Four appearance. In Wednesday's semifinals, he had 22 points, seven rebounds and two assists in the Bobcats loss to KIPP KC Legacy. He is a fearless guard who is never shy about taking the action to the defense. He was really working in the second quarter when he rallied Thayer from a 17-7 first-quarter deficit to a halftime lead. He was handling the pressure defense and getting to his spots to knock down mid-range jumpers. He really elevates well on his pull up jumpers.     ******     <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/IMG_2720.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/IMG_2720.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2443324" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='2546182' first='Justice' last='Allen'] (Eugene): When you win a state semifinal game by 34 points, there are going to be many players who had a big role in the winning effort. On this night, it was the 5'10" 2025 guard who scored a game-high 18 points. He had a nice flurry of 3-point shooting at the end of the third quarter when he knocked down three triples in a row, all of which were from well past the college 3-point line on the Mizzou Arena floor. He is also a solid ball handler and playmaker. He finished with three assists and three steals.   **********   THURSDAY'S FINAL FOUR SCHEDULE   CLASS 3   Third Place: Woodland vs. Thayer, 10 a.m.   Championship Game: Principia vs. KIPP KC Legacy, 4 p.m.     CLASS 2   Third Place: Puxico vs. Lincoln, 2 p.m.   Championship Game: Canton vs Eugene, 8 p.m.

The MSHSAA State Championships got underway on Wednesday at the University of Columbia with the Class 2 and Class 3 semifinals. Here is a look at five of the top standouts from Wednesday's opening Final Four games, which are being held at The Mizzou Arena.