Previews and Predictions: Class 2 Quarterfinals
Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the Class 2 state quarterfinals, in which all four games will be held on Saturday afternoon. The winners will advance to the Final Four of the state tournament in Springfield, MO from March…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the Class 2 state quarterfinals, in which all four games will be held on Saturday afternoon. The winners will advance to the Final Four of the state tournament in Springfield, MO from March 8-0 at Missouri State University. In Class 2, I broke even at 4-4 with my sectional predictions.
Portageville (22-6) vs. Oran (28-1) at Poplar Bluff (Three Rivers C.C.) 1 p.m.
Portageville is making is first appearance in the state quarterfinals in a decade, when it won the state championship in 2009. The Bulldogs earned their quarterfinals berth in dramatic fashion as they defeated Thayer 43-41 in the sectionals on a buzzer-beater by sophomore guard Drew Irby, the son of head coach Jason Irby. The Bulldogs got nine points each from Bub Lance (on three 3-pointers), A.J. HIcks and Bryce Rone. Oran had much easier time in the sectionals as it defeated Valle 69-41 to earn their berth in the quarterfinals. Standout senior guard Jacob Shoemaker scored 24 points to lead a balanced Eagles attack. Tyson Goodale had 17 points and Todd Priggel added 15 points. It is the first meeting of the season between these two teams.
Prediction: Oran
Van-Far (21-7) vs. Northeast-Cairo (20-7) at Moberly Area C.C., 1 p.m.
Van-Far took one step closer towards defending its state championship with an impressive 12-point victory over previously undefeated Milan in the sectionals on Wednesday night. It was the second consecutive year that the Indians have ended Milan’s season. Senior forward Trey Miller was a force in the post once again with a game-high 25 points. He is a force in the paint with his strong body and good moves around the basket. Junior guard Caden Wilburn added 12 points as the Indians took advantage of their championship experience when it counted. Northeast (Cairo) advances to the quarterfinals with a 76-70 victory over Iberia in the sectionals. Guard Alex Zike continued his strong postseason with 21 points while the sizable duo of 6’4″ Bryce Taylor and 6’5″ Jacob Davis combined for 34 points.
Prediction: Van-Far
Greenwood (26-3) vs. Marionville (21-7) at Republic, noon
A talented young Greenwood team will take on an experienced senior laden Marionville team for a Final Four berth. Greenwood rallied from a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter to score a thrilling 73-71 victory over Hartville in the sectionals. Sophomore phenom Animu Mohammad had 28 points and 20 rebounds to lead Greenwood, but he fouled out in the fourth quarter with the game still in the balance. Enter sophomore point guard Grant Harper, who scored 15 of his 20 points in the second half. Marionville took care of Liberal 63-47 in the sectionals. Josh Goodman scored 21 points to lead the way while Gavin Stanton added 16 points.
Prediction: Greenwood
Skyline (20-8) vs. Plattsburg (21-8) at Liberty North, 1 p.m.
Plattsburg made history by advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time ever with a thrilling 58-56 victory over Mid-Buchanan in the sectionals. Talented 6’6″ Stretch 4 Austin Stevens scored 14 points and guard Kaden Hardy scored a team-high 16 points. Stevens is a matchup problem with his size and skills while senior guard Garrett Stephens is a strong ball handler who can score inside or outside. Skyline followed up on its impressive victory over No. 1 Adrian in the districts with another nice victory over New Franklin in the sectionals. The Tigers rely on strong guard play with Lawson Beem and Daxton Beem, who combined to score 41 points. A key factor to the Tigers success is their free throw shooting, in which they do well as a team, which is big in postseason play.
Prediction: Plattsburg