Preview: Class 3 State Quarterfinals (Predictions)
Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the Class 3 state quarterfinals, with the four winners advancing to the Final Four of the state tournament on March 13-14 at the JQH Arena in Springfield on the campus of Missouri State…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the Class 3 state quarterfinals, with the four winners advancing to the Final Four of the state tournament on March 13-14 at the JQH Arena in Springfield on the campus of Missouri State University. Here is a preview of the four games along with our fearless predictions:
Charleston (26-4) vs. Ava (24-5) at Farmington, 7:45 p.m. – Charleston is looking to punch its ticket to yet another Final Four appearance and the Bluejays have been impressive with a number of double-digit victories in the postseason. they scored 91 points in the sectionals against Scott City. Their guard play is strong with 2020’s Samuel Bledsoe Samuel Bledsoe 6'2" | SG Charleston | 2020 State MO and Terridean Bogan Terridean Bogan 6'0" | PG Charleston | 2020 State MO while 6’6″ 2020 Blessin Kimble Blessin Kimble 6'5" | PF Charleston | 2020 State MO and 6’2″ 2020 Isaiah Gillespie hold it down in the post. Ava has displayed some mettle in a pair of down to the wire victories over St. James in the district finals and St. Pius in the sectionals. The Bears boast an excellent all-around player in 6’2″ 2022 Andrew Dalton, who gets support from Blake King, Nate Swofford and Quinton Donley. (Prediction: Charleston)
Monroe City (27-2) vs. Kansas City Central (23-6) at Blue Springs, 2:45 p.m. – After three consecutive defeats in the sectionals, Monroe City cleared that big hurdle to advance to the quarterfinals with a solid win over Richmond. The Panthers have a solid all-around team with 6’2″ 2020 guard Bryce Stark Bryce Stark 6'2" | SG Monroe City | 2020 State MO and the talented 2022 duo of twin brothers Joshua and Josiah Talton. Central advanced with a victory over University Academy in a high-scoring 83-75 game. Central can get up and down the court with anyone. The Blue Eagles feature talented 6’0″ 2020 guard Jordan Fortune and 6’5″ 2020 forward Noa Jones, who is strong around the basket. (Prediction: Kansas City Central)
Cardinal Ritter (22-6) vs. Christian-O’Fallon (25-5) at Normandy, 1:45 p.m.- It’s a battle of size vs. quickness in this one. Ritter has a big and athletic front line with 6’7″ 2020 Garry Clark, 6’6″ 2020 Brandon Ellington Brandon Ellington 6'6" | PF Cardinal Ritter | 2020 State MO , 6’8″ 2021 Josh Robinson and 6’3″ 2021 power guard Mario Fleming Mario Fleming 6'3" | SG Cardinal Ritter | 2021 State MO . Christian is small, but determined and fearless. Their dynamic duo is 5’11″ 2021 guard Logan Wich Logan Wich 6'7" | PF Parkway West | 2021 State MO , 6’1″ 2021 wing Kalin Black and 2021 point guard Ray Horry. The Eagles will not back down. They could also get a boost if 6’3″ 2022 guard Kristian Davis is able to come back from an injury that has kept him out of the last several games. (Prediction: Cardinal Ritter)
Blair Oaks (27-2) vs. Fair Grove (22-7) at Southwest Baptist, 7:45 p.m. – There was no letdown for No. 1 Blair Oaks after their dramatic victory over Father Tolton in the district finals as the Falcons routed Butler in the sectionals. The 6’9″ brother combination of Eric and Luke Northweather is one of the best inside duos in the state. Fair Grove has been on a roll after winning its district as a No. 4 seed. They feature a pair of nice 6’5″ players of their own in 2020s David Oplotnik David Oplotnik 6'5" | SF Ash Grove | 2020 State MO and Cole Gilpin Cole Gilpin 6'4" | SF Fair Grove | 2020 State MO . Oplotnik scored 26 points in Fair Grove’s victory over Pierce City in the sectionals. (Prediction: Blair Oaks)