Friday Night Previews
The Friday night schedule is highlighted by a big non-conference game featuring two Class 5 powerhouses, plus several big rivalry matchups are on tap as well.
Rock Bridge at Hazelwood Central, 6:30 p.m. – Both Class 5 contenders come into tonight’s game with only one loss each. Rock Bridge is 18-1 while Hazelwood Central is 21-1. Visiting Rock Bridge is led by its stellar 2019 trio of 6’5″ Isiaih Mosley, 6’2″ Dajuan Harris and 6’4″ Jamonta Black. Hazelwood Central is senior laden with a group led by 6’3″ Shaun Williams, 6’4″ Cameron Williams and 6’7″ Xavier Ball. It should be an entertaining high-scoring affair. (Prediction: Hazelwood Central)
North Kansas City at Oak Park, 7 p.m. – The two neighboring rivals in NKC have split the first two meetings, so this will be the rubber match. Oak Park has been led all season by splendid 2018 guard Ochai Agbaji, who gave a verbal commitment to Kansas this week. Fellow 2018 guard Kaden Evans has really come on strong with his perimeter shooting. NKC has an excellent 2018 backcourt of its own in T.J. Babikir and Deng Bol. (Prediction: Oak Park)
Sikeston at Cape Girardeau Central, 6 p.m. – This is the big game in the Southeast part of the state tonight. Their first meeing was a shoohout in early December with Sikestson taking a 92-87 victory. Sikeston has a lot of weapons, led by 2018 guard Fred Thatch. Cape Central is quick and strong with 2018 guard Chauncey Hughes and 6’5″ 2018 forward Austin Parker leading the way. (Prediction: Sikeston)
Hallsville at Southern Boone, 7 p.m. – This is the big matchup in Mid-Missouri. These two teams met last week in the championship of the Southern Boone Classic with the host taking the victory and the title, avenging an earlier season loss to Hallsville in December. This will be the rubber match. Both teams can score and have multiple weapons on the offensive end. (Prediction: Southern Boone)
Mountain Grove at Thayer, 7 p.m. – A huge game in the Ozark region featuring Class 3 contender Mountain Grove with its 24-1 record against 19-2 Thayer, a contender in Class 2. Mountain Grove has a group of talented guards led by 6’3″ 2018 Cade Coffman. Thayer has a talented 2019 forward in 6’5″ Ayden Stone. (Prediction: Mountain Grove)
MICDS at John Burroughs, 7:30 p.m. – These long-time rivals are battling tonight for the top spot in the Metro League with both riding six-game winning streaks and playing good basketball. Visiting MICDS is led by its 2018 backcourt of 6’2″ Austin Thompson and and 6’5″ Julian Cheaney while 2018 guard Jake Goldfarb of John Burroughs has been on a torrid shooting streak during the past three weeks. First-year coach Corey Frazier has orchestrated an excellent turnaround at John Burroughs. The gym will be filled beyond capacity for this one. (Prediction: John Burroughs)