Preview: Class 2 Final Four
The Final Four of the Class 2 state tournament will have a much different look than last year as there will be four new teams making the trip to Springfield. The action begins on Thursday at the JQH Arena on the campus of Missouri State University.
Here are the matchups along with our fearless predictions:
Semifinals: Thursday, March 8
Hayti (22-5) vs. Purdy (24-6), 6:50 p.m. – The Hayti Indians upended defending champion Oran in the sectionals and defeated perennial power Hartville in the quarterfinals to get to Springfield. Hayti is quick and athletic and it features a dynamic duo in 2018 guards Darius Jones and Kobe Cooper. Purdy has made a tremendous run to the Final Four behind a dynamic duo of its own in 2018 guards Colt Keeling and Tyler Keeler. Neither team has much size, but they are fast and will get up and down the court. (Prediction: Hayti)
Van Far (27-3) vs. Mid-Buchanan (26-4), 8:30 p.m. – Both teams took the dramatic route to get to the Final Four. Van Far trailed by 10 points after three quarters and by seven with two minutes and 30 seconds left in the quarterfinals left againt Milan, only to rally and win in overtime. Mid-Buchanan got a pair of last-second free throws from Colin Wyatt to defeat Sacred Heart in their quarterfinals victory. Look for another close contest in this one. (Prediction: Mid-Buchanan)
Third Place: Friday, March 9, 12:50 p.m.
Purdy defeats Van Far to take the third place trophy
Championship Game: Friday, March 9, 4:30 p.m.
Hayti takes home the state championship with a close victory over Mid-Buchanan