Preview: Class 3 Final Four
The Final Four of the Class 3 state tournament as a familiar ring to it. Defending state champion Northwest Academy, Hogan Prep and Mountain Grove are all making return trips this season. The fourth team, Charleston, is no stranger to the Final Four as well. It’s the Blue Jays first Final Four appearance in six years, but the program has won nine state championships in its history.
The action gets underway on Friday evening at the JQH Arena on the campus of Missouri State University in Springfield. Here are the matchups and our fearless predictions. These are some tough games to call because any one of these four teams are capable of taking home that state championship trophy.
Semifinals, Friday, March 9
Charleston (24-8) vs. Mountain Grove (30-1), 6:20 p.m. – The Blue Jays are an athletic and talented crew led by its dynamic duo of 6’4″ 2018 forward Mardareyon Clark and 6’2″ 2018 stat-sheet stuffer Demarcus Sharp. Mountain Grove is making its third consecutive appearance at the Final Four and they are looking to break through to play in that championship game. They are led by their three-headed 2018 group of Conner McNew, Cade Coffman and xx Atwell. (Prediction: Charleston)
Northwest Academy (22-7) vs. Hogan Prep (24-4), 8:10 p.m. – Northwest Academy is back and trying to accomplish a repeat after winning its first ever state championship last year. The anchor of the squad is 6’7″ 2018 rebounding machine Jamarr Williams. Complimenting Williams is the 2018 perimeter trio of 6’3″ Wilshon Warren, 5’10” Reyonte Childs and 6’2″ 2018 Damien Carver. Hogan Prep is back for the third year in succession behind the play of dynamic 5’8″ 2018 guard Damien Daniels and his 21 points a game. Fellow 2018 guard Rashaan Collins and 6’6″ 2018 forward Marty Jackson are also big pieces. (Prediction: Hogan Prep).
Third Place: Saturday, March 10, 12:50 p.m.
Northwest Academy defeats Mountain Grove for third place
Championship Game, Saturday, March 10, 8:10 p.m.
Hogan Prep takes home the championship with a close victory over Charleston.