Preview: Blue & Gold Tournament (Blue Division)
Christmas has arrived in Springfield, Missouri. While everyone went to sleep last night excited to wake up this morning to family, elaborate meals, and whatever Santa left under the Christmas tree they will all hit the pillow tonight with similar…
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Continue ReadingChristmas has arrived in Springfield, Missouri. While everyone went to sleep last night excited to wake up this morning to family, elaborate meals, and whatever Santa left under the Christmas tree they will all hit the pillow tonight with similar eager anticipation for the start of the historic Blue & Gold Tournament from the campus of Missouri State starting in the morning. This event is traditionally a holiday highlight in southwest Missouri and this year is certain to be no exception.
The Blue Division is filled with strong teams, great talent, and intriguing story lines. Willard comes into play as the top overall seed and the Tigers will be a tough out thanks in large part to their sensational dynamic duo of Daniel Abreu and Maurice Grayer. Not only is Willard one of the favorites to keep an eye on, fans will also want to tune in to see if Abreu can eclipse the total tournament scoring record of 125 points that he set himself last season.
It will not be an easy road for Willard, who will be challenged by other top seeds in Nixa, Bolivar, and Hartville who are formidable opponents with some impressive talent. Add in last year’s champions Rogersville, and unseeded dark horse Catholic who went back to back, and an unbeaten Crane and you have yourselves a wide open bracket that could be full of instant classics. Here is a look at the Blue Division bracket as well as some of the players to watch:
Players to watch:
- 6’6 Sr Daniel Abreu (Willard)
- 6’2 Sr Maurice Grayer (Willard)
- 6’0 Jr Chrishawn Haggard (Hillcrest)
- 6’2 So Andrew Dalton (Ava)
- 6’2 Jr Ryce Piper (Hartville)
- 6’2 Sr Drew Cromer (Marshfield)
- 5’8 Sr Tyler Campbell (Crane)
- 6’0 Sr Clayton Moore (Houston)
- 6’5 Sr Cade Blevins (Rogersville)
- 5’11 So Sam Moreland (Ash Grove)
- 6’5 Sr Will Morrison (Catholic)
- 6’6 Sr Taylor Genzler (Clever)
- 6’2 Sr Quenton Shelton (Lebanon)
- 6’1 Sr Aden Arnette (Branson)
- 6’2 Jr Kaleb Wofford (Nixa)
- 6’2 Sr Josh Mason (Nixa)
- 5’11 So Owen Duddridge (Willow Springs)
- 6’0 Sr Hunter Berry (Bolivar)