Preview: Class 1 Sectionals (Predictions)

<p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the upcoming Class 1 Sectional Playoffs, with eight games being played on Tuesday around the state. Here is a preview of those games along with our fearless predictions.</p> <p>Cooter (17-8) vs. Delta (24-5), 7:45 p.m. (at Bloomfield): Cooter comes in as the District 1 champions. They are led by high scoring 2020 guard Jordan Watkins and 6'3" 2021 forward Luke Perkins. Delta is a high-scoring outfit that survived a overtime district final against Oak Ridge. They have many scoring options, led by the 2020 duo of Eric Berry and Isaiah Thomas along with 2023 forward Carter Scherer. (Prediction: Delta)</p> <p>South Iron (29-0) vs. Dora (28-2), 7:45 p.m. (at Mountain Grove): The small-school showdown that everyone has been waiting for is about to happen. You have two high-powered teams with skilled bucket-getters and kids who have been playing together since they were in grade school. Dora features Missouri State recruit <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaac-haney/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaac-haney/">Isaac Haney</a></a> and the talented Luna triplets while South Iron has the talented backcourt duo of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brock-wakefield/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brock-wakefield/">Brock Wakefield</a></a> and Drenin Dinkins. This is a state final caliber game in the sectionals. Get there early folks. (Prediction: Dora)</p> <p>Orrick (19-8) vs. Princeton (24-4), 8:15 p.m. (at St. Joseph Civic Center): Orrick advanced to the sectionals with a nice victory over SW Livingston in the district finals. They feature a capable 6'4" forward in Dylan Comstock, who can handle the ball and shoot the 3-pointers. Princeton is a team that has a win over defending state champion Platte Valley this season. They feature one of the state's best Class 1 talents in 6'4" 2020 Preston Thomas. (Prediction: Princeton)</p> <p>Mound City (23-5) vs. Platte Valley (26-2), 4:45 p.m. (at St. Joseph's Civic Center): This is another big showdown in NW Missouri featuring two teams that could win the state title. In fact, Platte Valley did win the state title last season and beat a talented Mound City team along the way. This is there fourth meeting with Platte Valley winning two games. Platte Valley features the dynamic duo of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/chase-farnan/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/chase-farnan/">Chase Farnan</a></a> and Clayton Merrigan while Mound City's perimeter duo of Tony Osburn and Landon Poppa is quite explosive. (Prediction: Platte Valley)</p> <p>Golden City (25-2) vs. Rich Hill (14-14), 7:45 p.m. (at Nevada): Golden City is back in the sectionals for the second year in a row. They have a good group of players, but the main weapon is 2020 guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/arlo-stump/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/arlo-stump/">Arlo Stump</a></a>, who has scored more than 2,500 points in his career. (Prediction: Golden City)</p> <p>Fair Play (16-11) vs. Green Ridge (18-8), 7:45 p.m. (at Smith-Cotton): (Prediction: Fair Play): Fair Play came into the district play with a losing record after January, but put things together at the right time to win a district championship. They are led by 2021 guard Adrian Harsthorn. Green Ridge has a pair of talented guards in Carson Brown and Alex Rebikh, who can both shoot the 3-pointer.</p> <p>St. Elizabeth (22-5) vs. NE Cairo (24-4), 7:45 p.m. (at Harrisburg): A tremendous matchup featuring a St. Elizabeth team that finished fourth in the state tournament against a NE Cairo team that dropped down to Class 1 after advancing to the Class 2 state quarterfinals last season. Both teams have excellent size with 6'8" 2020 <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ross-struemph/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ross-struemph/">Ross Struemph</a></a> leading St. Elizabeth's tall front line and NE Cairo countering with 6'7" 2022 forward Gage Davis. (Prediction: St. Elizabeth)</p> <p>LaPlata (18-9) vs. Meadville (25-2), &amp;:30 p.m. (at Salisbury): This is a battle of Tri-County Conference rivals. Meadville won the regular season meeting 42-38 last month. Meadville is a consistent state qualifier who features 6'0" 2020 Dominik Gannon and 2021s Conner Fletcher and Trey Gannan. LaPlata has a solid group that features 2020's Tel Wheeler, Justin Wood, Jarrett Buescher and 2021 Gage McHenry. (Prediction: Meadville):</p>