Preview: Class 2 Sectionals (Predictions)

<p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the upcoming Class 2 Sectional Playoffs, which will be held on Wednesday evening. All games are scheduled to tip off at 7:45 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Here is a look at the eight matchups plus our fearless predictions.</p> <p>Bernie (24-5) vs. Thayer (21-5) at Three Rivers Community College: The Bernie Mules are coming off an impressive win over Hayti to win a district title. They are led by guard Blake Harty, who scored 26 points in the district finals, along with shooter Landon Zoll and Johnny Vaughn. Thayer has been a constant in the state playoffs and they are back again for another run. They get consistent guard play from 2021 Jayce Haven and 2022s Gaige Pitts and Jordan Andrews. (Prediction: Bernie)</p> <p>Oran (24-5) vs. Brentwood (14-11) at Jackson: It's a battle of the Eagles. Oran is looking to make another run to the Final Four after winning the state title in 2017 and finishing second last year. They have a group of excellent players, led by 2020Tyson Goodale and 2021s Cooper Priggel, Ty Johnson and Landon Scheeter. Oran's big challenge will be trying to contain Brentwood's 6'2" 2020 do-it-all performer <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/chris-hill/">[player_tooltip player_id="822897" first="Chris" last="Hill"]</a>, who is averaging nearly 30 points a game. He is the leading scorer in the St. Louis area. (Prediction: Oran)</p> <p>Skyline (27-2) vs. Crest Ridge (25-2) at State Fair Community College: Skyline is back in the state sectionals after a nice tourney run last season. They are led by 5'9" 2020 guard Dax Beem, who as an All-State player last year.  The Cougars have a strong corps of offensive players, led by 6'2 2020 Cole Schmildi, who averages 18 points a game.(Prediction: Skyline)</p> <p>Plattsburg (17-9) vs. Mid-Buchanan (20-8) at Staley (Prediction: Mid Buchanan): These two teams met in the state quarterfinals a year ago with Plattsburg taking a two-point victory. Mid-Buchanan withstood the individual excellence of East Buchanan's 6'6" <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ethan-kilgore/">[player_tooltip player_id="822855" first="Ethan" last="Kilgore"]</a> to win a district title last weekend. They will have to do it again as they contend with Plattsburg's 6'6" standout <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/austin-stevens/">[player_tooltip player_id="822907" first="Austin" last="Stevens"]</a>. What Mid-Buch does have is great tradition. (Prediction: Mid-Buchanan)</p> <p>Van Far (22-6) vs. Milan (23-3) at Hannibal: This will be the third meeting between these two teams in the state playoffs. Van Far has won both times en route to a state title in 2018 and another Final Four appearance last year. Milan is led by its dynamic pair of forwards in 6'5" 2020 <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ryan-dabney/">[player_tooltip player_id="610653" first="Ryan" last="Dabney"]</a> and 6'4" 2020 <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/hunter-shaw/">[player_tooltip player_id="822936" first="Hunter" last="Shaw"]</a>. Van-Far is led by 6'0" 2020 guard Verdell Johnson, 6'3" 2020 forward Colin Wilburn and 5'9" 2020 Sam Middleton. (Prediction: Milan)</p> <p>New Franklin (27-1) vs. Eugene (18-6) at Jefferson City Helias: New Franklin continued its tremendous season by winning the district championship at Smithton. They have an excellent 1-2 combination in 2020s Gavin Bishop and Tyler Perkins, plus an experienced supporting cast. Eugene is led by 6'4" 2020 <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tre-kempker/">[player_tooltip player_id="822902" first="Tre" last="Kempker"]</a>, who can play virtually every position and 5'9" 2022 guard Tyler Renn. (Prediction: New Franklin)</p> <p>Iberia (22-4) vs. Hartville (27-2) at Mountain Grove: These two programs are no strangers to winning district championships and advancing into the state playoff competition. Hartville has a talented crew led by the likes of 2021 point guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ryce-piper/">[player_tooltip player_id="824199" first="Ryce" last="Piper"]</a> and classmate <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/eli-cook/">[player_tooltip player_id="824209" first="Eli" last="Cook"]</a>. Iberia is built around the talents of versatile 6'3" 2020 forward Zach Voss. (Prediction: Hartville)</p> <p>Greenwood (25-3) vs. Purdy (15-12) at Carthage: Greenwood is back to try to defend its state championship behind the uber-talented 6'5" <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aminu-mohammed/">[player_tooltip player_id="583707" first="Animu" last="Mohammed"]</a>, who had 38 points and 20 rebounds in the district finals. He has a strong supporting cast with point guard Grant Harper and shooter Tommy Pinegar. Purdy is flying high off its district title and will try to pull off another big upset. (Prediction: Greenwood)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>