Class 4-5 State Quarterfinals: My Fearless Predictions:
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Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the matchups for Friday night’s state quarterfinals games in Classes 4 and 5, along with our fearless predictions. All of the quarterfinals games will tip off at 6 p.m. The winners will head…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the matchups for Friday night’s state quarterfinals games in Classes 4 and 5, along with our fearless predictions. All of the quarterfinals games will tip off at 6 p.m. The winners will head to Springfield this weekend for the Final Four at the JQH Arena on the campus of Missouri State University.
Class 4
New Madrid Central at Vashon: Through the years, there have been some tremendous postseason games involving teams from St. Louis and teams from the boot heel. This should be another one as No. 1 Vashon takes on No. 2 and undefeated New Madrid. Vashon has a veteran unit led by 2021 Division I recruits Nick Kern and Keshon Gilbert Keshon Gilbert 6'3" | PG Vashon | 2021 State #202 Nation MO . A youthful New Madrid team’s leading scorers are 2024s Jadis Jones and B.J. Williamson. (Prediction: Vashon)
Blair Oaks at East Newton (Prediction: Blair Oaks): Another powerhouse matchup featuring a Blair Oaks team that is seeking a return trip to the Final Four against an East Newton team that is having its best season ever. Blair Oaks features dominant big 6’9″ 2022 Luke Northweather Luke Northweather 6'9" | PF Blair Oaks | 2022 State MO , sharpshooting 2022 Quinn Kusgen Quinn Kusgen 6'1" | SG Blair Oaks | 2022 State MO and 2021 playmaker Jay Closser. East Newton has three 1,000-point scorers in 6’5″ Connor Killion, 6’3″ Kyson Lahman and 6’0″ Lucas Kimbrough, who are all 2021s. (Prediction: Blair Oaks)
Westminster at Father Tolton: Another rich matchup that features visiting Westminster, who is making its second consecutive appearance in the Elite Eight. Host Tolton comes in battle tested after playing one of the toughest schedules in the state. WCA is paced by its excellent backcourt of 2022 Casen Lawrence Casen Lawrence 5'10" | PG Westminster | 2022 State MO , 2023 Kobi Smith and improving 6’8’ 2022 forward Austin Vick Austin Vick 6'8" | PF Westminster | 2022 State MO . Tolton is paced by its strong trio of 6’11″ 2022 Jevon Porter Jevon Porter 6'11" | SF Tolton Catholic | 2022 State #110 Nation MO , 6’6″ 2022 Justin Boyer Justin Boyer 6'6" | SF Tolton Catholic | 2022 State MO and 6’4″ 2022 Takhi Chievous. (Prediction: WCA)
Barstow vs. Richmond (Site, TBD): Richmond advanced to the quarterfinals with an impressive victory over then-undefeated Pembroke Hill while Barstow defeated a talented St. Michael the Archangel team. Barstow gets excellent play from 2021 point guard Connor Arment Connor Arment 5'10" | PG Barstow | 2021 State MO . (Prediction: Barstow)
Class 5
Lutheran South at North County: Both teams have terrific dynamic duos to lead the way. Lutheran South has gotten a big postseason from 6’7″ 2021 Jack Lawson Jack Lawson 6'7" | SF Lutheran South | 2021 State MO along with 6’3″ 2021 Jonathan Prange Jonathan Prange 6'3" | SG Lutheran South | 2021 State MO . North County got a combined 54 points from its terrific guard tandem of Kyle Conkright Kyle Conkright 5'10" | SG Ellington | 2021 State MO and Karter Kekec Karter Kekec 6'0" | PG North County | 2021 State MO in its sectional round victory over Sikeston. (Prediction: North County)
Nevada at Bolivar: (Prediction: Nevada): Nevada advanced to the quarterfinals with a tremendous comeback victory over Logan-Rogersville in the sectionals on Tuesday night. 2022 guard Logan Applegate Logan Applegate 6'2" | PG Nevada | 2021 State MO is a tremendous perimeter shooter on a team full of shooters. Bolivar is a big team with 6’7″ 2023 Kyle Pock Kyle Pock 6'7" | SF Bolivar | 2023 State #286 Nation MO and 6’6″ 2022 Josh Bowes, who had 25 points in Tuesday night’s win over Rolla in the sectionals. (Prediction: Nevada)
Cardinal Ritter at DeSmet: These two teams staged a double-overtime classic early in the season, which was won by Ritter. The Lions got 30 points from 2021 guard Mario Fleming Mario Fleming 6'3" | SG Cardinal Ritter | 2021 State MO in a hard-fought win over Jennings in the sectionals. DeSmet had a balanced attack in its big victory over St. Dominic on Tuesday. (Prediction: Cardinal Ritter)
Mexico at Van Horn: This matchup will feature some excellent guard play on both teams. Mexico features slick 2022 point guard Isaiah Reams, who scores and runs the team. Van Horn features 6’0″ 2021 bucket Jaden Monday Jaden Monday 6'0" | PG Van Horn | 2021 State MO and 2022s Grant Givens Grant Givens 6'6" | SF Glendale | 2022 State MO and Jeremy Page. (Prediction: Van Horn)