Friday Night Predictions
Here is a look at some of the top Friday night matchups around the state, plus a few Saturday games thrown in as well.
CBC vs. Hazelwood Central (at Hazelwood East), 5 p.m. – A big non conference game featuring Central, which is coming off the championship of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, and a young CBC team that finished in third place at the Poplar Bluff Showdown. The Hawks are talented and senior laden while CBC is young but battled tested through a rugged schedule. (Prediction: Hazelwood Central)
Hallsville vs. Blair Oaks (at Osage), 9 p.m. – The championship game of the Tri-County Conference is on the line tonight between these two talented Mid-Missouri small schools. Undefeated Hallsville has a nice group of perimeter players, led by guards Graham Moser and Ethan Thompson. Blair Oaks is back in the championship game after finishing second a year ago. They are led by 2018 guard Tim Fick. (Prediction: Hallsville)
Charleston at Sikeston, 7 p.m. – The big news about this SEMO Conference showdown is the return of Sikeston’s All-State performer Fred Thatch to the lineup. Thatch missed the past four games with a foot injury. It promises to be a high scoring affair with two teams that love to get up and down the court. Charleston is led by its dynamic 2018 duo of Mardareyon Clark and Demarcus Sharp.
Duchesne at Saxony Lutheran, 7:30 p.m. – A very intriguing non conference game between two teams that are contenders in Class 3. Duchesne is coming off a big upset victory over Class 4 contender St. Mary’s earlier this week. The Pioneers are headed down South to take on a Saxony Lutheran team that has plenty of size and talent. (Contender: Duchesne).
Springfield Catholic vs. Helias, 9 p.m. – An excellent late evening matchup in the semifinals of the Houlihan Classic. Host Springfield Catholic is enjoying an excellent year with 2019 guards Jake Branham and Charlie O’Reilly leading the way. They will try to take down a strong Helias unit that has a strong group of guards led by 5’10” 2018 Landon Harrison and a good post in 6’6″ 2018 Nate Bax.
Rock Bridge vs. Fort Zumwalt West, (Saturday), 8 p.m. – These two teams will square off in the championship game of the Warrenton Winter Classic. Undefeated Rock Bridge fields one of the top Class 5 teams in the state. They will face a hard-working West team that nearly upset Sikeston in the championship game of the St. Dominic Tournament. (Prediction: Rock Bridge).
Whitfield vs. Carbondale (IL), 1 p.m. – A very entertaining Saturday afternoon matchup at the Highland (IL) Shootout, which is a big event in the metro St. Louis area. There is some perimeter firepower in this game with Whitfield’s 6’5″ Torrence Watson, a Mizzou signee leading the Warriors. Carbondale will counter with its Division I duo of 6’3″ 2018 Anthony Beane (SIU signee) and 6’5″ 2018 Kani Acree (Ball State signee). (Prediction: Carbondale)