Preview: Class 2 State Quarterfinals

Earl Austin March 7, 2020 @ 08:30 AM

Prep Girls Hoops Missouri takes a look at the Class 2 quarterfinals, which will be held today with all four games beginning at 1 p.m. The winners will advance to the Final Four of the state tournament, which will be held at the JQH Arena in Springfield on the campus of Missouri State University. Here is a look at the four games along with our fearless predictions; Thayer (17-8) vs. Oran (24-3) at Sikeston: Thayer survived a low-scoring battle against Neelyville in the sectionals as Maddy Kerly scored a game-high 17 points. Callie Johnson and Katie Welch are also solid contributors. Oran put up 97 points in its sectional victory over Crystal City. The combination of Kaylee Payne and Katie Webb is strong with Traci Henry and Grace Davis also in the mix. (Prediction: Oran) Miller (25-5) vs. East Buchanan (26-3) at Liberty North: Miller has an impressive group of youngsters, led by the 2022 trio of 5’8" Kaylee Helton, 5’7" Payton Richarson and 5’6" [player_tooltip player_id="107970" first="Claudia" last="Hadlock"], who all average in double figures. East Buchanan advanced to the quarterfinals with a victory over previously undefeated Wellington-Napoleon in the sectionals. This will be a rematch as East Buch won the earlier meeting this season 53-45. (Prediction: East Buchanan): Paris (17-11) vs. Tipton (24-5) at Moberly Area Community College: Tipton features a talented player in 2020 guard [player_tooltip player_id="106825" first="Abby" last="Backes"], who scored 30 points in a sectional victory over Eugene. The Lady Cardinals also have a pair of talented freshmen in Briar Cox and Myra Claas. Paris has the tallest player left in the state playoffs in 6’6" 2020 center [player_tooltip player_id="106836" first="Tori" last="Hamilton"], who holds it down in the middle. (Prediction: Tipton) Mansfield (24-6) vs. Blue Eye (26-4) at Republic: Mansfield has advanced with a pair of close victories after two-point wins over No. 1 Hartville in the district finals and Newburg in the sectionals. Blue Eye is led by standout 5’6" 2020 guard Kohnnar Patton, who has committed to Evangel University. (Prediction: Mansfield)