Preview: Class 5 Quarterfinals

Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the Class 5 state quarterfinals, which will be held on Saturday. Here is a look at the four games along with our fearless predictions: Poplar Bluff (19-9) vs. Kirkwood (23-4) at Francis Howell Central, noon - Poplar Bluff is seeking its first Final Four appearance and the Mules got one step closer with a 61-43 victory over Cor Jesu in the sectionals as SLU recruit [player_tooltip player_id="106811" first="Kiley" last="Bess"] scored 19 points. Kirkwood made 10 3-pointers in its sectional victory over Marquette as Riley Mulvaney made five treys ad Olivia Giardino made four while 6’0" standout [player_tooltip player_id="106824" first="Natalie" last="Bruns"] added 13 points.  (Prediction: Kirkwood) Blue Springs (23-5) vs. Liberty (27-0) at Blue Springs South, 1 p.m. - Blue Springs advanced with a victory over Lee’s Summit West, a team that had defeated them twice during the season. Star 2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id="143418" first="Jada" last="Williams"] erupted for 32 points for the Wildcats. Next up is a meeting with the undefeated Bluejays, who defeated St. Joe’s Central in the sectionals. LIberty has a talented and experienced group with 2020 forward Jillian Fleming and 2020 guard Olivia Nelson. (Prediction: Blue Springs) Hazelwood Central (19-9) vs. Troy (19-10) at Francis Howell Central, 6 p.m. - Hazelwood Central edged Parkway Central in the sectionals as 2021 guard Nariyah Simmons scored 11 points and 5’10" 2020 guard Jakayla Kirk added nine points. Troy had balanced scoring in a victory over Fort Zumwalt West with 2021 guard Makenna DeClue scoring 16 points and 2022 guard Maggie Illig scoring 12 points. (Prediction: Hazelwood Central) Rock Bridge (21-5) vs. Republic (20-9) at Southwest Baptist, 6 p.m.- Rock Bridge advanced to the quarterfinals with an impressive victory over Ozark as 6’4" 2022 forward Kyrah Brody had an incredible 11 blocked shots. Guard Sanaa St. Andre scored 11 while 2022 guard [player_tooltip player_id="107958" first="Averi" last="Kroenke"] added nine points. Republic has been paced by one of the state’s top freshmen in guard [player_tooltip player_id="107017" first="Kaemyn" last="Bekemeier"], who scored 20 points in a victory over Kickapoo in the sectionals. Republic is a team that shoots the 3-pointer very well.  (Prediction: Rock Bridge)