Five Prime Time Matchups with a Final Four Berth on the Line

There are 12 big games to night at the small school level with Final Four berths on the line in Classes 1,2 and 3. Prep Girls Hoops Missouri takes a look at five of those big matchups in tonight's state quarterfinals. All games will tip off at 6 p.m.   Principia vs. Centralia (Class 3 at Fulton)   This is a state championship game-level matchup that is taking the place in the state quarterfinals. The two teams met last season in the quarterfinals with Principia winning a close game on its home court. This year the scene shifts to Mid-Missouri at Fulton High.   Both teams feature a lot of talent, with a Division I player leading the way. Principia is led by 6'2" 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='791650' first='Dasia' last='Scott'], who has several scholarship offers. She has been a dominant force all season, including a 22-point performance against Highland in the sectionals. Centralia's standout is 5'9" 2027 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='803053' first='Ryenn' last='Gordon'], who is a Murray State commit. She is the consummate floor leader who can score and make her teammates better. She can also hit big shots in clutch situations.   Here are a few other key players to watch tonight.   Principia: [player_tooltip player_id='897772' first='Loganne' last='Love'] 5'5" 2028 point guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1113133' first='Paige' last='Ivy'] 5'9" 2028 forward, [player_tooltip player_id='1279115' first='Aniyah' last='Poniewaz'] 5'3" 2029 point guard, [player_tooltip player_id='999534' first='Nadia' last='Bateman'] 5'6" 2028 guard   Centralia: [player_tooltip player_id='460885' first='Braylin' last='Brunkhorst'] 5'11" 2027 forward who's an All-State player who's headed to Missouri S&T, [player_tooltip player_id='881137' first='Ealynne' last='Bostick'] 5'9" 2028 forward, Blakley Sowers 6'0" 2029 forward.     Clopton vs. Tipton (Class 2 at Sturgeon)   These two teams have been trading places at the top of the MBCA state rankings throughout the season. Clopton has enjoyed tremendous success in recent years, but the Hawks path to the Final Four has been blocked by Tipton, which is seeking its fourth consecutive trip.   Tipton fields another talented team and the Cardinals tested themselves this season by playing a very challenging schedule. They feature three outstanding players in 5'7" 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='620693' first='Madison' last='Carvajal'], 5'10" 2026 forward [player_tooltip player_id='722136' first='Ava' last='Schlotzhauer'] and 5'7" 2026 guard Clara Williams.   Clopton features one of the state's top point guards in 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='885181' first='Charleigh' last='Spoonster'], who's an elite passer that can score. Her sister [player_tooltip player_id='1133681' first='Tinleigh' last='Spoonster'] is a talented shooting guard while 2027 forwards Ashlyn and Callie Noah hold things down inside.     Norwood vs. Marionville (Class 2 at Billings)   Norwood is seeking a third consecutive trip to the Final Four and the team standing in its way is a talented Maryville team. This will be a rematch of last year's state quarterfinals game, which was won by Norwood 41-37 in a close contest.   Norwood has a talented young player in 2028 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1226679' first='Kalie' last='Chadwell'], who as an All-State performer as a freshman. Leading the charge up front is 6'1" 2026 forward [player_tooltip player_id='982952' first='Gentry' last='Devault'], who is a versatile post player with excellent passing skills.   Marionville features one of the top guards in the SWMO area in 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1097050' first='Lanie' last='Stokes']. She forms a strong guard combination with fellow 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1233823' first='Dally' last='Pomeroy']. [player_tooltip player_id='1752561' first='Rylie' last='Fletcher'] is a 5'10" 2028 forward who has emerged as a force inside while 2029 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1616238' first='Nekalia' last='Young'] is an athletic two-way player.     Delta vs. Walnut Grove (Class 1 at Mt. View Liberty)   These two small school power programs have seen each other before on their way to the Final Four, so this game is nothing new to them.   Delta is looking to return to the Final Four after finishing third in the state tournament two seasons ago. There emergence of 5'3" 2029 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1275369' first='Lilly' last='McDonough'] has given the program a big boost, not only for the present but for the future. She forms a strong combination with 5'10" 2026 forward [player_tooltip player_id='982948' first='Grace' last='Ancell'], who is a holdover from the Final Four team in 2025.   Walnut Grove graduated its top players from last year's Final Four team, but the Lady Tigers are back in the mix with a strong nucleus of players that play well as a unit at both ends of the court. [player_tooltip player_id='874631' first='Sadie' last='Loehr'] is a 5'8" 2027 guard who is the most experienced player of the group. Stepping into bigger roles this year ware 5'7" 2028 Ashtyn Anderson, 5'8" 2028 Sabrina Loehr.     Skyline vs. Willow Springs (Class 3 at Nixa)   Skyline has two back to back state championships at the Class 2 level in 2025 and 2026. The Lady Tigers are looking for a three-peat, only this time they are up in Class 3. They play at a fast pace and the keep up the full court pressure with a lot of players who can contribute, including 2026 Jenna Hunt, 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1117235' first='Shelby' last='Redd'], 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='931506' first='Sage' last='Redd'] and 2029 McKaylyn Sanders.   Willow Springs has made an impressive run through the postseason with a couple of close victories over Thayer and Sparta. For them to pull off the upset, they will need another big night from 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='460893' first='Chloe' last='Jones'], who is one of the top scoring threats in the SWMO area. She has scored more than 2,000 points in her career.       Here is the rest of tonight's state quarterfinals schedule   Class 1   Rock Port vs. Gilman City/North Daviess (at Gallatin)   Hume vs. St. Elizabeth (at Lincoln)   Cairo vs. North Shelby (at Salisbury)   ******   Class 2   Portageville vs. Bismarck (at Dexter)   Archie vs. Barstow (at Excelsior Springs)   ******   Class 3   St. Vincent vs. Arcadia Valley (at Kingston)   Lone Jack vs. South Harrison (at Nixa)

There are 12 big games to night at the small school level with Final Four berths on the line in Classes 1,2 and 3. Prep Girls Hoops Missouri takes a look at five of those big matchups in tonight's state quarterfinals. All games will tip off at 6 p.m.