CLASS 3 BOYS SEMIFINALS

HOGAN PREP ACADEMY (18-8) VS CHARLESTON (21-9)

Hogan Prep of Kansas City is making its first trip to the MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown, which means they’re also in search of their first state title. Don’t be surprised if you see the Rams in the same position next year as four of their five starters are all underclassmen. They’re led in scoring by Junior Greg Kearney, who averages 14.9 points per game. Next is sophomore Terrance Hill, who puts in 14.5 per contest and junior Fred Patton averages 13.2. Robert Holmes, the lone senior on the front line, averages 8.1 per game.

Charleston has one distinct advantage over Hogan Prep in their semifinal match up…experience. This is the third straight trip to Columbia for the Blue Jays and they’re probably quite hungry for a win today. Charleston has come away with two straight third place finishes. They’re looking for the tenth state title in school history. They’re led in scoring by senior Aston Farmer who puts in 19.2 points per game, while sophomore Jamarcus Williams chips in 14.5. Sophomore guard Shawn Sherrell scores 13.4 per contest and fellow sophomore Justin Clark scores 11.9 per game. They topped No. 2 Miller Career Academy in the quarterfinals and No. 3 Portageville in the sectionals.

LUTHERAN NORTH (20-10) VS. VERSAILLES (23-5)

The last time Lutheran North made it to the MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown, they took the whole enchilada, winning the 2002 Class 2A state title. Now they’re in Class 3 and looking to grab another piece of hardware. If the Crusaders can do it, they’ll win with defense. Only sophomore Rolandis Woodland averages more than 10 points per game; he puts in 13 per game. Senior Jeff Leslie scores 9.5 per contest and sophomore LaRico Martin adds 8.1. In their district, sectional and quarterfinal games Lutheran North allowed just 45 points per game. This is the Crusaders fourth trip to the semifinals.

It’s been a long time coming for the Versailles Tigers. Their only trip to the Final 4 came in 1947 when they advanced to the championship game and lost to St. Louis Beaumont. But it isn’t like they haven’t had their chances—this is Versailles fifth trip to the playoffs in the last six seasons. This year they’re led by senior Nathan Frazier, who averages 20.2 points per game and fellow senior Andy Campbell who scores 11.9 points per game. No one else on the team averages more than nine points per contest.