LISTEN TO MISSOURINET SPORTS DIRECTOR DAVID SPRAGUE’S PREVIEW BELOW

CLASS 2 BOYS

MATCHUPS

ADVANCE VS. MARIONVILLE, THURSDAY, 12:10
HARRISBURG VS. WEST PLATTE, THURSDAY, 1:45

CHAMPIONSHIP, FRIDAY, 1:45 PM

ADVANCE HORNETS—-The Hornets tradition in the state playoffs was quite rich in the 1970’s but since then success has been sparse. They’ve made it to the semifinals seven times—all before 1976. From 1972-1975 they went to the final four each year, winning the state title in ’72 and ’75. Since then their only trip to the playoffs was in 2000. Advance has a balanced scoring attack with four players averaging at least ten points per game. Junior Alex Steil leads the Hornets with 15.1 points per game. They average 71.7 points per game.

Head coach: Joe Shoemaker (44-15)
Record: 24-7
Current winning streak: 8
Semifinal appearances: 7
State titles: 0
Sectionals: 65-59, South Pemiscot
Quarterfinals: 72-62, Crocker
Leaders
•Scoring: Alex Steil, 15.1 ppg
•Rebounds: James Masters,7.2 rpg,
•Assists: Three tied at 3 apg

MARIONVILLE COMETS—This is a bittersweet week for the people of Marionville. The Comets will go for their second straight title and have advanced to the final four for the fourth time in five years. But the excitement basketball produced, has been tempered by the tornado that ripped through Marionville on Sunday. The Comets and their fans will try to put that out of their mind for a while, as they come to Columbia. Marionville has won with defense this season—they’ve only allowed one team to score more than 50 points on them. That was Springfield Kickapoo, which finished second to St. Louis Vashon in Class 5 last week.

Head coach: Ted Young (139-111)
Record: 26-3
Current winning streak: 16
Semifinal appearances: 6
State titles: 1 (2004)
Sectionals: 44-41, Marion C. Early
Quarterfinals: 31-27, Thayer
Leaders
•Scoring: Brick Warth, 13.1 ppg
•Rebounds: Brick Warth, 7.8 rpg
•Assists: Jake Grubbs, 2.7 apg

HARRISBURG BULLDOGS—It is safe to say that the fate of Harrisburg can be directly linked to the performance of senior guard Kyle Fisher. The 6-3 senior leads the team in points (27 ppg), rebounds (9.7 rpg) and assists (5.1 apg) and has propelled the Bulldogs to their first final four appearance since 2003 and their third in school history. Junior guard Josh Proctor has been a reliable second option for Harrisburg, averaging 13 points per contest and dishing out 3.9 assists. Harrisburg is 0-6 all time in the semifinals, finishing fourth in 1979, 1988 and 2003.

Head coach: Steve Combs (164-90)
Record: 26-4
Current winning streak: 7
Semifinal appearances:
State titles: 0
Sectionals: 66-43, Tipton
Quarterfinals: 60-48, Canton
Leaders
•Scoring: Kyle Fisher, 27 ppg
•Rebounds: Kyle Fisher, 9.7 rpg
•Assists: Kyle Fisher, 5.1 apg

WEST PLATTE BLUE JAYS—West Platte is making their second trip to the MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown. In 2003, the Blue Jays lost to East Carter in the Class 2 title game 77-51. West Platte’s defense has been strong, except in losses. In their 24 wins, the Blue Jays have allowed more than 50 points only four times, but they’ve given up 68 points per game in their four losses. Senior Erick Roe, who led the West Platte football team in receiving en route to a Class 1 title this fall, leads the basketball team with 17.5 points per game.

Head coach: Zane Tanner (167-76)
Record: 24-4
Current winning streak: 9
Semifinal appearances: 1
State titles: 0
Sectionals: 64-37, East Buchanan
Quarterfinals: 59-4, Osceola
Leaders
•Scoring: Erick Roe, 17.5 ppg
•Rebounds: D.J. Hall 4.6 rpg, Ross Rennie 4.5 rpg
•Assists: Eric Humes, 5.6 apg