CLASS 1 BOYS

JEFFERSON (29-1) VS BELL CITY (21-9)

It’s been an almost perfect season for Jefferson High School. They come into the Show-Me Showdown with just one loss on the season. The Eagles come into the final four with a starting lineup which consists of four juniors and a senior. The lone senior is Cody Jenkins, who averages 10.6 points per game. Junior Kody Schieber puts in 12.1 points per game. Balance is the key to the Eagles’ offense—all five starters average between 12.1 and 8.5 points per game. In the district finals, sectionals and quarterfinals, Jefferson has beaten their opponents by an average of 65-41.

Bell City is looking for its third state title in four years and its second in a row, even though this year’s team doesn’t have the most impressive record. This year’s run through the districts and the first two rounds of the Class 1 playoffs have been a glimpse into the future for head coach David Heeb. The Cubs are led by freshman D.D. Gillespie, who scored 14.7 points per game.

NORTH SHELBY (29-1) VS. ST. ELIZABETH (22-8)

Second ranked North Shelby returns to the Show-Me Showdown after losing in the title game to Verona in 2003. It was their first semifinal appearance. Cody Stoneburner is one of the state’s top scorers, putting in 27 points per game. Fellow senior Scott Ratliff has picked up the slack for him at times, averaging 12.5 per game.

St. Elizabeth recently had a fate similar to today’s opponent. They too, finished second recently, falling to Bell City in the 2004 title game. The Hornets have a one-two punch on offense with seniors Jakob Akin and Nick Voss who average 10.8 and 10.3 points per game this season. They knocked off 9th ranked Kingsville in the sections and 10th ranked Bronaugh in the quarterfinals.