The Class 3 boys state championship game is set, with a highly-anticipated matchup between Father Tolton Catholic’s Blazers (Columbia) and the Barstow Knights (Kansas City).
Both teams feature high-end Division 1 talent, and both survived semifinal challenges on Thursday at Mizzou Arena to advance. Father Tolton, led by the #3 ranked junior in the country, in Michael Porter Jr., downed Whitfield by a score of 83-71. Barstow, featuring featuring future Nebraska Cornhusker Jeriah Horne and North Carolina Tar Heel Shea Rush, beat Mountain Grove, 63-49.
Father Tolton, at 29-3, will play 27-3 Barstow for the state title at 12:50 Saturday afternoon at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. Whitfield and Mountain Grove play in the third place game, Friday afternoon at 12:45.
In the Class 2 boys semifinals, #1 ranked Hartville ripped Wellington-Napoleon 63-33, while Iberia went to overtime before taking down Bloomfield, 65-58. Hartville plays Iberia for the state title on Saturday afternoon at 4:30, while Wellington-Napoleon plays Bloomfield for third place, Friday at 4:15 PM.
In the Class 3 girls semifinals, Saxony Lutheran beat Southern Boone 54-40, while Strafford claimed a 49-38 win over St. Pius X. Saxony Lutheran plays Strafford for the state crown on Saturday morning at 11 o’clock, with Southern Boone and St. Pius playing for third place, Friday morning at 11 o’clock.
In the Class 2 girls semifinals, Neelyville was a 63-45 winner over New Franklin, while Crane, looking for a fourth straight championship, advanced past Skyline 56-50. Neelyville and Crane play at 2:40 on Saturday afternoon for the title, with New Franklin dueling with Skyline for third place, Friday afternoon at 2:30.
