Semis Set in Nelson, Patterson
The first day of the Jewell Classic is in the books, and the semifinals are set in two of the three divisions.
PATTERSON DIVISION RECAPS
No. 19 Center 77, No. 11 Liberty North 45
Center saw a chance to make a statement in the Jewell Classic and certainly didn't let it slip by.
The undefeated Yellowjackets (6-0), ranked No. 19 in the 810 Varsity Top 25, went beserk in the first round matchup vs No. 11 Liberty North. Center hit 7-of-13 three's in the first half and shot over 61% from the floor to build an insurmountable 49-19 lead at intermission. Meanwhile, the Eagles were a paltry 28% before the break.
Though down by 30, Liberty North (5-2) warmed up with over 57% proficiency in the second half, but Cetner still scorched the nets at 59%, 60.4% for the game and romped, 77-45.
Leading five Yellowjackets in double figures was Frack Kamgain with 18 points, including three trifectas. Daryl Wright (14), Amaun Ryan (12), Rachaad White (11) and Jeremiah Wilson (10) also tallied double figures for Center.
Center opened the year with a notable 78-55 rout of Barstow and has since continued to win. They'll face No. 4 Park Hill, a 73-34 winner, on Thursday at 6 pm in the semis of the Patterson Division.
No. 13 Raytown 72, Winnetonka 35
The Blue Jays had little trouble with the Griffins en route to advancing to the Patterson Division semifinals.
Raytown (5-1) opened it up early on 52% shooting in the first half. For the game, Raytown hit 54.7% from the floor.
Isiah Burton led the way with 19 points, six assists and four rebounds. Mason Fair tallied 12 points and a game-high six boards. Bryan Blanks also added 11 points and snagged five caroms.
Bol Tong led Winnetonka with 11 points.
Raytown will face Blue Springs South in the semis at 4:30 pm on Thursday.
No. 16 Blue Springs South 54, Fort Osage 48
The Jaguars appeared to have slept in a little too long during Christmas break, but woke up in time to fend off winless Fort Osage, 54-48, on Tuesday afternoon.Ethan Swanegan paced the Jags with 12 points. Dylan Soifus led the Indians with 13.
NELSON DIVISION RECAPS
No. 25 Blue Springs 59, Kearney 52
Daniel Parker Jr. simply wouldn't let the Wildcats fall in the opening round of the Nelson Division.
Parker led Blue Springs with 27 ponits along with 10 rebounds to a 59-52 win. RJ Lawrence added 14 points.
The Wildcats overcame an off night from senior guard Tyree King, who shot 0-for-7 from the field, including missing all six three-point attempts for Blue Springs.
Dylan Ritz led Kearney with 20 points.
Blue Springs will take on No. 10 Park Hill South in the Nelson Division semifinals.
No. 10 Park Hill South 81, Lincoln Prep 62
The Panthers pulled away from Lincoln Prep for an easy win in the first round of the Nelson Division on Tuesday.
Lamel Robinson paced the Panthers with 23 points, while senior guard Jacob Kline added 16. Desi Williams and Connor Lee each added 10 apiece.
Park Hill South, coming off a loss to rival Park Hill, forced 20 Tiger turnovers while outrebounding Lincoln Prep, 35-24. Saadique Perkins led the efforts on the glass with six caroms.
Steve Dudley led Lincoln Prep with 21 points.
Oak Park 67, Rockhurst 58
It wasn't a matter of if Oak Park and Ochai Agbaji were ready for the Jewell Classic. It was more if Rockhurst was ready for Agbaji.
The Hawklets weren't, as Agbaji - who entered the game averaging over 21 ppg - rang off a tourney-high 30 points. Jhaidyn Richardson followed up with 14 points and nine rebounds as the Northmen notched a 67-58 first-round win over Rockhurst.
Oak Park will face Lee's Summit West - No. 2 in the 810 Varsity Top 25 - in the semifinals.
No. 2 Lee's Summit West 68, Smithville 31
Well, what can you say? The Titans will face Oak Park at 7:30 pm on Thursday night.
