MOUNT VERNON VS. VASHON
What: Class 4 girls semifinal
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: JQH Arena, Missouri State University
Moving on: The winner advances to the state title game at 4 on Saturday against either Boonville or Benton. The loser plays for third place at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Records: Mount Vernon 27-3, Vashon 17-1
Quarterfinal results: Mount Vernon def. Blair Oaks 46-45; Vashon def. Central (Park Hills) 70-44.
THE MOUNTAINEERS: Mount Vernon is in the semifinals for the first time since 2012. The Mountaineers have won 14 straight games since a loss to Class 6 Ozark on Jan. 20. Mount Vernon scores 62 points a game and allows just 36.
Mount Vernon senior point guard Lacy Stokes was named the 4-States Basketball Coaches Association’s player of the year this week. A Missouri Southern recruit, Stokes is averaging 25.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.2 steals and 5.1 assists per game. She’s shooting 51 percent from the floor and 83 percent from the foul line
Like Stokes, senior guard Elllie Johnston is a four-year varsity performer. Juniors Cameryn Cassity, Raegan Boswell and Jolie Prescott are Mount Vernon’s other probable starters. Lisa Kruger, Allie Schubert and Kadence Krempges are other key performers.
THE WOLVERINES: Vashon is in the semifinal round for the first time in school history. The Wolverines, who are on a nine-game winning streak, forced 28 turnovers in their quarterfinal victory, STL high school sports reported. Vashon’s lone loss came to undefeated Incarnate Word, a team in the Class 6 final four. Vashon is scoring 65 points per game and giving up 34.
A player to watch for Vashon is 5-8 guard Marshaun Bostic, an Auburn recruit who compiled 16 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals in the quarterfinals. Other Vashon players to watch include Raychel Jones, Kiyah Cooper and Nariyah Simmons. All four players are scoring in double figures. Vashon is ranked first by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association, while Mount Vernon is ranked fourth.
QUOTABLE: “I am super proud of our kids. Since Lacy and Ellie were little kids, they’ve talked about doing this. A lot of them were in the stands watching the 2012 team go all the way and win it. We broke through this year. We had to claw and scratch to do it, but it is an unbelievable feeling.” — Mount Vernon coach Grant Berendt.
HOW TO WATCH: https://www.mshsaa.tv/?B=247238
HOW TO LISTEN: http://mtneers.com/
