Sports
Marquette Set for State Quarterfinal Showdown with CBC Saturday
The Mustangs will take on the Cadets on Saturday night at UMSL, with the winner advancing to the state's high school Final Four in Columbia next weekend.
ST. LOUIS — The biggest game in hoops history is set for this Saturday night, when the Mustangs will trek to the University of Missouri-St. Louis for a Missouri State High School Athletic Association Class 5 quarterfinal against Christian Brothers College High School.
Local internet message board rumors suggest the full strength of Mustang Nation, which many Ballwin and Ellisville-area supporters likely to be in the house Saturday night, when the Mustangs will play for the right to advance to the Class 5 Final Four next weekend in Columbia, against a CBC team many think might be the best team in the state.
Mustangs fans though seem to believe this is their year, especially after their team picked up three straight upset wins, including a heart-stopping, last-second victory in the state sectionals this past Wednesday night over Parkway North.
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Marquette trailed the entire game against the Vikings, but still managed to earn the first playoff victory in program history on Wednesday, thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer by senior Mitch Cox.
Video of the historic shot can be seen here: Youtube video of Mitch Cox’s game-winning three-pointer.
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On Saturday though, Marquette has the chance to make an even bigger moment and advance to the Final Four, if it can somehow get past a highly athletic CBC club that features at least three coveted Division I basketball prospects and one of the area’s top football recruits as well.
What: MSHSAA Boys Basketball Class 5 Playoffs
Who: Marquette Mustangs vs. CBC Cadets
When: 7:45 p.m. Saturday, March 3
Where: UMSL Mark Twain Gymnasium
Marquette Mustangs (19-10)
Conference: Suburban West
Head Coach: Shane Matzen
Probable Starters: Ryan Rosburg (C) – Sr., 6’10, 245; Alex Winter (F) – Sr., 6’9, 200; Mitch Cox (G) – 6’0, 170; Brooks Gerrity (G) – 6’0, 140; Chris Lenzen (G) – Jr., 6’2, 190.
Key Reserves: Matt Hink (F) – Jr., 6’5, 210; John Conlon (F) – Jr., 6’5, 197; Max Sidney (F) – Jr., 6’7, 290; Jordan Singer (G) – Sr., 5’11, 165.
Top Performers: Rosburg (20.1 ppg, 10.8 rebs/game); Cox (7.8 ppg, 69 assists, 31 steals); Gerrity (5.1 ppg, 24 three-pointers); Winter (5.0 ppg, 4.7 rebs/game).
Farthest Advance in Playoffs: 2012 – state quarterfinals.
CBC Cadets (19-10)
Conference: Metro Catholic
Head Coach: Bob McCormack
Probable Starters: Jordan Barnett (F) – Jr., 6’7, 185; Darian Bass (F) – Sr., 6’5, 205; Patrick McCaw (G) – Jr., 6’3, 165; Aarion Maxey-Penton (G) – 5’9, 165; Jared Barnes (G) – Sr., 5’8, 160.
Key Reserves: Robert Hamilton (F) – Sr., 6’2, 155; Tyron Blackmon (G) – Sr., 6’1, 180; Beau Bommarito (F) – Soph., 6’2, 165; Tyris Lockhart (G) – Soph., 6’0, 170.
Top Performers: Barnett (14.0 ppg, 7.0 rebs/game, 43 three-pointers, 50 blocked shots); McCaw (10.9 ppg, 43 three-pointers); Maxey-Penton (10.8 ppg, 50 assists, 57 steals); Barnes (10.3 ppg, 128 assists, 44 steals).
Farthest Advance in Playoffs: 1997 – state champions.
Winner Will Play: Columbia Rock Bridge/Nixa (MO) winner, in state semifinals, March 8 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.