Earl Austin Jr: Class 2 and 3 state‏

Class 2 and 3 state‏
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Earl  Austin on 15/03/2010 14:32:00
 
Whitfield advanced to its second consecutive Final Four with a 64-35victory over
Schyler Co. in the Class 3 state quarterfinals at Hannibal.Sophomore guard Zach
Ellis scored a game-high 26 points to leadWhitfield,which advanced to the state
championship game last seasonbefore losing to Maplewood.Ritter advanced to
Columbia after defeating Kennett 76-62 in the quarterfinals in Farmington.
Seniors Mylin Jordan and Evan Jonesfinished with 16 points to lead the Lions,who
made their last Final Fourappearance in 2006 when they won the state title.The
winner will meet either Hogan Prep or Mt. Vernon for the state titleon Saturday.
Cardinal Ritter's girls are going for the second consecutive Class 3state
championship after advancing to another Final Four. The Lionsdisplayed their
usual stingy defense in defeating Greenville 37-25.Cardinal Ritter will meet
Macon on Thursday in the semifinals at theHearnes Center. The magical final run
of Wellston's boys continued on Saturday when theTrojans defeated Stoutland in
the Class 2 state quarterfinals inJefferson City. The Trojans were led by junior
star Ben McLemore with 31points and 13 rebounds. Wellston will face Bernie in
the statesemifinals at noon. It is the final year for Eskridge High in
Wellstonas the school district will be closed down at the end of the schoolyear.
Finally, my congratulations to coach George Merritt and the girls ofNorth County
Tech on an historic season. The Eagles' season ended onSaturday when they lost
to Macon in the state quarterfinals at Hannibal,but it was still an outstanding
season. North County Tech won 20 gamesand the school's first district title in
history. The Eagles followed upwith a dramatic come-from-behind victory over a
highly regarded BowlingGreen team in the sectionals.Great season girls.