Springfield basketball takeaways: Central boys, Glendale girls send messages to area
This past week saw area powers go head-to-head along with one of the more remarkable comeback victories we'll see this season. It all set up a week ahead that features many critical conference showdowns.
Here's what we took away from this past week before we head into the first full week of February.
Central leaves no doubt that it's the area's best and will host Parkview this week
After Tuesday night's 60-49 win over Kickapoo, Central eliminated questions as to who's the best team in the area. The Bulldogs have been the best team all year and they got their first win over Kickapoo in 15 years to prove it.
It wasn't a surprise to anyone who's watched the Bulldogs all year. Stacked up against the best teams in previous seasons, these Bulldogs would be right up there with some of the great Nixa and Kickapoo teams that have gone on to make recent state semifinal appearances. The Bulldogs have been that good and that deep.
Right now, junior standout Keion Epps has established himself as the favorite to take home area player of the year honors. He's been the most consistent player on the floor and does a little bit of everything at a high level. You then add in other standouts like Tyrique Brooks, the team's lone senior, with Dru Wells, Devin Sanford, Bryce Walker and a few others and you have a team that's unquestionably the favorite to win the Class 6, District 5 tournament.
More: Central basketball proves it's Springfield's top dog with statement win over Kickapoo
Central will, again, be favored when it goes up against Parkview this week when the Vikings appear to be the best team the Bulldogs will play for the remainder of the regular season. A trip to Rolla on Feb. 16 can't be ignored. These Bulldogs play with a chip on their shoulder each game and there isn't much of a concern as to whether they will bring it each time they step on the floor.
This has been a special year for the Bulldogs and it should continue. They're in the driver's seat for the Ozark Conference title and it could turn into a great postseason run.
Nixa, Republic play in Blue Division championship rematch this week
A pivotal Central Ozark Conference matchup will be played this week and is a rematch from late December's Blue Division championship game at the Blue and Gold Tournament.
Nixa will go for its second win over Republic this season after a 59-48 win to secure the Eagles their Blue Division championship on Dec. 29. The Eagles pulled away in the fourth quarter and were led by freshman Adam McKnight's 12 points.
McKnight has continued his breakout season since the new year began. Nixa's lost to a pair of state-ranked teams including Hickman and New Madrid County (Central) in the championship game at the Nixa Invitational Tournament. He's been the team's leading scorer and a hard worker on the boards.
More: Power-ranking each Springfield area boys' basketball district heading into February
Republic's found success in recent weeks. Since a 31-point loss to Central, the Tigers have lost to Kickapoo and Helias Catholic. They haven't lost a COC game outside its championship loss to Nixa. They're still in the COC mix and have been led by Brenley Hagewood, Jordan Douglas and others.
Both are in Class 6, District 5 alongside Central and Kickapoo. With both teams having losses to Central and Kickapoo, this game could decide the No. 3 seed with the loser going to Central's side of the eight-team field.
Skyline girls finish sweep of Fair Grove to take control of Mid-Lakes
In a battle between two of the best teams in the state, Skyline emerged with its second win this season over Fair Grove and has set itself up as the favorite to win the Mid-Lakes Conference ahead of games against Strafford and Forsyth.
Skyline is now 19-2 this season with its losses coming to Marshfield and El Dorado Springs. The Class 2 team is currently ranked No. 1 in the state. Ashlen Garrett exploded for 43 points against the Lady Eagles on Thursday night.
More: Power-ranking each Springfield area girls' high school basketball district before February
Fair Grove, looking to repeat after a Class 3 championship last year, dropped to 17-6 with a game against Republic scheduled for Wednesday night. The Lady Eagles' losses have only come to teams ranked in the top five in their respective classes. Fair Grove is ranked No. 2 in Class 3, behind El Dorado Springs which it beat in the championship game last year.
Glendale girls topped Strafford in double-overtime. Can the Lady Falcons beat Kickapoo?
The comeback story for Glendale added another marquee win to its resume. To go along with a win over girls' basketball power Republic, the Lady Falcons have another with a win over Strafford.
A double-overtime 68-66 victory over Strafford gives the Lady Falcons another win over another big name in the area to celebrate. This remarkable win saw Glendale rally from 21 points down early in the fourth quarter to tie it up and send it to two extra periods.
Mattie Zingg scored 20 points in the win for Glendale with Elsie Larson scoring 35 for Strafford. Zingg made the go-ahead 3 in the final minute to give the Lady Falcons the victory.
One of the more memorable wins in a long time for the Glendale girls' basketball program will now feed into a week in which it travels to Lebanon before hosting Kickapoo on Thursday. The Lady Chiefs are 20-1 this season with their lone loss coming to Battle — they've been the best in the area all year.
A win for Glendale would be quite the announcement considering it hasn't beaten Kickapoo over the last 12 tries. The Lady Falcons' most recent win over their rival came in 2014.
Boys' games to watch this week
Monday
Mountain View @ Logan-Rogersville
Tuesday
Parkview @ Central
Nixa @ Republic
Marionville @ Ash Grove
Catholic @ Aurora
Pleasant Hope @ Lockwood
Thursday
Greenwood @ Logan-Rogersville
Friday
Glendale @ Kickapoo
Forsyth @ Fair Grove
Sparta @ Norwood
Girls' games to watch this week
Monday
Nixa @ Republic
Clever @ Strafford
Marionville @ Ash Grove
Rolla @ Bolivar
Wednesday
Republic @ Fair Grove
Thursday
Kickapoo @ Glendale
Marshfield @ Logan-Rogersville
Friday
Sparta @ Norwood
Lockwood @ Marionville
Nevada @ McDonald County
Saturday
Walnut Grove @ Skyline
Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist with the Springfield News-Leader. You can contact him at 417-371-6987, by email at wwheeler@news-leader.com or X at @WyattWheeler_NL.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Central boys, Glendale girls basketball impress with statement wins
