Grandview, LS North boys; Lincoln Prep, NKC girls reach Missouri state basketball semis

Grandview’s wait for a boys basketball state championship spanned the program’s existence until the Bulldogs finally broke through for the first time last March.

Twelve months later, they’re two games shy of winning another.

Grandview defeated Southeast 69-61 in the Missouri Class 4 quarterfinals on Saturday at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena in Independence.

The Bulldogs (27-2) will play Logan-Rogersville (24-5) in the semifinals at 1:45 p.m. Friday at JQH Arena in Springfield.

It’s a day they’ve been targeting since, well, the last time they were there. That was just only one year ago, hoisting their first state title trophy after a win against rival Raytown South. They defeated Raytown South by two points in the sectional round earlier this week.

“I think right after we left Springfield last year, knowing I’d have three guys back who played a major, major role on the team that just won, we felt like we’d have a chance to be back if some things fell our way,” Grandview coach Reggie Morris said. “The kids have understood their role on the team. And after three months or so, as we’ve continued to get better defensively, we felt pretty confident.”

Some key pieces are back. But they’re filling new positions. Senior DeAndre Sorrells moved from shooting guard to point guard, and his comfort there was a key once again Saturday.

Sorrells, the school’s all-time leading three-point shooter, scored 19 points to lead the Bulldogs. Taj Manning added 16.

Grandview, which has outscored its opponents by an average of 22 points per game this season, led Southeast by just one point entering the fourth quarter.

“He put us on his back and delivered,” Morris said. “Southeast was tough — gritty, grinding, made big shots. But DeAndre found a way to handle their pressure and keep us organized, and he made shots, as well as kept his teammates involved in the process.”

St. Mary’s (12-10) and Ladue Horton Watkins (20-8) will meet in the other Class 4 semifinal.

Lee’s Summit North in OT

Lee’s Summit North’s boys team is moving on to the Class 5 semifinals thanks to a 63-58 overtime win over William Chrisman. Lee’s Summit North improved to 26-3; Chrisman dropped to 20-9. Lee’s Summit North will play Columbia Rock Bridge (23-3) on Friday.

Lincoln girls advance

In a Missouri Class 4 girls quarterfinal game, Lincoln Prep got by Kearney 36-33. Lincoln, which improved to 21-4, will face Logan-Rogersville (23-7) in the semifinals on Friday in Springfield.

Northtown’s night

North Kansas City’s girls team is moving on to the girls Class 5 semifinals after beating Lee’s Summit West 45-40 in the final game of the evening at SEC Arena. North KC (27-2) plays Friday in Springfield against Republic (22-8). Lees Summit West fell to 20-7.

This story was originally published March 9, 2019 at 6:08 PM.