Barstow heading to Missouri Class 3 semis after beating Summit Christian

The performance seemed quiet only by comparison. In reality, Barstow sophomore Jeriah Horne’s game spoke loudly once again Saturday.

While Horne fell short of the output he compiled in Barstow’s first meeting with Summit Christian Academy, he did more than enough to secure another win against the rival Eagles. And this one sent Barstow to the Missouri Class 3 state tournament for the first time since 1995.

Horne scored 28 points in leading Barstow to a 69-53 victory against Summit Christian Academy in the state quarterfinals Saturday at the Independence Events Center. He needed only seven field goals to get there, making 14 of 20 free-throw attempts.

“It wasn’t like last time, but it will do,” said Horne, who scored 38 points in a Jan. 31 win against Summit Christian. “It means a lot to get this win. To show how much work we put in and have it pay off like this, it’s something special.”

And now there’s a chance for something even more memorable. Barstow, 26-2, will meet College Prep of Madison, the defending state champions, in the Class 3 state semifinals at noon Thursday at the Hearnes Center in Columbia.

In the quarterfinals Saturday, Barstow built a five-point lead by halftime, then used a 10-0 third-quarter run to cruise to victory in the second half. Alexander Acuff added 13 points for Barstow.

Summit Christian, which starts five seniors, ended its season 24-6.

Taurin Hughes scored 13 points for the Eagles, while Greg Nicoll scored 12 before fouling out early in the fourth quarter.

The West Platte boys basketball team has lost only three games over the past two seasons. As it turns out, that’s two too many.

The Blue Jays’ state-championship hopes came to a close Saturday with a loss to Sacred Heart in the Class 2 state quarterfinals at the Independence Events Center.

A year after settling for second place at state, West Platte, 27-2, failed to reach the final four, despite a 22-point effort Saturday from senior Adam Roe.

“It’s tough,” Roe said. “Losing three games in two years, that’s not bad, though. We had a fun ride. There’s nothing to hang our heads about. It’s been a great season.”

The ride ended in dramatic fashion.

The teams traded the lead 11 times Saturday, with Sacred Heart finally seizing control in the fourth quarter to keep its unbeaten season alive.

West Platte never trailed by more than three points until the final quarter. The Blue Jays turned the ball over seven times in the final 5 minutes against full-court pressure.

Sacred Heart senior Stefan Cox scored 27 points, helping his team overcome a a four-of-22 performance from three-point range.

“That’s the type of game you expect this time of year,” West Platte coach Zane Tanner said. “It should come down to a few plays — that’s what makes it fun and exciting. You would just like to be on the other side of it.”

El Dorado Springs ended Cameron’s bid for a second straight trip to the Missouri Class 3 state tournament.

Cameron led by four points at halftime, then managed only seven points in the third quarter. Melia Richardson scored 19 points, and Ashli Lykins added 17 for Cameron, which finished the season 24-6.

Skyline outscored North Platte by nine points in the fourth quarter and advanced to the Missouri Class 2 girls state tournament.

North Platte, 27-2, led by eight points in the third quarter, but Skyline took its first lead of the second half on Madisen Brethower’s layup with 2 minutes to play.

Maddie Roberts scored 15 in the loss for North Platte.

This story was originally published March 8, 2014 at 9:08 PM with the headline "Barstow heading to Missouri Class 3 semis after beating Summit Christian."