Preview: McCluer North Gears Up For Semifinal Showdown

As strange as it sounds, it will be a challenge for to bring the same intensity to its Class 5 semifinal matchup as the Stars displayed in the second half of their quarterfinal game.

Behind by six points to undefeated Chaminade at halftime this past Saturday at the University of Missouri at St. Louis, the Stars came out with maximum concentration and effort in the third quarter. Buoyed by not only desperation to keep their season alive, but by the passionate and raucous fans that overflowed all sides of the arena, McCluer North (27-4) went on a second-half roll.

Superstar senior guard B.J. Young scored all 14 of the Stars’ third-quarter points, 27 points in the second half, and the Stars survived a back-and-forth final period to end Chaminade’s season and advance with a 57-56 win.

"I haven't had one on a stage like this before," Young told Florissant Patch after the game. "This was overwhelming. But we are not done yet."

Observers have consistently regarded the contest among the greatest all-time in the St. Louis metro area.

"This was probably the biggest game in St. Louis history," head coach Randy Reed said.  "I have never seen so much hoopla and atmosphere."

Now, Reed has to revitalize his players, crank their energy back up and turn the page to Friday’s matchup against Lee’s Summit North (21-6) at 3:20 p.m. at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. The winner of that matchup will play again on Saturday at 6:40 p.m. against the winner of Troy Buchanan and Columbia-Rock Bridge.

Lee's Summit North defeated Liberty, 52-41, in the Class 5 quarterfinals in Warrensburg. Coach Mike Hilbert’s Broncos feature 6-foot-9 senior center David Kravish, who is headed to play at the University of California. Kravish had 11 rebounds and seven blocks in this past Saturday’s victory to send Lee's Summit North to its first state semifinal.

The Broncos are a well-balanced team. In the backcourt, junior guard Will Harrington and senior guard P.J. Lewis are known as adept drivers who are hard to stop one-on-one. Senior guard Kenny Berry handles the ball a lot as well.

Sophomore 6-foot-8 forward Tory Miller and senior forward Anthony Eller, 6'3", complement Kravish on the inside and could present problems. Hilbert will be using a zone defense most of the time, so getting into the lane and to the rim may be challenging for Young.

In fact, reaching their average of 72 points might be unrealistic for the Stars as Lee’s Summit North has allowed just 81 points in their past two games combined, and have allowed an average of only 48 points per game this season.

McCluer North has won six consecutive games since losing on Feb. 12 to Chaminade on national TV.

The Stars were 19-0 at one point, before they lost four out of six games before their current winning stretch. Reed has seen his Stars avenge three of those losses by defeating McCluer and Hazelwood Central in district play before downing the Red Devils last Saturday.

The Stars, who won their first state title in 2007, certainly hope that Young stays hot in Columbia. He leads the Stars with an average of 28.9 points per game on incredible 74.6 percent shooting from the field.

Young has 59 made 3-pointers, and is also averaging 4.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Young dominates the ball for Reed and gets to the line nearly seven times per game. His quickness, ball-handling and ability to penetrate overwhelmed Chaminade. Inside, the Stars rely on 6-foot-8 junior forward Jordan Granger, who is scoring 15 points per game and averaging 8.9 rebounds.

Granger will be trying to neutralize Kravish in what is a highly anticipated post matchup. Foul trouble could be a major factor for the post players.