By Richard Polen
rpolen@joplinglobe.com
Cleo Elbert won’t be surprised with what he sees when Thomas Jefferson faces Dadeville in the Class 1 quarterfinals today at Sedalia.
The Cavaliers’ head coach knows that the Bearcats, who have their entire roster returning from last season’s team that qualified for the state tournament, are among the elite teams in their class.
The game is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. at State Fair Community College. The winner advances to Show-Me Showdown II on March 18-20 at Mizzou Arena and Hearnes Center in Columbia.
“They’re good,” Elbert said of Dadeville, which is 27-1 and was ranked No. 3 in the final regular-season poll by the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.
“They have three big guys who can play, then they have three guards who can shoot the 3 and pass well,” Elbert said. “They press full court and play good defense.”
Of particular concern is Dadeville’s front line — starters Brock Toler and Dakota Webb are 6-foot-4 — along with all-state wingman Zach Medley.
Toler and Medley were named to the All-District 5 team first team, while Webb was a selection for the second five.
“Medley can really shoot the 3. He had seven against Chadwick, and he can drive on you,” Elbert said. “They play all phases of the game well.”
Medley scored 27 points in Dadeville’s 75-54 victory Tuesday night against Chadwick in the first round of the state tournament. Thomas Jefferson advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Drexel 54-44.
Toler had 18 points and nine rebounds against Chadwick, and Webb contributed 14 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
“They seem to know where everybody is going to be at all times and get the ball to the open man,” Elbert said. “It will be a battle.”
Thomas Jefferson, 25-1 and ranked No. 9 in the final regular-season poll, will counter with a front line that includes Jordan Stauffer, a 6-5 senior who averages 17 points and 11 rebounds a game, and 6-3 sophomore Alex Oserowsky, who averages 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Around the perimeter, the Cavaliers will go with Zach Powell, a 6-3 junior, Jay Powell, a 6-1 senior, and senior point guard Taylor Barton, all of whom average more than seven points a game.
“Dadeville gets a lot of points off their defense,” Elbert said. “We’ll need to take care of the ball.”
