Central girls’ seeks elusive return to hoops Final 4 in state quarters on KREI

(Hillsboro) For the second straight year, the Central Rebels are just one win away from the Final 4 of Missouri high school girls’ basketball.

Central will try to punch their ticket to the Show-Me Showdown in Springfield when they face St. James in the Class 4 state quarterfinals Saturday on KREI.

Central is 21-5, but unlike last season’s equally impressive campaign, the Rebels have largely been powered by younger players.

Sophomore Khloe Dischbein leads the team in scoring and is averaging 14 points and 2 steals per game.

Freshman Allysa O’Connor has also proven to be a breakout star, averaging over 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals a game.

But, while the young guns have certainly been big contributors to their success, Rebels head coach Josh Mapes says none of this season is possible without seniors Madison Holmes and Olivia Dunn.

Dunn and Holmes have the numbers to back up that leadership, combining to average almost 14 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals per contest.

Central will need every bit of talent and tenacity they have to tame the St. James Tigers, who are 24-5 and ranked seventh in the state in Class 4.

Mapes says St. James is a well-rounded team that gets plenty of chances to take the court.

The Rebels’ last meeting with the Tigers was the only loss of their state championship season in 2015, the last time they reached the Final 4.

Central squares off with St. James in the Class 4 state quarterfinals Saturday afternoon.

Coverage begins with the Flieg’s Equipment Pregame Show just after 2:30 on AM 800 KREI.

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