COLUMBIA — Chadwick coach Shawn Guerin’s premonition that the Cardinals’ opponent would be Braymer in today’s Class 1 state championship game proved correct.
Following the Cardinals’ semifinal victory Friday and prior to the Braymer-Dadeville semifinal, Guerin talked about Chadwick’s struggles against Green City while previewing the title title.
"If we don’t come to play at 4 o’clock (Saturday), we’ll be in the same situation against a very good Braymer team,” Guerin said.
Braymer (22-9) indeed handled Dadeville by a 57-46 count, with guard Jordan Haley scoring 28 points.
Chadwick (28-3) will be going for its first state championship to match the Lady Cardinals’ 2005 state championship.
As Guerin said, the opening tip will be at 4 p.m.
“We want to be 7-0 (in the post-season) and win the whole thing,” Guerin said.
The Cardinals anticipate the game playing out similar to their semifinal dramatics.
“Same emotions, same environment. I’m ready for it,” guard Tristan Smith said. “I’m ready to make something happen.”
“As soon as I wake up and I’m going to wake up early, I’ll hate having to wait all day for the game,” forward Clayton Garrison said. “I’l have to pass time by doing something.”
The Cardinals have stayed at The Residence Inn during their tournament stay. Earlier in the week, they took in Hartville’s win in the Class 2 state championship game.
Garrison has played AAU ball with Hartville’s Jalon Cryer and Grant Culver.
“We walked in (Mizzou Arena) and it made me a little more nervous, seeing how big the arena is,” Garrison said. “I was proud of the way (Hartville) played, they played well.”
