Cubs continue defense of Class 1 state title Saturday against Eminence Red Wings

The Bell City Cubs will be making the trip to West Plains for the Class 1 quarterfinal game Saturday for the third straight season.

The Cubs (20-9) will be facing the Eminence Red Wings (17-13), who are led by Paul Gregory.

Tip-off for Saturday's game is slated for 2:45 p.m. at the West Plains Civic Center.

Gregory poured in 29 points in the Red Wings' 53-47 upset victory over Verona in Wednesday's sectional contest.

The 6-0 junior, along with 6-2 senior Joe Baily, lead Eminence in scoring. Baily tallied 11 points in the sectional game and led the Red Wings with 20 points in their district title contest.

While Gregory and Baily are the go-to players, the rest of the Red Wings have made an impression on Bell City coach David Heeb.

"They play really hard," Heeb said of the Red Wings. "I'd compare them to Bloomfield as far as how they play and how hard they play. I think that is a great compliment because (Bloomfield coach) Travis Brown gets his kids to play as hard for him as any coach around. They just flat-out hustle."

Heeb added that Gregory "can do a little bit of everything; he's a good finisher around goal, and we've got to know where he is at all times."

The Red Wings also have a deep threat in Zach Martin.

"He's their best 3-point shooter," said Heeb. "And he's a pretty good athlete. He can knock down the open 3 if you don't watch out."

In Saturday's game, Bell City will look to do what it has done all season.

"We're not going to try to change too much because it will only confuse us because we are so young," said Heeb, whose team features four freshman and a sophomore that see significant playing time. "I think we're best when we just turn them loose and tell them to go play ball."

The Cubs have had numerous injuries and illnesses that have forced the younger players into lead and supporting roles throughout the year.

"This group overcome more this year than any group I've ever coached," Heeb said. "This group has to scrap for everything they've gotten."

With a little more hard work and a little luck, the Cubs could be scrapping their way to Columbia next Thursday and Friday for the Show-Me Showdown to pick up their second consecutive state championship.