Helias coach Josh Buffington isn't all that familiar with the Crusaders' next opponent. But from what he has seen, he knows today's Class 4 sectional matchup will be a tough battle.
Helias (20-7) will face Grandview (23-4) at 6 p.m. today at Sedalia Smith-Cotton High School.
"We have film on them and we've seen them live as well," Buffington said. " When it comes to breakdown, I think we've got a pretty good feel on them."
A day after Helias, ranked No. 9 in Class 4, topped Rolla 63-50 to win the District 11 Tournament, Buffington and his coaching staff drove to Clinton last Friday to watch Grandview rout Nevada 72-45 in the District 12 championship game.
One of the things that concerns Buffington about Grandview is the team's ability to work the offensive glass. The Bulldogs averaged 17.5 offensive rebounds per game during the District 12 Tournament.
The Bulldogs have six players listed on their roster at 6-foot-4 or taller.
"Our two biggest keys in order to have a chance to win this game is to team rebound and take care of the basketball," Buffington said.
Another concern is Grandview's athleticism. The Bulldogs average 9.1 steals per game and commit fewer than 10 turnovers per contest.
"We can't play side-to-side and start our offense 30 feet from the basket," Buffington said. "We have to play north-and-south, really be crisp with the ball and play very fundamental."
Grandview is led by 6-4 junior point guard Jordan Lathon, who tops the Bulldogs in scoring (16.5 points per game), rebounding (6.5), assists (4.0) and steals (2.4).
"He's a high major talent," Buffington said. "He's really being talked about. He does so many things well and he's really good at creating his own shot, getting into the paint and getting to the rim."
Like Helias, Grandview has also appeared in nine consecutive district championship games, winning five district titles in that stretch.
And like Helias, Grandview also has a young roster. The Crusaders have just two seniors and the Bulldogs have three.
But both young rosters have become experienced during the course of the season.
"We realize we're a young team and they are too," Buffington said. "When you get to the postseason, we've always said if you were a sophomore to start the season, you're now a junior. It's a different season."
The winner of today's sectional game will advance to the quarterfinal round, where it will play either Bolivar (24-4), ranked No. 5 in Class 4, or Webb City (15-12) at 6 p.m. Saturday at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar.