Tough road for Helias in Great 8 Classic

The Helias Crusaders have been looking forward to the Great 8 Classic.

After winning the title in 2014, the Crusaders played in front of a capacity crowd at Fleming Fieldhouse last year in a 54-51 loss to Father Tolton, which won on a 3-pointer by Michael Porter Jr. in the final seconds.

But Helias isn't looking ahead to the championship game just yet.

"Not only were those games big-game atmosphere, but first round and second round are the same way," Helias coach Josh Buffington said. "That's the most fun part about this tournament, the size of the stage you get to play on.

"If you don't come into the first round with a championship-game mentality, you're probably going to get beat."

Helias will face Oxford (Miss.) in the opening round. Buffington already had a quick scouting report on the Chargers, who reached the elite eight in last year's Mississippi state tournament and are off to a 4-0 start this season.

"We know Jarkel Joiner is averaging 40 (points) a game and we know that Terry Williams is averaging 20," Buffington said of Oxford's two leading scorers. "We're trying to gather as much film on them right now and start working toward a game plan on that."

Raytown South, Jefferson City and Father Tolton return to the Great 8 Classic from last year. 

Oxford and Louisville Western (Ky.) return after making apperances in 2013. Memphis Whitehaven (Tenn.) and Northmont (Ohio) are new to the tournament this season.

The Crusaders have won their first two games comfortably to start the season and bumped up one spot to No. 3 in Class 4 in the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association's state poll released Wednesday.

"We've played really well in our first two (games)," Buffington said. "Our energy has been super high and we've defended well. Hopefully we can maintain it. It's a long season."

The Great 8 Classic is set to begin Dec. 28. All 12 games during the three-day tournament will be played at Fleming Fieldhouse.