The Helias Crusaders are happy to be playing basketball today, in more ways than one.
Helias is one win from reaching its first Final Four since 2016. To get there, the Crusaders will have to beat the Webb City Cardinals in the Class 4 quarterfinal game, which is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. today at Southwest Baptist in Bolivar.
"We're feeling good about the game," Helias coach Joe Rothweiler said. "Emotions are a little bit confused right now with all the chaos that's going on with the change in plans."
On Thursday night, the Missouri State High School Activities Association announced in a press release that "only essential personnel will be allowed in the arena for all quarterfinal games on Saturday." Additionally, "each participating school will be responsible for designating who is considered essential personnel," limited to 60 people per school.
"When you think about it, it might have the feel of a summer league game," Rothweiler said. "You feel bad, especially for the players, because when you're in the playoffs, you expect the atmosphere of big fan sections, big student sections."
"But it's still a playoff game. Once they tip it up, I think both teams will be locked in and it will make it a playoff atmosphere on the court with their intensity."
To get to the quarterfinals, Helias (22-6) defeated Rolla 51-37 on Tuesday in the sectionals at Missouri S&T. Webb City (17-9) edged Logan-Rogersville for a 58-57 victory in Tuesday's sectional at Nixa.
"They're very solid," Rothweiler said of Webb City. "They're very athletic. I would almost compare them to us a little bit in the makeup of their team."
Rothweiler added, at times, Webb City can be similar defensively to Helias.
"In the full court, they like to run and jump and trap," he said.
The Cardinals are led by 6-foot-1 senior guard Terrell Kabala, who averages a team-high 14.7 points per game. Kabala finished with just 12 points in the win against Logan-Rogersville, but he had a season-high 36 points in the regular-season finale against Ozark.
"He's had some big games this year," Rothweiler said. "The more and more I watch him, the more he reminds me of Marcus Anthony for us, with his ability to get out in transition and make plays."
Tanner Rogers, a 6-2 senior guard, also averages double figures for the Cardinals with 11.9 points per game. He scored a team-high 23 points against Logan-Rogersville and leads the team with 75 3-pointers this season.
"He's a really good shooter," Rothweiler said. "He's always looking to free up for that 3-point shot. When he gets open, he's letting it fly."
Webb City, like Helias, doesn't possess a tall presence in the paint. Nickhai Howard, a 5-10 junior, is the team's leading rebounder at 6.1 boards per game. He also averages 10.3 points.
"He'll play inside and out, he does a great job on the boards," Rothweiler said. "He's not going to play with his back to the basket, but he can also get out in transition and go and try to make plays in their half-court."
Webb City scores 70.4 points per game and allows 59.8, while Helias is putting up 62.5 points per game and giving up 56.
While the Crusaders' offense wasn't at its peak Tuesday, Rothweiler is hopeful the defense shows up today the way it did against Rolla.
"If we can continue to defend like we have been, defense usually travels," Rothweiler said. "While it's a different matchup than what we faced against Rolla, I think we can be effective on the defensive end."
Anthony, Helias' leading scorer this season, had a game-high 20 points against Rolla. Damon Johanns also reached double figures with 12 points.
"Hopefully it's just a matter of time before our offense starts clicking again," Rothweiler said. "Hopefully it will be Saturday. If that happens, I really like our chances."
The winner of today's game will face either top-ranked Vashon (23-5) or Kirksville (22-5) in the semifinals at 6:15 p.m. Thursday at JQH Arena in Springfield.