ADVANCE DISPOSES OF THAYER IN 1A SECTIONAL

POPLAR BLUFF -- Garrett Broshuis stepped forward with 38 points to lead Advance into the Class 1A quarterfinals with a 60-40 victory over Thayer in Wednesday's sectional round.

Advance (27-4), ranked fourth in the state, will face Billings (23-6) in Saturday's quarterfinal contest in Cabool. Billings defeated Stoutland 63-51 Wednesday.

The Hornets were in control throughout the sectional contest, building an 18-8 lead by the close of the first quarter. Advance took a 31-17 lead into halftime and then played Thayer to a 10-10 stalemate in the third quarter for a 41-27 advantage. The Hornets pulled away down the stretch, outscoring Thayer 19-13 in the fourth quarter.

Daniel Turner added 11 points for the Hornets while Jon French finished with nine.

In the 1A girls contest, Van Buren advanced to the quarterfinal round with a 46-35 victory over Oran.

Bliss Robinson did the majority of the damage for Van Buren, finishing with a game-high 21 points. Robinson was the only double-figure scorer in the game.

Oran trailed 9-6 after one quarter but moved ahead 20-17 by halftime. The Lady Eagles then saw foul troubles mount in the third quarter as it was outscored 11-3. Van Buren took a 28-23 lead into the fourth quarter.

In the third quarter, Heisserer and Ashley Dirnberger both picked up their fourth fouls and were forced to sit. Heisserer eventually fouled out in the fourth quarter with a team-high eight points.

Oran cut the lead to 30-29 in the final period, but could not take the lead.

"We kept shooting ball, but it just wouldn't go down," said Oran coach Tom Anderson.