Branson Pulls Off Upset, Hollister Outlasts Forsyth, Harrison Advances

Wednesday's Postseason Basketball Games included a huge upset.

One of the bigger upsets in recent Missouri High School Basketball Postseason Tournaments occurred in Willard on Wednesday as the Branson Pirates, losers of 15 games in a row, knocked off top seed Bolivar in the Class 5 District opening round game 55-52. 

The Pirates used timely shooting and a strong defense to lead most of the first half but the Liberators heated up in the second half and built an eight point lead before Branson hit some clutch three point shots to get back in it. The Pirates seized the lead and made enough free throws down the stretch to secure a win over a team that had beaten them by 15 points earlier this season. 

Nolan Tolivar scored 17 points, Justin Gill added 16, and Jayce Culver scored 14 points to pace the Pirates.

The Pirates, who's last win prior to Wednesday night had come on December 28, will play Hillcrest in the semi-finals on Friday. 

Meanwhile in Hollister, the third match-up of the year between the Tigers and Forsyth Panthers took place in the Class 4 District Semi-finals.

The first two games were close with each school winning one, but hot Tiger shooting in Wednesday game allowed them to blow open the contest in the fourth quarter winning 64-43. Garrett Snyder led with 25 points while Ethan Wright added 17 for the Tigers with Forsyth being led by Ryder Blevins who scored 20.

Hollister will play top seeded Rogersville in the District Final on Friday. 

While bigger schools in Missouri are in District Play, State Tournament action is underway for schools in Arkansas including the Harrison Goblins, who notched a first round win in the 5A Tournament in Pine Bluff over Valley View 51-38. The win will send the Goblins to the quarter finals on Friday against the winner of today's game between Vilonia and Hot Springs.

Today on MOARK Sports, the Branson Lady Pirates open play in the Class 5 Girls District in Marshfield against Parkview. Game time will be around 5:15. 

Postseason Scoreboard
Missouri Boys District Games
Class 5 at Willard
Branson 55 Bolivar 52
Hillcrest 60 McDonald County 43
Parkview 60 West Plains 43
Glendale 72 Willard 70 (OT)

Class 4 District at Hollister
Hollister 64 Forsyth 43
Rogersville 73 Mountain Grove 51

Arkansas State Tournament (includes Today's Schedule for Area Teams)
5A at Pine Bluff
Harrison Boys 51 Valley View 38

3A at Lamar
Flippin Girls vs. Fouke 1:00
Bergman Boys vs. Drew Central 2:30
Valley Springs Girls vs. Glen Rose 4:00
Valley Springs Boys vs. Lakeside 5:30

2A at Rector
Marshall Boys vs. Westside 2:30
Yellville-Summit Girls vs. Mt. Vernon-Enola 4:00
Ozark Mountain Boys vs. Cedar Ridge 5:30

1A at Ozark
Kirby Girls 48 Alpena 36
Jasper Girls 74 Lafayette County 25