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By John Miller/For OzarksSportsZone.com
When you’ve got the two best players on the floor, chances are you’re going to be tough to beat.
Brandon Emmert and Conley Garrison combined for 48 points and 16 rebounds as Bolivar got past Webb City 63-42 in the Class 4 sectionals at Nixa High School on Tuesday night.
Emmert and Garrison alone outscored Webb City by six points.
“We’re one step closer to our goal,” said Garrison, who went for 23 points and eight boards on 7-for-10 shooting. “We came out, played hard, played as a team, and we had a good attitude about it.”
Garrison had 10 points in the opening quarter, helping Bolivar establish a lead it wouldn’t relinquish. The Liberators were up 10 at halftime, 15 after three, and stretched the lead past 20 in the fourth.
“When Conley does what Conley does, we take it for granted,” Bolivar coach Robby Hoegh said. “He’s an awesome player and … he leads us with his heart and his skills. He’s the whole package.”
Emmert was a load inside. He made 10-of-12 shots and finished with 25 points and eight boards.
“We’ve been going to school together since kindergarten. I grew up with him,” Garrison said. “I love him. It’s so fun to play with him and play at a high level with him.”
Webb City had no answer for the inside-outside duo. They started in a 2-3 zone and switched to a box-and-one. Neither worked. The Liberators made 23-of-40 shots (58 percent) and out-rebounded Webb City 31-to-15.
“This team’s a lot different than last year’s team, but I think they’re just (as good) as last year’s team,” Garrison said. “These guys do nothing but compete, and they’re great teammates. I love being around them.”
Senior Trey Gibson led Webb City with 20 points. Alex Pickett added 11.
“Webb’s a nice, young, fun team,” Hoegh said. “They’re going to be good.”
Bolivar (25-4) will now meet Grandview (24-4) in the Class 4 quarterfinals on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. Grandview edged Jefferson City Helias on Tuesday.
Bolivar 63, Webb City 42
Webb City 13 12 9 8 42
Bolivar 16 19 14 14 63
Webb City: Gibson 20, Pickett 11, Kabala 6, Ellis 5
Bolivar: Emmert 25, Garrison 23, Jones 8, Murphy 3, Spindler 2, Pitts 2
