32 MINUTES FROM COLUMBIA: ADVANCE, BILLINGS TO MATCH THEIR SIMILAR STYLES TONIGHT (1A BOYS)

As far as basketball philosophy goes, it seems that Advance and Billings read from the same book.

The Hornets (27-4) and Wildcats (23-6) will feature similar styles tonight when the teams do battle in a Class 1A Quarterfinal game at West Plains High School. The opening tip is scheduled for 8:15.

"We're pretty similar," said Robertson. "We score about 65 a night. We're not that tall -- our tallest guy is about 6-3. We're not a slow-down team but we make an attempt to get good shots."

Sound familiar?

"Tempo won't be an issue," added Robertson. "We play the same tempo."

Both teams feature a starter who is averaging more than 20 points per game.

For Advance, it is Garrett Broshuis, who was averaging 23 points per game heading into the postseason. Since district action began, the 6-foot-3 forward has averaged 30.4 points per contest, including his 38-point performance in a 60-40 win over Thayer Wednesday in a sectional game.

"It looks like they have a really good shooter," said Robertson of Broshuis. "You can see he's got some tools and he may be the best we've seen this year. He's got some height so he'll be hard to guard."

Billings' best player is its point guard. Brett Robertson, the coach's son, averages about 21 points per contest. He is a 6-foot-1 southpaw.

"They are very similar to Thayer as far as personnel," said Advance coach Jim Hall. "Their center is 6-3, but other than that they are the same. Their point guard is quick and is their leading scorer. They've also got a good shooter. But they play more up-tempo than Thayer."

Billings was somewhat of a surprise team to emerge from the Springfield area.

According to Hall, most of the people he talked to thought a parochial school out of Springfield would emerge to the quarterfinal.

Then, when Billings met Stoutland in sectionals, most in the area though Stoutland would win that game. Instead, the Wildcats won 63-51.

"We've been playing well of late," said Robertson. "We started well then had a lull in the middle of the season. But we're playing well now. So I don't know if this is unexpected. We're just a survivor.

"We know there's eight teams playing and everyone is good at this point. We're going to go in and play our best. If we lose, we know it's to a good team. These kids aren't nervous. It's time to go play basketball."

Billings does play a tough schedule, according to Robertson.

Despite holding leads at half-time, the Wildcats lost twice to Hofstra, which was ranked No. 1 in 2A for much of the season.

That's ironic because Advance split games with Scott City who was also ranked No. 1 in 2A for much of the season.

Hall points to the Hornets' game against Woodland as a crucial point this season.

Advance won the game 49-47 when Broshuis hit two free throws with two seconds left to win the game.

"I really think the Woodland game was sort of the key where we decided to really get after it," said Hall. "We were down by nine in the fourth quarter of that game. We have really played with great intensity on defense and we've worked the ball well. Garrett has just shot great since then. He played the last three or four weeks of the season like he did in the Christmas Tournament. (Daniel) Turner has played better on offense and defense and has been more selective. When he's selective, he's a good shooter. He's been taking good shots and drilling them. And (Adam) Rainey ... well he's just real consistent."