By RANDY GONZALES

rgonzales@dailynews.net

Ever since losing to Hanover in last year's Class 1A state title game, the Quinter prep boys' basketball team has been on a mission.

"These kids, from the very beginning, we kind of treated it as unfinished business," Quinter coach John Crist said. "So close last year. Understanding that, they knew they had the regular season, knew they couldn't focus on that."

Quinter, ranked No. 1 in the state, is the No. 1 seed at the Class 1A State Championships, which start Tuesday in Gross Memorial Coliseum. Top-seeded Quinter (25-0) will play No. 8 seed Pretty Prairie (21-4) at 3 p.m.

"I don't think it bothers the kids at all," Crist said of being undefeated and No. 1 seed. "Had pressure in football and won it.

"I don't think there are any upsets at state," he added.

Quinter won the Eight-Man, Division I state football title in the fall. Hanover won the Eight-Man II crown, and both schools have a chance at the double-double this week.

"It would be really good, my second title," Crist said. "But not only win it for the kids, but win it in football and basketball the same year would be quite an accomplishment."

Crist thinks Pretty Prairie will be a good test in the opener.

"We match up real well with each other," Crist said. "They have a 6-8 kid inside, and a 6-3 kid."

Joe Lampe, Pretty Prairie's 6-foot-8 senior center, averages 9.7 points and 4.6 rebounds. Daniel Krehbiel, a 6-3 junior forward, averages 8.6 points. Pretty Prairie is led in scoring by junior Hunter Pittman at 14.5 points per game.

"Their guards are real comparable, as far as size and quickness," Crist said. "They like to play man, we like to play man. Press not as much as us."

Not many teams press as much as Quinter, which uses its pressure defense to force turnovers. In Saturday's 66-38 win over Victoria in the sub-state title game, Quinter forced 23 turnovers, including 11 in the first quarter.

But Quinter also can slow it down and work the ball inside to the Twin Towers, 6-7 senior Scott Ochs and 6-4 senior Zach Nemechek.

"That's one of the unique things about this team," Crist said. "We can play halfcourt, slug it out, and we can play fast, use our quickness and depth."

The Bulldogs' depth was tested this season, as Quinter battled injuries -- including both big men missing considerable time.

"Don't think there's any question that's helped us," Crist said. "You never like injuries. If you get kids back, you'll be better because of it."

Ochs averages 12.7 points and 6.4 rebounds, while Nemecheck averages 11.7 points and 7.3 rebounds. The team's leading scorer is senior guard Matt Bird, who averages 19.1 points. He had 49 points in two sub-state games. With the graduation of shooting guard Edward Machen off last year's squad and the injuries to Ochs and Nemecheck, Bird has increased his scoring this season.

"He has stepped it up," Crist said. "We did talk about it at the beginning of the season; Machen's not around anymore.

"When Nemecheck got hurt, he was more aggressive looking for his shot," Crist added.

Bird can hurt opponents both with the 3-pointer and on drives to the basket.

"He does finish at the basket really well, and he is a good free throw shooter. If you foul him, it's two points," Crist said. "He's a nightmare to try to guard. Glad I don't have to do it."

Now, the Bulldogs try to do what they couldn't last year -- win the state tile.

"Unfinished business," Crist said. "Try to finish it this year."