Scouting and predicting C5D11
District preview: Class 5 District 11 at Branson High School This district features all three elements of a great field: a favorite, a challenger and a dark horse. Kickapoo, sporting a 24-2 record is a huge favorite here as the…
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Continue ReadingDistrict preview: Class 5 District 11
at Branson High School
This district features all three elements of a great field: a favorite, a challenger and a dark horse. Kickapoo, sporting a 24-2 record is a huge favorite here as the Chiefs have put together a dominant regular season, but Branson and Ozark are hoping to spoil the Chiefs’ fun.
Scouting the teams
(1) Kickapoo Chiefs (24-2)
Easily one of the state’s most talented teams, Kickapoo features 2016 guards Isaac Johnson (Drury) and Niekie Thomas-Fontleroy, as well as 2017 prospects Jared Ridder and Cam Davis. Johnson and Thomas-Fontleroy are each averaging around 10 points per game, while Ridder and Davis have taken their games to new heights this season, averaging 21 and 13 respectively. Kickapoo also has plenty of depth with a host of players capable of making big plays. They ran the table in the Ozark Conference, going 9-0, and also posted wins over Nixa and Ozark, among the Springfield area’s top teams this year. Kickapoo’s only two losses came at the vaunted Tournament of Champions.
(2) Ozark Tigers (18-8)
Team has had a terrific season, but has had mixed results over the last few weeks of the season. In a show of how close the COC was this season, Ozark won big over Republic, but lost to Branson, Nixa and Bolivar, going 3-3 over its final six games. The Tigers have a talented team with good bigs in Collin Bottoms and Clayton Engle, and good guards in Kyland Hewett-Newbill and Riley Simmons. They also mix a deep senior class with an up-and-coming sophomore class. They nearly pulled off an upset win over Kickapoo in the regular season, but suffered a blow out in the rematch, 73-44.
(3) Branson Pirates (16-10)
Easily the area’s biggest enigma, Branson captured the COC title bu going 6-1, but were 10-9 in its non-conference slate. They do have plenty of weapons, with a steady point guard in Colby Sutton and a talented wing player in Seth Wood. And they have played well down the stretch, winning seven of its last nine.
(5) Central Bulldogs (8-16)
Team posted a minor upset of sorts, beating crosstown rival Parkview in the play-in game, 60-53. Central has a deep squad and some talent, but they will be a huge underdog against Kickapoo in Tuesday’s semifinal. The Chiefs won the first meeting, 79-46.
Players to watch
Jared Ridder, 6-7, 2017, SF, Kickapoo
Cam Davis, 6-1, PG, 2017, Kickapoo
Isaac Johnson, 6-1, G, 2016, Kickapoo (Drury)
Niekie Thomas-Fontleroy, 6-2, G, 2016, Kickapoo
Collin Bottoms, 6-5, PF, 2016, Ozark
Kyland Hewett-Newbill, 6-2, G, 2016, Ozark
Riley Simmons, 6-1, G, 2016, Ozark
Colby Sutton, 5-11, PG, 2016, Branson
Seth Wood, 6-5, SF, 2016, Branson
Deontei Johnson, 6-4, SF, 2017, Central
Our picks
(1) Kickapoo vs. (5) Central
Feel for the Bulldogs here, they are running up against a squad that is on a mission. Our pick Kickapoo
(2) Ozark vs. (3) Branson
Yes, the Branson Pirates are playing well and won the first match-up between these two teams. They have some nice individual players, a Hall of Fame coach … but, look for Ozark to regain its mid-season magic when they were playing well and earn a third game with the Chiefs. Our pick Ozark
Championship
(1) Kickapoo vs. (2) Ozark
By all rights, Ozark had the first meeting won before Isaac Johnson put together a terrific final minute to help the Chiefs avoid the upset. There really hasn’t been a local team challenge them since. The Chiefs’ 40-point win over Waynesville and dominance against Rolla is cause for concern for anyone in their path to the Final Four. A motivated and tuned-in Kickapoo squad is a scary thing. Our pick Kickapoo