POY Candidates: Southwest Missouri
In the first of five state-wide breakdowns — Kansas City, central Missouri, St. Louis and southeast Missouri to come later — we break down the POY candidates from the Springfield region. Jared Ridder, 6-7, F, Kickapoo (2017) One year after…
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Continue ReadingIn the first of five state-wide breakdowns — Kansas City, central Missouri, St. Louis and southeast Missouri to come later — we break down the POY candidates from the Springfield region.
Jared Ridder, 6-7, F, Kickapoo (2017)
One year after helping lead the Chiefs to the Missouri Class 5 state championship game Ridder is back as the leader of another loaded Kickapoo team this season. We look for Kickapoo to make another playoff run with the Xavier signee leading the way.
Cam Davis, 6-1, G, Kickapoo (2017)
Enters the upcoming season as one of the state’s premier point guard and has a chance to in the spotlight this season as a key part of a highly talented Kickapoo team. The Navy signee averaged 14 points per game last season as a junior, but we see those numbers taking off this year.
Brandon Emmert, 6-6, F, Bolivar (2017)
The Central Missouri State signee is poised for another big season for the Bolivar Liberators, a program that has put together consecutive big seasons with him in the starting line-up. A powerful interior player, Emmert has the ability to dominate in the post at the high school level.
Dune Piper, 5-10, PG Hartville (2017)
Piper is one of the state’s toughest on-ball defenders and is the heart of a team that is poised to make another big run in Class 2 after running away with a state title last year. With the program graduating its top two scorers from last season, we look for Piper to improve mightily on his 9 points per game last year.
Logan Thomazin, 6-3, SG, Walnut Grove (2018)
Combination of a superbly talented shooting guard that put up big numbers last year averaged 23 points and making 130 3-pointers, and a highly successful team. Walnut Grove advanced to the Class 1 state championship game last year, and a return trip is quite possible this year.
Monty Johal, 6-3, SG, Glendale (2018)
Left hander averaged 25 points per game in the Ozark Conference last season and helped Glendale win 19 games and a district championship. The Falcons move up to Class 5 this year, but a surprise district and postseason run would put Johal in the spotlight for postseason awards.
Christian Bundy, 6-6, F, Nixa (2017)
There hasn’t been a more consistently successful program in southwest Missouri over the past decade than the Nixa Eagles, and they are poised for another big season under head coach Jay Osborne. Bundy is probably the team’s most talented player, with an athletic spring in his step and a powerful interior game in the post.