Stock Risers: Blue and Gold Tournament
Nothing says Christmas in the Ozarks like the Blue and Gold Tournament and 2016 didn’t disappoint. Ozark and Republic represented the COC Large well with tournament titles, Nixa’s Jay Osborne set the career wins record and Parkview’s JT Brown matched a single-game scoring mark. And – of course – several uncommitted players boosted their stock with an impressive week. Here are a few.
2017 G/F Julius Walker, Greenwood
We should have known it was going to be a monster week for Walker after lighting Reeds Spring up for 15 points in the first quarter of Greenwood’s opening-round upset. Walker finished with 32 points that night. He followed that up by feeding Nixa 28 points in a 70-61 loss. The Jays got bounced on Day Three, losing to previously state-ranked Fair Grove, but Walker scored 22 of his team’s 46 points. He continues to impress with his ability to score at all three levels and teams have yet to find a type of defender that is effective in keeping him from getting to his spots. He’s the most versatile scorer in the Ozarks and his performance this week proved that he can get it against any level of competition.
2017 G Conley Garrison, Bolivar
To say Garrison is coming into his own would be an understatement. As a sophomore it seemed like he was just a shooter, as a junior he attacked off the bounce but struggled to shoot it with consistency and now he has put it all together. Garrison went for 29 points against Mountain Grove, including hitting the game-winner. Everyone that plays Bolivar knows that stopping this guy is the key and yet no one has been able to do it. He’s done a tremendous job of getting Brandon Emmert involved in the offense, while also making Bolivar’s role players better – he’s a true floor general that can also go get a bucket. There aren’t many combo guards in the state that are more productive than Conley Garrison.
2017 G Dune Piper, Hartville
It’s no secret that he’s one of the best defenders in Missouri, regardless of class, but this week Piper sustained scoring consistency at an impressive clip. Basically, he was eating against Springfield programs Catholic, Glendale and Parkview by scoring a total of 75 points in those three games. That is the most points Piper has scored in a three-game stretch in his career. He’s always been able to attack people off the bounce, but now he’s as comfortable creating offense for himself as he is in creating it for others. He’s a tough kid to stay in front of and not many at the high school level have the quickness and strength to match his. As he continues to gain confidence in his jumper he will become increasingly more of a headache for opposing coaches.
2017 G JT Brown, Parkview
Brown had arguably the best day in Blue and Gold history, tying a single-game tournament record in scoring (47) and 3-point FG makes (9) in a win against Willow Springs. Brown continues to be the most efficient scorer in the area, shooting 56% from the field, 56% from 3 and 92% from the line. He even went for 18 against a stingy Republic defense, going 6-for-12 from the field, in accounting for half of Parkview’s points. He’s the epitome of a guy that can score at all three levels. At 6’2 he’s an intriguing prospect.
2018 G Kenny Chambers, Willard
Chambers may not have been in the conversation as the Ozarks’ best guard in 2018 before the Blue and Gold, but he certainly is now. He’s just 5’11, but his compact build and scary athleticism allow him to finish with the best of them at the rim. Chambers has an improving jumper from 3 and flashed a pull-up game this week – including a game-winner against Rogersville. What sets him apart from other guards in this class is his ability to defend because of his strength and quick hands. He plays with an infectious swagger and his teammates buy into what he can do individually and what Willard can do collectively. When he has it going Willard can play with anyone.
@OzarksOzone @SWMOSports @RanceBurgerNL @kenny71999 With the game winner pic.twitter.com/0MnddHVjMV
— Collin Kensinger (@cck_cla) December 29, 2016
2018 G Quinn Nelson, Ozark
Many thought Ozark would be down after graduating a loaded senior class and losing point guard Curt Gracey but the maturation of Nelson has allowed Mark Schweitzer to just reload – which resulted in Ozark winning yet another Blue and Gold title. Nelson is averaging 18 PPG and shooting 40% from 3, but he was insanely good this week, dropping 24 on Buffalo and 25 on a Nixa team that has several different types of defenders to throw at him. He has a natural scorer’s mentality and the fact that he has been able to develop his ability to attack off the dribble to go along with his catch and shoot game has only made him a more complete player. In his last eight games he is 29-for-57 from 3. The wiry 6’3 guard also put down a few dunks, quieting the talk that he lacks athleticism.
2019 G Broc Smith, Republic
Treyvor Fisher’s teams are known for locking up defensively, but Smith was a bucket-getter during Republic’s championship run. He led the team in scoring in each of its final three games, including 21 points against Glendale in the championship. At 6’3 his size and length make it much easier to get his shot off whenever he wants it. He’s brought balance and an explosive scoring punch to a senior-dominated team.
2020 G Quenton Shelton, Lebanon
Shelton is part of a loaded crop of freshmen in the Ozarks and he is hands down the best shooter in the class. In fact, outside of Jared Ridder, I’m not sure there is a better shooter in the Ozark Conference. The 6’1 freshman hung 27 on Willard in the opening round, including a blistering 6-for-10 from 3 (17 3-point makes in four games this week). Some of those came from 25 feet out – he has some serious range. He is still evolving off the dribble and as he continues to develop combo guard skills his stock will only rise but his ability to shoot the ball at an elite level is enough to make him an extremely intriguing piece. He reminds me of a young Jimmer Fredette and not just because of the curly hair.