Kickapoo vs. Glendale: 4 Reasons You Must Watch Tonight’s Game
In Southwest Missouri there isn’t a bigger rivalry than Kickapoo vs. Glendale. In fact, the game got so big that it had to be moved to college campuses to accommodate the crowds. If you’re free tonight, head to O’Reilly Family Event Center to see some great high school basketball. If you have plans, cancel them and head to O’Reilly Family Event Center to see some great high school basketball. Here’s what you need to know going into the 97th meeting between the two programs.
This is the anti-shot clock game…
Many people are on the “Missouri needs a shot clock” bandwagon. A shot clock would be useless in this game because both sides are going to get up and down the floor. Glendale (16-5) comes in averaging 81 PPG with two 100-point games and six additional games of 90-plus (that’s ridiculous in a 32-minute game). The Falcons push the ball about as well as anyone I’ve seen at the high school level and it’s not like they’re jacking up bad shots, they get quality looks with guys they want taking shots well within their game. Kickapoo is nearly as equally potent, averaging 72 PPG with two 100-point games of their own. You’ll get tired just by watching this track meet.
Talent at all levels
This game is perfect for any coach looking for a guard. Conservative estimates put at least half a dozen of these guys in college basketball uniforms and that’s upperclassmen alone. Jared Ridder (Xavier) and Cam Davis (Navy) have already inked for Kickapoo. Juniors Monty Johal and Jordan Walton are on several D-1 radars for Glendale. Then you start looking at guys like Mitch Closser, Isaac Blakeslee, Donyae McCaskill and Keyshawn Jackson as Kickapoo guys that will have a chance to play college basketball. Dick Rippee continues to do a tremendous job of developing young talent and putting players in a position to be successful. Glendale also has a few guys that will end up receiving college interest, including 2018 guard Jaxon Davis. This is the most talented team Glendale has put on the floor in several years and every player in the program is now a Brian McTague guy. His system is proven to produce and his kids run it well.
Interesting Matchups
Glendale doesn’t have a player taller than 6’3 on their roster. Kickapoo can play several different lineups with three guys 6’3 or taller on the floor. My brother often says “styles make fights” in regards to boxing/MMA. Same can be said for hoops. On paper Kickapoo should have a decisive advantage, but basketball isn’t played on paper. Here are some of the key individual pairings:
- Cam Davis vs. Monty Johal
In the Red Corner, standing 6’1, averaging 19.2 points, 4.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds, Navy signee Cam Davis. In the Baby Blue Corner, standing 6’3, averaging 28 PPG and holding several D-1 offers, Glendale’s all-time scoring king Monty Johal. Literally, the basketball Gods designed this matchup. Davis is about as competitive as they come and embraces the challenge of defending the opponent’s best player, regardless of position. Last year he mixed it up with 6’8 forwards Tyler Cook (Chaminade) and Jeriah Horne (Barstow), and in that same game also defended their point guards for stretches. It’s also impossible to ignore how efficiently he’s playing this year. He’s shooting 49% from 3 and coming off of a 29-point, 11-assist double-double against Lebanon. Basically, he’s the Ozarks version of Frank Mason. Then there’s Johal. Simply put, he’s a bucket-getter. I mean, what other high-school kid drops 51 in basically three quarters and only 10 of it comes from the foul line? He’s crafty and has a unique ability to turn one bucket into multiple; he’s shooting 49% from the field, 37% from 3 and 82% from the line. He also feeds off of hostile environments which tonight is sure to be. It is also important to note that Johal has expanded his game; he’s more than just a scorer. He’s an improved defender and does a tremendous job of creating offense for others, usually coming via a “hockey assist” which is the pass that sets up the pass to score. These two going at it will be worth the price of admission.
- Donyae McCaskill vs. Jordan Walton
This one is also intriguing. Both players have D-1 potential for different reasons. McCaskill is a smooth, extremely athletic 2019 prospect. He’s learning on the job after watching Ice Johnson run the show last year. McCaskill can impact a game on both ends, but at times will make mistakes due to a lack of varsity experience. He will get a baptism by fire with Walton. While Johal is rewriting the scoring record book at Glendale Walton isn’t far behind. His 21.1 points and 4 assists make him a lock for all-state honors. He understands quarterbacking his team and the best part is the kind of teammate and basketball fan he is. Sometimes it seems he gets more fired up about Johal scoring than Monty does himself. Walton understands the magnitude of this game and what’s at stake.
- Jared Ridder vs. Glendale
The biggest issue for the Falcons will be slowing down nationally-ranked wing Jared Ridder. The Xavier commit will make a living off of catch-and-shoot jumpers at the next level, but as for now he’s one of the best scorers you’ll see at SPS. He’s pouring in 24.1 PPG and shooting 40% from 3. The 6’7 senior has an underrated post and pull-up game and can get that whenever he wants at the high school level. Glendale doesn’t have a matchup for him at all from a physical standpoint. But if they are able to limit his touches and keep him from getting to his spots, that will greatly help their cause. You could end up seeing several possessions where Johal is defending Ridder.
- Isaac Blakeslee vs. Jaxon Davis
Burner No. 1 vs. Burner No. 2. The best part about playing with high-level talent is their teammates typically get great looks. Well, these two guys have become the Steve Kerr of Springfield Basketball. Blakeslee comes from a basketball family and his left-handed chopper is about as lethal as they come. He’s shooting 45% from deep and when he gets going two, three, four, more makes in a quarter is well within reason. Blakeslee is a 2017 wing and is receiving NAIA and D-2 interest. Davis has exploded on the scene as third scorer for Glendale and makes defending Johal and Walton even more difficult. His 14.1 PPG is nice, but the fact that he’s already knocked down 74 triples at a 41% clip is staggering. Davis has gone for 20 or more seven times and has hit as many as seven 3s in a single game, one off the program record. Stars will be stars, this game may hinge on which role player can step up and ease the burden on them.
Kickapoo vs. Glendale… Past and Present
Glendale won the first 14 meetings in this rivalry and 26 of the first 30 meetings overall. Since then it’s been all Kickapoo. The Chiefs have won 25 of the last 30 games, including four straight. Poo has also won 24 of the 29 games played on neutral courts. They have mutual respect for each other, but there’s no love lost between these two. Kickapoo is the king of SPS basketball and has been for years. Glendale desperately wants to change that.
Remove the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions and Kickapoo has won 10 straight games. Glendale is riding a 10-game winning streak as well. These are two of the best Class 5 teams in Missouri and they share a district. Winner of this game grabs the inside track to the Ozark Conference title and the No. 1 seed in the district (which means they avoid a dangerous Ozark team in the semifinals). Both teams have played elite competition both regionally and nationally, so seeing each other won’t be overwhelming from a talent standpoint.
Get your popcorn ready…