Kaminsky Classic: 13 Names to Know
The Kaminsky Classic gathers some of the best teams in Missouri from every region of the Show-Me State. Here are 13 players to keep an eye on at this year’s event.
2018 F Clay Gayman, Nevada
Naturally, the Abiliene Christian signee is a name to know every time he steps on the floor. The 6-foot-6 senior is a double-double machine, averaging 23 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 58 percent from the field, for the state-ranked Tigers. Gayman also has one of the best motors you’ll see from a player at any level, which is why he averages 4.8 blocks and 1.8 steals.
It took overtime for Nevada to knock off Webb City, but 24 points from @clay_gayman gave the Tigers a big 61-53 win. pic.twitter.com/FdNMnZ1XF7
— TJ Eckert (@TJEckertKSNF) December 17, 2017
2018 G Austin Higdon, Joplin
If there was a Most Improved Player award given by the Ozark Conference, it would go to Higdon. His 13.4 points are impressive, but there is so much more to his game than that. He shoots 52 percent from the field, 35 percent from deep and 80 from the line. He’s a long, athletic kid at 6-foot-3 and has no problem finishing above the rim.
.@jhs_eaglehoops are 7-0 on the year now, and tonight it was dunk contest in their 78-61 win over Lebanon.. @Zxch32 @HigdonAustin and @Ev_Guillory all with throwdowns in the Eagles Ozark Conference opening win pic.twitter.com/x1xm8TW9Ng
— George Balekji (@GeorgeBalekji) December 16, 2017
2018 F DaMani Jarrett, Jefferson City
Jarett may be the best rim protector in a field full of good rim protectors. The 6-foot-7 post is averaging 3.1 blocks, to go along with nine points, 7.1 rebounds while shooting 72 percent from the field. He’s a long, athletic kid that can rim run and do everything you want to see from a traditional big.
2018 F Alex Pickett, Webb City
At 6-foot-5, Pickett has the ability to step out on the perimeter and score or work on the block. He’s averaging 13.6 points and 5.5 rebounds for the Cardinals, scoring in double figures in seven of Webb City’s eight games.
2018 G Grant Ellis, Webb City
Ellis is an intriguing prospect because of his length and athleticism. At 6-foot-4, he can defend multiple positions and score at all three levels. He’s shooting 51 percent from the field, 44 percent from 3 and 83 percent from the line, averaging 12.8 points and 4.3 rebounds.
2018 F Will Bebee
Yet another solid big in the field, Bebee has learned to be a perfect complement to Smith. The 6-foot-8 center can score (14.4 points) and rebound (8.7 rebounds), but he’s also great at passing from the post (3.6 assists). He gives Carl the ability to efficiently hi-low opponents and he’s still raw in who he is as a basketball player. High ceiling.
2019 F Trent Smith, Carl Junction
His shooting line of 59-43-77 tells you all you need to know about Smith’s ability to score the basketball. Well over 1,000 points already, the 6-foot-6 junior holds an offer from Pitt State and leads Carl Junction with 19.6 points, to go along with 7.4 rebounds. He could creep into that low to mid-major D-1 range if he continues to develop.
TRENT SMITH WITH THE DAGGER!!@Tren10Smith gave Carl Junction a 57-54 over Galena win with this three right before the buzzer. @CJHSAthletics @koamfox14sports pic.twitter.com/UE3eDeIZma
— Jacob Lenard (@j_lenard) December 16, 2017
2019 G Daylan Dalton, Francis Howell
He’s another electric St. Louis point guard in a fun-sized package. He’s listed at 5-foot-6, but Dalton is averaging 14.2 points, 3.9 assists and 3.1 steals. He dropped 25 on Hazelwood Central, 23 on MICDS and eight points, nine assists and four steals against Whitfield. He’s nearly impossible to stay in front of.
Daylan Dalton @lildew3 toys with the defense & lays off a dime to 6’8” freshman Sam Thompson who dunks it home. @FHHSVikingHoops @FHVikings pic.twitter.com/oljgrDn9Z3
— Gateway Sports Venue (@GSV_STL) December 24, 2017
2020 G Evan Guillory, Joplin
The 6-foot-3 wing continues to develop into one of the top players in the Ozark Conference. His frame and athleticism make him a matchup nightmare. He currently leads Joplin with 13.6 points and 5.9 rebounds. He’s shooting nearly 51 percent from the field and has the ability to defend 1-5.
Check out these dunks.
Joplin’s @Zxch32 and @Ev_Guillory threw down these two 1st half jams against Carthage tonight @JHS_Athletics @jhs_eaglehoops @koamfox14sports pic.twitter.com/ewhKLCGiFq
— Jacob Lenard (@j_lenard) December 6, 2017
2020 G Brennan Jeffries, Jefferson City
The sophomore isn’t very big, but he’s a dynamic scorer. He put up 21 on Columbia Hickman, thanks to his ability to shoot it from 3 and get to the rim. He’s leading Jeff City with 15 points and 3.7 assists a night and he’s been a handful in transition all season.
2020 G/F Matt Schark, Francis Howell
He’s another kid that got minutes as a freshman but now he’s exploding as a sophomore with a team-high 15.1 points to go along with 5.6 rebounds. Schark is shooting 56 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3, with a pair of 20-point games. One of which came against Hazelwood Central.
2020 F Matt Schark of Francis Howell had 27 PTS in a victory over Holt in the Troy Tournament third place game pic.twitter.com/FNo8CDJGFX
— Prep Hoops Missouri (@PrepHoopsMO) December 2, 2017
2021 G Logan Applegate, Nevada
Nothing about his demeanor or his game says freshman. The 6-foot true point guard is one of the best in his class and it’s showed on the floor. Applegate is averaging a team-high 3.9 assists and 2.2 steals to go along with 4.4 points. His assist-to-turnover ratio is nearly 3:1. The kid is a player.
2021 F Sam Thompson, Francis Howell
The 6-foot-8 big has found minutes because of his ability to rim protect. Thompson is averaging a pair of blocks per game, going along with seven points and 4.6 rebounds. He’s quickly adjusted to the physicality of varsity basketball. In a tournament full of bigs, he’ll get a chance to make a name for himself.