Preview: Class 5 Teams to Watch

Prep Hoops Missouri takes a preseason look at the top Class 5 teams to watch in the state. Teams listed in alphabetical order.

Battle: The Spartans have won three consecutive district championships and are hoping four a fourth, plus a deeper run in the state tournament. There is excellent talent on the perimeter with the point guard tandem of 6’2″ 2020 Maricus Grant, 5’9″ 2020 Zivaughn Ward, along with 6’3″ 2021 scoring guard Cachao Gianquinto and 6’3″ 2021 shooter Tristian Meny. The top front court returnee is 6’6″ 2020 forward Abdi Ibriham, who can shoot the 3-pointer.

Blue Springs: The Wildcats have a strong group of underclassmen, starting with athletic 2021 wing Najee Williams and 6’7″ 2021 post player Eli Wingert, 6’4″ 2021 forward Justin Johnson and the talented 2022 group of 6’5″ wing Braden Appelhans, 5’8″ point guard Kyle Bruce and 6’5″ forward Ike Ezeogu.

CBC: The Cadets will be strong again after advancing to the state championship game last season. They are led by 6’3″ 2020 guard Caleb Love, who has signed with North Carolina. There is a lot of firepower on the perimeter with Love with 5’9″ 2022 point guard Rob Martin, 6’3″ 2021 Chevalier Brenson, 5’11” 2020 Justin Smith and 6’4″ 2022 Larry Hughes, Jr.

Chaminade: The Red Devils return a talented and experienced cast, led by 6’5″ 2020 Kansas State signee Luke Kasubke. Adding more senior experience on the perimeter are 6’5″ 2020 Harrison Vickers and 6’5″ 2020 Matteus Case. Leading a talented group of underclassmen are 6’8″ 2022 forward Tarris Reed, Jr. and 6’2″ 2022 guard Damien Mayo.

DeSmet: The Spartans won 22 games last season and return a big and talented team led by 2021 twin towers 6’9″ Yaya Keita and 6’10” Sekou Gassama. Adding experience to the front court is versatile 6’4″ 2020 forward Michael Skoff. The backcourt has talent returning, led by 6’4″ 2021 Thomas Redmond and 6’2″ 2021 Jeremiah Walker.

Francis Howell: The Vikings return four key pieces from last year’s Final Four team, led by the formidable front court duo of 6’5″ 2020 Matt Schark and 6’9″ 2021 Sam Thompson, who is a Division 1 prospect. A couple of 2021 guards who return after making key contributions last season are 5’11” Sam Maddox and 5’10” Preston Fortner.

Hazelwood Central: The Hawks have a deep and talented crew that’s ready to go after winning a district championship a year ago. The two veterans returning are 6’5″ 2020 wing Nate Garrett and 6’2″ 2020 bulldog David Roberts. The rest of the crew is young and talented with 5’7″ 2022 point guard Tevin Gowins, 6’6″ 2021 Johnathan Dunn, 6’4″ 2021 leaper Cole Farrell and talented 6’3″ 2023 guard Jayden Nicholson.

Jackson: The Indians have won six district titles in the past seven years and they have a nice group of young talent ready to make another run this season and into the future. The top veteran back is 6’3″ 2020 forward Luke Reynolds, who will be joined up front by the talented young duo of 6’5″ 2022 Nick Wasilewski and 6’7″ 2023 Clayton Ernst. A talented guard in the fold is 2022 Quinn Scott. 

Joplin: The Eagles will be led by a pair of 2020 Division I football prospects in guards Zach Westmoreland and Isaiah Davis, who are both four-year varsity players. 2022 guard Always Wright is a knock down shooter who was an impact player as a freshman while 6’1″ 2020 guard Blake Tish is also back. A pair of 2020s who are also in the mix are 6’4″ wing Tommy Hafer and 6’1″ transfer Dakari Allen.

Kickapoo: The Chiefs made a run to the state quarterfinals last season and they return the top piece in 6’2″ 2021 guard Anton Brookshire, who can get buckets and make people better with his playmaking skills. Also returning in the backcourt along with Brookshire are 2020 guards Micah McIntire and Elijah Bridges.

Lee’s Summit West: The Titans will field a strong unit with good size and athleticism. 6’3″ 2020 guard Tayven Glasgow is a pass-first floor general who can score while 6’3″ 2021 Colby Baggett can penetrate and score in the lane. Up front, there is size and experience with 6’5″ 2020 Tysen Brennan, 6’5″ 2020 Josh Butler, 6’4″ 2020 Elisha Haynes and 6’6″ 2021 Victor Avila.

Mehlville: The Panthers return a strong group from last year’s state quarterfinals team. There is plenty of size up front with 7’0″ 2020 Kansas State signee Davion Bradford and 6’7″ 2020 forward Lamontay Daugherty. The leader on the perimeter is versatile 6’5″ 2020 guard Dylan Branson, who is joined by 6’2″ 2020 guard King Wallis. Transfer Kyle Geraghty is an experienced point guard.

Nixa: The Eagles were one basket away from winning a district championship a year ago. They return an excellent backcourt in 6’2″ 2020 Josh Mason and 6’2″ 2021 Kaleb Wofford. Both guards get buckets and make 3-pointers. Adding size up front are 6’7″ 2020 forward Tanner Collard, 6’6″ versatile 2021 Jason Jones and 6’4″ 2020 Aaron Engelman.

North Kansas City: One of the top scoring guards in the state returns in 6’2′ 2020 UMKC signee D’Anthony Pennington. He is joined by talented 2022 guard John Elful along with 6’7″ 2020 forward Akoy Mangol and 6’3″ 2020 Riak Mabour.

Park Hill South: An excellent backcourt in Lamel Robinson and Desi Williams has graduated, but PHS should be a team to watch again with the return of players such as 6’4″ 2020 wing Jonathan Thompson and 6’9″ 2020 forward Dylan Broughman. 2020 wing Conner Robertson is a nice 3-point shooter while 6’5″ 2022 JD Roberts is an up and coming player.

Parkview: The Vikings will build around 6’2″ 2020 guard Dontae Taylor, who is beginning his fourth year of varsity duty. Joining him in the backcourt will be 6’0″ 2020 shooting guard Nakai Johnson. A pair of 2021s who have a chance to blossom this year are 6’3″ Anthony Green and 6’7″ Trevon Brazile.

Raymore-Peculiar: Ray-Pec will build around the talents of 6’8″ 2020 Sam Houston State signee Kian Scroggins, who can score inside and and make perimeter jumpers. Also back are 6’6′ 2020 Conrad Hawley, 6’1′ 2020 guard Matthew Harrison and 6’2″ 2020 Jordan Jermain.

Raytown: The Bluejays won 20 games and played for a district championship last season. They return a talented group with 6’4″ 2021 wing Aaron Franklin, who is athletic and can score. Also back are 6’1″ 2020 point guard Cortez Howlett and 6’3″ 2020 guard Trayvon Parker.

Rock Bridge: The Bruins graduated three Division I players from last year’s state championship team, but there is some solid returning players back in the fold. A trio of good perimeter players are back in 6’0″ 2020 guard Charles Wilson, 6’3″ 2020 shooter Brant Bowers and dynamic 5’7″ 2021 scorer Xavier Sykes. The top inside player back is 6’5″ 2020 forward Jacob Ungles, who can rebound and make perimeter shots.

Truman:The Patriots return 6’3′ 2020 guard Kaimen Lennox, who has the ability to dominate games offensively when he is on. Also back is in the backcourt is 5’10” 2020 guard Jordan McKinney.

Willard: The Tigers have one of the state’s top dynamic duos in 6’5″ 2020 forward Daniel Abreu and 6’2″ 2020 guard Maurice Grayer. Abreu averaged 28 points a game while Grayer averaged 16 points a game. A pair of 2022 players who are expected to step into bigger roles this season are guard Caden Mowell and forward Haden Brown.