Preview: Class 4 Teams to Watch

<p style="text-align: left;">Prep Hoops Missouri takes a preseason look at the top Class 4 teams in the Show-Me State. The big news here is that Vashon is back in Class 4 after winning a state championship in their one year in Class 3 last season. (Teams listed in alphabetical order).</p> <p>Cape Girardeau Central: The Tigers made a strong run to the state quarterfinals a year ago and they have few key pieces back in the fold. 6'3" 2020 guard Doreante Tucker is a slashing wing player while 5'8" 2020 point guard Tyrus Reddin is explosive and quick. A newcomer on the scene to watch is 6'6" 2023 forward Cameron Williams.</p> <p>Cape Notre Dame: The Bulldogs are expected to have a big season with the return of versatile 6'4" 2020 wing Justice Thoma back to lead the way. Returning to the backcourt are 2020 guards Kam Dohogne and Tyler Landewee while improving 6'6" 2021 forward Caleb Legrand is back up front.</p> <p>Center: The Yellowjackets will have good size and athleticism on the team with the return of 6'4" 2021 forward Keyren Spiller leading the way. A nice group of young players step into big roles, led by 6'6" 2022 forward Kortez Stevenson.</p> <p>Confluence Prep: The Titans have a talented mix of veterans and newcomers in the fold. The top seniors are athletic 6'4" 2020 Lyndell Hunt, 5'9" 2020 point guard Devin Phillips and 6'3" 2020 guard Caleb Helm. The promising newcomers are 6'0" 2022 Trasean White, 5'10" 2022 Ramirez Taylor and 6'4" 2022 Kyron Thropes.</p> <p>Grandview: The two-time defending state champions return one of the state's top dynamic duos in 6'2" 2020 Air Force commit Reggie Morris and 6'7" 2022 forward Taj Manning. Morris is a tremendous perimeter shooting while Manning can get buckets in the post or on the perimeter. Stepping into bigger roles are 2021 point guard Jordan McGee and 2020s Cam Smith and Damien Stephens.</p> <p>Helias: The Crusaders will regain the services of talented 6'2" 2020 guard Marcus Anthony, who missed much of last season with an injury. Also back are 5'8" 2020 guard Isaac Johnson, versatile 6'4" forward Caleb Justice and 6'4' 2020 guard Colby Lucuru, who is a knock down shooter.</p> <p>Hillsboro: The Hawks won 23 games and a district championship last year and many key players are back for more success, led by 5'9" 2020 point guard Mark Moore and 6'7" 2020 forward Evan Worley. There is also a solid trio of wing players back in 6'2" 2020 Ethan Worley, 6'2" 2020 Garrett Pinkley and 6'3" 2021 Zach Whaley.</p> <p>Jennings: The Warriors have a talented crew of young players back from a district championship team, led by 6'2" 2021 guard DeMarion Shanklin, who can get buckets. The top inside player back is 6'6" 2021 forward Karl Moore while taking over at the point is 2022 guard Isaiah Payne. A pair of athletic forwards who should step forward are 6'5" 2022 Amari Davis and 6'4" 2021 Jalen Craig.</p> <p>Ladue: The Rams made a nice run to the Final Four last season to finish third in the state tournament. They return to major pieces in 6'1" 2020 point guard Jaylen Boyd and 6'6" 2020 forward Evan Schneider. The third returning starter is 6'3" 2020 guard Henry McIntosh, a three-sport standout who is headed to Saint Louis U. to play baseball. 6'6" 2020 transfer Cole Miller will also help on the front court.</p> <p>Logan-Rogersville: The xx advanced to the Final Four and finished fourth in the state tournament last season. The top player back is athletic 6'4" 2020 guard Cade Blevins. Also back are 2020 guards Josh Linehan and Kannon Gipson and 6'8" 2020 forward Sam Englemeyer.</p> <p>McCluer: The Comets are primed for a big season after playing for a district championship a year ago. They have a dynamic duo in 6'2" 2020 point guard Jeremiah Johnson, a four-year varsity player, and 6'6" 2020 wing Devon Barshow, a transfer from Marquette. They also have some good athletes up front in 6'5" 2020 Cam Hubbard, 6'5" 2020 Devin Davis and 6'4" 2021 wing Anias Futrell-Fahwah.</p> <p>MICDS: The Rams are a young and talented group that are ready to make a positive move this season. There is plenty of size and length returning with 6'7" 2021 forward Jack Pronger, 6'5" 2022 guard Brandon Mitchell-Day, 6'6" 2021 wing Nick Roper, 6'1" 2021 shooting guard Hasani Spann and 6'6" 2021 forward Aaron Hendricks. All were varsity starters a year ago.</p> <p>Nevada: The Tigers were champions of the Big Conference a year ago. They return a potent 1-2 punch is 6'6" 2020 forward Dalton Gayman and 6'1" 2021 guard Logan Applegate. Gayman has already signed with Arkansas-Fort Smith while Applegate is a talented ball handler and perimeter shooter.</p> <p>Park Hills Central: The Rebels feature one of the state's top offensive players in 6'5" 2020 Breven McMullen, who is back to lead the way. Also back is 6'3" 2020 guard Brenton Wagner, who is also a four-year starter and improving 6'9" 2021 center Tyce Laubinger. A newcomer who is expected to contribute immediately is 2023 point guard Mason Williams.</p> <p>Raytown South: The Cardinals are one of the prime contenders for a Final Four spot this season with several talented players returning. Ray South returns and excellent backcourt in 2020's Dez McKinney and Kobe Campbell while 6'5" 2020 forward Mark Cann is a versatile performer who creates matchup problems</p> <p>St. Joe Lafayette: The Fighting Irish took home a fifth consecutive district championship a year ago and are ready for another strong season. They are led by versatile 6'4" 2020 forward Colten Griffin and slashing 5'11" 2020 guard T.J. Alexander. Also back is 6'5" 2021 forward Kardell Sims, who is very skilled.</p> <p>St. Mary's: The Dragons advanced to the state championship game a year ago and finished as runners-up. The top player back is 6'4" 2020 guard Sofara Rasas, who takes over the leadership role vacated by All-State performer Yuri Collins. Also back is 5'8" 2020 point guard Noah Hamilton and 6'6" 2020 shooter Cameron Garrett.</p> <p>Sikeston: The Bulldogs suffered some heavy graduation losses, but they have a strong tradition of winning. They return a talented guard in 6’0 2020 Payton Howard, who is a SLU baseball recruit. Also stepping into a big role is 6’4 2020 forward Clark Steward and 6’1 2021 guard Lontas McClinton</p> <p>University City: The Indians were an improved group with a conference championship last season. They return most of their talent, led by 6'6" 2021 forward Jalen Hampton and 5'9" 2022 point guard Larry Abbey. There is good talent back on the wing with 6'3" 2021 Brandon Ming, 6'2" 2021 Travon Robinson and 6'0" 2021 Justin Holland.</p> <p>Vashon: The Wolverines are back in Class 4 and loaded with talent and a national schedule to boot. They are led by the 2020 trio of 6'7" Kentucky signee Cam'Ron Fletcher, 6'0" SEMO signee Phillip Russell at point guard and versatile 6'6" forward Kobe Clark, who is also a Division I prospect. Leading a talented group of underclassmen is 6'5" 2021 guard Nick Kern. Vashon is playing in such national events as the City of Palms Classic in Florida and the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield.</p> <p>Webb City: The Cardinals won a district championship a year ago and return a stable of talented perimeter players back from that team, led by 6'1" 2020 point guard Terrell Kabala, who has signed with Arkansas-Fort Smith. 6'0" 2020 guard Nene Howard and 5'10" 2021 guard Cohl Vaden are also returning impact players to the mix.</p>