Class 1: Top Teams Boast Top Talent

As we reach the mid-way point of the year and teams are getting into the heart of league play, Prep Hoops will take a look at how each class is shaping up. Who are the favorites? Who is in the hunt? Are there any dark-horses looming? We start our check-in with Class 1. Do not allow yourself to be mistaken. While this might be the "smallest" classification, it is absolutely LOADED with tough teams and top talent. There are some "giant-killers" at the top of the rankings and a good handful of dangerous teams lurking in the shadows capable of making a deep run. Top Contenders: Dora Falcons (14-1): Last season, Dora was an absolute buzzsaw that came up just short of a state championship. This season, they have returned virtually everyone and hit the ground running in a big way. The Falcons opened up the season letting everyone know they aren’t just a force to be reckoned with in their class, they can match up with anyone. Dora got off to a tremendous 3-1 start at the Washington Tournament of Champions where they knocked off three quality opponents, all larger classifications. They took only loss by two points to a very good Tupelo team out of Mississippi. Dora followed that up by knocking off Oklahoma powerhouse Heritage Hall at the Ozark Mountain Shootout. They convincingly won the Cabool Tournament over the holidays and look primed to make it back to the Show Me Showdown in March. Isaac Haney is a legitimate star and one of the biggest stock risers in the state. Averaging over 30 per game, he can do it all offensively. He is an elite shooter with deep range. He is electric off the bounce where he has quick first step burst, a shifty handle, and sneaky strength and athleticism. He can fill it up, but is also a willing and more than capable distributor to a talented supporting cast. Bryson Luna and Mason Luna are combining to average 25 per game and do a lot of things well. Both are high IQ guys who handle the rock with poise, are fearless attacking the basket, and can extend their range beyond the arc. Waylon Masters patrols the paint with good length and rim protection ability. He really impressed against a big and athletic Heritage Hall team. He will meet anyone at the rim and does a great job of knocking down short jumpers and finishing dump offs. Not only are the Falcons one of the favorites in Class 1 this year, all of their key contributors are underclassmen. This group will leave quite the legacy. South Iron Panthers (13-0): The Panthers are the real deal. Plain and simple. They are unbeaten and more than battle tested at this point. They notched a convincing showcase win just before Christmas over a VERY talented Class 3 Lift for Life squad out of St. Louis. South Iron followed that up by rolling through the Bob Sechrest Central Christmas Tournament. Last weekend, the Panthers secured a big time road win over Class 2 #1, undefeated Greenwood in a game I was able to watch and left blown away with how good this team is. They have all the tools to cut down the nets in March. South Iron moves and shares the ball with the best of them and they are tenacious defensively and on the boards. Not to mention, they can absolutely fill it up from long range. All-State junior wing Brock Wakefield is the leader and a big time shot maker. He can flat out play and gave Greenwood fits last weekend. He belongs on the radar of college coaches at multiple levels. Sophomore point guard Drenin Dinkins is another very talented underclassmen who can fill it up. He burned the nets off of Greenwood's rims from long range in route to a tremendous 35 point performance. Those two are flanked by other intriguing talent that includes Luke Lunyou, DJ Prater, and Jacob Howell. In The Hunt: Jefferson Conception (Platte Valley) Eagles (11-1): The Eagles had a magical run late last season that culminated in an improbable state championship victory over Dora. The Eagles brought back plenty of firepower, and at 11-1 overall, they look primed and capable of defending their crown. This veteran squad has a pair of extremely talented senior leaders who received All-State honors last season, 6'2 Clayton Merrigan and 6'6 Chase Farnan. Keep an eye on their February 4th match-up with Mound City which is sure to be a good one. Mound City Panthers (9-1): There is a lot to like about this Mound City squad. They certainly know how to win. Fresh off a football championship, the Panthers had a single practice before hitting the hardwood. That did not stop them from winning their own tournament and getting out to an impressive start to the season. Mound City is led by high scoring sophomore guard Tony Osborn and junior sharpshooter Landon Poppa. The Panthers score it in bulk and look capable of challenging Platte Valley in the 275. Cairo Bearcats (9-1): The Bearcats are a team to keep a close eye on. They advanced to the quarterfinals last year, in Class 2, and after dropping down to Class 1 they have looked quite impressive. Cairo has arguably the most imposing front-court in their classification with 6'6 Jacob Davis and 6'7 Gage Wilson. Those two are tough to handle inside and they are becoming even more dangerous with solid perimeter production from Colby Hale, Bryce Taylor, and Nic Zenker. Dark Horse to Watch: St. Elizabeth Hornets (8-4): With four losses, the Hornets seem to be flying under the radar a bit. Keep in mind, they have gone through a bit of a gauntlet that included road games against larger schools and tough opponents such as Nixa and Blair Oaks. This group is battle tested, talented, experienced, and will be a tough out come postseason time. They have a strong post presence in 6'7 Sr Ross Struemph who is a menace on the glass and has a polished back to the basket game. 6'5 Sr Brady Heckemeyer brings more size to an imposing front line, and they have a talented wing scorer in 6'4 Sr Nolan Heckemeyer who is a tough match-up. Don't sleep on the Hornets.