Prep Hoops Missouri Watch List: Class 6 Team

<p style="padding-left: 40px;">Prep Hoops Missouri begins its preseason Watch List by taking a look at a group of top Class 6 teams from around the state. The list is in alphabetical order.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/1CB0D29A-5F5C-442B-B177-8821F99E0637.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1228327" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/1CB0D29A-5F5C-442B-B177-8821F99E0637-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Blue Springs: The Wildcats have a nice group of 2022s to build around in 6'6" forward Ikenna Ezeogu, 5'8" point guard [player_tooltip player_id="985428" first="Kyle" last="Bruce"] and 6'4" guard [player_tooltip player_id="993518" first="Michael" last="Harrison"]. All three have been starting since they were sophomores.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_1211229" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Larry-Hughes-Jr.-V.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1211229" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Larry-Hughes-Jr.-V-300x210.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="210" /></a> Photo: Nate Latsch CBC[/caption] <p>CBC: The Cadets are loaded and are primed to make a run in Class 6 this season. The leader is 5'9" 2022 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="984502" first="Rob" last="Martin"] along with 6'5" 2022 wings Larry Hughes and Mikhail Abdur-Rahim. There's also a talented sophomore class led by 7'2" center [player_tooltip player_id="1125608" first="John" last="Bol"].</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/12C429A8-9175-49D8-88D9-F1C3EF520A5B.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1224854" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/12C429A8-9175-49D8-88D9-F1C3EF520A5B-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Chaminade: The Red Devils lost top prospects [player_tooltip player_id="981141" first="Tarris" last="Reed Jr"]. and [player_tooltip player_id="984503" first="Damien" last="Mayo"] to Link Academy, but they return a strong group of perimeter players led by 6'0" 2023 point guard BJ Ward, 6'3" 2022 guard [player_tooltip player_id="985419" first="Nate" last="Straughter"] and 6'3" 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1161297" first="Nilivan" last="Daniels"].</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/1EFE9E06-5178-475F-A43B-A6FE4FAEAB41.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1219916" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/1EFE9E06-5178-475F-A43B-A6FE4FAEAB41-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Fort Zumwalt North: The Panthers advanced to their first ever Final Four last season. There are many talented underclassmen in the lineup, but the main man is back in 6'10" 2022 forward [player_tooltip player_id="992317" first="Connor" last="Turnbull"], who is headed to Butler next season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><br /> <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/BB30022B-105D-4D5D-A8A1-C53444CA8DDA.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1337549" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/BB30022B-105D-4D5D-A8A1-C53444CA8DDA-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Helias: The Crusaders return one of the top backcourt combos in the state in 6'1" 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1180102" first="Malcolm" last="Davis"] and 6'2" 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1070093" first="Desmond" last="White"]. Both are extreme bucket-getters who should average more than 20 points a game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Nick-Wasilewski-V.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1211222" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Nick-Wasilewski-V-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Jackson: The Indians will have one of the top teams in the SEMO area this season. They have a big front line featuring 6'6" 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="984947" first="Nick" last="Wasilewski"] and 6'8" 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1070095" first="Clayton" last="Ernst"] along with an excellent guard in 6'2" 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1180840" first="Quinn" last="Scott"].</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Wright-Always.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1023250" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Wright-Always-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p> <p>Joplin: The Eagles feature one of the state's top backcourts in brothers Always and [player_tooltip player_id="1160660" first="All" last="Wright"]. Always is a 6'3" 2022 guard who averaged 20 points a game while All is a 6'2" 2024 guard who averaged 17 points a game. They also have a talented young forward in 6'6" 2024 Whit Hafer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/26A1FF94-B5B2-4E74-8CF8-B813298FD30B.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1220019" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/26A1FF94-B5B2-4E74-8CF8-B813298FD30B-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Kickapoo: The Chiefs graduated four Division I players from a state championship team, but there is a talented group of youngsters ready to go, led by 6'4" 2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id="1070092" first="Zaide" last="Lowery"]. More talented 2023s in the fold are 6'7" [player_tooltip player_id="1070110" first="Harrison" last="Doennig"], 6'5" [player_tooltip player_id="1161311" first="Brayden" last="Shorter"] and 6'0" point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1269959" first="Trae" last="Oetting"].</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/257E6AF8-A833-47AF-A378-FE8A3A929F5C.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1283905" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/257E6AF8-A833-47AF-A378-FE8A3A929F5C-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Kirkwood: The Pioneers have a chance to be a breakout team with a talented crew of underclassmen, led by 6'4" 2023 wing [player_tooltip player_id="1167329" first="Javaris" last="Moye"]. Also stepping into bigger roles will be 6'1" 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1269935" first="Christian" last="Hughes"], 5'10" point guard Kellen Rhimes and 6'2" 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1440699" first="Aydan" last="Trawick"] and 6'0" 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1259031" first="Creighton" last="Wise"].</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/50C8ABAA-76A3-4490-91A5-0EC684946BEF.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1224860" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/50C8ABAA-76A3-4490-91A5-0EC684946BEF-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Lee's Summit: The Tigers return a talented group of perimeter players from a team that advanced to the state quarterfinals last season. They feature 6'2" 2022 Missouri S&amp;T recruit [player_tooltip player_id="1045830" first="Alex" last="Benassi"], 6'3" 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="991575" first="Brycen" last="Larue"], 6'2" 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1186887" first="Caden" last="McGuire"] and 6'3" 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1180837" first="Luke" last="McDonald"].</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/D073870D-48FF-45C1-9D45-F172FAF61DD8.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1221258" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/D073870D-48FF-45C1-9D45-F172FAF61DD8-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Liberty: The Bluejays enjoyed an excellent season that ended in the Class 6 state championship game a year ago. They return their top player in 6'4" 2022 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1161814" first="Bennett" last="Stirtz"] along with a strong partner in 6'3" 2022 wing [player_tooltip player_id="1050176" first="Luke" last="Stubbs"] and 6'1" 2022 perimeter shooter Spencer Blaine.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_1167354" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/0C4BD628-08DD-495E-AC53-67B2BBBA775F.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1167354" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/0C4BD628-08DD-495E-AC53-67B2BBBA775F-300x186.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="186" /></a> Photo: Prep Hoops Missouri[/caption] <p>Nixa: The Eagles have the talent to make a deep postseason run this season. They feature one of the state's most athletic and talented backcourts in 6'3" 2022 Collin Ruffin and 6'4" 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1070087" first="Kael" last="Combs"]. There is quality size up front in 6'4" 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1180775" first="Jarret" last="Nelson"] and 6'7" 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1180776" first="Colten" last="Berry"].</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/34D8A00B-8209-47D4-8C21-B387582A4816.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1319043" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/34D8A00B-8209-47D4-8C21-B387582A4816-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Park Hill South: The Panthers are a year older after fielding a young and talented team last season. They feature a strong backcourt in 5'10" 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="993520" first="Messias" last="Dockery"] and 6'3" 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1161278" first="Cahmai" last="Crosby"]. The 2022 forward duo of 6'7" [player_tooltip player_id="992314" first="Miles" last="Fant"] and 6'8' [player_tooltip player_id="991579" first="JD" last="Roberts"] is also back.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/95F47B34-5221-4045-96DE-F600B9AAEBFA.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1219706" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/95F47B34-5221-4045-96DE-F600B9AAEBFA-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Parkview: The Vikings return a talented and experienced group of guards, led by 6'2" 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="985422" first="Elijah" last="Whitley"]. He is joined by 2023 guards [player_tooltip player_id="1163305" first="Kevin" last="Parker Jr"]. and [player_tooltip player_id="1161290" first="Amarre" last="Clark"]. Marcus Price, a 6'4" 2022 forward, is a talented transfer from Pleasant Hope.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/A52B8FE9-3F85-449F-BFF0-A035B539D893.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1286653" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/A52B8FE9-3F85-449F-BFF0-A035B539D893-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Pattonville: The Pirates must replace several key players from last year's 22-2 district championship team, but the main player back in the fold is 6'6" 2022 guard [player_tooltip player_id="984517" first="Kellen" last="Thames"], who has signed with Saint Louis University.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Ben-Linnemeyer-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1171130" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Ben-Linnemeyer-2-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p> <p>Rock Bridge: The Bruins should be back in the mix this season with a young and talented team. The veteran leader will be 6'2" 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1323997" first="Hudson" last="Dercher"]. A good group of 2023s are also back with 6'9" [player_tooltip player_id="1167326" first="Kanyon" last="Hummel"], 6'5" [player_tooltip player_id="1269950" first="Ben" last="Linnemeyer"] and 6'1" [player_tooltip player_id="1070118" first="Brady" last="Bowers"].</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/37092963-F20C-45E0-8465-F3022C3D3D65.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1222281" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/37092963-F20C-45E0-8465-F3022C3D3D65-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>SLUH: The Junior Billikens are led by 6'4" 2022 guard [player_tooltip player_id="984506" first="Nick" last="Kramer"], who has signed with Saint Louis U. He will get support from 2022 guard Damien McClain and 2023 guard Aaron Walker, Jr. along with 6'5" 2023 Zach Orthwerth and 6'2" 2022 Luke Johnston.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/434865C4-0671-495B-9544-29F86233D032.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1221241" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/434865C4-0671-495B-9544-29F86233D032-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Staley: The Falcons return a very talented team from a district championship season. They have an excellent 2023 duo in 6'1" point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1070094" first="Kyan" last="Evans"] and 6'7" forward [player_tooltip player_id="1161279" first="Kayden" last="Fish"]. Emerging 6'8" 2022 forward [player_tooltip player_id="1180615" first="Emmanuel" last="Byrd"] is coming off a big summer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Jack-Fessenden.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1196855" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Jack-Fessenden-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p> <p>Troy: The Trojans made a nice run to the state quarterfinals last season and they return several key players, led by 6'2" 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1303730" first="Nathan" last="Ryan"], 6'2" 2023 sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id="1161294" first="Jack" last="Fessenden"] and 6'0" 2023 point guard Charlie Nett.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/6F8A7A74-13E9-4E40-A7A1-7C393AAB123F.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1222332" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/6F8A7A74-13E9-4E40-A7A1-7C393AAB123F-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Webster Groves: The Statesmen have a strong group of perimeter players returning, led by 6'0" 2022 sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id="984950" first="Matt" last="Enright"]. Also back are 6'2" 2022 scorer [player_tooltip player_id="1050177" first="Ethan" last="Chartrand"], 6'0" 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1269936" first="CJ" last="Lang"] and 6'3" 2024 Gianni Ferrintinos. [player_tooltip player_id="1259025" first="Iziah" last="Purvey"] is a 6'4" 2024 forward with a good skilled set. </p>