The Kiddos (Class of 2024 and 2025 Postseason Standouts)

Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at some of the top young players from the Class of 2024 and 2025 who have been standouts in helping their respective teams achieve postseason success. Despite their young age, they have displayed their talent and maturity in these high-pressure games. Some of the familiar names you know among the youngsters are 2024s [player_tooltip player_id="1160651" first="Jadis" last="Jones"] of New Madrid Central, [player_tooltip player_id="1160661" first="Jobe" last="Bryant"] of Park Hills Central and 2025 Aaron Rowe of Father Tolton. Here are some of the others who have stepped up.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/8E25A964-DA9E-4A3D-B8A1-B92009357AA6.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1339768" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/8E25A964-DA9E-4A3D-B8A1-B92009357AA6-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> P.J. Farmer (Charleston): The 6’1" 2025 has been the most impressive youngster in the postseason so far. He has been on fire as he has averaged 28 points in the Bluejays last three victories to lead their run to this weekend’s Class 3 Final Four. He scored 33 points in the district finals against Caruthersville, 31 points in the sectionals against Kelly and 22 points in the quarterfinals against DuBourg. He is a strong and physical enough to score in the paint on the drive and he has a feathery touch from 3-point range to compliment his dribble penetration.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/D291A0C1-93BD-468B-8F3D-568DF19C8170.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1308629" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/D291A0C1-93BD-468B-8F3D-568DF19C8170-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1160824" first="Chaz" last="Watson"] (Lee’s Summit West): The 6’2" 2024 guard emerged as a prime-time player in leading the Titans to a surprising run to the Class 6, District 6 championship. A creative scoring guard with 3-point shooting range, Chaz averaged 18 points a game in the district tournament, including a 27-point masterpiece in the Titan’s stunning upset victory over No. 1 Lee’s Summit in the semifinals. He made six 3-pointers with several of them coming off the dribble against excellent defense. [player_tooltip player_id="1306557" first="Tre" last="Williams"] (Vashon): The 5’10" 2025 guard provided consistent 3-point shooting for the Wolverines throughout the season and he was on point once again on Wednesday in a victory over MICDS in Wednesday night’s sectionals. He scored 12 points on his four 3-pointers to help Vashon break open a close game. From the start of the season, he has shown the confidence and willingness to let it fly from 3-point range without fear. Trey Taylor (William Chrisman): The 5’10" 2024 point guard was a revelation to me when I watched the Bears defeat Platte County in the Class 5, District 8 championship game. He hit a 3-pointer to beat the buzzer at the end of the third quarter. He was just getting started. He hit three more triples on the evening to finish with 16 points. He has good quickness he plays under control to get where he needs to go. I was very impressed with his poise. Xander Salas (Green City): The 5’9" 2025 point guard made a big impact as a freshman in helping the Gophers win a Class 1, District xx championship and earn a berth in the sectionals. He’s quick and he’s aggressive and fearless on the court. He had 14 points, five rebounds and three assists in the district championship game against Braymer, then added eight points, five rebounds and three assists in the loss to Stanberry in the sectionals. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/511597EE-E105-4972-9B3E-F8D1AD01C569.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1404393" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/511597EE-E105-4972-9B3E-F8D1AD01C569-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Lajuan Johnson (Lift for Life): The 6’7" 2024 forward stepped with a big performance in Wednesday night’s victory over Sullivan in the Class 3 Sectionals at Kirkwood. He finished the game with 12 points and seven rebounds. He has good size and athleticism and he is capable of hitting the 3-point shot. He has a big upside as he is still in the beginning stages of his development as a player.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/0AB25740-F15A-4E7B-BFBE-37A0477CD66A.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1218500" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/0AB25740-F15A-4E7B-BFBE-37A0477CD66A-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> D.J. Long (Mexico): The 5’9" 2024 point guard scored 12 points in the Bulldogs victory over St. Charles West in the Class 4 sectionals. He fits in perfectly with his team’s up-tempo style of play with his electric quickness and burst in the open court. The little lefty has a quick first step to the basket and he can also hit a high-arching 3-pointer.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Clayton-Parker.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1315607" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Clayton-Parker-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1315419" first="Clayton" last="Parker"] (Montgomery County): The 6’6" 2025 forward finished up an excellent debut season by leading the xx to a Class 3 district championship and earning a berth on the All-District team. He is a matchup problem with his size and versatile skill set. He can stretch the defense with his 3-point shooting off the pick and pop. His post game is also solid with his good footwork and nice shooting touch inside.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/1AC92B65-9EF0-487C-8249-28F5A378B156.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1404395" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/1AC92B65-9EF0-487C-8249-28F5A378B156-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1263918" first="Aidan" last="Lawlor"] (Barstow): The 6’4" 2024 wing played a big role in Barstow’s run to a Class 4 district championship with his perimeter shooting. He averaged 12 points, six rebounds and three assists in his two district games. He’s a skilled shooter and ball handler with a high basketball IQ. He has been a big factor in the program’s success for both of his two varsity seasons to start his career.