A Dozen Small School Bucket-Getters Around the State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at some of the standout bucket-getters who are putting in work at Class 1 and 2 schools around the state. There are many players that are doing an excellent job. Here are a dozen of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1487680,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/D8120FB5-71D6-436C-A16D-0D7B92AF8DF4.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/D8120FB5-71D6-436C-A16D-0D7B92AF8DF4.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1487680" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1160823' first='Isaia' last='Howard'] (Plattsburg): The 6'5" 2024 guard has been one of the most dominant small-school players in the state in leading the Tigers to a 18-0 record and a No. 1 ranking in the Class 2 polls. He is a potent offensive weapon who also stuffs the stat sheet on a nightly basis. He is tremendous when he is attacking the basket and he makes explosive plays at the rim. He also does an excellent job of getting to the free throw line as he averages eight attempts a game. He is currently averaging 28 points, 14.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 4.2 steals a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1760910,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/C13272F2-8A26-4838-A08A-357AB8F8FE1F.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/C13272F2-8A26-4838-A08A-357AB8F8FE1F.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1760910" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1422745' first='Brandon' last='Terrill'] (Slater): A 6'2" 2025 guard who excelled as a freshman last season while being the second option for his older brother Jakorie, who has since graduated. Brandon has elevated himself into the lead role this year as he has put up some impressive numbers as one of the most talented players in Class 2. He is capable of putting up a 30-point performance any time he steps on the floor. He is a creative scorer who has smooth handles and a variety of escape moves to get his own shot. He is also a three-level scorer with extended shooting range. He also rebounds well from the guard position with his athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1171348,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/Joshua-Reeves.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/Joshua-Reeves.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1171348" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joshua Reeves (Golden City): The 6'2" 2023 guard is one of the most impressive shooters in the SWMO area. In addition to his 3-point shooting, he has evolved into a versatile offensive player who can get buckets in a variety of ways. He can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket or hit the short jumper. He is currently averaging 27 points a game to lead the Class 1 Golden Eagles to a 12-7 record. He also reached the 1,500-point plateau in his stellar career a couple of weeks ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1760915,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/823422DA-1746-410E-9CC4-B2BF0695B4E4.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/823422DA-1746-410E-9CC4-B2BF0695B4E4.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1760915" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1430529' first='Derek' last='Rockett'] (Higbee): The 6'0" 2024 guard is one of the top scorers in the state in leading Class 1 Higbee to a 16-1 record. He is an excellent perimeter shooter who can get a bucket from just about anywhere on the court. He does it all for the Tigers in addition to his scoring as he averages 31 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals a game. As a freshman, he led Higbee to a berth to the Class 1 Final Four. He also surpassed the 1,500-point plateau in this his junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1500935,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/402C5E29-8AFA-4FFC-8E30-4F4F26B3B169.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/402C5E29-8AFA-4FFC-8E30-4F4F26B3B169.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1500935" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1427980' first='Brady' last='Nicholson'] (Ash Grove): A 6'3" 2024 guard who is one of the more talented small school players in the SWMO area. He is a very skilled wing guard with good size and the ability to score at all three levels. He just named the Most Valuable Player of the Spokane Tournament after leading thee Pirates to the championship. He has led Ash Grove to a 16-3 record and a No. 4 ranking in the Class 2 state polls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>**********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2885901' first='Tristian' last='Johnson'] (Bernie): A 5'10" 2023 guard who has been one of the top offensive weapons in the SEMO area for the past two seasons. He averaged more than 20 points last season in leading Bernie to a runner-up finish in the Class 2 state tournament. He is averaging North of 20 points a game this season as well. He has the tough combination of quickness, penetrating ability and 3-point shooting range. You put those two things together and you have yourself a very tough cover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1161817' first='Nikos' last='Connaway'] (Van-Far): The 5'9" 2024 guard has been getting prime buckets for the Indians since he stepped into the lineup as a freshman three years ago. The young lefty is a resourceful offensive player who is very capable of operating around the basket and scoring in traffic amongst the taller players. He also has smooth handles to create his own shot and knock down perimeter jumpers. He led the Indians to the championship of the Tony Lenzini Tournament at Palmyra last week as he hit the winning bucket in the finals seconds. He is currently averaging 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three rebounds a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>**********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1220150,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/06/3AF1F2B2-2DFB-4902-9227-678AD6CF65F7.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/06/3AF1F2B2-2DFB-4902-9227-678AD6CF65F7.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1220150" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gage Johnson (Weaubleau): The 6'0" 2024 guard is a fast-paced performer who has led Class 2 Weaubleau to a pair of tournament championships this season. He has deep shooting range off the catch, but he can also create his own shot off the dribble with a nice step back or through his bag of escape moves. He also moves well and comes off screens ready to shoot. He plays with excellent tempo and he can pull up on the dime to his the jumper or deliver a pinpoint pass to an open teammate. He recently scored his 1,000th career point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>**********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyler New (Worth County): A 2024 guard who is one of the top offensive players in the NWMO area as he averages 25 points a game. The Class 1 standout is an excellent player in the open court with very good finishing ability. He is also a very capable 3-point shooting threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1160846' first='Corbin' last='Axtell'] (Grundy County): A 6'3" 2024 wing player who has been a dynamic scorer since entering the Class 1 program as a freshman, when he averaged 20 points a game. He has been a consistent 20-point producer for his three years on the varsity. The lefty has good size and he plays the game at his own pace. He can score around the basket and he can handle the ball and score on the drive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>**********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacob Stellwagen (Verona): A 6'1" 2024 shooting guard who has deep shooting range and the ability to create his own shot off the dribble. He's a slender athlete who will pull up from the volleyball line with confidence and drop a 3-pointer that is nothing but nut. He also has an excellent step-back move and cross over dribble to drop off defenders for the jumper. He averaged 17 points a game as a sophomore and has increased that this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ethan Cotter (Bakersfield): A 2024 scoring point guard who has already surpassed the 1,000-point plateau early in his junior season. This young man can really, really score. He has deep shooting range with a quick, smooth release where the ball rarely touches the net when it does in. He has good handles and the ability to get a bucket at all three levels. He has surpassed the 30-point mark several times this season. And he's doing it despite facing a number of box-and-one and special defenses designed to slow him down. He moves well without the ball to get himself open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->