Way Too Early Look at top Class 2 Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school season will begin in less than three months, but it's never too early to take a look at some of the top teams in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With that in mind, Prep Hoops Missouri presents its Way Too Early look at the top teams to watch in Class 2. Since it's mid September, things can change such as change in classification, transfers and other circumstances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2206935,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/IMG_2522.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/IMG_2522.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2206935" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Salisbury: The Panthers concluded a tremendous 29-3 season by winning the state championship. They return their top player in 6'4 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1427979' first='Cooper' last='Francis'], do-it-all lefty wing player who averaged more than 20 points a game. Also is 6'6 2024 forward Hayden Woolridge and 2024 guard Grayson Cole.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******<br></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>Ash Grove: The Pirates won 20 games and played for a district championship last season. They graduated some solid players from last year's team, but they return one of the top players in the SWMO area in 6'3" 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1427980' first='Brady' last='Nicholson'], who is a very potent offensive player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clopton: The Hawks turned in another strong season with a 21-9 record and a berth in the state quarterfinals. They return a pair of All-District performers in 2024 Cash Eivens and 2025 Kain Eivens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eugene: The Eagles won 22 games and a district championship with a very young team last year. Several of those key players will be back, which includes 6'2" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2357760' first='Isaac' last='Busch'], 5'10" 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2546182' first='Justice' last='Allen'] and 6'1" 2026 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1824852' first='Ethan' last='Wunderlich'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1982622,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_2073.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_2073.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1982622" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greenville: The Bears finished 22-2 last year and should field one of the top small-school squads in the SEMO area this season. They return a top player in 6'2" 2024 guard Easton Evans, who can really stuff the stat sheet. Holding down things in the paint will be big-bodied 6'4" 2024 post player Trey Porter. Also back is 2026 guard Cooper Sturgeon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>Hartville: The Eagles returned to the Final Four mix last season with a 25-7 record and a fourth-place finish in the state tournament. Jalen Cryer is a 2024 guard who returns after earning All-State honors last season. Also returning are 2024s Grant Culver and Logan Simpson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norwood: After winning a state title in 2022, the Pirates retooled around a group of talented young players and came away with a 20-9 record last season. They should be ready to challenge for big things this season with those youngsters a year older. They are led by 6'1" 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1562793' first='Peyton' last='McDaris'], who is a Division I prospect with an offer from xx. Also back to play key roles are 2025 guards Cooper Vaughn and [player_tooltip player_id='1315453' first='Noah' last='Drake'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******<br></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>Plattsburg: The Tigers enjoyed a magical season that ended up with a 31-1 record and a third-place finish in the state tournament. Plattsburg returns one of the top players in the state in 6'5" 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1160823' first='Isaia' last='Howard']. The North Dakota State commit averaged nearly 30 points a game last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Puxico: The Indians won 16 games last year with a young team and finished the season with a strong push, which could set up for a strong year this time around. They return talented 2026 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2539650' first='Landan' last='Burchard'], along with 2025 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2748515' first='Scyler' last='Zimmerman'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1390719,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/02/468566B0-3A50-4A1A-AC84-73C067F0ABB3.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/02/468566B0-3A50-4A1A-AC84-73C067F0ABB3.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1390719" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weaubleau: The Tigers finished with a 24-7 record and advanced to the state quarterfinals last season. Guard [player_tooltip player_id='1914118' first='Gage' last='Johnson'] will be entering his fourth year as a starter at the point. He averaged nearly 20 points a game last season. Also returning for their seniors seasons will be guards Blake Durnell and Dawson Stewart.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->