Class 3 Teams to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the high school season approaches, it is time to take a look at some of the top teams to watch around the state by class. We have previously taken a look at Class 1 and Class 2 teams to watch in early September. Now, it is time to take a look at some of the Class 3 teams to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1694619,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Jadis-Jones.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Jadis-Jones.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1694619" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New Madrid Central: The Eagles battled their way to the state championship last season behind their dynamic duo of 6'5" 2024 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1160651' first='Jadis' last='Jones'] and 6'0" 2024 guard BJ Williamson. Jones was the Class 3 Player of the Year after averaging more than 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. Williams averaged nearly 20 points a game last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2023761,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3262.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3262.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2023761" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lutheran North: The Crusaders made an excellent postseason run, which led to a berth in the state championship game last season. They are led by 6'4" 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1571730' first='Bryce' last='Spiller'], an All-State player who averaged 18 points a game. Spiller recently committed to Air Force. Izzy Prude, a 2025 guard, hit the game-tying shot against Thayer to send the state semifinal game into overtime. Also returning is 6'5' 2024 forward Arnez Newton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2023742,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3128.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3128.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2023742" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thayer: The Bobcats return a strong nucleus from last season's team that finished third in the state tournament. They return 6'3" 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1427996' first='Aidan' last='Burns'], who averaged 21 points a game during his All-State junior campaign. Also back is 6'6" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1557434' first='Devin' last='Herrington'], who is a double-double machine and 5'9" 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1887579' first='Easton' last='Pitts'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1869518,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/5C8A1524-F9C7-4256-B98A-B4C5FFE0132F.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/5C8A1524-F9C7-4256-B98A-B4C5FFE0132F.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1869518" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Principia: The Panthers will move up to Class 3 this season after advancing to the Class 2 state championship game last season. They have a loaded squad ready in the second year of Hall of Fame coach Jay Blossom. The top scorer back is 5'10" 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1790004' first='Jaylen' last='Edwards'], who averaged 15 points a game. Also back is 6'6 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1501486' first='Ben' last='Akoro']. An impressive newcomer on the scene is 7'0 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2131228' first='Aly' last='Tounkara']. There is plenty of more talent on hand at all positions for the Panthers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2217846,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/IMG_6071.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/IMG_6071.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2217846" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montgomery County: The Wildcats return a strong cast from last year's 19-8 squad. They return one of the state's top forwards in 6'8" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1315419' first='Clayton' last='Parker']. He is joined by a pair of talented 2025s in 6'0" point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1557470' first='Isaiah' last='Thomas'] and 6'3" forward [player_tooltip player_id='2218077' first='Tyler' last='Erwin']. New to the mix is 6'2" 2024 guard Jacob Stellwagen, a sharpshooting transfer from Verona.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2082929,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_3906.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_3906.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2082929" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sparta: The Trojansenjoyed one of their best seasons in recent years as they enjoyed a 24-6record and a berth in the state quarterfinals. They are led by 6'6" 2024 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1160826' first='Jacob' last='Lafferty'], who is one of the most explosive players in the SWMO area. Also returning is 2024 guard Walker Loveland.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2042925,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3841.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3841.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2042925" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maplewood: The Blue Devils are looking for another strong season after winning a district championship a year ago. The top player back is 6'3" 2024 wing [player_tooltip player_id='1571731' first='Eric' last='Shaw'], who led the team in scoring last year. He has committed to State Fair C.C. Also back is 6'0" 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1598820' first='Abraham' last='Nayou'], who had a big freshman campaign, and 6'2" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2748379' first='Micah' last='Boone'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cole Camp: The Blue Birds finished with a 22-8 record and advanced to the state quarterfinals last season. They return a pair of All-District players in 2024s Gentry Dieckman and Reid Harrison. Dieckman is a 6'5 forward and Harrison is a 5'11 guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1971351,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Max-Rieger.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Max-Rieger.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1971351" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Summit Christian: The Eagles won 20 games last season and return some talented young players. [player_tooltip player_id='1424412' first='Max' last='Rieger'] is a 2025 guard who averaged 16 points a game while 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2117458' first='Carter' last='Jeffries'] averaged 11 points a game. An impressive newcomer on the scene is 6'4 2027 Mike Thomas lll.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Palmyra: The Panthers return some key players back from last year's 20-victory season. Back is 6'5 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1160839' first='Bear' last='Bock'], who is a four-year starter, along with 2024 guard Carson Hicks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1939898,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Phillip-Howard-St.-Michaels-The-Archangel-MO-2026.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Phillip-Howard-St.-Michaels-The-Archangel-MO-2026.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1939898" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Michael the Archangel: The Guardians won 16 games last season while playing a host of young players. [player_tooltip player_id='1850448' first='Phillip' last='Howard'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1850447' first='Josh' last='Wheeler'] are a pair of 2026 guards who return after very productive freshman campaigns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2053164,"width":"308px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.3333333333333333","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_3856.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/IMG_3856.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2053164" style="aspect-ratio:1.3333333333333333;width:308px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Pius X: St. Pius advanced to the state quarterfinals last season. They return one of the top guards in Class 3 in 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1579852' first='Grant' last='Redd']. A four-year starter, Redd averaged 18 points a game last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1982600,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_2032.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_2032.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1982600" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mt. View Liberty: The Eagles return some good pieces back from last season's 18-10 unit. The biggest piece is 5'8" 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1579187' first='Terrell' last='Gaines'], who is one of state's most impressive bucket-getters. He is capable of putting up a 30-piece at any time. He is an Austin Peay commit. Also returning are 2024s Carter Pruitt, Brody Rutledge and Adrien Pendergraft.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->