One Month Until State: 5A Teams & X-Factors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The race for Class 5 is heating up and teams are beginning to separate from the pack. Each team is going to have an x-factor that can be the difference in big games. We touch on who those players are in this article. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sikeston - [player_tooltip player_id='1887581' first='Lekereon' last='McCray']:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sikeston has a very good starting lineup and McCray is often the odd man out in terms of recognition. He's a strong defender and someone who gets out in transition. His playstyle fits the makeup of this team. A 6'2 combo guard that excels in their 2-2-1 full court defensive pressure.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ladue - Haydan Arnold:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arnold takes on a ton of tough assignments defensively. At 6'5 he can play way above the rim, has a very high motor, and shows emotion through his play. He's a very good slasher with a strong body. Can provide post-up offense. Arnold is the definition of an x-factor for this year's Ladue team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Webster Groves - [player_tooltip player_id='1651977' first='Quincy' last='Williams']:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams continues to shoot the ball at a very high level. The 6'1 combo guard is a prolific three point shooter who has rounded out his game over the past year. A player that the team trusts on the defensive end. He fills a much needed 3&amp;D role on this state hopeful.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Mary's - Marquan Haynes:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Haynes is the perfect player for this St. Mary's squad. He's a strong bodied player who can switch down, guard the post, and provides a ton of help on the defensive glass. He finds ways to impact the game. Plays with a high level of toughness. Haynes is a positionless player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>De Smet - Liam Russo:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Russo is the main interior presence on this team. De Smet has shooters spaced all over the perimeter and it's up to Russo to set hard screens, finish easy looks, and defend taller post players. He's effective in his role and has improved the team since joining after the football season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Vianney - [player_tooltip player_id='2090504' first='Ben' last='Karsten']:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Karsten can really shoot the ball at a high clip. He's a 6'2 sharpshooter that has come up big on some of the biggest stages this season. Only a sophomore, he's a player that they'll rely on even more in the future. As for now, Vianney needs him to make his open looks and provide a scoring punch outside of their main options.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rolla - Nick Shelton:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shelton is a player who can do whatever is asked of him each night. A strong shooter and floor spacer. He makes big shots and plays a specific role within this offense. Shelton had a strong game vs. Springfield Central recently. This was a key moment for the guard.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->