A Look at Class 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we get closer to the 2024-26 season, Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at some of the top Class 1 players around the state to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>THE STARTING FIVE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1424402"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671c0aaf12dcf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'3 2025 wing was dominant last season in leading Chadwick to a state championship. He is also one of the most explosive players in Class 1. He averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 60 percent from the field in leading the Cardinals to a 29-3 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1424926"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671c0aaf12e2d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 5'11” 2025 point guard returns for his fourth year of starting duty. He has good quickness and he distributes the ball well while also being able to dictate tempo. As a junior, he averaged 15 points and five assists while leading the Gophers to a 28-3 record and a third place finish in the state tournament </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1424424"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671c0aaf12e6e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 6'3 2025 guard who returns as the prime offensive player for the Panthers, who have been a dominant in recent years. He is an excellent athlete who can score at all three levels. He averaged 17 points, four rebounds and three assists last season in leading the Panthers to a district championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1790002"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671c0aff59256"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 6'11 2026 center who returns as the top big man in the Class 1 ranks. He is tough to handle inside with his size and skill set in the low post. He is also an excellent passer who can also stretch the floor from 3-point range. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2575974"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671d308b5dce0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 5'9 2025 guard produced a big season in leading Braymer to a Final Four appearance in the state tournament. He's solidly built and physically tough and it shows in how he relentlessly attacks the basket. He averaged 17 points and four rebounds a game as a junior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*********<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10 MORE TO WATCH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2357746' first='Sammy' last='Smith'] (Risco): A 6'3" 2025 guard who earned All-State honors last season after leading the Tigers to a 23-5 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2529161' first='Jackson' last='Pitts'] (Prairie Home): A versatile 6'5" 2025 forward who led Prairie Home to a district title and a berth in the state quarterfinals last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2617569' first='Brennen' last='Meloy'] (Bunker): A 6'3 2027 guard who earned All-State honors as a freshman last season after averaging 18.7 points points and 8.4 rebounds last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tucker Hughes (Richland Essex): A 6'3" 2025 forward who earned All-State honors last season after leading Richland to a 23-8 record and a berth in the state quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2748624' first='Drew' last='Foster'] (Eminence): A 6'3" 2025 forward who returns after earning All-State honors last season. He is a strong player in the low post.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tristan Smith (Chadwick): A 5'11" 2025 guard who was instrumental in the Cardinals run to the state championship with his perimeter shooting last season. He averaged 13 points a game while shooting 41 percent from 3-point range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2544963' first='JJ' last='White'] (Atlanta): A 6'0" 2025 who is a three-level scorer with shooting range that extends well beyond the 3-point line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Troy Zeilstra (Brunswick): A 6'2" 2025 guard who earned All-District honors after leading Brunswick to a 21-8 record last season. He is a smooth slashing lefty guard with 3-point shooting range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joey Lagemann (Marion County): A 6'0" 2025 guard who has good athleticism and excellent range from 3-point distance. He averaged 20 points a game last season to earn All-District honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Justin Miller (Platte Valley): The 6'2 2025 guard will become the go-to scorer this season. He averaged 12 points, six rebounds and two steals for the 26-3 Longhorns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A FEW TEAMS TO WATCH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chadwick: The Cardinals broke through last season to win the state championship. They return Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='1424402' first='Clayton' last='Garrison'] along with fellow 2025 Tristan Smith at the guard position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Iron: The Panthers were denied a fourth consecutive state title by Chadwick last season, but they will still field another strong team that will contend. They are led by 6'3" 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1424424' first='Sawyer' last='Huff'] and 5'11" 2026 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1320248' first='Ty' last='Harlow'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green City: The Gophers have been a consistent winning program for several years, including last year's third-place team at the state tournament. They are led by 5'11" 2025 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1424926' first='Xander' last='Salas'], who was an All-State performer last season. Also back is improving 6'5" 2026 forward Ivan Littrell</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Braymer: The Bobcats return a strong nucleus from last year's Final Four, led by its dynamic duo of 5'9" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2575974' first='Jordan' last='Haley'] and 6'2" 2026 Dakota Brandon, who combined to averaged 31 points a game last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richland: The Rebels won 23 games and advanced to the state quarterfinals last season. They are led by 6'3" 2025 forward Tucker Hughes, who earned All-State honors, along with 2025 Hunter Sanders and 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2966383' first='Gary' last='Tilley'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Risco: The Tigers won 23 games a year ago and played for a district championship. They return their top player in 6'3" 2025 guard Sammie Smith along with 2026 guard Eli Rogers and 6'4" 2026 forward Drew Fortner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prairie Home: The Panthers won 23 games and advanced to the state quarterfinals last season. They return 6'5" 2025 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2529161' first='Jackson' last='Pitts'], a versatile lefty who can play anywhere on the floor. Also back are 6'3" 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2452522' first='Cooper' last='Brown'] and 2025 Wyatt Case.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brunswick: The Wildcats are looking strong again after winning 21 games and a district championship last season. They return a trio of 2025 standouts in Troy Zeilstra, Chris Artis and Colby Jenkins, who all earned All-District honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Platte Valley: PV won 26 games and a district championship last season. Their top returning player is 2025 guard Justin Miller. Also back is 2025 guard Tucker Klamm. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->