A Look at Class 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at some of the top players and teams to watch in Class 3 as we approach the upcoming season. There is a chance that some schools may move up or down, depending on circumstances at the beginning of the season. The schools are listed by which classification that they were in during the 2023-24 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1315419"],"_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-6723b166871c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'8" 2025 forward led the Wildcats to their first Final Four appearance in 50 years. He is a very skilled low post player who can also make 3-pointers. He averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds a game as a junior. He recently gave a commitment to Morehead State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1419878"],"_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-6723b16687224"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A versatile 6'7" 2025 forward who is one of the top players in the SWMO area. He is a four-year starter with tremendous perimeter skills. He has given a commitment to his home school of Missouri State University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1424415"],"_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-6723b16687262"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 6'2" 2025 guard who transferred to Montgomery County after three strong seasons at Troy. He was a Class 6 All-State player last season after averaging nearly 25 points a game. He has given a commitment to McKendree University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2334892"],"_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-6723b2fe7fdba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 6'5" 2027 small forward who is one of the top young prospects in his class. He is a versatile talent who can impact games at both ends of the court with his length and athleticism. As a freshman, he averaged 14 points and eight rebounds in helping SCA to a second-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_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Devin Harrington","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Thayer","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6725618290eb9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 6'6" 2025 forward who is one of the most explosive players in the SWMO area. He dunks just about everything around the rim. As a junior, he averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds a game in helping the Bobcats to a third-place finish in the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10 MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2357743' first='Jace' last='Eskew'] (Bowling Green): A 6'4" 2025 guard who is one of the top players in the EMO Conference. He averaged 20 points and six rebounds a game while shooting 39 percent from 3-point range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1422744' first='Tanner' last='Baird'] (Forsyth): A 6'11" 2025 center who is back at Forsyth after playing at Link Academy. He has a big, physical presence in the paint at both ends of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Demario Moss (Lexington): A 6'4" 2025 guard who is a scoring point guard who is capable of putting up big numbers. He averaged 25 points a game as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2353849' first='Brogan' last='Crawford'] (Lawson): A versatile 6'5" 2025 forward who returns after leading Lawson to a district championship last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2544949' first='Connor' last='Marcum'] (East Prairie): A 6'0" point guard who is a four-year starter at East Prairie. He is a slick ball handler who can also score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2487549' first='Evin' last='Pleas'] (DuBourg): A talented 6'1" 2025 guard who averaged 15 points, seven rebounds and two steals a game in leading the Cavaliers to a 17-9 record last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2748368' first='Isaiah' last='Watkins'] (East Buchanan): A 6'3" 2025 guard who led East Buch to a district championship with his all-around skill set. He is an excellent passer who makes his teammates better. As a junior, he averaged 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1424412' first='Max' last='Rieger'] (Summit Christian): A 6'0" 2025 guard who averaged 15 points a game and shot 41 percent from 3-point range in helping lead the Eagles to a third-place finish in the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1425350' first='Will' last='Geary'] (Valley Park): A 6'3" 2025 forward who has been a big bucket-getter for the Hawks since his freshman season. He averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds a game as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brenden Matt (North Platte): A 6'2" 2026 guard who was an All-District selection a year ago. He is a potent offensive player and one of the top 3-point shooters in the Class 3 ranks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A FEW TEAMS TO WATCH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montgomery County: The Wildcats earned their first Final Four berth in 50 years last season. They return three key 2025s in 6'8" Morehead State recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1315419' first='Clayton' last='Parker'], 6'1 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1557470' first='Isaiah' last='Thomas'] and 6'3" 2025 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2218077' first='Tyler' last='Erwin']. A big addition to the program is 6'2" 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1424415' first='Andrew' last='Moore'], who was a Class 6 All-State performer at Troy last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Summit Christian: A good nucleus is back for a SCA team that advanced to the state championship game a year ago. A pair of All-State performers are back in 6'5" 2027 Mike Thomas III and 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1424412' first='Max' last='Rieger'] along with 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2117458' first='Carter' last='Jeffries'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greenwood: The Blue Jays return one of the state's top players in 6'7" 2025 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1419878' first='Collin' last='Clark'], who has committed to Missouri State. Also returning to the fold 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2544882' first='Logan' last='Sanders'], who can shoot it from 3-point range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thayer: The Bobcats made another trip to the Final Four as they finished third last year. They return a strong inside-outside duo in 6'6" 2025 forward Devin Harrington and 5'10" 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1887579' first='Easton' last='Pitts'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>KIPP (Kansas City): It was a breakthrough season for KIPP last season as they were in the state's Top 5 rankings for much of the season. They return a number of talented players in 2025 guards [player_tooltip player_id='2357755' first='Vincent' last='Moss'] and Kenneth Smith along with 6'6" 2027 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2334943' first='Leeric' last='Torrence'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lawson: The Cardinals return a strong dynamic duo from last year's district championship team in 6'5" 2025 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2353849' first='Brogan' last='Crawford'] and 6'1" 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2576005' first='Isaac' last='Willoughby']. They combined to average more than 30 points a game last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hermann: The Bearcats are a good sized team that played for a district championship last season. They are led by 6'6" 2025 forward Daeden Hopkins and 6'4' 2026 forward Colten Schwartz, along with All-District guard John Hiatt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Prairie: The Eagles had a successful 20-6 record last season and more success could be on the way with the return of 6'0" 2025 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2544949' first='Connor' last='Marcum'] and 6'4" 2025 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2544946' first='Noah' last='Johnson'], who were both All-District selections last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cape Notre Dame: The Bulldogs return a solid trio of 2025 guards, led by 6'0" Kolton Johnson who can really shoot it from long distance. Also back are 6'4" forward Brett Dohogne and point guard Logan Landewee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->