Who’s Been Stepping Up

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at a group of players who have been putting in some serious work in the past few weeks as we head into the meat of the holiday tournament season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1425357"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2457371,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-676c2fdff1f4a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 2025 small forward has been a productive and complimentary player to the Trailblazers dynamic backcourt, but he is breaking out into a prime-time player during his senior year as his level of play has skyrocketed. He had 25 points and 14 rebounds in a victory over Little Rock Central at the Norm Stewart Classic. He scored 31 points in a victory over St. Mary's. He is consistently knocking down shots from 3-point range and he uses his size and athleticism to attack the basket with success. McKendree got a steal with this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1539810"],"_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-676c2fdff1fda"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'0" 2025 point guard has been terrific for the Patriots so far since transferring over from Windsor. He just went over the 1,000-point mark for his career in a 34-point performance against Hazelwood East in the first round of the MICDS Tournament. He is smooth offensive player who also has good playmaking skills to keep his teammates involved. He is currently averaging 24 points, four assists and three steals a game while shooting 42 percent from 3-point range. He has been getting it done despite getting numerous defenders thrown in his direction every night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2344220"],"_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-676c2fdff2040"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 6'4" 2026 guard who has followed up on an excellent sophomore season with an even more impressive junior campaign so far. He is a very talented offensive player who can score from all three levels. He also has a pretty deep bag with his creative handles and ability to get to his spots and elevate on his jumper. His court vision is excellent as he can zip pinpoint passes on the money with either hand. He is currently averaging 21 points, five rebounds and three assists a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2383506"],"_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-676c2fdff20a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'2" 2025 guard is one of the main reasons why the Knights are currently the best team in St. Francois County and off to an 6-0 start this season. He scored 26 points against St. Mary's and 20 points against Cape Girardeau Central, which are two of the Knights biggest victories in December. He is a difficult cover because he can score on slicing and twisting drives into the lane from a variety of angles. He also compliments his attacking game with good 3-point shooting. He is currently averaging 18.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.5 steals. The Knights are the No. 1 seed at the upcoming Bob Sechrest Jr. Christmas Tournament at Park Hills Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1425717"],"_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-676c2fdff2106"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'4" 2025 guard is off to a tremendous start to his senior year as his body and game has grown in stature over the course of his career. He combines dynamic athleticism along with three level scoring ability to make a potent offensive package. He enters the holiday tournament season averaging close to 28 points a game. He is also a good passer who will keep his teammates involved </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2357746"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2339813,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-676c2fdff217c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'3" guard led the Tigers to its second consecutive championship of the Clarkton Christmas Tournament last week. He was unstoppable in the championship game as he scored 35 points in a victory over Doniphan. He really owns the mid-range area as he was knocking down jumpers from the high post and scoring on tough drives in the lane. He really operates well in the middle of an opposing zone defense. He is one of the top Class 1 players in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2414256"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2506322,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-676c2fdff21ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'5" 2025 forward is the other half of the Knights' Dynamic duo along with guard [player_tooltip player_id='2383506' first='Logan' last='Schaupert']. He is a tough matchup for defenses with his good size and overall skill set on the perimeter. He uses his big frame to maneuver inside for buckets in the lane. His mid-range shot is good and he can also stretch the defense from 3-point territory. In Farmington's two biggest non-conference victories this month, he had 27 points against both St. Mary's and Cape Girardeau Central. He is currently averaging 17.5 points and nearly eight rebounds a game for the undefeated Knights.</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":"Layden Kellum","_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":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Campbell","_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-676c2fdff22bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 6'1" 2025 guard who had a strong three days in helping the Camels to the championship of the Senath-Hornersville Tournament. He averaged 16 points in the tournament, including a game-high 20 points vs. host Senath-Hornersville in the championship game. He is a very nice 3-point shooter who was also had a lot of success when he went on the attack on the drive. He also does a good job of rebounding from the guard position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->