Central Missouri’s Most Anticipated Opening-Week Battles – Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*Photo by Trevor Hahn</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Central Missouri region is once again home to a compelling slate of early-season matchups, and this year's opening week may be one of the most revealing yet. Several programs with rich traditions and playoff pedigrees are set to take the floor, offering fans an early glimpse at how well-established teams are reloading, retooling, and refocusing for another run. Many of the region's top returning players will look to assert themselves immediately, using the first week to show how their games have grown since last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the same time, this opening stretch provides a golden opportunity for lesser-known squads and rising programs to break through and grab attention. Whether it's a young team taking a surprising leap, a new coach implementing a fresh system, or an under-the-radar player emerging as a legitimate difference-maker, the first week of action in central Missouri often sets the tone for storylines that will carry deep into the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With contrasting styles, competitive matchups, and several games that could hint at future postseason implications, the region's opening week promises to deliver energy, intensity, and clarity as teams begin carving out their identities for the year ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>December 4th</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Glendale vs Belton (Neutral Site)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Glendale and Belton square off in one of the more intriguing early-season matchups in central Missouri — a game that should offer an immediate measuring stick for both programs as they look to start the year on the right track against quality competition from across the state.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Glendale enters the season with confidence, anchored by standout guard [player_tooltip player_id='2701109' first='Joelle' last='Rover'], whose playmaking and scoring ability set the tone for the Falcons on both ends of the floor. His ability to control pace and create offense will be crucial as Glendale looks to establish early momentum.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Belton counters with a talented duo of their own in [player_tooltip player_id='2822915' first='Jayce' last='Maiden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2719615' first='Cooper' last='Shrum'], two players capable of impacting the game in a variety of ways. Maiden provides toughness and versatility, while Shrum brings skill, shot-making, and a competitive edge that should keep Belton firmly in the mix throughout the night.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>With star power on both sides and two teams eager to prove themselves right away, this matchup has all the ingredients to be one of the opening week's most compelling contests.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Central vs. Helias (Neutral Site)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Central enters the new season facing one of the biggest transitions in the region after graduating a huge portion of last year's talent and production. With so many key pieces gone, the Bulldogs' opener becomes even more intriguing — an early glimpse into how this retooled roster will adapt, compete, and redefine its identity.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>They won't have the luxury of easing into things either. Their first test comes against a highly touted Helias squad that carries major expectations into the winter. Helias returns a strong, seasoned core, and the combination of [player_tooltip player_id='2873530' first='Logan' last=''] Hillman and [player_tooltip player_id='2536470' first='Alex' last='Wood'] gives them one of the most reliable and impactful duos in the state. Their size, skill, and leadership should set the tone from the opening tip.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>For Central, all eyes will be on [player_tooltip player_id='2966365' first='Tryton' last='Jackson'], a rising name who could emerge as the new cornerstone of the program. His development and ability to take on a larger role will be critical in determining how quickly the Bulldogs can find their footing.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>With one team looking to rebuild and another aiming to dominate, this matchup offers an early-season storyline loaded with intrigue — and it could reveal a lot about what both programs will be capable of in the months ahead.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>December 9th</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>St. Michael the Archangel at Father Tolton</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>After a challenging start to the season, St. Michael's is looking to regroup, refocus, and get its top players firing on all cylinders before the schedule intensifies. Their matchup with Father Tolton comes at a pivotal moment — an opportunity to course-correct and build momentum against one of the more disciplined and well-coached programs in the region.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>For St. Michael's to bounce back, they'll need productive outings from their core trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1850448' first='Phillip' last='Howard'], [player_tooltip player_id='1850447' first='Josh' last='Wheeler'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2402668' first='Michael' last='Weis']. Each brings a different dimension to the floor — scoring, playmaking, toughness — and the team's success will hinge on their ability to set the tone and elevate the pieces around them.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>On the other side, Father Tolton enters the season reloaded with a promising group of young talent. [player_tooltip player_id='3034933' first='Clay' last='Busch'], Drake Smith, Rocco Susan, and [player_tooltip player_id='2452522' first='Cooper' last='Brown'] headline the next wave of Trailblazers, and their blend of energy, skill, and upside gives Tolton plenty of intrigue as the year progresses.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>This matchup presents an early crossroads for St. Michael's and a spotlight moment for a youthful Father Tolton squad eager to prove it belongs among the region's rising contenders.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>December 12th</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Smith-Cotton at Blair Oaks</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Smith-Cotton has opened the season on the right note, grinding out a hard-fought win over Mexico to set an early tone for what could be a promising year. The Tigers showed resilience and poise down the stretch, traits they'll look to build on as the schedule stiffens. Their continued success will hinge on the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='2918951' first='Max' last='Lyles'], Dax Wiskur, and Jaquois Bennett — three players who bring scoring, toughness, and stability to a group aiming to take another step forward.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Blair Oaks, meanwhile, returns following an impressive 2024–2025 campaign and looks poised to remain one of the region's more consistent contenders. With [player_tooltip player_id='2966371' first='Bennett' last='Wilde'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2966368' first='Brenden' last='Rackers'] leading the charge, the Falcons have a strong, experienced core capable of keeping them competitive in every matchup.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>With both programs carrying momentum and featuring key players ready to elevate their roles, this matchup has the potential to reveal a lot about where each team stands in the early stages of the season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->