Inside the Norm Stewart Classic: What the Event Really Revealed

*Photo by Dan Murphy   Since its launch in 2007, the Norm Stewart Classic has grown into one of Missouri's signature high school basketball events, annually drawing a collection of elite teams and standout talent to Columbia each December. This year's edition was no exception. The field featured a blend of established powerhouse programs and emerging contenders, setting the stage for compelling matchups and a weekend of highly competitive basketball.   Beyond the team storylines, the Classic also served as a showcase for several players poised to compete at the collegiate level in the near future. Their performances offered an early look at prospects whose names are likely to surface frequently in recruiting conversations this season.   In the sections that follow, I'll break down notable results from across the event and spotlight the athletes who delivered the most impressive performances throughout the tournament.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Noteworthy Results</h3>   Capital City (MO) 83, Warrensburg (MO) 59   Rolla (MO) 90, Pembroke Hill (MO) 74   Principia (MO) 73, Little Rock Central (AR) 37   Chaminade (MO) 71, Putnam City North (OK) 67   Bishop Miege (KS) 71, Father Tolton (MO) 64   Putnam City North (OK) 71, Cardinal Ritter (MO) 45   Marquette (MO) 64, Jefferson City (MO) 33   Principia (MO) 85, Inglewood (CA) 69   Centralia (MO) 62, Eldon (MO) 61   The New School (AR) 52, Zephyrhills Christian (FL) 48   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Featured Names</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='2352805' first='Quentin' last='Coleman'] | 6'3" Guard | Senior | Principia (MO)   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>The Wake Forest commit dominated on the court in both of Principia's matchups, leaving an indelible mark in wins over Little Rock Central and Inglewood from California. While his scoring ability has always been a strength, what stood out most was his relentless effort on the boards and his knack for making critical plays in key moments. His performance was not only impressive individually, but it also elevated his team, demonstrating that Principia has the talent and determination to compete at a national level this season. Many would argue that his standout play at the event significantly boosted his profile, further highlighting why he's one of the most impactful players in the tournament.</li> </ul>   Jason Crowe Jr. | 6'3" Guard | Senior | Inglewood (CA)   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Crowe engaged in a high-intensity showdown against Coleman and Principia, putting on a scoring clinic that ended with an impressive 41-point performance. His offensive display was multifaceted — he knocked down multiple three-pointers from deep range, attacked the basket aggressively off the dribble, and capitalized consistently at the free-throw line. The Missouri commit lived up to the hype, demonstrating the full range of his scoring ability. If this performance is any indication, fans and scouts alike should expect to see more of the same explosive play from him throughout the winter season.</li> </ul>   Aidan Chronister | 6'8" Wing | Senior | The New School (AR)   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Chronister continues to develop and refine his game, with a noticeably bigger and stronger frame that is taking his performance to another level. His shooting remains his standout skill, as evidenced by knocking down five three-pointers against Zephyrhills Christian. Beyond his scoring, he's making a significant impact on the defensive end, using his length and activity to create multiple steals and deflections that disrupt opponents' rhythm. As the leader of The New School, Chronister is poised to play a central role in several upcoming high-profile matchups, making him a player to watch closely in the weeks ahead.</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='2767899' first='Bronx' last='Ganaway'] | 6'7" Wing | Freshman | Boonville (MO)   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Ganaway emerged as one of the most impressive young talents in Columbia. His combination of length and athleticism makes him a physical standout, and he complemented that with a versatile scoring ability, finishing with 20 points in a victory over Warrenton. He was most effective when attacking the basket aggressively and seeking out paint opportunities, though he also demonstrated the ability to knock down shots from the perimeter. With several years of development ahead, Ganaway has the potential to continue adding size and strength, which should further enhance his game and make him an even more formidable presence on the court.</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='1790000' first='Ethan' last='Brown'] | 6'4" Guard | Senior | Rolla (MO)   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Another standout performance at the Norm Stewart Classic came from Brown, who put on a near-flawless show with 34 points, seven assists, seven rebounds, and seven steals. He was dominant for Rolla, stepping up whenever his team needed a play. Brown's confident and assertive style energized his teammates, as he drained multiple deep three-pointers and consistently created scoring opportunities both in the paint and at the free-throw line. The Illinois commit demonstrated why he is one of the most highly sought-after recruits in this cycle, leaving little doubt about his ability to impact games on multiple levels.</li> </ul>   Mavrick Hawkins | 6'3" Guard | Senior | Pembroke Hill (MO)   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Hawkins, the Vanderbilt commit, also turned in an impressive performance as he went head-to-head with Brown and Rolla. He was most effective working in the paint, where he demonstrated strong rebounding and a versatile scoring touch, capable of finishing around, over, or through defenders. Beyond his post play, Hawkins showed the ability to attack off the dribble from multiple areas on the floor, creating easy scoring opportunities when his team needed them most. He is expected to continue guiding a steadily improving Pembroke Hill squad throughout the winter, serving as both a leader and a consistent offensive and defensive presence.</li> </ul>   Keaton Murry | 6'4" Guard | Sophomore | Putnam City North (OK)   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Murry, who currently holds multiple P4 offers, is a highly skilled and versatile guard with an impressive array of physical tools. His combination of size, athleticism, and skill definitely showed quickly in Columbia. As he continues to mature and refine his abilities, there is strong potential for his game to develop even further. One of Murry's most notable strengths is his smooth and effortless shooting stroke. He consistently knocked down shots from a variety of spots on the floor, including both mid-range jumpers and perimeter attempts. Beyond his shooting, he also demonstrated the ability to attack the defense off the dribble, using his quickness and agility to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. It will be interesting to track Murry's progression over the next several years and observe how his overall game evolves. This season, he has played a central role in leading an extremely talented Putnam City North squad, helping the team maintain a high level of performance and consistently deliver strong results. His leadership, skill set, and on-court impact make him a player to watch closely as he continues to grow.</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='1446576' first='Jonny' last='Jordan'] | 6'3" Guard | Senior | Chaminade (MO)   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Jordan served as the clear leader for Chaminade during their time in Columbia, showcasing both his physical growth and his ability to leverage it on the court. He appears to have added size and strength, which he effectively used to his advantage in a variety of situations. On offense, Jordan displayed a versatile scoring arsenal. He was particularly effective in the mid-range “in-between” areas, showing the ability to score efficiently from multiple spots on the floor. Around the rim, he proved capable of finishing through contact, demonstrating toughness and resilience when challenged by defenders. Beyond scoring, Jordan also demonstrated strong playmaking skills, creating opportunities for his teammates and showing a mature sense of when to let the game come to him. As an Omaha commit, Jordan projects as someone who can make an immediate impact at the next level. His combination of size, skill, and court awareness suggests he will be able to contribute effectively from the start, bringing both scoring and leadership to his new team.</li> </ul>   Mohamed Kourouma | 6'7" Forward | Sophomore | Chaminade   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Kourouma is emerging as the next standout player for Chaminade, showing the potential to become a household name in the program. Paired with Jordan, the duo propelled Chaminade to an impressive victory over Putnam City North, showcasing both skill and leadership on the court. Throughout the game, Mohamed displayed relentless energy and a high motor, particularly on the boards, where he secured several critical rebounds that helped swing momentum in Chaminade's favor. Around the rim, he looked confident and versatile, demonstrating the ability to score with either hand and navigate around defenders with ease. Looking ahead, Kourouma's trajectory appears very promising. With continued development over the next few seasons, he has the potential to evolve into a top-tier prospect, refining his skills and expanding his impact on both ends of the floor. His combination of work ethic, physical tools, and scoring ability makes him a player to watch closely in the coming years.</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='1598832' first='Grady' last='Payton'] | 6'9" Forward | Senior | Capital City (MO)   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Payton continues to develop and is showing greater comfort and confidence on the floor with each game. His presence as a rim protector and rebounder is particularly notable — he consistently impacted the game against Warrensburg on the defensive end. Offensively, Payton demonstrated a versatile skill set. He handled the basketball confidently, created his own shot, and scored both inside the paint and from the perimeter. Additionally, he showed a strong understanding of spacing and movement, effectively finding open areas and adjusting to different defensive looks. Payton is an obvious standout for the next level, and the only question that remains is where he will ultimately land. His talent and impact on the court make him a highly sought-after prospect, and tracking his next destination will be intriguing for anyone following his development.</li> </ul>   Keyvonte Hudson | 5'10" Guard | Senior | Bishop Miege (KS)   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Perhaps the most under-the-radar player on this list, Hudson made a strong impression in Columbia with one of the tournament's most notable performances. He led Bishop Miege to a significant victory over Father Tolton, showcasing his evolving scoring ability. Hudson was effective from beyond the arc, knocking down perimeter shots, while also consistently attacking the basket. In addition to his scoring, he flashed his playmaking and rebounding skills, demonstrating that he can impact the game in multiple facets. As Bishop Miege starts the season on an upward trajectory, Hudson is poised to be a key leader for the team.</li> </ul>

*Photo by Dan Murphy