New Names of Note from Nixa Invitational Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri had the opportunity to watch several games from the Nixa Invitational Tournament over the weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is always an excellent tournament to watch because the field includes teams from different parts of the state. There were teams from St. Louis, Kansas City, SEMO and the SWMO area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at some New Names of players who caught our attention at the NIT.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ty Kellis (Nixa): A 6'3" 2026 wing player who had an excellent tournament as he averaged 18 points a game. He is an excellent athlete who excels in transition and who attacks the basket well. He also hit the straight-on 3-pointer from the top of the key. He was very disruptive on defense at the top of the press with his length and anticipation. He was consistently getting deflections and steals. He could bait offensive players into passes, then shoot the passing lanes to get a steal and a transition layup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dontae Branson (Park Hill): A 6'3" 2026 guard who has good athleticism and who plays with a strong motor. He was always around the ball with his hustle and tenacity. He showed a quick jump to grab offensive rebounds and get putbacks. He also showed a perimeter stroke in the third-place game against Nixa when he knocked down back to back 3-pointers from opposite corners.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colt McCoy (Nixa): A 6'4" 2027 forward who is a hard-working player in the lane. He could muscle his way through traffic to get a bucket and he could also drive it from the high post effectively. He is also a very good interior passer. He dropped some nifty dimes through tight quarters. He showed his athleticism on defense when he jumped out and blocked a 3-pointer in the third-place game against Park Hill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Daniel Hinson (Whitfield): A 6'3" 2028 forward had an impressive tournament. He scored a game-high 29 points in a victory over Cape Notre Dame in the seventh-place game. He is a very good offensive player around the basket. He's patient and he has good footwork in the lane along with a nice shooting touch. He rebounds the ball strong with two hands. I like his fundamentals along with his skills. He can also wall off an offensive player and block a shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preston Loehr (Marquette): A 6'0" 2026 guard who has emerged as the Mustangs designated perimeter shooter this season. He came through in a big way in the semifinals against Nixa when he hit four of five from 3-point range for 12 points in a victory over the host Eagles. He is always shot ready when he catches the ball and he shoots it with confidence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>James Collins (Hillcrest): A 6'3" 2026 forward who is a good athlete who plays a solid role for Hillcrest. He was rebounding the ball and defending well around the basket. He also made multiple 3-pointers in the game I watched against Whitfield in the consolation round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colton Landewee (Cape Notre Dame)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->