Under Radar Class 2 Standouts on District No. 1 Seeds

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at a group of players who have led their respective teams to No. 1 seeds in the upcoming district playoffs next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2426370' first='Pacey' last='Reading'] (Van Far): A 6'4" 2026 wing player who has put together a tremendous season in leading his team to a No. 1 seed in District 5. He has the versatility to excel at all positions on the court with his ball handling, playmaking and ability to score inside with his size. He is averaging 21 points and nine rebounds a game while also shooting it at a 43 percent clip from 3-point range on 77 made triples.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Braxton McGinnis (West Nodaway): A 5'10" 2028 point guard who has led West Nodaway to a No. 1 seed in District 16 with a couple of tournament championships this season. For a young player, he is a cool customer with the ball in his hands as a ball handler and playmaker. He plays the game at his own pace and he sees the court very well. He can also score from all three levels. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2536437' first='Max' last='Wheeler'] (St. Vincent): A 6'3" 2026 forward who plays the facilitator role very well in addition to his scoring ability. The talented lefty really excels on the perimeter with strong drives and spin moves in the lane to get buckets in traffic. He can also pull up and knock down 3-pointers. He's led St. Vincent to a top seed in District 4. He recently became the school's career scoring leader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>J'Vonta Payne (Hayti): A 6'0" 2026 guard who is a very talented, yet unsung player for a young Hayti team that won a district championship last season and is currently top seed in District 1. He is an athletic guard who has slick moves and good slashing ability into the lane. He can also shoot the 3-pointer if given room to combat against his drive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gage Brownell (Schuyler County): A 6'3" 2026 forward who is a solidly built athlete who excels in multiple sports. He is headed to Bradley to play baseball next season. He has also been excellent on the basketball court as he's scored more than 1,000 points. He is a physical athlete who has some nice explosiveness to his game. He has thrown down more than a few entertaining dunks during the season. He's led Schuyler Co. to a top seed in District 6.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caden Schlotzhauer (New Franklin): A 5'11" 2027 guard who has put together a strong junior season in leading the Bulldogs to a top seed in District 8. He is currently averaging 18 points a game and he has also surpassed the 1,000-point plateau. He is a very capable scorer who can really shoot it from 3-point range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayes Townsley (Van Buren): A 6'1" 2026 guard who is a high energy player with a terrific motor. He along with teammate Aiden Sullivan are a strong 1-2 combination that has led Van Buren to 22 wins and a top seed in District 2. He is an excellent slashing threat who also flies around the offensive boards for putbacks. He recently scored his 1,500 career point to join Sullivan on that special milestone list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->