A Way Too Early Look at Class 4 Teams to Watch in 2027

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a very exciting season in 2026, but it's never too early to look into the crystal ball for what could be in store for next season. With that in mind, Prep Hoops Missouri takes a Way Too Early look at some of the Class 4 teams in 2027. As a caveat, we have two-time Class 3 state champion Principia listed in this group. The Panthers will most likely be moved up into a higher classification next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2873530' first='Logan' last=''] Rogersville: The Wildcats concluded a great year by winning their first state championship since 1982. They were paced by 6'5" 2027 nationally-ranked point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2334901' first='Chase' last='Branham'], who is an Indiana commit. They also feature 6'6" 2028 All-Stater [player_tooltip player_id='2607456' first='Titus' last='Moore'] and 6'2" 2028 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2760029' first='Jack' last='Sutherland'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Principia: The Panthers were dominant in winning back to back Class 3 state champions. They should have another strong team with an excellent 2027 class with 6'9" forward [player_tooltip player_id='2334910' first='Sekou' last='Cisse'], 6'3" guard [player_tooltip player_id='2334905' first='Gassim' last='Toure'], 6'4" guard [player_tooltip player_id='2348237' first='Wyatt' last='Slay'] and 6'3" guard [player_tooltip player_id='2377735' first='Kingston' last='Money']. Prin also has a excellent young prospect in 6'9" 2028 Majok Aget.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vashon: The Wolverines should field another strong team after its fourth place finish this season. They have a pair of All-State 2027s in 6'2" guard Jimmy McKinney III and 6'6" forward [player_tooltip player_id='2334961' first='Leon' last='Powell Jr.'] Both are Division I prospects. Guards [player_tooltip player_id='2569193' first='Braiden' last='Alford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2239022' first='Khalil' last='Crain'] are two more talented players in the mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clayton: The [program_tooltip program_id='2076546' first='Greyhounds' last=''] had their best showing ever in the state tournament as they finished as the runners-up. They have one of the best dynamic duos in the state in 6'3" 2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2528025' first='Sebastian' last='Bolden'] and 6'4" 2027 guard Damarion Verges. Jaylen Garth is a very solid 6'1" 2027 forward who gets things done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lift for Life: The Hawks are an up and coming program that won a district championship this season. They featured a lot of talented young players such as 6'2" 2029 Keon Griffin, 5'10" 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='3288733' first='Tamez' last='Carter'], 5'10" 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2920286' first='Legacy' last='Knighten'], 5'10" 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2637336' first='Derrick' last='Murray'] and many more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dexter: The Bearcats made a nice run this season with a district title and a berth in the state quarterfinals. They have an excellent frontcourt talent in 6'4" 2027 forward Elijah Ibriham and one of the best 2029s in the SEMO area in 6'3" guard [player_tooltip player_id='3288715' first='Kyle' last='Nichols']. [player_tooltip player_id='2384058' first='Will' last='Guethle'] is a very solid 5'11" 2027 point guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smithville: The Warriors won 19 games and a district championship this season. They have a pair of talented 6'4" players in 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2837289' first='Sully' last='Ford'] and 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2918985' first='Solomon' last='Spratley']. Guard [player_tooltip player_id='3475801' first='Caiden' last='Praiswater'] was also a solid starter who made All-District.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Mary's: The Dragons will field another strong team that will play up-tempo basketball and apply the full court press. [player_tooltip player_id='2334951' first='Xavier' last='Clark'] is a 6'1" 2027 guard with a terrific motor. Guards [player_tooltip player_id='2701042' first='Ronnel' last='Johnson'], Josh Grimes and [player_tooltip player_id='3288717' first='Shaan' last='Hopson'] also were solid contributors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lutheran North: The Crusaders are up the upswing under the direction of head coach Dwayne Polk. They have a very talented backcourt in 6'0" 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2836966' first='Kyren' last='Evans'] and 6'1" 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2528034' first='Jahi' last='Martin']. They also have some nice young frontcourt pieces in 6'6" 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3576823' first='Jace' last='Bateman'] and 6'3" 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2931739' first='Cayden' last='Bledsoe'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->