Way Too Early Class 1 Teams to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school season will begin in less than three months, but it's never too early to take a look at who will be the top teams in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With that in mind, Prep Hoops Missouri presents its Way Too Early look at the top Class 1 teams to watch. Since it's still mid-September, much can such as schools being moved into different classes, injuries, transfers and other circumstances. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1982605,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_2010.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_2010.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1982605" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Iron: The Panthers finished with a 28-4 record and won their third consecutive state title last season. They return two top players from that team in 6'2 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1424424' first='Sawyer' last='Huff'] and 6'3 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1922272' first='Marquis' last='Burse']. Both are versatile two-way performers with athleticism and scoring ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2024832,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_2523.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_2523.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2024832" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Atlanta: The Hornets won 25 games last season and advanced to the quarterfinals of the state tournament. They return 6'0" 2024 guard J.J. White, who was an All-District selection last season. Also back is 6'5" 2025 forward Kevin Spearman, who is a solid inside player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brunswick: The Wildcats finished 22-8 and won a district championship last season with a host of underclassmen playing key roles. They return three All-District players in 2025s Colby Jenkins, [player_tooltip player_id='2748428' first='Troy' last='Zielstra'] and Ben Rice, who are all 2025s. Also back is 2025 point guard Chris Artis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chadwick: The Cardinals finished 20-6 and advanced to the state quarterfinals last season. The top player back is 6'3" 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1424402' first='Clayton' last='Garrison'], an explosive athlete who was an All-State selection last year. Also returning in 2025 All-District selection Tristan Smith.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Glasgow: The Yellowjackets finished 23-8 and advanced to the Final Four of the state tournament, where they finished fourth last season. They return their top scorer in 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1160847' first='Jordan' last='Fuemmeler'], who was an All-State selection. Also back is 6'3" 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1877117' first='Jackson' last='Meyer'], who provided excellent 3-point shooting as a freshman starter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2024827,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_2618.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_2618.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2024827" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green City: The Gophers will field another strong team after last year's unit finished 25-4 and advanced to the state quarterfinals. They have a group of excellent guards, led by 5'10" 2025 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1424926' first='Xander' last='Salas'], who has been a starter since he was a freshman. Also back in the fold will be 5'11" 2024 Asher Buggs-Tipton and 5'7" 2025 sharpshooter Ty Hall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grundy County: The Panthers won 25 games and played for a district championship last season. They return 6'2" 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1160846' first='Corbin' last='Axtell'], who averaged 18 points a game to earn All-State honors last season. Also back is 2024 Zachary Cross, who averaged 11 points a game to earn All-District honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1799545,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Derek-Rockett.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Derek-Rockett.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1799545" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Higbee: The Tigers have a strong cast returning from last year's 24-5 team. The top player back is 6'0" 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1430529' first='Derek' last='Rockett'], an All-State selection who is already the school's all-time leading scorer. Also returning are a pair of capable 2024s in 6'3" forward Jaxson Hudson and 6'2" guard Will Spillman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Platte Valley: The Valley finished with a 29-3 record and advanced to the Final Four of the state tournament, where they finished third. They return an All-District performer in 2024 guard Alex Mattson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Risco: The Tigers return a strong group of underclassmen who won 15 games and played for a district championship a year ago. The top returning players are 6'0" 2025 Layden Kellum, 6'0" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2357746' first='Sammy' last='Smith'] and 2025 Reiley Calvert.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richland (Essex): The Rebels won a district championship last year with a team full of underclassmen. They return a trio of All-District players in 2024 Jaden Pope and 2025s Hunter Sanders and Eric Williams. Also returning will be 2025 Tucker Hughes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->