A Look at Class 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the high school season draws closer, Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at some of the players and teams to watch in Class 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>THE STARTING FIVE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2357760"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671e6e45693f6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A versatile 6'4" 2025 forward who returns after leading the Eagles to a 25-4 record and a berth in the state quarterfinals. He is an excellent scorer in the low post who can also handle the ball, facilitate offense and shoot it from 3-point range. He his the game-winning shot at the buzzer to defeat xx in the championship game of the California Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1881003"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671e6e4569467"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 6'6" 2025 forward who is one of the top frontcourt players in the Class 2 ranks. As a sophomore, he led Canton to a berth in the state quarterfinals. He followed that up with an All-State campaign as a junior last season. He can score inside with a variety of post moves with a smooth shooting touch around the basket. He can also shoot it from 3-point range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[1881949],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671e6e45694ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 6'5" 2025 wing player who is a big matchup problem with his combination of size and offensive skills on the perimeter. The big lefty handles the ball and can facilitate offense as a playmaker. He can score easily on the attack with long swooping drives to the basket. He led the Bulldogs to a district title last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2539667"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671e6e45694f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 6'0" 2026 guard who returns after leading South Pem to a Final Four berth and fourth-place finish in the state tournament. He has quickness to score on the bounce on driving layups and pull up jumpers. As a junior, he averaged 19 points and three rebounds a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1422745"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671e6fec79667"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'1" 2025 guard is one of the most talented offensive players in the Class 2 ranks. He is a three-level scorer with good quickness and athleticism. He can create his own shot off the dribble and he can dial it up from 3-point range. He can also create some very acrobatic finishes in the lane with his athletic ability. He will be entering his fourth year as a starter after averaging 28 points and more than 10 rebounds a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*********<br>10 MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2539650' first='Landan' last='Burchard'] (Puxico): A 5'10" 2025 point guard who led Puxico to a berth in the Class 2 state quarterfinals. He is a slick ball handler and an excellent scoring threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1881004' first='Casen' last='Stephens'] (Neelyville): A 6'4" 2025 guard who is a matchup problem with his ability to score inside with his height and his ability to light it up from the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2426370' first='Pacey' last='Reading'] (Van-Far): A versatile 6'5" 2025 forward who ascends to the leading man role at Van-Far. He is equally effective from inside and outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1824852' first='Ethan' last='Wunderlich'] (Eugene): A 6'1" 2026 guard who is one of the top small-school players in Mid-Missouri. He is an excellent playmaker with a high basketball IQ with the ability to score from all three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2383033' first='Kain' last='Eivins'] (Clopton): A 6'3" 2025 forward who returns as the Hawks leading scorer from last season. He is a potent offensive player from 15 feet in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1562793' first='Peyton' last='McDaris'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2576053' first='Cooper' last='Vaughan'] (Norwood): A pair of 6'1" 2025 guards who earned All-District honors after helping lead the Pirates to a 17-10 record. McDaris averaged 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals a game. Norwood averaged 13.6 points, 3.7 assists and two steals a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2576059' first='Dillon' last='Willis'] (Maysville): A 6'3" 2025 forward who earned All-State honors after leading his team to a district championship last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2575972' first='Gunner' last='Freeman'] (Weaubleau): A 6'2" 2025 forward who averaging 11 points a game while making 70 3-pointers in helping Weaubleau to a second-place finish in the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2090488' first='Jacob' last='Miller'] (Penney): A 6'7" 2026 forward who is one of the top frontcourt players in the Class 2 ranks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A FEW TEAMS TO WATCH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eugene: The Eagles won 25 games and were three points away from the Final Four a year ago. Most of those key players are back, led by 6'4' 2025 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2357760' first='Isaac' last='Busch'] and 6'1" 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1824852' first='Ethan' last='Wunderlich'], who were both All-State selections last season. Also back is 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2546182' first='Justice' last='Allen'], who was an All-District selection last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Pemiscot: The Bulldogs return a strong unit from a team that advanced to the Final Four last season. They are led by the talented trio of 5'9" 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2539667' first='Robert' last='Farmer'], 5'11" 2027 guard Ty Campbell and 6'4" 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2539665' first='Jaterion' last='Smith']. All three averaged in double figures last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayti: The Indians are primed to make a big jump into contention this season with its talented team. They return a pair of All-District players in 2026s J'Vonta Payne and Isaiah Love. They also have a pair of talented 2027 transfers in guard [player_tooltip player_id='2327905' first='LeDon' last='Webb'] and Nicolai Kombat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hartville: The Eagles return a few key pieces from last year's state championship team. They include a pair of 6'2" 2025 forwards in Payton Cogdill and Jackson Ward along with 6'2" 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2966412' first='Boone' last='Garrison'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Puxico: The Indians won 23 games and advanced to the state quarterfinals last season. They return a strong nucleus of players from that team, including 2026 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2539650' first='Landan' last='Burchard'] and 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2748515' first='Scyler' last='Zimmerman'], who were both All-District selections last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harrisburg: The Bulldogs won 19 games and advanced to the state quarterfinals last season. They return their top player in 6'5" 2025 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2544908' first='Trace' last='Combs']. Also back is guard Bryce Ott, who was an All-District player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norwood: The Pirates won 17 games and played for a district championship last season. They return an excellent trio of 2025 guards in [player_tooltip player_id='2576053' first='Cooper' last='Vaughan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1562793' first='Peyton' last='McDaris'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1315453' first='Noah' last='Drake'], who were all double figure scorers and All-District players last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maysville: The Wolverines won 25 games and a district championship last season. They return their top player in 6'2" 2025 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2576059' first='Dillon' last='Willis'], who was an All-State selection last season. Also back is 2026 guard Kobyn Metzger, who scored 22 points in the state sectionals against Plattsburg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Canton: The Tigers won 21 games last season and played for a district championship. They return a good nucleus of talent, led by 6'6" All-State 2025 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1881003' first='Preston' last='Brewer']. Also back are 6'2" 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2426375' first='Kaden' last='Oliver'] and 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2334950' first='Tyran' last='Frazier'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->