Preview: Class 3 Teams to Watch

Prep Hoops Missouri takes a preseason look at some of the top Class 3 teams to watch in the state. (Listed in alphabetical order). Blair Oaks: The Falcons advanced to the state quarterfinals a year ago and will be good again with the return of 6’8’ 2020 forward [player_tooltip player_id="580398" first="Eric" last="Northweather"] to lead the way. Joining him up front will be his talented younger brother, 6’7" 2022 forward Luke Northweather. Cardinal Ritter: The Lions should be one of the top contenders in Class 3 with a strong group returning. The top scorer back is 6’3" 2021 guard Mario Tillman. Up front is the dynamic trio of 6’7" 2020 Garry Clark, 6’6" [player_tooltip player_id="822858" first="Brandon" last="Ellington"] and 6’8" 2021 Joshua Robinson. 2022 guard Luther Burden III is a major football recruit Luther Burden III who also excels in hoops. 2020 guard [player_tooltip player_id="822905" first="Glenn" last="Valentine"] and 2021 transfer [player_tooltip player_id="824135" first="Ilyaas" last="Harris"] are very capable point guards. Charleston: The Bluejays return a strong crew from last season’s Final Four team that finished third in the state tournament. 6’6" 2020 forward [player_tooltip player_id="822856" first="Blessin" last="Kimble"] is a double-double machine while 6’2" 2020 guard [player_tooltip player_id="822896" first="Samuel" last="Bledsoe"] can knock down 3-pointers. Also back is 2020 guard [player_tooltip player_id="822971" first="Terridean" last="Bogan"], who can score and defend. Chillicothe: The Hornets are primed for a successful season as they return one of top tandems in Northwest Missouri in 6’3" 2020 Wes Brandsgaard and 6’4" 2020 guard C.J. Pfaff. Brandsgaard averaged 18 points a game last season while Pfaff averaged 16 points a game. Christian-O’Fallon: The Eagles have a talented group and talented group of underclassmen, led by 6’3" 2022 guard Kristian Davis, the team’s top returning scorer. 6’2" 2021 forward Kalin Davis is a tremendous rebounder for his size and 5’10" 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="824189" first="Roddy" last="Alexander"] is a slashing point guard. Returning guards R.J. and Raynard Horry are also back. DuBourg: The Cavaliers are a young team on the move with a good future. They are loaded with talented underclassmen such as 6’5" 2022 forward Dampier Evans, 6’6" 2022 Lamond Shaw and 6’0" 2022 guard Eddie Weekly. Also back with experience is 6’5" 2020 forward Tyree Wesley. Fair Grove: The Eagles won 20 games a year ago and return a strong dynamic duo from that team in 6’5" 2020 forward [player_tooltip player_id="822956" first="David" last="Oplotnik"] and 6’5" 2020 forward [player_tooltip player_id="822965" first="Cole" last="Gilpin"]. Both were all-conference players last season. Also back are 6’4" 2020 Ambrose Broyles and 6’4" 2020 Dominik Hoskins. Father Tolton: The Trailblazers will field one of the top teams in the state with the return of several top players, led by 6’5" 2020 guard [player_tooltip player_id="580381" first="Coban" last="Porter"], 6’2" 2020 guard [player_tooltip player_id="822892" first="Nathan" last="Schwartze"], 6’2" 2020 guard [player_tooltip player_id="822922" first="Chase" last="Martin"] and 6’2" 2020 guard [player_tooltip player_id="822933" first="Deuce" last="Tatum"]. The top player up front is emerging 6’9" 2022 forward Jevon Porter and 6’9’ 2022 newcomer Eves Apollo. Lathrop: The Mules return a strong nucleus from a team that won 19 games a year ago, led by 2020 point guard Blake Gordon, who averaged 12 points a game. Also back are 6’6" 2020 forward Chris Moore and 6’6" 2020 forward [player_tooltip player_id="822969" first="Grant" last="Lewis"], who were also double figures scorers last season. Lift for LIfe: The Hawks are primed for another breakthrough season after winning 19 games a year ago. They return a solid backcourt in 6’2" 2021 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="824122" first="Demarcus" last="Sanford Jr."] and 6’1" 2021 shooting guard Barkus Jackson. New additions to the program while have a big impact are 6’3" 2020 slashing wing [player_tooltip player_id="822911" first="Demarius" last="Haywood"] and 6’5" 2020 forward [player_tooltip player_id="822930" first="Corey" last="Sparkman"]. Lutheran North: The Crusaders gained a share of the Metro League championship last year and return an excellent stable of guards. The leader is 6’2" 2020 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="580420" first="Tahj" last="Patterson"], who is joined by 6’0" 2020 Jordan Smith, the team’s leading scorer from last season, and 6’2" 2021 Isaiah Williams, a lefty who had a big summer. Returning up front is 6’2" 2021 forward Cleveland Washington. Kennett: The Indians should be one of the top teams in SEMO with several key players back. The top player is athletic 6’3 2020 wing Quayv’aun Harrell. Also back are 2020s Jackson Henfling, La’Quez Pulliam, Marsayv’aun Harrell, 2021 forward Kobi Gates and 2022 shooter Ben McMullan. Monroe City: The Panthers have won three consecutive district championships and are looking for more with a talented group back, starting with 2020 guards in 6’2" [player_tooltip player_id="822964" first="Bryce" last="Stark"] and 5’8" Antwan Battle. Stepping into bigger roles will be 6’1" 2022 twins Joshua and Josiah Talton while 6’3" 2021 wing Logan Buhlig is an excellent 3-point shooter. Pierce City: The Eagles won 19 games and a conference title and many of those top players return, led by 6’0" 2020 guard Jackson Kleiboeker and 6’3" 2021 forward Kyle Renkoski, who were the team’s leading scorers last year. Also back are 5’8" 2020 guard Aaron Garner, 6’0" 2020 guard Colten O’Hara and 6’0" 2020 guard Trenton Kluck. St. James: The Tigers won a district title and advanced to the state quarterfinals a year ago. The top player is back in 6’1" 2020 guard [player_tooltip player_id="822915" first="Andrew" last="Branson"], who averaged 21 points a game. Also back are 5’8" 2020 guard Austin Ridenhour, 6’1" 2020 guard Logan Chick and 5’11" 2020 guard Drew Moritz. St. Pius X: The Lancers won 20 games and played for a district title a year ago and return several key players, led by versatile 6’7" 2020 forward Riley Yaeger. Also back in the mix are 6’2" 2020 guard [player_tooltip player_id="822980" first="Josh" last="Ruble"], 5’9" 2020 point guard Khayden Book and 6’4" 2020 forward Eli Boyer. Soldan: The Tigers played for a district championship a year ago and return some key pieces from that team, led by 6’7" 2020 post player [player_tooltip player_id="822879" first="Elijah" last="Bishop"], a four-year starter. 6’3" 2020 wing [player_tooltip player_id="824195" first="Dylan" last="Martin"] is an emerging player while 5’10" 2021 guard [player_tooltip player_id="824168" first="Phillip" last="March"] is a strong perimeter shooter. Springfield Catholic: The Fighting Irish advanced all the way to the state championship game last season, finishing second. Several top players have graduated, but there is some talent back in the mix in 6’5" 2020 forward Will Morrison, 6’4" 2022 forward Zach Howell and 2020 guard Ben Galligos. Trinity: The Titans won 25 games and advanced to the state quarterfinals last year. They return one of the state’s top inside-outside duos in 7’0" 2020 Creighton signee [player_tooltip player_id="580375" first="Ryan" last="Kalkbrenner"] and 6’0" 2020 Central Michigan signee [player_tooltip player_id="822849" first="Rashad" last="Weekly-McDaniels"]. Reinforcements from the Titans’ talented football team will come from 6’1" 2020 guard T.J. Rush, 6’4" 2020 forward Jeremiah Jones and 6’3" 2021 guard Jaylen Fulton. University Academy: The Gryphons won a district championship a year ago and will return a rock solid backcourt in 6’1" 2021 point guard Steve Strong, Jr. and 6’0" 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="824129" first="Quran" last="Taylor"]. Both players are very adroit at attacking the basket and getting downhill.