It’s that time again. Four long, exciting, draining, captivating and fantastic months of basketball are ahead of us. Seems like each year we say it, but the Ozarks has yet another loaded crop of players. Here are just some of the names you should keep an eye on this winter.
#JumpmanJumpman (Top Players)
Kallie Bildner, Waynesville – The Lindenwood commit was the most dominant player in the Ozarks last year, averaging 24 PPG and 15 RPG. She’s an anomaly. She’s 6-foot-2 and athletic, but has a skill set of someone six inches shorter. Bildner’s 22 double-doubles were the most in the Ozark Conference last year.
Brooke Stanfield, Republic – Here numbers aren’t flashy, but she’s just a really good player. The reigning COC Large Player of the Year led Republic in points (13 PPG) and rebounds (6 RPG), guiding the Lady Tigers to conference and district championships. The Drury commit is one of the most athletic players in the Ozarks.
Madison Strong, Gainesville – If I told you she’s scored 1,674 points in her first three seasons you still wouldn’t quite understand just how talented Strong is. The 5-foot-7 combo guard has a special feel for the game and each year she’s returned with an added facet to her game. She averaged 20.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.2 APG and 3.2 SPG on a 27-win Gainesville team that lost to Crane in the Class 2 quarterfinals and returns nearly its entire roster.
Payton Tennison, Valley Springs (Ark.) – We don’t see much of Tennison here in Springfield, but she’s one of the top players in Arkansas. At 5-foot-11 she’s long and athletic enough to play multiple positions, but her true strength is her ability to shoot the basketball. In a family that has basketball in the blood, Tennison, who has signed with Arkansas State, is just continuing the tradition. Her 35-point, 8-assists home-opener suggests that her farewell tour will be one to watch.
Lexie Vaught, Crane – She’s girls’ basketball version of the Terminator. Vaught doesn’t smile much on the court and she’s always thinking several plays ahead. The 5-foot-8 guard is a triple-double waiting to happen (11 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in last year’s state championship game) and her stat line is nearly that ridiculous all the time (13.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.1 APG and 6.2 SPG) despite the fact she often sits out fourth quarters because of Crane’s dominance. The Drury commit is a three-time state champ and reigning SWCL Player of the Year.
Kelsey Winfrey, Lebanon – Winfrey is one of the more recognizable names in the Ozarks because of what she has done in her first two seasons. The Mizzou commit averaged 17.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG and four steals last year and that was really just scratching the surface of what the 5-foot-9 guard has in her tank. She can score at all three levels, create for herself and others and plays defense. She’s the most talented player in the area.
Alexa Willard, Stoutland – She grew up idolizing Jackie Stiles, but Willard’s game, and frame, make her ceiling even higher. The 6-foot-1 wing has scored 1,623 career points entering her senior year and is coming off of a season in which she averaged 22 PPG and 10.5 RPG while battling illness. The Missouri State signee is due for another huge season at Stoutland.
#ImThePlug (Best Point Guards)
Payton Curley, Salem – Every coach dreams of having a big point guard and Jake Reardon found a really good one in Curley. The 5-foot-10 junior is coming off a season in which she averaged 16.7 PPG, 5.5 APG, 4.6 RPG, 2.4 SPG and 1.1 BPG. Basically, she’s a freak of nature. I smell a few triple-doubles coming this year.
Kaylee DaMitz, Skyline – There isn’t a player better suited to play for Kevin Cheek than DaMitz. She brings it on every possession at each end of the floor, putting as much pressure on an opposing offense as she puts on its defense. As a freshman she averaged 14.6 PPG and 3.5 SPG. Having a full year to adjust to high school will only help her.
Shelby Ewing, Nixa – She is Nixa’s only returner starter, but Ewing is definitely a nice building block. Playing alongside Toshua Leavitt she was still able to average 12 PPG and 3.4 SPG. She’s good off the dribble and can catch and shoot it. Ewing didn’t have to attack a lot last year, but that will change this year with her being forced to create for herself and others, which she is plenty talented enough to do.
Kaycee Gerald, Hillcrest – She made her name as a defensive stopper (97 steals in 2014-15) but Gerald will be one of the area’s top guards this winter. She flashed her ability to score last year, averaging 12 PPG alongside Kelsie Cleeton, but with her quickness and taking over the lead guard role for Jenni Hopkins, Gerald’s numbers should improve in her final campaign.
Payton Richards, West Plains – It feels like Richards has been in high school forever and she’s only a junior. She’s started for Scott Womack since day one, which is a good thing considering the Zizzers are 44-11 in Johnson’s career. The Drury commit lead West Plains with 112 assists and 72 steals, to go along with her 9.6 PPG.
Jade Sawyer, Republic – Sawyer is a bulldog of a point guard. She’s one of the most tenacious on-ball defenders in the area, but she can also shoot it and create offense. Energy and passion are what No. 24 brings to Republic. Unfortunately she’ll miss a chunk of this season as she recovers from a torn ACL.
Bailey Weaver, Fair Grove – After missing her sophomore season with a torn ACL, Weaver didn’t skip a beat last year, guiding Fair Grove to a 17-10 record while handing out 4.9 APG and 2.5 SPG. She’s not a huge scorer, but she’s one of the best around at running a team and creating offense for others.
#Kobe (Best Scorers)
Zava Bennett, Hurley – Most people probably can’t find Hurley on a map, but if you can, seeing Zava Bennett play might be worth your while. She’s well over 1,000 career points after averaging 22.8 PPG as a junior. She’s athletic and at 5-foot-9 has the size to always get her shot off.
Taylor Faulkner, Buffalo – Faulkner has one of the greenest lights you’ll see and that license to shoot led to her averaging 17.3 PPG on Buffalo’s Final Four team. She’s scored 925 points in the last two years alone with 14 20-point games. She also averaged 3.6 SPG last year.
Amanda Kearney, Branson – Kearney’s sophomore year saw the 5-foot-10 guard make a huge jump offensively for the Lady Pirates, pouring in a team-high 19.1 PPG. She’s a big-time scorer, but does so in an efficient way. She can shoot it with range (59 3s) and is money from the line (82%). Her frame and skillset make her a difficult matchup.
Lindsay Medlen & Kelsi York, Crocker – Bucket machines. Medlen (21.2 PPG) and York (20 PPG) put a tremendous amount of pressure on a defense because they are always in attack mode and few are better and more efficient at getting to the line than they are. Both also have versatile games. Medlen (Lindenwood commit) led Crocker with 10 RPG and four assists, while York (Lincoln commit) added seven boards. Both notched three steals a night too.
Emily Parker, Aurora – The Big 8’s leading scorer is back to again wreak havoc on all in her path. The 6-foot junior averaged 23 PPG last year, shooting 60% from the field and shooting an unreal 242 free throws. Parker had five 30-point games and averaged 29 PPG in her final three games. Look for the Drury commit to continue that into this season.
Maya Williams, Carthage – Williams had one of the most prolific scoring performances of the season last year, scoring 51 points against Nixa. The Pitt State commit averaged 19.1 PPG, giving her 1,121 through her first three seasons. She also averaged a team-high 8.9 RPG.
#StephCurryWithTheShot (Best Shooters)
Meleah Francka, Bolivar – Francka was essential to Bolivar’s Final Four run last year, especially her ability to shoot the basketball. The 5-foot-7 guard knocked down a team-high 59 3s, shooting nearly 40% from deep. The senior guard had nine games in which she made at least three triples. She also had 55 steals.
Rylee Neill, Lockwood – The 5-foot-6 guard had a tremendous freshman season for a 20-win Lockwood team, leading the Lady Tigers in scoring (13.7 PPG). But, it’s her ability to shoot the long ball that sets her apart. She hit a team-high 41 3s last year and while she wasn’t as efficient as she was early in the season, I’ll chalk the streakiness up to the fact that she was a freshman playing a major role for a good team. Bottom line is she can shoot the rock.
Bailey Rezabek, Camdenton – Rezabek averaged 17 PPG and canned 78 3s (45%) as a junior… with a torn meniscus. She also averaged 4.4 RPG and 3.5 APG. Considering the leaps she’s made over the last three seasons, it is safe to assume that a monster season is in store for the All-Ozark Conference selection.
Laura Vierkant, Kickapoo – The SBU signee has been shooting the lights out since she first started getting varsity minutes as a freshman. The 5-foot-7 senior averaged 14.8 PPG last year and hit 52 triples while shooting a team-high 46% from deep. Her name is up on the wall at Kickapoo for good reason.
Casey Wallace, Spokane – Tom Colvin says that she is the best shooter he’s had in 17 years as a coach. The fact that she averaged 17.3 PPG and hit a school-record 101 treys might back up his claim. Oh, and this was all as a freshman. Wallace hit a three in all 26 of her games last season, including five in a single quarter. With Doug Helper taking over at Spokane, the same guy that helped produce Kenzie Williams, the likelihood that Wallace continues to have a greenlight is high.
Audrey Warren, Kickapoo – It’s impossible not to be impressed by what Warren did as a freshman. Her 17.4 PPG were impressive, but how she scored them was even more impressive, with the 5-foot-10 wing shooting 55% from the field and 47% from deep. She’s athletic, skilled and still evolving. Her 10 20-point games last year were just an appetizer.
#Noneforyou (Best Defenders)
Koty Cooper, East Newton – Cooper is another player that uses length and athleticism to destroy opposing gameplans. The 6-foot junior averaged 2.2 SPG, as well as a block per night, to go along with 13.1 PPG and 7.1 RPG.
Kendall Hall, Plato – Hall is like a fly at a cookout when she’s guarding the ball. It works, because the 5-foot-3 junior averaged three steals per game last year. She uses her quickness to her advantage, look for her to also be more of a scorer and facilitator with the loaded Class of 2015 gone.
Bayley Harman, Walnut Grove – The latest Harman was one of the area’s best defenders last year as a freshman and at 5-foot-9 she can guard multiple positions. Walnut Grove will need her to score more this year with Jaycie Dishman and Audree Crain gone, but I’m sure Rory Henry hopes she can also add to her team-high 4.3 SPG from last year.
Kylee Moore & Shelby Roder, Crane – Moore is quietly emerging as one of the most complete guards in the Ozarks, but she earns her keep defensively. Athleticism and instincts led to her snagging 81 steals last year and she’s equally good on or off the ball. The Evangel commit has also made huge strides in her offensive game. I can’t really explain Roder to you if you haven’t seen her play. But, you know the saying “I would be on you like white on rice in a snow storm,” that’s how Roder approaches defense. She is relentless in pressuring the ball and getting turns, which allows Crane to trap and create turnovers.
Madi Stokes, Cassville – The only true post on this list, Stokes contributed as freshman last year, averaging a team-high three blocks per game. The 6-foot-2 center nearly averaged a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds a night. The area doesn’t have a ton of true rim protectors, but she is one of the best.
Jaslyn Williams, Central – She has a box of letters from D-1 track programs because of her speed, which makes her a nuisance on the basketball court. Williams snatched 3.8 SPG for Caitlin Russell’s Lady Bulldogs last season, including 37 in her final eight games of the season.
#DuctTape (Most Versatile)
Ashley Forrest, Branson – Forrest is a gritty playmaker that just gets it done. She led Branson in rebounds and assists last year, to go along with 13.3 PPG and 1.6 SPG. The C of O commit is another four-year player and few have as much competitive fire as she does.
Haley Gilpin, Buffalo – One of the main reasons Buffalo made its run last year was Gilpin’s ability to do a little bit of everything. The 5-foot-9 senior averaged 5.2 RPG, 4.3 APG, 2.5 SPG and 1.2 BPG, to go along with 11 points. She understands what her game is and plays her role to a T and her length makes her one of the best defenders in the Ozarks.
Kylie Rothdiener, Bolivar – She’s a 5-foot-9 4-man, but Rothdiener has some layers to her game. She was Bolivar’s second-leading scorer last year (11.8 PPG), but also had no problem making an impact in other areas (2.9 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.2 SPG). With the graduation of Madison Campbell and Mary-Beth Payne, Rothdiener will be the Lady Libs primary threat this year.
Jordan Sanders, Kickapoo – Sanders doesn’t really have a true position, but that’s also what makes her special. She’s 5-foot-10 and super athletic, but also is skilled enough to play on the perimeter, especially on the defensive end (2.5 SPG). Sanders has been a force since her freshman year on the glass and attacking the rim (11.2 PPG, 58% FG), which is part of the reason she’s stacking D-1 offers.
Kameron Schaaf, El Dorado Springs – She’s already over 1,000 career points, but she’s hardly a one-trick pony. Schaaf led El Do in points (14.7 PPG), rebounds (6.2 RPG), assists (3 APG) and steals (2.8 SPG). The SBU signee also shot 52% from the field and 81% from the line. Her game feels a lot like another El Dorado all-stater with the last name Schaaf.
Layne Skiles, Purdy – There wasn’t much that Skiles didn’t do as a freshman. The 5-foot-10 forward led Purdy in scoring (12. 6 PPG), to go along with 7.5 RPG, 1.9 SPG and 1.2 BPG for a 22-win team. She ended the season with double-doubles in three of her last four games.
#WeightRoom (Best Posts)
Desirie Ennes, Purdy – She’s quick off the floor, which allows her to play much bigger than her 5-foot-7 frame. As a junior she led the Lady Eagles with 8.7 RPG and 3.2 SPG, to go along with 11.2 PPG. She had seven double-doubles last year, including a 17-17 game in a win over Clever.
Rayleigh Hejna, Walnut Grove – The progression of the 6-foot junior is part of the reason Rory Henry decided to slow Walnut Grove’s tempo down last year. She has a soft touch around the rim and rarely sees anyone that can matchup physically in Class 1. Look for her to greatly improve on her 12 points and six rebounds a night from last year.
Sarah Kelly, Houston – Brent Kell has been coaching for a long time and Sarah Kelly might be one of the best bigs he’s ever had. The 5-foot-11 senior averaged 16.2 PPG and 9.1 RPG for Houston, also shooting 57% from the field. She runs the floor like a deer and her length makes her a factor on both ends. Watch out SCA.
Emma Lander, Crane –She’s not the two-time 1 Awards Female Athlete of the Year for no reason. Lander has helped lead Crane to three straight state championships. The 5-foot-10 Evangel commit averaged 16.9 PPG and 7.8 RPG last year and is averaging 18 points and eight rebounds in her six career Final Four games. She’s the reigning Class 2 Player of the Year.
Megan Scott, Carl Junction – If you happen to see any D-1 coaches sneaking around the Joplin area they are probably checking out this kid. As a freshman she averaged 11.7 PPG, 7.2 RPG and 2.9 BPG for the Lady Bulldogs, getting better as the season went on. The 6-foot-2 sophomore is on several major radars with a lot of basketball in front of her.
Elle Williams, West Plains – The 5-foot-10 junior had a coming out party last year, averaging 11 PPG to go along with 6.5 RPG. She became a go-to weapon in the post for West Plains, scoring in double figures in 13 of 16 games after Christmas Break.
#RememberTheName (Breakout Players)
Baylee Bilyeu, Salem – Bilyeu’s 6-foot-3 frame allowed her to step in and make an impact immediately last year for Salem (8 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.6 BPG) and that was with her still adjusting to varsity basketball. The Lady Tigers had won 12 of 13 before her season-ending injury. Both Salem and Bilyeu will be back at strength in 2015-16.
Cameron Call, Mount Vernon – Call hasn’t played a varsity game yet, but she’s one of the best freshmen in a loaded crop of newcomers. Her brother Luke was a smooth shooting guard with a good handle and high basketball IQ and it’s safe to say little sister got those same genes.
Michelle Gabani, Bolivar – If you’re looking for the next great Bolivar product here she is. She got her feet wet last year for Darin Archer, doing a little bit of everything. Moving forward the 5-foot-10 sophomore is talented enough to play nearly any spot on the floor. This will be a name COC-Small fans will come to dread.
Haley Frank, Strafford – *Spoiler Alert* Haley Frank is going to be a special player. Steve Frank is one of the best coaches in the Ozarks and adding his daughter to an already loaded Strafford team will be dangerous for anyone that has to play them. A 5-foot-11 freshman that can play all five spots on the floor and she’s a Duke fan. What is there not to like about Haley Frank?
Kamryn Mack, Lebanon –Yes, she’s another one that hasn’t played a high school game yet but it won’t take long for her to make her presence felt. Her handle is elite, she has great vision and she plays with great pace. She will be a star.
Lindsey Showalter, Carl Junction – Two years ago Showalter was playing at a high level, averaging 13.3 PPG and 5.6 RPG for a 16-win Carl Junction team as a sophomore. But, a torn ACL took her junior season away. As a sophomore she shot 51% from the field, 43% from 3 and 78% from the line. She will be an impact player this winter.
