Each week the O-Zone staff will rank the top 15 area basketball teams based on dominance by class, aka how they stack up pound-for-pound with the other schools in their respective class.
THIS IS NOT A HEAD-TO-HEAD RANKING BUT A TEAM’S RELATIVE STRENGTH WITHIN ITS OWN CLASS.
1. Strafford (1-0 – Class 3)
The defending Class 3 state champions opened their season with a statement 83-59 win over Class 5 Lebanon. Strafford returns much of its core from last season’s championship team. Abby Oliver exploded for 42 points and 10 3-pointers in the season-opening win. This week the Lady Indians have the Ash Grove Tournament.
2. Kickapoo (2-0 – Class 5)
The Lady Chiefs open the season as the No. 1 team in the coaches rankings coming off of last season’s Class 5 title. Jordan Sanders, Jordan Wersinger and Ari Acuff are back to lead the way this season. Kickapoo is off to a 2-0 start with a 74-35 win over Belton and a 57-42 win over Lee’s Summit West.
3. Walnut Grove (0-0 – Class 1)
The Lady Tigers return everything from last season’s Class 1 Third Place team. They are ranked No. 1 in Class 1 by the coaches heading into the season. Walnut Grove opens the Ash Grove Tournament as the No. 2 seed with four-time defending champion Crane as the No. 7 seed on Tuesday. Strafford would likely await if they advance to the title game.
4. Skyline (0-0 – Class 2)
Skyline starts the season at No. 1 in Class 2 according to the coaches. Kaylee DaMitz is back to lead the charge for the Lady Tigers who are looking to finally break through for a Class 2 title after four straight losses to Crane in the Final Four. The Lady Tigers open their season with the Warsaw Tournament this week.
5. Carl Junction (0-0 – Class 4)
The Lady Bulldogs are the No. 2 team in Class 4 to start the season after coming up just short of a trip to the Final Four a year ago. Megan Scott and reigning Big 8 Player of the Year Alex Vogt are back to lead the Lady Bulldogs. They open with their home tournament this week.
6. Clever (0-0 – Class 3)
Harper Little will lead the way for the Lady Blue Jays this season after averaging 14.3 points, 2.7 assists and 4.2 steals per game a year ago. Hannah Maples also returns from last season’s 18-8 team after averaging 13.6 points per game. The Lady Blue Jays are in the Fair Grove Tournament to start their season this week.
7. West Plains (0-0 – Class 4)
The Lady Zizzers start the season ranked No. 5 by the coaches in Class 4. Drury commit Payton Richards returns to lead them at the point in her senior season. West Plains opens its season with the Fair Grove Tournament against Chadwick this week that also features Clever, Lebanon, Rogersville, Buffalo, Catholic and host Fair Grove.
8. Wheatland (3-0 – Class 1)
Wheatland blew through the Fair Play Tournament to start the season with wins over Morrisville (81-36), New Covenant (81-44) and host Fair Play (60-51). Northeast Vernon County is the only game on the schedule this week before the Hermitage Tournament next week.
9. Purdy (Class 2 – 1-0)
Layne Skiles got off to a scorching start in a the Lady Eagles’ 78-60 win over Forsyth. She posted 28 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists and four steals in the win, all of which were team-highs. Rion Boyd was a great No. 2 option with 22 points of her own. This week they have the Diamond Tournament where they are the top seed before a date with Class 1 No. 1 Walnut Grove on Dec. 8.
10. Hartville (Class 2 – 1-1)
The Lady Eagles, ranked No. 2 in Class 2 by the coaches, opened the season with an 85-19 win over Laquey on Nov. 21 before losing a close 58-51 decision to Fair Grove on Saturday. New Covenant is the only game on the schedule this week before the Norwood Tournament next week.
11. Plato (Class 2 – 0-1)
Class 2’s preseason No. 4 team fell 56-51 to Class 4 Salem to open the season. This week the Lady Eagles are the No. 2 seed in the Frisco League Tournament.
12. Licking (Class 3 – 2-0)
The Lady Wildcats are off to a 2-0 start after beating MV-BT/Liberty 73-62 on Nov. 21, and then taking down Dixon 60-40 to start the Frisco League Tournament. The Frisco League Tournament continues this week with a likely game against No. 1 seed Newburg in the second round.
13. Hermitage (Class 1 – 1-0)
The Lady Hornets picked up a 66-44 win over Class 2 Russellville in their first game of the season. They are off until Dec. 6 when they will host their own tournament.
14. Bakersfield (Class 1 – 0-1)
The Lady Lions lost their first game of the year 52-38 to 5-1 Yellville Summit (Ark.). This week is the Omaha Border Classic.
15. Ozark (Class 5 – 0-0)
Ozark finished at 13-12 last season and returns seven key players from that team. Mikayla Putt is the top name of those returning players this year after averaging 9.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. This week the Lady Tigers kick off their season with a trip to Rogers (Ark.) for the Great 8 Classic with four Missouri and four Arkansas teams.
Knocking on the Door: Lebanon, Mansfield, Spokane, Eminence, Norwood, Salem, Nixa
