Class 4 gets going with its postseason fully on Monday. See what to expect this week below.
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No Glendale means new life
Last year Glendale made a quarterfinal before losing to Helias in the quarterfinals. The Falcons returned nearly everyone from that team, but got shifted to Class 5 when MSHSAA released its new enrollment numbers last spring. Glendale’s loss is everyone else’s gain. Bolivar also moving back into the Ozarks, rather than going north like in the previous cycle, and the emergence of Nevada increases the likelihood that the area will send someone to Columbia. It is also worth mentioning that the area shares this pod with state-ranked Helias and Grandview, both programs earned the top seed in their respective districts. The Ozarks has been really strong in Class 4 recently, placing a team in the state championship game in four of the last five years. St. Louis is loaded this year, but with the way the bracket broke the Southwest Missouri representative would miss the majority of the top teams until the Class 4 state championship.
Bolivar is the top dog
The Libs were No. 5 in the final MBCA regular season rankings and deservedly so. Bolivar’s four losses have come by a combined 13 points, three of those losses were by one possession (Helias by two in 2OT, Hillcrest by two in OT, Willard by three). The Liberators actually split with Hillcrest and Willard during the season and Bolivar owns wins over Republic, Rogersville and Aurora, as well as Class 3 powers Mountain Grove, Fair Grove and Springfield Catholic. The thing I like most about this team is how battle tested they are. Both Brandon Emmert and Conley Garrison were major contributors on that Final Four team. Emmert (20.1 PPG, 10 RPG, 63% FG) is one of the most polished high school bigs you’ll see. His ability to use his body, finish through contact paired with his feathery soft touch and great footwork is rare. He commands double teams and even that hasn’t stopped him from becoming Bolivar’s all-time leader in rebounds and blocks, with just 48 points separating him from the scoring record. Garrison is running the point as good as anyone in Missouri and guys like Connor Sechler (5.7 PPG, 43% 3FG) and Ian Jones (7.7 PPG, 48% 3FG) have accepted and flourished in their glue roles. Sechler also provides the ability to defend multiple positions and the Missouri State baseball commit has no problem mixing it up with anyone. Robby Hoegh has done a tremendous job with this group and they can beat you in several different ways, which makes them extremely dangerous.
Is Nevada for real?
The Tigers have flown under the radar for much of the season but we’re about to find out just how good this team is. Nevada’s 21-3 record is impressive and all three losses came in a seven-day span (Warrensburg, O’Hara, Smith-Cotton), all teams that Nevada beat later in the season. Their 17 straight wins is the longest active streak among local Class 4 teams and Shaun Gray has a dynamic duo at his disposal in 6-foot-6 junior Clay Gayman (24 PPG, 12 RPG, 4 BPG) and 6-foot senior point guard Matt Sommer (14 PPG, 6 APG). Gayman is receiving D-1 love because of length and skill. He dropped 43 on a KC Center team that is the top seed in Class 4 – District 14; Nevada beat them twice this year. It is worth mentioning that awaiting Nevada in the district championship could be Grandview and standout guard Jordan Lathon.
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Hillcrest is lurking… again
Last year was an adjustment period as the Hornets got acclimated to Joel Brown’s system. This year has been all about righting the ship and that has happened in a huge way. There’s been consistency and defensive issues at times, but this is the most dangerous team in Class 4 because of how explosive they can be. Hillcrest has scored 75-plus eight times this year and their athleticism makes them nearly unguardable in transition. Senior point guard Shahn Clark has been through the wars and the development of Tyem Freeman into one of the state’s top 2019 prospects makes this team that much more dynamic. Freeman is a superstar (19 PPG, 7.6 RPG 4.2 APG) in that Chris Kendrix mold of length, athleticism and explosion. But, I think Freeman is ahead of where Kendrix was at the same point. This 6-foot-4 wing is capable of willing Hillcrest to Columbia, especially when you consider the amount of talent around him.
Daniel Cutbirth Coach of the Year?
Coming into the year most people thought Aurora would have to take a step back after losing a loaded senior class that featured three All-Big 8 picks. But, Cutbirth and the Dawgs not only grabbed a share of the Big 8 title, they are also the No. 1 seed in Class 4 – District 10 thanks to wins over Webb City and Carl Junction. Aurora also beat state-ranked rival Lamar. Junior Matt Miller has a legitimate case for Big 8 POY (19 PPG, 8 RPG) and running mate Preston Naylor (16 PPG, 7 RPG) is an all-conference lock. Aurora lost to Glendale in double OT in last year’s district championship game. Can they make a run this year?
Successful reloads in Rogersville and Rolla
No two Class 4 programs in the Ozarks lost more than Rogersville and Rolla did last year. Rogersville not only lost Hall of Fame coach Rod Gorman, but also graduated standout guards Christian Brown and Marcus Gorman; two four-year starters. Mitch McHenry has just reloaded around his little brother, affectionately known as “Choppy” (10 PPG, 5 APG) and junior Andrew Scott (15 PPG, 4 RPG). Sophomore Luke Vandersnick (10 PPG, 6.5 RPG) has taken a huge step forward from his freshman year and is a large reason why the Cats have been extremely competitive. LogRog has wins over state title contenders Mountain Grove and Walnut Grove, but what makes them a sleeper is their ability to hang around. Losses to Ozark by two, Bolivar by one, Ozark by four and Willard by one are proof that on a given night this team can beat anyone… Rolla lost its first four games of the season, but finished with wins in 14 of its final 21 games and the losses are all quality (Kickapoo, Glendale, Helias, Parkview, Hogan Prep, Hillcrest, Pacific). Rolla beat Class 4 – District 8 No. 1 seed Wentzville Liberty, Licking and Pacific. They don’t play quite as fast as in recent years, but juniors Nick Janke and Josh Pritchett have emerged as an impressive duo. Rolla lost to Helias by 13 in the first meeting, but the Bulldogs have won three of the last five meetings in the series.
Youth movement in Webb City
This year’s Webb City team looks drastically different from last year’s group that won a district championship before losing to Glendale in Sectionals. Coach Jeff Guiot took a job in Arkansas, taking his All-COC selection son with him. The Cardinals graduated fellow All-COC picks Zach Davidson and Preston Ellis as well. Jason Horn came over from Neosho and a team that has just one senior is a threat to make it back-to-back district titles. This is another team that has struggled with consistency, which can be blamed on inexperience and a new system, but the pieces are there. Senior Trey Gibson is as steady as they come, but it’ll be the play of underclassmen like juniors Alex Pickett (11.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG) and Grant Ellis (9.9 PPG), sophomore Alex Gaskill (8.4 PPG, 4 APG, 2.4 SPG) and freshman Terrell Kabala (11 PPG). In a 78-74 win over Hillcrest the quartet combined for 54 points on 16-for-26 shooting from that field. If they can produce that efficiently moving forward, Webb City could find itself in the playoffs again.
The Carl Junction Brockdogs
Last year Carl Junction limped through a two-win season, playing a ton of young kids. This year those trials have paid off. The Bulldogs are still young, but Skip Brock has his team in position to win a district championship and it’s probably a year sooner than expected. Class 4 – District 10 has a ton of parity in its top three seeds and while the Bulldogs lost their two regular season games against Aurora and Webb City, both games were competitive and beating a Brock team twice in the same season when it’s a balanced matchup is pretty tough. Brock also has the biggest and most talented frontline among Southwest Missouri’s Class 4 teams in 6-foot-5 sophomore Trent Smith (18.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG) and 6-foot-6 junior Will Bebee (11.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.3 BPG). If CJ keeps games in the half court they can hang.
Can Marshfield be a sleeper?
How can a .500 5-seed be a sleep in a district with Bolivar and Hillcrest? Chops. Under Damon Seiger, Marshfield has been a gnat in district play. Back in 2014 the Jays beat Bolivar in the semifinals and Hillcrest in the championship to steal a district title. This is yet another methodical group, one that has wins over Aurora, Catholic, Crane and Clever. Senior PG Jarrett Paoni (15 PPG, 4 APG) runs the show and 6-foot-5 sophomore Triston Letterman (11 PPG, 8 RPG) is Seiger’s next solid post project.
Solid seniors will be key factors
o Conley Garrison, Bolivar
In a year with several big names in the area, Garrison might be having the most productive season of anyone. His numbers are off the charts (18.3 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.5 SPG) and he’s been insanely efficient, shooting nearly 50% from the field and 40% from deep. He’s added something to his game each and every season, progressing from a catch-and-shoot guy to a talented combo guard. He will help someone at the next level.
o Trey Gibson, Webb City
The 6-foot-1 wing is about as versatile as they come. His frame allows him to post smaller guards and his athleticism allows him to take bigs off the bounce. He leads Webb City in scoring (12.2 PPG) and rebounding (5.4 RPG), including a 22-point, 13-rebound performance against Jeff City. He’s just one of those solid three-sport athletes that understand how to get things done.
o Joel Gertson, Reeds Spring
The 5-foot-9 PG just gets things done. He leads Reeds Spring in assists (5.9 APG) and steals (3 SPG) to go along with his 10.4 PPG. When he plays at a high level the Wolves are tough. Juniors Lane Carroll and Logen Plum can score it, but the entire offense runs more smoothly when Gertson is attacking, drawing helping and finding the open man.
o Jakob Happel, Salem
The Tigers took care of Owensville in the opening round, which means Salem and 6-foot-5 senior Jakob Happel will get a chance to mix it up with state-ranked Helias Catholic. Happel is averaging 16.7 PPG and 8.3 RPG and might be the only kid you’ll see this year with a game-winning dunk. He commands double teams in the post and opens things up for his 6-foot-4 classmate Logan Woolf (14.7 PPG, 7 RPG). Happel went for 33-12 against Marshfield and 26-12 against Steelville. He’s capable of giving anyone fits.
o Shahn Clark, Hillcrest
I’ve long said there aren’t many PGs more talented than Shahn Clark. He was a starter on Hillcrest’s runner-up team in 2015 as a sophomore, turning in a clutch performance in the Hornets semifinal win. At 6-foot-1 he has the size and length to make plays that many smaller guards just can’t. His ability to facilitate is part of the reason we’ve seen Tyem Freeman take the next step in his progression. He’s putting up 11.7 PPG and 4.3 APG, expect those numbers to jump during the playoffs.
