By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Ozarks is a hotbed for basketball and many area alums are having success at the Division I & Division II level. Many choose to stay home at Drury, C of O, Evangel, SBU and Missouri State that we cover consistently throughout the year.
Here are some Ozarks alumni that left the area for college who are having strong seasons and careers at the Division I & II levels.
Senior G Hannah Cook, Alabama (Ozark)
Cook broke records at Ozark and she’s doing the same in Tuscaloosa. She’s fourth all-time in 3-point field goals made. By season’s end she could also be in the top 10 for points, rebounds and steals as well. This season Cook is averaging 10.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and nearly two steals for the 12-4 Tide. Cook, who is a four-year starter, will have a chance to match or break the Alabama record for games played and games started. Basically, she’s doing Hannah Cook things.
RS Junior G Lauren Aldridge, Missouri (Marshfield)
It’s no surprise that Aldridge – who is currently in law school at Mizzou – is succeeding at the highest level. After two solid years at Kansas, Aldridge crossed the forbidden line and hasn’t looked back. The Lady Tigers are off to a 13-2 start with the former Marshfield star starting all 15 games, averaging 5.7 points and 3.7 assists. She leads Mizzou in minutes per game and ranks 6th in the SEC in assists-to-turnover ratio.
Junior G Tousha Leavitt, Texas State (Nixa)
At Nixa she played like Steph Curry. At Texas State, she IS Steph Curry. Leavitt is averaging a team-high 18.5 points, but it’s how she’s getting those points that is so impressive. Leavitt leads THE NATION in 3-point FG, knocking down 69. She’s shooting 44 percent from deep and her 4.6 3-point FG per game is also tops. Oh, she’s also shooting 93 percent from the foul line. To put what she’s doing in perspective, Leavitt has made as many or more 3s than 69 Division One programs, including Wake Forest, Auburn, Clemson and Wichita State. She’s averaging 28.3 points over her last three games, shooting 23-37 from 3-point range. Leavitt is 11 triples away from a new career program record and 13 away from a new single-season record. She’s the most exciting player in the Sun Belt.
Freshman G/F Jordan Sanders, UC Irvine (Kickapoo)
Her freshman campaign on the beach has been nothing short of impressive. Sanders has started every game that she’s played in to this point, averaging eight points and four rebounds with a block and steal per game. UC Irvine won five games all of last year, but is currently 8-7. Those eight wins match the program’s highest win total since 2014-15. Sanders is a building block for a program trending in a new direction.
Sophomore F Kallie Bildner, Lindenwood (Waynesville)
If the season ended right now, Bildner would likely be the MIAA Player of the Year which is crazy to think considering she’s just a sophomore in the best D-2 conference in America. Bildner is averaging 19.7 points and 12.5 rebounds with 10 double-doubles in her first 15 games. She’s shooting 57-percent from the field and 44-percent from deep with a season-high 30 points coming on just 13 shots against Southern Arkansas. Much like her Waynesville days, she’s on pace to leave college with 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.
Junior F Juwan Morgan, Indiana (Waynesville)
After waiting his turn, Morgan has been a monster for the Hoosiers this season. He’s averaging 16 points and 7.5 rebounds with six double-doubles. Morgan is also shooting a blistering 58 percent from the field. He’s been an absolute stud in Big 10 play, averaging 19.4 points and nine rebounds with a block and steal. He’s on pace to be All-Big-10 and potentially lead the program back to the NCAA Tournament.
RS Senior G Austin Ruder, Oral Roberts (Nixa)
The former all-state guard is averaging 11.5 points and four rebounds in his new home in Tulsa. The former Missouri State guard is back to his flame-throwing ways, shooting 38 percent from 3-point range and averaging nearly three 3-point makes per game. Ruder has been out since dislocating his shoulder against Kansas State on Nov. 29 but ORU has won five of its last seven games.
Senior G Bryce Dulin, Navy (Nixa)
As a junior he was named to the All-Patriot League Defensive Team and now the former Nixa star is the team’s second-leading scorer. He’s averaging 11.4 points and 3.4 rebounds for the Midshipmen, who are currently sitting at 11-6. He’s had four 20-point games already, which doesn’t include the 18 that he dropped in an upset of ACC-member Pitt.
Junior G Thatch Unruh, Central Arkansas (Branson)
A regular starter for the Bears, the former Branson star is one of the best catch-and-shoot guys on the team. He’s averaging 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists. Unruh has been at his best in big games, dropping 20 points in a near upset of nationally ranked UCLA. He’s made multiple 3-point FG in eight of his 17 games this season.
Freshman G Cameron Davis, Navy (Kickapoo)
At some point people will stop doubting Davis. The former Kickapoo star is averaging just 4.5 points, but he’s been especially good as of late, averaging 8.8 points over his last nine games. He scored a career-high 14 points in a win over Lehigh last week. For the season he’s shooting 51 percent from the field and 54 percent from 3.
