Basketball season is underway in Missouri. Below are the area’s Class 3 Girls Basketball Players to Watch this year.
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Reese Schaaf & Tevi Gurley, El Dorado Springs Seniors
Schaaf is a 5-foot-11 guard and Gurley is a 5-foot-10 forward. Together they’ve helped the Bulldogs to a 49-9 record over the last two seasons. Schaaf averaged 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists as a junior, with the All-Stater being a complete mixture of her two sisters – Alexa (Northwest Missouri State) and Kameron (Southwest Baptist) – who were both versatile bucket getters. Reese is headed to Drury next year and less than 150 points away from breaking Alexa’s scoring record. Gurley is a volleyball standout as well, but averaged nine points and six rebounds as a junior. Along with junior guard Macie Mays – who will have a shot at re-breaking the scoring record – El Do has arguably the best Big 3 in Class 3.
Khloe Moad, Ash Grove Senior
One of the top players in Missouri, Moad is back in the mix after averaging 15.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 2.2 blocks, while also scoring her 1,000th point as a junior. For as good as the Missouri State signee is offensively, her defensive versatility is rare. The 6-foot-2 combo forward with guard skills is a rare breed.
Emma Compton & Laney Humble, Strafford Senior & Junior
Senior PG Emma Compton is an absolute floor general that pressures the ball at an elite level defensively (2.9 steals) – which is apparently in the family genes – but she also added 15.6 points and 3.2 assists. She’s now joined by walking bucket Laney Humble, who averaged 23.8 points at Sparta last year, scoring 1,054 points in two seasons. Throw in studs Emma Mullings and Mattie Walker, and this team is back to being state championship good.
Justine Barb & Miranda Quennoz, Skyline Seniors
These two are just the latest in what is a well-oiled machine Kevin Cheek has rolling at Skyline. Barb averaged 14.9 points and 9.7 rebounds while Quennoz added 14.7 points and 3.8 rebounds for the Lady Tigers Final Four team. The dynamic duo firmly expects to play for a state championship this spring.
McKinley Sanders, Hartville Senior
The 5-foot-9 guard has colleges hitting her line because of all the things she can do on the court. As a junior she averaged 17.5 points, six rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.1 steals, earning her All-State honors. With Jadalyn Keith gone, Sanders will shoulder an even larger role of generating offense for herself and others, something she’s more than capable of.
Graceson & Jameson Cromer, Conway Seniors
The Cromer girls have the twin thing down where they also play eerily similar. Graceson averaged 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals, knocking down 41 3’s. Jamison added 15.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.5 steals with 56 3’s. Even if opponents can’t tell them apart, just remember to get a hand up or it’s going in.
Kylie Taylor & Abbie Sullins, Licking Senior & Junior
Few have started more games than Taylor, who has already played in 87 games this year. The true PG is Licking’s returning leader in rebounding (4.6), assists (3.4), steals (2.8) and blocks (1.4). Sullins is a 5-foot-10 wing that has the ability to stretch the floor or score in the paint. They’ll again put up big numbers under Coach Steven Rissler.
Riah Robinson & Ruthie Brown, Clever Seniors
Robinson averaged 19.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals as a junior, including a pair of 30-point games. She can shoot it from 3, but also lives at the free throw line. Brown is a 5-foot-10 forward that added 10.9 points and 8.3 rebounds with four double-doubles. Clark Satterlee has a great inside-out duo in Year One.
Others to Watch
Megan Brown, Sparta Junior
Olivia Crites, Houston Junior
Taaron Drake, Diamond Sophomore
Grace Frazier, Diamond Sophomore
Alyee Gunter, Skyline Senior
Lauren Jones, Mansfield Junior
Logan Jones, Mansfield Junior
Summer Kenney, Stockton Junior
Macie Mays, El Dorado Springs Junior
Emma Mullings, Strafford Senior
Mattie Walker, Strafford Senior
Raylen Wallace, Spokane Senior
Abby Woolsey, Liberty Senior
