Basketball season is underway in Missouri. Below are the area’s Class 4 Girls Basketball Players to Watch this year.
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Ellie Creasey & Payden Blevins, Aurora Juniors
DJ Gutscher will have one of the top backcourts in the Big 8 this year. Fans are already familiar with All-Big 8 pick Ellie Creasey, who averaged 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals. She’ll now be joined by former Marionville standout Payden Blevins, who averaged 13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Stopping both of them will prove difficult.
Kameron Green, Fair Grove Junior
Fair Grove’s transition to Class 4 will be made easier because of Green. As a sophomore she averaged 17.9 points and 8.3 rebounds, finishing with eight double-doubles. Few are better at finishing in the paint than Green, who should score her 1,000th career point later in the season.
Aliya Grotjohn, Seneca Senior
You’ll be hard pressed to find a more gifted scorer in Class 4 than Grotjohn. As a junior she averaged 22 per game, earning her Big 8 West POY honors. She was big in big games, dropping a school-record 39 points in a district upset of Aurora. She’s rapidly closing in on 2,000 career points and colleges are taking notice.
Bella Jadwin, Salem Senior
Salem juniors Ashton Bowers (59 3’s) and Savannah Manthey (73 3’s) score it in bunches for Salem, but Jadwin is the straw that stirs the drink. As a junior she averaged 9.7 points, 5.2 assists and 2.5 steals. She’s an old-school, pass-first PG that allows the Tigers offense to run smoothly.
Ashlyn Jones, Willow Springs Senior
The Baptist Bible College signee is back after averaging 15.3 points as a junior for a 20-win team. She’ll now hop into Shannon Crain’s offensive friendly system, which should see those numbers take an uptick with her ability to put relentless pressure on opposing guards both offensively and defensively.
Gracie Kibby, Rogersville Senior
Last year Kibby gave opponents fits, with her 19 points per game often forcing teams to send help early and often. She can light it up from 3, but can also finish with either hand attacking the rim.
Sara Mendel, Ava Junior
At 6-foot-2, Mendel is one of the most imposing players in the SCA. As a junior she averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds, anchoring both sides of the court for the Bears. They’ll be a Final Four contender with Mendel and standout guards Hannah Evans and Olivia Gastineau, both of whom are studs as well.
Clara Swearingen, Nevada Sophomore
Poise may be the best way to describe her game; Swearingen is rarely sped up. As a freshman she ran the show masterfully, showing the ability to generate offense for herself and others. While she’s skilled at getting to the rim, she’s also a big-time shot maker. She’s the future of the Big 8 with legitimate D1 potential.
Jade Watson, Reeds Spring Senior
The ability to change a game without scoring a point is Watson’s specialty. She’s a 5-foot-9 wing that specializes in getting the ball back. As a junior she averaged 15.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 1.6 blocks. She’ll continue to wreak havoc as a senior.
Others to Watch
Grace Barnes, Nevada Senior
Ashton Bowers, Salem Junior
Cameryn Cassity, Mount Vernon Senior
Shaw Coburn, East Newton Junior
Hannah Evans, Ava Senior
Olivia Gastineau, Ava Junior
Brisa Gere, Hollister Junior
Phajjia Gordan, Lamar Junior
Reagan Hoerning, Mountain Grove Junior
Savannah Koen, Forsyth Sophomore
Keena Lowe, Willow Springs Senior
Savannah Manthey, Salem Junior
Sharayah Seymour, Cassville Senior
Avery Swisshelm, Springfield Catholic Senior
Lauren Williams, Rogersville Senior
Bella Young, Buffalo Senior
