By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Basketball season is underway in Missouri. Below are the area’s Class 1 Boys Basketball Players to Watch this year.
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Tucker Ahlers, Humansville Senior
He might have the highest running motor of anyone you’ll see play in the Ozarks, making up for anything he’s missing in size. He averaged 16.6 points and 8.5 rebounds, posting several monster performances including a 22-20 game vs. School of the Ozarks. His frame and explosiveness allow him to play like he’s 6-foot-5.
Jay Ball, Thomas Jefferson Senior
He’s about as bright as they come academically, but he’s an absolute monster between the lines, averaging 17.2 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks and leading TJ to a district title. His left hand is lethal and his motor never stops running. He’d be a good player in any class.
Luke Bushey, Dadeville Senior
Bushey has been one of the top players in the Polk County League since taking it by storm as a freshman. He’s coming off a season that saw him average 19.5 points, five rebounds and three assists while shooting 55 percent from the field and 40 percent from three. He’s an absolute scoring machine.
Clayton Garrison, Chadwick Sophomore
His freshman season saw him earn All-MTC honors playing along side the league’s POY and another first-team All-Mark Twain player. Garrison’s grit allowed him to find early success, especially his activity on the defensive where he excels blocking shots and playing in passing lanes. However he’s underrated offensively and that should change now that he’ll play with the ball in his hands more.
Josiah Martin, School of the Ozarks Sophomore
As a freshman he was solid, averaging 6.5 points and 5.2 rebounds. His role will increase significantly with graduation losses and his own natural maturation. He has a super high IQ and great feel to go along with a nose for the ball. He will be a double-double threat every night.
Josh Reeves, Golden City Senior
The fact that he’s scored 1,030 points in the last two years alone lets you know that he’s a big-time scorer. But over his career he’s developed into more than that. As a junior, he averaged 21.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.6 steals. He also knocked down 75 3’s at 34-percent clip. He had 17 20-point games and a trio of 30-point outbursts. Expect the cherry on top to come this winter.
Davin Sawyer, Wheatland Senior
He’s not a huge guard, but he finds a way to be extremely productive with his plus athleticism. His first in-game dunk was a poster. Sawyer averaged 17.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.4 steals last season and is an absolute gym rat. That’ll help him increase that production this year on a team that expects to compete for championships.
Cash Turner, Hermitage Sophomore
There’s not a more fitting name for Turner because his shot is money. Cheesy, but his game is not. He was a sniper as a freshman, having several games with three or more 3s and he has a great skill set. Now his body is catching up, which will make him even more of a problem in the PCL.
Others to Watch
Hayden Barrett, Eminence Senior
Noah Black, McAuley Senior
Tyler Brouhard, Thomas Jefferson Senior
William Chapman, Sheldon Senior
Grayson Gallivan, Halfway Senior
Aidan Jarman, Dadeville Junior
Brayden Johnson, Niangua Senior
Eli Kerr, Lockwood Senior
Rhett McMillen, Walnut Grove Junior
Andrew Mettler, Fair Play Junior
Mason Morris, Everton Sophomore
Henry Schnelle, Lockwood Sophomore
Kade White, Humansville Junior
