By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Basketball season is underway in Missouri. Below are the area’s Class 5 Boys Basketball Players to Watch this year.
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Luke Foster, Rolla Senior
The area has several good bigs this year and Foster is among the area’s best. The 6-foot-7 senior is unique in that he can score with his back to the basket and step out and shoot the 3, but he also cleans the offensive glass; he scores without offense being run for him. He averaged 12 points and six rebounds as a junior and took tremendous strides this summer.
Cole Griesemer, Hillcrest Senior
Yet another skilled, big wing, Griesemer is basically a 6-foot-5 point forward. He can score but also has a gift of getting downhill and making plays for others. His best attribute is his versatility. He can defend 1-5 at the high school level, step out and shoot it, as well as scoring efficiently at all three levels. He earned All-Ozark Conference honors last year.
Briggs Hughston, West Plains Junior
Hughston is the physical epitome of what West Plains Basketball is. The 6-foot-5 junior has a football frame and approach to the game, with his toughness anchoring the Zizzers on both sides of the ball. As a sophomore he averaged 9.4 points and 3.8 rebounds as more of a traditional big offensively by having the ability to defend multiple positions.
Zack Mings Marshfield Senior
Mings is the kind of player that the Ozarks has come to produce at a high level. He’s 6-foot-4 with a solid frame, super skilled and can score inside-out. Mings is the kind of player that’s a triple-double threat every time he steps on the floor. He was an All-Big 8 selection after averaging 15.1 points and 5.5 rebounds.
Kevin Parker, Parkview Senior
Not many in the area shoot it better than Parker has over the last three years. The 6-foot-2 guard shoots it off the bounce or off the catch, and at a very high level. As a sophomore he averaged 8.9 points. His numbers took a dip last year because Parkview was loaded in the backcourt. In Jack Simpson’s system, expect Parker to have a monster senior year.
Kyle Pock, Bolivar Senior
Pock is the most complete player in the Ozarks. The Northern Iowa signee has been nothing but dominant the last two years, coming off of a junior campaign that saw him average 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists while shooting 53-percent from the field and 35-percent from 3. He followed that up with a monster summer that saw him help MOKAN to a Peach Jam title. His IQ and ability to shoot are truly elite, especially as a combo forward/stretch-4.
Aaron Poage, Camdenton Senior
At 6-foot-6 with length and athleticism, Poage is one of the more intriguing prospects in the area. He shoots it very well, finishes above the rim and scores with his back to the basket as well. His game has really taken off in the last two years, resulting in All-OC honors as a junior after averaging 14 points and five rebounds. He has one of the highest ceilings in the Ozarks.
Trey Roets, Webb City Senior
Known as a football player, Roets put together a great junior season for Webb City, averaging 11.5 points and 6.3 rebounds. He’s just 6-foot-4 but uses his burly frame well to score on the interior. He also has no problem stepping away from the basket and facilitating offense or knocking down perimeter jumpers.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Braxton Baker, Hillcrest Senior
Ayden Bard, Carl Junction Senior
Cross Dowd, McDonald County Senior
Cole Feuerbacher, Glendale Senior
Kaden Griswold, Bolivar Senior
TJ Hill, Parkview Junior
Cooper Wilken, Willard Senior
