By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Basketball season is underway in Missouri. Below are the area’s Class 6 Boys Basketball Players to Watch this year.
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Ahlante Askew, Republic Senior
It feels like he’s been in high school forever at this point. He’s been a mainstay in Republic’s rotation since his freshman year, growing from an elite defender and catch-and-shoot threat into an elite two-way point guard. As a junior he averaged 15.4 points and 4.2 assists. He’s one of the preseason clubhouse leaders for COC Player of the Year.
Tyrique Brooks, Waynesville Junior
One of the most dynamic guards in the Ozarks, Brooks is must-see TV every time he laces them up. The 6-foot-3 combo guard averaged 22.9 points as a sophomore and is coming off a monster summer with Missouri Flight. He’s one of the top 2024 guards in Missouri, scoring it efficiently at all three levels.
Kael Combs, Nixa Senior
Everyone knows that Combs is a freak of nature athlete. He’s one of the best football-basketball combo athletes in Missouri, but his basketball game is so much more than just athleticism. The 6-foot-4 guard is just that, averaging 14.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. Lost in those numbers and his elite defensive ability is the fact that Combs shot 57-percent from the field and 46-percent from 3.
Brayden Shorter, Kickapoo Senior
Shorter emerged last year as one of the area’s top shooters, knocking down 82 3’s at a 44-percent clip. Overall, he averaged 15 points and 4.8 rebounds, becoming the primary scoring threat after Kickapoo entered what most thought would be a rebuild. At 6-foot-5 with his skillset, Shorter has the tools to be an even bigger matchup problem this year. He’s committed to D2 power Washburn.
Max Templeman, Carthage Senior
There’s not a better go-to move in the Ozarks than Templeman’s hesitation dribble. He’s another four-year letterman in the COC, which is rare these days. As a junior he averaged 15.8 points and 3.5 assists for a resurgent Carthage squad that was state-ranked for the first time in a decade. He’s rapidly approaching the 1,000-point mark.
Sterling Vinson, Central Senior
Vinson was an All-Ozark Conference selection as a junior and has helped Central grow from a five-win group as a freshman to one that’s expected to compete for a conference championship in his senior year. Expect him to improve on last year’s numbers where the 6-foot-4 wing averaged 15 points and four rebounds while shooting better than 60-percent from the field.
Jace Whatley, Ozark Junior
Bucket-getting is in Whatley’s blood. Last year his brother led Ozark in scoring before taking his talents to Drury. As a sophomore, Jace averaged 11.2 points, doing most of his damage inside the 3-point line. He also added 6.4 rebounds. If you’ve seen him Moss defenders on the gridiron then you already understand why he’s a matchup problem on the hardwood.
All Wright, Joplin Junior
His name fits his game because things are alright when the ball is in his hands. As a sophomore he averaged 17.4 points and has scored 804 points in his two seasons. Over the summer Wright really progressed as a true combo guard, earning an offer from Louisiana-Monroe and Power 5 interest. He has high-end talent and work ethic.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Harrison Doennig, Kickapoo Senior
Niko Fau, Waynesville Senior
Terrence Gibson, Joplin Senior
Isaiah Green, Neosho Senior
Trae Oetting, Kickapoo Senior
Caleb Ray, Lebanon Junior
Justin Ray, Carthage Junior
Antonio Starks-Fewell, Central Junior
