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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NOTE: NAMES ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. THERE WILL ALSO BE A SEPARATE BREAKOUT PLAYERS LIST.
Tyrique Brooks, Central Senior
Some of you may remember when Parkview guard Erik Durham had a ridiculous senior year where he averaged 25.3 points and led the Vikings to a 22-win season. Now Brooks may not score it at that level, but he has that same knack Durham did for slithering through gaps and finishing at the rim. The Waynesville transfer is one of the most gifted guards in Missouri and has developed himself into a D1 prospect.
Keion Epps & Rue Wells, Central Juniors
To show you just how talented these two are, both Epps and Wells would be the best players at nearly every school in the Ozarks. Both are dynamic guards that can create for themselves and others. This Central team is absolutely loaded and these two are as good as they come.
Cohen George, Ozark Junior
At 6-foot-10 with a diverse skill set, George has everything that modern basketball requires of a big. He has good footwork in the post but has the vision and passing skills of a guard. As a sophomore, he averaged 6.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 blocks, in addition to shooting 40 percent from 3 and 86 percent from the charity stripe. He’s yet another player on this list with D1 potential.
Brenley Hagewood, Republic Junior
Republic has had a recent tradition of having a Batman and Robin duo in the backcourt and last year Hagewood was the Robin to Ahlante Askew, averaging 16.1 points and putting together a slew of highlight reel finishes. He’s one of the most dynamic guards in the Ozarks and his ability to create shots at every level is rare.
Josh Peters & Garrett Hines, Nixa Seniors
The purpose of basketball is to put the ball in the basket and these two do that at an elite level from the 3-point line. Peters averaged 13 points and five rebounds last year, Hines added 10 points and four rebounds. Both shot 49 percent from 3 which is ridiculous. Hines has already committed to Missouri S&T and Peters will have a college basketball future as well.
Justin Ray, Carthage Senior
Ray returns to Carthage after earning a reputation as one of the area’s top shooters. As a junior he averaged 12.7 points, knocking down 53 3’s at a 37 percent clip. He’s been a four-year starter and has evolved into more than just a catch-and-shoot guard. With Carthage losing a talented senior class, this season Ray will be able to show off more of his playmaking ability.
Hudson Roberts, Ozark Junior
Roberts is one of the best baseball players in the area, but he is also a bucket on the hardwood. As a sophomore he averaged 16.1 points, shooting 42 percent from 3. Roberts had a game with nine 3’s and will have a chance to move up the scoring list at Ozark when all is said and done.
Jackson Shorter, Kickapoo Junior
As a sophomore, the 6-foot-7 forward came off the bench for Kickapoo’s Class 6 runner-up team, averaging 6.6 points and 3.5 rebounds. His ability to stretch the floor and play inside-out makes him a matchup nightmare.
Jace Whatley, Ozark Senior
A football injury may slow the start of his season, but this is one of the most experienced players in the COC. As a junior, the 6-foot-5 forward averaged 13.5 points and seven rebounds, earning All-COC honors. His brother is a former Ozark star that is currently at Drury. When healthy, Jace is one of the toughest matchups in the Ozarks.
Amare Witham, Glendale Sophomore
His freshman year was a movie, with the 6-foot guard averaging 19.2 points and scoring an SPS freshman-record 529 points with 81 3’s. He then doubled down on his freshman season with a big-time summer with MPJ Elite, earning offers from Missouri State and Austin Peay. His freshman year reminded us of Anton Brookshire’s freshman campaign and he’s going to have a chance to go down as one of the best in SPS history.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Shaun Campbell, Kickapoo Senior
Wyatt Carr, Lebanon Senior
Jordan Douglas, Republic Senior
Whit Hafer, Joplin Senior
Devon Kemp, Nixa Senior
Caleb Ray, Lebanon Senior
Mason Robb, Kickapoo Senior
Ta’Veaion Washington, Glendale Senior
