By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Basketball season is underway in Missouri. Below are the area’s Class 4 Boys Basketball Players to Watch this year.
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Brice Budd, Nevada Senior
Yes, Budd averaged 9.8 points and 2.8 assists as a junior, proving that he’s more than productive as a combo guard. But his bread and butter is on the defensive end of the floor, where he is an elite perimeter defender. He’s a major reason why Nevada nearly doubled its win total last year.
Isaac Dalton, Ava Junior
There’s something special about watching a lefty shoot the ball and Dalton does that as well as anyone, especially off of the catch. As a sophomore, he was All-SCA and was fantastic down the stretch, going 26-11 vs. Aurora and 27-16 vs. Salem in the final two weeks of the regular season. As his frame catches up with his length and skill, he’ll be even more of a headache.
Jon Dunbar, Cassville Senior
The 6-foot-8 Dunbar was one of the better interior players in the Big 8, averaging 9.2 points and 7.8 rebounds as a junior. His size gives him the ability to change games on either end of the floor, which he did often. Having a second season to get more comfortable with Caleb Reynolds’ system will only help.
Bradley Henry, Mountain Grove Senior
Grove is no stranger to having guys that can just go get a bucket and Henry is the latest. The 6-foot-3 guard shoots lights out but can also finish at the rim and has a mid-range game. As a junior, he averaged 17.9 points, but Henry is also great at drawing help and finding teammates, averaging 3.1 assists as a junior.
Ross Lawrence, Rogersville Senior
Yes, he’s one of the area’s best baseball players but the future Missouri State Bear is going to go out with a bang on the hardwood. Rogersville lost nearly all of its scoring outside of Lawrence, and he has the kind of game where he can get going in a hurry. Look for LR to lean heavily on Lawrence.
Dayton McHenry, Aurora Senior
At 6-foot-7, McHenry has a very unique game. He’s a rugged big, that is physical in the paint, can finish with either hand and rebounds well. But he also has the ability to step out and make perimeter jumpers. He’s still growing into his game but he’s an extremely productive big in the Big 8.
Morgan Vaughn, Seneca Senior
The Indians have a ton of balance, but Vaughn is the team’s returning leader in scoring (9.1) and rebounding (4.6). Up and coming coach Cort Hardy wants to play fast and the 6-foot-1 Vaughn is perfect for that with his athleticism and ability to attack off the dribble.
Cody Voysey, Strafford Junior
To say Voysey was good as a sophomore would be an understatement. He averaged 16 points, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals for a team that was among the best in its class locally. Now the dynamic point guard is the only returning starter to Strafford’s lineup and has a coach that has no problem letting his guards play freely and up-tempo. Voysey should have a monster season.
Braxton Wolfe, East Newton Junior
Wolfe is just a junior but has played a ton of varsity at this point. His sophomore year saw him average 10 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists. His versatility is apparent in his stats, but his value is often intangible. He has a high motor and a great feel to his game, with a frame that allows him to make plays from anywhere on the floor.
Jarrett Zerby, Mount Vernon Junior
Zerby is the ultimate “hand down, man down” player in that he lights it up from the outside and he doesn’t need much time or space to get his shot off. As a sophomore, he averaged 17 points and 5.1 rebounds. That ability shoot also allows him to attack hard closeouts and get into the paint. He has a knack for scoring it in bunches.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Landyn Brandt, Monett Junior
Jack Cheaney, Nevada Junior
Juliun Hernandez, Mount Vernon Junior
Gavyn Hoover, Ethan Altic & Blake Hurn, Seneca Seniors
Bryson May, Salem Senior
Brylon Mayberry, Mountain Grove Senior
Stewart McDonald & Scott Metz, Rogersville Seniors
Maverick Porter, Reeds Spring Junior
Noah Richardson, Hollister Senior
Jace Rodgers, Willow Springs Junior
Jacob Schultze & Brett Roberson, Catholic Senior
Chase Sorrell, East Newton Senior
Brayden Verch, Clever Senior
