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.
NOTE: NAMES ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. THERE WILL ALSO BE A SEPARATE BREAKOUT PLAYERS LIST.
Tanner Baird, Forsyth
As a sophomore, he was a double-double machine before taking his talents to Link Academy. Now the 7-foot senior is one of the top prospects in Missouri with his frame and skillset drawing D1 interest. He can protect the rim, score with his back to the basket as well as developing his face-up game. Baird being back at Forsyth with an already loaded roster changes the course of Class 4 locally.
Chase Branham, Rogersville
His freshman year might be the best we’ve seen in decades, with Branham earning all-state and Big 8 East Player of the Year honors behind 17.9 points, 3.8 assists and 2.8 steals. The numbers are incredible, but it’s how he got them and what he did after that’s even more impressive. Shooting 62 percent from the field and 46 percent from 3 is ridiculous, but he’s been living in the gym since then and had a big-time summer. He will be one of the most recruited players in the state the next three years.
Gardner Casey, Bolivar
Robby Hoegh always has a lead guard that can score it, facilitate, defend and is an extension of him on the court. Casey is that. As a junior, he averaged 9.4 points and while the roster has had a ton of turnover, Casey is good enough to help this be a reload instead of a rebuild.
Isaac Dalton, Ava
The last name Dalton and Ava Basketball is nearly synonymous at this point and Isaac is carrying on the tradition. The lefty is a gifted scorer that averaged 18.5 points and 5.9 rebounds as a junior. But he’s more than just a scorer. He’s become great at moving the ball when teams over help. He’s an early favorite for SCA Player of the Year.
Ryder Rowden, Springfield Catholic
Point guards that can shoot it typically do well with Catholic head coach Jay Osborne and Ryder Rowden is the latest example. As a sophomore, he averaged 10.8 points and 4.1 assists while also shooting 39 percent. His ability to score himself or create for others, as well as being even more comfortable with Osborne’s system will lead to him having a great junior campaign.
Eli Stokes, Cassville
Quietly, Stokes has become one of the best bigs in the area. The 6-foot-8 lefty averaged 14.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks, earning All-Big 8 honors. He can play with his back to the basket, but he can also step out and make face-up jumpers. Stokes has next-level tools and will be someone that makes a push for Big 8 POY.
Cannon Thornhill, Aurora
His take over of the Big 8 last year was swift, going from an inexperienced freshman to an unguardable sophomore that averaged 18.7 points. He can shoot it from anywhere and has an incredible understanding of the game. Thornhill will score his 1,000th point this winter and should be someone that flirts with 2,000 before all is said and done.
Cody Voysey & Brady Ripp, Strafford
Voysey and Ripp are a pair of seniors that are the best inside-out duo in Class 4 locally. Voysey has been a bucket throughout his career, averaging 21.4 points and 2.7 assists as a junior. He shoots it with range but is extremely good at attacking off the bounce and finishing in traffic. Ripp is a 6-foot-6 big that nearly averaged a double-double as a junior. He has great length but is also a mobile big that can finish above the rim.
Braxton Wolfe, East Newton
Wolfe had a great fall on the gridiron, which isn’t surprising if you’ve seen the athleticism he’s shown on the hardwood. As a junior, he averaged 11 points and seven rebounds, earning All-Big 8 honors. He’s not the biggest guy ever, but his motor runs non-stop and he’s not afraid of contact. He had 16 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in the season finale last year against Cassville. That should be a springboard into this season.
Jarrett Zerby, Mount Vernon
Another deep football playoff run is getting him a late start on the hardwood, but it won’t take much time for Zerby to shake off the rust; he’s an elite shooter. Entering his fourth year as a starter, Zerby has had multiple games with at least six 3’s in a single game. A coaching change at Mount Vernon won’t limit his effectiveness. Expect Zerby to again knock down a ton of perimeter jumpers and earn postseason honors.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Blair Abraham, Buffalo
Landyn Brandt, Monett
Braiden Gapsch, Salem
Simon Gates, Cassville
Zane Grotjohn, Seneca
Chris Halbrook, Forsyth
TaMarkus Holmes, Forsyth
Thomas Lara, Aurora
Braden McGregor, Buffalo
Nathan Mitchell, Reeds Spring
Sam Peterson, Mountain Grove
Jase Pettifurd, Logan-Rogersville
Dane Smith, Logan-Rogersville
Jayden Turner, Reeds Spring
Caden Youngblood, East Newton
