By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Basketball season is underway in Missouri. Below are the area’s Class 5 Girls Basketball Players to Watch this year.
NOTE: NAMES ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. THERE WILL ALSO BE A SEPARATE BREAKOUT PLAYERS LIST.
Talia Dyson, Central
The amount of basketball Dyson has played in a Central jersey is staggering. She’s a quick, shifty guard that is tough as nails. But what many people don’t realize is just how tough she is. Last year against Kickapoo she had 19 points and 11 rebounds and that number of boards isn’t uncommon for her. She’ll score her 1,000th point this season.
Kirra Long, Webb City
Long is another multisport standout that helped Webb City to the state quarterfinals in volleyball this year. On the basketball court, she’s a big guard with great vision and the ability to make shots. She will also benefit from a faster system this winter.
Carlie Martin, McDonald County
Not many players can change a game without scoring a point, but Martin isn’t one. A big guard, Martin excels defensively and on the glass, while also being able to help set the table for teammates. She earned her All-Big 8 honors last season.
Elise Murray, Willard
Her sophomore season saw her average 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and 3.5 steals, which is extremely impressive. She opened the 2024-25 season by stuffing the stat sheet in a win over Osage, tallying 22 points, eight rebounds, five steals and four assists. If she maintains that pace it’ll be a long year for the COC.
Abby Sargent, Webb City
A year ago she landed on our breakout list as a freshman. She followed that up by earning All-COC honors in one of Missouri’s best conferences. She’s a ball-hawk defensively that also has a knack for getting to the rim with the ball in her hands. Grandt Berendt taking over will create an even more up-tempo game, which she will thrive in.
Nevaeh Shockley & Jamyra Parlette, Hillcrest
Shockley and Parlette are one of the best inside-out duos in the area. Shockley averaged 9.8 points, 3.2 assists and 3.1 steals, while Parlette added 8.9 points and 8.1 rebounds. Hillcrest is quickly righting the ship of the program behind these two seniors. Shockley will take her talents to Mission U next year and Parlette will have plenty of options by season’s end.
Peyton Ward, Marshfield
The impact Ward made as a freshman on a Final Four team was staggering, leading the Jays in rebounds (6.4) while also adding 13.2 points. D1s are already lining up for her services and she will be one of the premiere players in the area for the next three years under Trish Marsh.
Dezi Williams, Carl Junction
One of the most athletic guards in the area, Williams returns after averaging 10 points and three assists. She’s one of the most experienced players in the area and isn’t afraid of a big moment. She will have the ball in her hands even more this winter.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Quinn Aldridge, Marshfield
DeShaye Buerge, Carl Junction
Ashley Culton, West Plains
Alyssa Farris, Camdenton
Harper Floyd, Willard
Annalise Freeman, Central
Jadyn Howard, Carl Junction
Addison Knoeck, Camdenton
Dakota O’Brien, McDonald County
