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.
NOTE: NAMES ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. THERE WILL ALSO BE A SEPARATE BREAKOUT PLAYERS LIST.
Jayce Culver, Branson
In an area full of guys that can shoot it, Culver is among the best. As a junior, he averaged 14.6 points while shooting nearly 50 percent from 3. He’s a more versatile scorer now and one of the most experienced players in the area. Expect him to continue on his all-conference and all-district pace.
Brenley Hagewood, Republic
Hagewood is one of the most exciting returners in the area after averaging 18.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He’s a 6-foot-1 guard that is a big-time finisher and athlete. He’s one of several Missouri Flight guys that is coming off an awesome summer. If he builds on the 26 points and 10 rebounds that he ended last season with against Glendale, it could get scary seeing RepMo.
Trenton Gage, Joplin
One of the most surprising players in the area last year, Gage went from back-up guard to All-COC by nearly doubling his scoring average from non-conference to COC play. The 5-foot-10 senior is cat-like quick and has a deep finishing package. He’s also one of the best in the area in transition.
Reese Kimrey, Kickapoo
If there was a Most Improved Player award, Kimrey would’ve won it for the Ozarks last year. As a freshman, he was solid on a good Kickapoo team. As a sophomore, he was dominant on a great Kickapoo squad, averaging 10.9 points, four assists, four rebounds and 1.7 steals while proving he is one of the best two-way lead guards in Missouri. His summer with MPJ Elite has prepared him for a great junior season.
Adam McKnight, Nixa
For a freshman to be a unanimous All-COC selection is incredible and that’s the only word to describe McKnight’s freshman campaign. He’s an absolute junkyard dog, averaging 13.4 points and 10.1 rebounds while ducking zero smoke and also being a standout quarterback and baseball player. His future is bright regardless of the sport he selects to play.
Kylan Pickren, Ozark
Many of the headlines went to McKnight as the area’s top freshman, but Pickren made a strong case by season’s end; he’s not a breakout candidate because he’s already arrived. Averaging 12.7 points as a freshman in the COC is all you need to know to understand his ability. He’s a 6-foot-4 guard with one of the deepest bags in the area and elite footwork, in addition to shooting lights out. He’s another future D1 prospect in a loaded class locally.
Hudson Roberts, Ozark
The D1 baseball commit reopened his recruitment and don’t be surprised if some basketball programs try to get involved. A 6-foot-4 guard that averaged 16.4 points and can shoot it with the best of them, Roberts shot-making ability is truly elite; the lefty is capable of making shots from anywhere on the floor. With Jayme Donnelly taking over, the freedom to let it rip will be there.
Jackson Shorter, Kickapoo
More and more D2s are lining up to recruit Shorter and it’s not because his brother is averaging 16 points and 3.5 rebounds at Washburn. Jackson is a 6-foot-7 combo forward that shoots the fire out of the ball, which translates to any level. Keep in mind, Dale Lamberth also coached Daniel Abreu – another smooth-shooting combo forward from the Ozarks – and Shorter has that kind of feel to him.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Kaiden Asberry, Neosho
Collis Jones, Joplin
Anthony Fletcher, Glendale
Keivon Flint, Nixa
Randy Flint, Nixa
Cohen George, Ozark
Brody Gillespie, Branson
Trenton Yates, Carthage
