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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Luke Ash, Stoutland Senior
Not many players in the Ozarks have more swag to their game than Ash. When he gets it going, he can fill it up quickly all while interacting with his and opposing student sections. As a junior he averaged 20 a night, earning All-Frisco League honors. He’s one of the best in the area at creating his own shot.
Wil Carlton, Marionville Senior
Not many local players have more big-time experience as Carlton between football and basketball. He’s a four-year starter in both and on the hardwood he averaged 16 points, seven rebounds and 2.8 assists. He’s a floor general and stat-sheet stuffer.
Grant Culver, Hartville Junior
Hartville was relatively inexperienced last year and one of the biggest benefactors from having a year of experience will be Culver. He averaged 9.8 points and 4.7 rebounds as a junior last year and will take the step towards adding his name to the recent list of All-State selections that Hartville has produced in recent years with two seasons left.
Curtis Davenport, College Heights Senior
Big-hurt Curt was a pain for opponents last year, averaging 11 points and eight rebounds for a district championship team. He’s a big body and stands at 6-foot-5, but he also has the touch to step out and shoot the ball. Davenport will have the freedom to operate freely and take advantage of mismatches, which will be nightly.
Gage Johnson, Weaubleau Junior
The reigning Polk County League MVP is set to have the award renamed after him if he continues to build on last season’s 16.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals. Johnson flourished in his first season under Blake Allen, who is one of the best young coaches in the Ozarks. Johnson should see an uptick across the board.
Gavin McGraw, Norwood Senior
McGraw played Robin to Garrett Davault’s Batman last year, helping the program claim a state championship. He averaged 10.1 points and 3.6 rebounds as a junior, earning All-Conference honors. Now it’s his turn to take on the Batman role.
Brady Nicholson, Ash Grove Junior
His sophomore season was a display of his scoring prowess. Nicholson averaged 19 points, four rebounds and three assists, proving he can give his pops and uncle a run for their money in a game of King of the Court. Now Nicholson is pushing 6-foot-4 and his frame has filled out. He’s coming in with 946 points and that number will be well over 2,000 before all is said and done the way his game is expanding.
Cale Plowman, Billings Senior
Plowman was one of the best scorers in the SWCL last year, averaging 16 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. He did most of his damage in the paint, but can step out and shoot the 3. He had seven 20-point games last year and with Billings returning nearly everything, it’ll be even more difficult to double team him.
Jacob Stellwagen, Verona Junior
As a sophomore, he was a scoring machine, putting up 17.6 points and 7.8 rebounds for Verona. He has limitless range and can get to the rim at will. Under Brad Stewart, Verona has routinely produced some of the area’s best small-school talent. Stellwagen has the chops to be the next big name to come out of Verona.
Aiden Vaught, Crane Senior
Crane Basketball and Vaughts are about as synonymous and peanut butter jelly and Aidan is no slouch. He put up 16 points, six rebounds and 3.4 assists a night as a junior and is a competitive monster. He also loves to sit down and defend as well. Being more familiar with Denny Hunt’s system should lead to a monster senior season.
Others to Watch
Zach Bos, Billings Senior
Wyatt Cawyer, Jasper Senior
Zane Clayton, Pierce City Senior
Ethan Cotter, Bakersfield
Blane Durnell, Weaubleau Junior
Colton Ellingsworth, Galena Junior
Gauge Fleschute, Laquey Senior
Dylan Hunsaker, Bradleyville Senior
Payton Morrow, Liberal Senior
Brock Mooneyham, Ash Grove Senior
Jacob Simpson, Hartville Junior
Logan Simpson, Hartville Junior
Blane Young, Marionville Senor
