By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Basketball season is underway in Missouri. Below are the area’s Class 1 Boys Basketball Players to Watch this year.
MORE THAN 200 TEAM-BY-TEAM PREVIEWS – CLICK HERE
CLASS & DISTRICT ASSIGNMENTS – CLICK HERE
Clayton Garrison, Chadwick Junior
He opened the season with a 41-point, 19-rebound double-double, in which he added four steals and three blocks. He had an incredible summer, which is scary considering how dominant he was last winter. He’s 6-foot-3, but he plays like he’s 6-foot-7 with his ability to defend and rebound while still retaining all of his guard skills.
Ethan Scheetz & Clayton Henderson, Niangua Senior
Niangua won just eight games in the six seasons prior to Scheetz and Henderson entering high school. Since their freshman years, they’ve hit double-digit wins each season, culminating in last year’s 19-9 campaign. Scheetz earned Players of the Year honors in the Mark Twain Conference averaging 19.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.6 steals per game last season. Henderson contributed 16.6 points per game. The duo will look to lead Niangua on a deep postseason run this season.
Aidan Jarman, Dadeville Senior
Dadeville’s first district title in more than a decade came with Jarman putting together one of the best seasons in program history, averaging 18.7 points, eight rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.7 steals and 1.6 blocks. The 6-foot-1 guard is an absolute stat sheet stuffer and one of the most productive players in the Ozarks regardless of class.
Zachary Lee & Nathaniel Tackett, Exeter Seniors
It’s been a while since Exeter has seen much success on the hardwood, but Lee and Tackett can change that. Lee is a scoring combo guard that averaged 12 points as a junior. Tackett is a 6-foot-4 high-motor big that chases everything off the rim. As a junior, he averaged 13 points and 14 rebounds. Both are four-year starters.
Andrew Mettler, Fair Play Senior
There’s nothing fair about the way Mettler was playing with opposing defenses last year. His 18.8 points and 7.3 rebounds earned him all-conference and all-district honors, while also earning him a reputation as one of the area’s top shooters. He made at least three 3’s in nine different games last year.
Henry Schnelle, Lockwood Senior
The 6-foot-5 senior is next in a long line of gifted Schnelles at Lockwood. As a junior, he averaged 10.3 points and 8.5 rebounds, earning All-Southwest Conference honors. He’s unique in that although he’s 6-foot-5, he’s not a true big; he can shoot the 3, handle the ball and play off the dribble. If his senior football season is any indication of what’s coming on the hardwood, both he and Lockwood will be a load to handle.
Kade White, Humansville Senior
The 6-foot athletic point guard did it all last year in leading Humansville to 23 wins. He averaged 14 points, 3.9 assists and 1.6 steals, with his quickness allowing him to live in the paint offensively but also be an absolute pest on the defensive end.
Justus Yates & Bennett Mantooth, Hermitage Seniors
Yates and Mantooth led Hermitage to 18 wins last year, with Yates averaging 13 points and 3.7 rebounds while Turner added 13.1 points and 5.6 rebounds. Both are extremely effective with the ball in their hands, while also being able to find ways to score when playing off of it.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Hank Eggerman, Lockwood Senior
Drew Foster, Eminence Junior
Gage Kenney, Humansville Senior
Rhett McMillen, Walnut Grove Senior
Andrew Murphy, Wheatland Junior
Michael Parrigon & Rocco Bazzano, McAuley Catholic
Blake Thomas, Fair Play Senior
Cash Turner, Hermitage Junior
Caysen Youngblood, Hurley Junior
