By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Basketball season is underway in Missouri. Below are some of the area’s boys basketball players who could have breakout seasons this year.
Blair Abraham, Buffalo Sophomore
He burst onto the scene as a freshman, averaging six points and 5.1 rebounds. Like many bigs in the area, he has some versatility to his game. The 6-foot-6 forward can step out and shoot it as well as attack off the bounce. With Joseph Horinek gone, Abraham will now be the guy in Buffalo.
Jackson Basham, Camdenton Senior
Camdenton had one of its best seasons this decade, but graduated 10 seniors from last year’s team. Basham is a big time shooter and can play either guard position. He returns as Camdenton’s most experienced player and should see a major increase in production.
Jax Baxter, Stockton Sophomore
His game is a little different than his brother’s, but it doesn’t make him any less impactful. Jax is a 6-foot-5 forward that can score inside-out and defend several positions. He averaged eight points and five rebounds as a freshman and will now shoulder a much larger role offensively.
Jackson Cantwell, Nixa Sophomore
He’s going to be an All-American in football and track when all is said and done, but don’t be surprised when D1 basketball programs start tossing him offers too. He’s still raw, but the frame and athleticism are undeniable. He will be a force in the COC for the next three years.
Gardner Casey, Bolivar Junior
Last year he was getting acclimated to Bolivar Basketball and playing with one of the best players the program has ever seen in Kyle Pock. Now, the 5-foot-10 guard will take on a more prominent role after averaging 7.5 points as a sophomore. He’s a big-time shooter and plays with an incredibly high IQ.
Ty Harris, Neosho Junior
Neosho lost a loaded senior class but Harris will help offset those losses pretty quickly. He’s a shifty guard that can get downhill and finishes very well with either hand. Zane Culp has been great about letting his guards play and Harris may be one of the physically gifted guards he’s had at Neosho.
Holton Keith & Eli Pace, Webb City Juniors
Both guards started for Webb City last year, with Keith averaging 10.4 points and Pace leading the team in assists. Now both junior guards will have a chance to showcase their unique two-way ability. Both are great defensively, both can facilitate and both can score at multiple levels. This might be the best backcourt in the COC.
Reese Kimrey, Kickapoo Sophomore
Despite Kickapoo being senior-heavy, Kimrey still found his way onto the floor to play meaningful minutes as a freshman. The lefty combo guard shoots at a high level and is coming off of a huge summer with Missouri Flight. He’s a name to know in SPS basketball.
Eli Stokes, Cassville Junior
Stokes was solid as a sophomore, averaging five points and five rebounds for Cassville. But with the ability to step out and make shots, as well as playing next to fellow 6-foot-8 big Jon Dunbar, Stokes should have some favorable matchups. He has a high ceiling that he’s not even close to yet but he’s ready to be dominant now.
Fred Taylor, Joplin Sophomore
Taylor was good as a freshman, playing meaningful minutes for the Eagles. But with All Wright heading to Link Academy, that opens the door for Taylor, who is naturally a walking bucket, to prove himself sooner rather than later.
Cannon Thornhill, Aurora Sophomore
Thornhill saw significant time in the backcourt for Aurora as a freshman, averaging 7.7 points and 1.1 steals. His game was already showing the ability to make shots and play with pace as a freshman. His sophomore jump will be noticeable.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Drue Coen, Forsyth Senior
Hollis Deckard, West Plains Sophomore
Bryer Guerin, Marionville Sophomore
Walker Loveland, Sparta Senior
Nate Martin & Hudson Grell, New Covenant Juniors
Aiden Meade, Skyline Sophomore
Brady Ripp & Jourdyn Edelstein, Strafford Juniors
CJ Uhl, Republic Junior
Owen Vaught, Crane Sophomore
Owen Weiss, Miller Sophomore
Trent Yates, Carthage Junior
