By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Basketball season is underway in Missouri. Below are the area’s Class 6 Girls Basketball Players to Watch this year.
NOTE: NAMES ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. THERE WILL ALSO BE A SEPARATE BREAKOUT PLAYERS LIST.
Beclynn Garrett, Neosho
She’s heading to Butler County to play softball, but the three-sport standout has one more run on the court where she averaged 12 points, four rebounds and three assists as junior. Playing for former Neosho legend Tyler Chaney – who was also a big guard – has helped her success last season.
Madison Myers, Lebanon
Myers averaged 11.1 points and 7.1 rebounds as a junior, but what makes her special is her elite defensive ability. She can defend bigs but can also switch onto guards and defend on the perimeter. Her toughness is second to none and a switch to the COC isn’t something she’ll shy away from.
Mikayla Pilley, Kickapoo
The Fort Hayes State signee turned down D1 offers to go be a Tiger, which is bad news for the MIAA. As a junior, she averaged 15. 6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 steals. The 5-foot-11 combo guard has been to multiple Final Fours and is the epitome of a winner.
Josie Salazar, Kickapoo
She brings new meaning to small but mighty as the 5-foot-6 guard is a terror defensively. She has elite quickness and incredible instincts which allow her to pressure the ball 94 feet. She averaged nine points, 2.5 steals and 2.5 assists as a sophomore. Her quick hands and feet should remind fans of another elite defensive guard that won a ton of games at Kickapoo… Molly (Carter) Miller.
Brooke Teter, Nixa
Drury locked her in to help the Panthers on the pitch and opposing coaches in the COC wish she was already gone after she helped the Lady Eagles to a 21-7 record. Her length and athleticism in coach Jenny Talbert’s unique zone makes it tough on opponents.
Taylor Wood, Nixa
One of the area’s premiere big guards, Wood is extremely difficult to match up with. At 5-foot-10, she can play on or off the ball and doesn’t have a hole in her game. She averaged 14 points and five rebounds as a sophomore. Another year in Jenny Talbert’s system will only make her more impactful.
Ari Warren, Glendale
It didn’t take Warren long to make the Ozark Conference feel her presence. Despite being 5-foot-3, her quickness and shot-making ability allow her to make up for her small frame. And she’s a gamer, the bigger the stage the better she is.
Mattie Zingg, Glendale
A 6-foot-1 guard, Zingg is blessed with a diverse skillset that led to her averaging 13.1 points, six rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.1 steals. The best thing about her game is that she can grab a rebound off the rim and trigger the break. She’s good on the track as well, but she’ll have a D1 future on the hardwood.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Maggie Boyd, Carthage
Lauren Choate, Carthage
Morgan Durbin, Lebanon
Karis Ferguson, Nixa
Regan Grosvenor, Waynesville
Riley Grosvenor, Waynesville
Jocelyn McQueen, Branson
Alissa Owens, Joplin
Lexi Ringgold, Kickapoo
Kori Roussell, Ozark
Lanney Strong, Republic
Lexa Youngblood, Carthage
Jazmyn Washington, Neosho
