By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Basketball season is underway in Missouri. Below are some breakout girls basketball players to watch.
NOTE: NAMES ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. THERE WILL ALSO BE A SEPARATE BREAKOUT PLAYERS LIST.
Izzy Cherne, Marshfield
Trish Marsh doesn’t just have one of the best sophomores in the area, but she also has the best freshman in the form of 5-foot-10 combo guard Izzy Cherne. This summer she helped lead Phenom 15U to an EYBL championship and she’s already being recruited by several D1 programs. She has the talent to put her name among the greats Marshfield has had.
Gentry Davault, Norwood
Typically it takes post players a little longer to put it together but Davault is ahead of schedule. As a sophomore, she nearly averaged a double-double to go along with three blocks. This will be her breakout season as she continues to make a case as the best small-school big in the Ozarks.
Anna Hiebert, Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson won a district championship last year under Lindsay Showalter and while losses hit the Cavs hard, Hiebert is a freshman that will have a chance to step in and keep TJ relevant. She has plenty of length and skill, while also having Showalter, who is crafty enough to keep Hiebert in mismatched situations.
Lillie Moore, Hillcrest
Playing in the old Ozark Conference as a freshman is rare. Doing so and making a major impact was even less heard of and that’s exactly what the 5-foot-10 Moore did last season, averaging 10.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals. Hillcrest has it rolling right now and Moore is the future of the program.
Lockwood Freshmen
There are a ton of them and they’ve largely been playing together for years. This group has the potential to be like what we’ve seen at other small schools where they walk in and immediately change the trajectory of the program. They’ll fight some growing pains early but be prepared to hear alot about this group moving forward.
Mallory Moss, Richland
Moss has a chance to be a big-time player moving forward. She has limitless range and confidence to boot. As a freshman, she averaged 18 and was the District POY. She will be extremely difficult to defend and one of those players that will make a run at 2,500 points.
Lanie Stokes & Dally Pomeroy, Marionville
The Comets have had plenty of studs over the years and Stokes-Pomeroy showed those flashes as freshmen, but now it should all take off this winter. Stokes averaged 10.2 points, 3.1 steals and 2.7 assists. Pomeroy added 9.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Both were all-conference selections and can do a little bit of everything on the floor.
Raeghan Timmerman & Ashlyn McCarthy, Halfway
As freshmen they were solid, combining for 20 PPG. With Dan Stander taking over the program, both players will be in transition even more which should lead to an increase in numbers. They will be names to know for the next three years.
Avery Stokes, Cassville
The genes alone are enough to make college coaches take notice. Her sister starred at Cassville before moving on to become a standout at Missouri Southern and her brother is a 6-foot-8 college prospect as well. Stokes showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman. Expect the 6-foot sophomore to take off this winter.
Kenzie Wilson, Buffalo
Wilson was really good last year, averaging 14.7 points, 3.3 assists and 2.3 steals. Now she’s in David Argo’s system which will be up-tempo and allow Wilson even more freedom to do what she does. She is set for breakout this winter.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Addie Alms, Gainesville
Mariah Box, Wheatland
Ryleigh Davis, Thayer
Remington Garrison, Sarcoxie
Kinley Luna, Dora
Jordyn Misner, Sarcoxie
Callie Smith, Bakersfield
Lucy Swearingen, Nevada
Lilly Thompson, Marion C. Early
Andrea Winrod, Gainesville
