By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Basketball season is underway in Missouri. Below are the Class 2 Girls Basketball Players to Watch along with a breakout player.
NOTE: MSHSAA won’t be releasing new class and district assignments until Friday, Dec. 11. WE ARE USING LAST YEAR’S CLASSIFICATIONS for our watchlists. There will be SIGNIFICANT changes to classes when the new assignements come out, as Missouri is adding a sixth class of basketball this year.
Top 11
• Justine Barb & Miranda Quennoz, Skyline Juniors
Kevin Cheek has another dynamic duo in the form of these two juniors. Barb is a 5-foot-9 post that averaged 15.5 points and 9.9 rebounds as a sophomore. Quennoz is a point guard that put up 16 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists. After seeing Skyline’s streak of seven consecutive district championships come to an end last year, they’ll be hungry to start a new streak this year, one that could bring the program its seventh state championship.
• Paige Bauer, Verona Senior
Not many players in the area have more swag to their game than Bauer. As a junior she averaged 22.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 3.5 steals. She’s extremely shifty and very confident, which leads to some Trae Young-like 3s. Not many players can control and change a game like Bauer.
• Payden Blevins, Marionville Sophomore
It didn’t take long for Blevins to insert herself into the conversation of the area’s top players. As a freshman she put in work, averaging 15.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.6 steals. Her ability to just make plays all over is rare. That’s also why the Lady Comets doubled their win total last year.
• Katelyn Cole, Richland Senior
Cole is a 6-foot hybrid forward that can score on the block or step out and shoot it from 3. She can also defend 1-5. As a junior she averaged 21.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.2 steals. The Baker University signee finished as the runner-up for Frisco League MVP and was also an All-District selection.
• Claudia Hadlock & Kaylee Helton, Miller Juniors
There aren’t enough superlatives to describe the duo, just understand that they’re very talented. Hadlock is as competitive as they come with skill to back it up. She enters her junior season just 51 points shy of 1,000 for her career after averaging 13.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 4.7 steals, while knocking down 77 3-point FG. Helton is a 5-foot-8 guard that averaged 1.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.1 steals and a block. She had 10 double-doubles and nine 20-point games last year. She has 873 career points. Miller has won 50 games since these two stepped into the program. It’ll be a long two years for every Miller opponent.
• Jada Henry, Mansfield Senior
Mansfield hadn’t won a district title since 1995 and – behind Henry’s 20.4 points and 6.4 rebounds – that changed last season. The C of O commit shot 58 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3, efficiency that makes her a handful to defend. She’ll again give defenses fits this winter.
• Maddy Kerley, Thayer Senior
Kerley has been a part of 72 wins in her three seasons as a starter at Thayer. Last year she averaged 15.1 points and 4.1 rebounds, earning All-SCA and All-District status. The Lady Bobcats are one of the area’s most experienced teams and Kerley is the most experienced player in the group. Look for a big senior campaign.
• Khloe Moad, Ash Grove Junior
Meet the Ozarks’ version of Anthony Davis. Moad is a 6-foot-2 combo forward that can defend multiple positions and score at will on the block. The kicker is that the lefty has an absolute burner. As a sophomore she averaged 14.4 points and seven rebounds. She’s a Missouri State commit, picking the Lady Bears over several other D1 suitors.
• Zoe Reel, Crane Sophomore
For years Crane made a living with athletic forwards that could finish at the rim or step out and shoot it. Emma Lander to Madison Fulp to Madison Hicks and now its Zoe Reel’s turn. She averaged 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.5 steals as a freshman; the only way to stop her was to foul her. She had six double-doubles last season. Over her final five games she put up 25.2 points, showing she’s only getting better.
Others to Watch
• Avery & Riley Arnold, Blue Eye Juniors
• Grace Bishop, College Heights Senior
• Emma Crawford & Alyee Gunter, Skyline Senior & Junior
• Emma Eagleburger, Ash Grove Senior
• Laney Humble, Sparta Sophomore
• Jadalyn Keith & Mckinley Sanders, Hartville Senior & Junior
• Miranda Moss, Richland Junior
• Payten Richardson, Miller Junior
• Keely Roberts, Greenwood Senior
• Hailey Shannon, Cabool Junior
• Madison Thompson, Lakeland Senior
• Shayla Wages, Gainesville Senior
• Marlie Wright, Greenfield Sophomore
Breakout Player: Sophomore Bella Stuckey, Greenwood
Stuckey was simply a beast on the block as a freshman. The fact that she averaged a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double is impressive. The fact that she did that while adding 2.2 blocks and 1.3 steals just isn’t fair. She has a nose for the ball and in Year Two under Mike Percival, expect to see even more improvement in her game and touches. She’s going to have a chance to be yet another big name in the area hoops scene.
