Last week, we asked you the fans who would be this season’s girls basketball MVP. You went with Strafford super-sophomore Hayley Frank. This week, we want to know who you think will be the boys basketball MVP. We’ve selected 10 great players from the area for you to choose from. Make your vote, spread the word and tune in Friday night at 11:30 on the Ozarks CW to see the results. You are allowed one vote per IP address. Voting ends Friday at 5:00 pm.
Christian Bundy, Nixa
The Eagles’ 6’5″ senior added some muscle in the offseason and figures to be one the area’s most opposing post presences. Entering his third year starting, Bundy expects to improve on his 8 ppg and 3.9 rpg last season.
Dylan Caruso, Mansfield
The Lions’ 6’9″ sophomore burst onto the scene in the Summit Conference last year, including an impressive eight blocks in the second half of the district championship game against Bakersfield. Caruso averaged 12.6 ppg and 3.3 bpg last season.
Brandon Emmert, Bolivar
The Liberators’ 6’5″ senior is the reigning COC Small Player of the Year. The University of Central Missouri signee averaged 17.5 ppg and 7.8 rpg and has a chance to leave Bolivar as the all-time leading scorer, rebounder and blocker.
Garrett Kesterson, Fair Grove
The Eagles’ senior guard is one of the area’s most prolific shooters, connecting on 102 3-pointers last season. Kesterson returns for his final prep campaign after averaging 20 ppg last season and finds himself 107 treys away from the state’s all-time career record.
Monty Johal, Glendale
The Falcons’ junior has nearly two years to go, but is already one of the most prolific scorers in Springfield history. His 724 points (25.1 ppg) last season was second most in program history. The D-1 recruit is within striking distance of Dorial Green-Beckham’s city career scoring record.
Jakob Partee, Clever
The Bluejays’ 6’6″ senior has great size and versatility for one of the best Class 3 teams in the state. Partee earned SWCL Player of the Year after averaging 20 ppg last season, while shooting 87% from the free throw line.
Jared Ridder, Kickapoo
The Chiefs’ 6’6″ senior is good enough to be included in the Rivals 150. The Xavier signee averaged 20 ppg and 6 rpg last season, leading the Chiefs to a Class 5 runner-up finish and Ozark Conference Player of the Year.
Logan Thomazin, Walnut Grove
The Tigers’ junior guard is entering his third year starting. He averaged 24 ppg to earn all-state honors, helping the Tigers to a Class 1 runner-up finish. His 139 3-pointers were third most in state history.
Julius Walker, Greenwood
The Blue Jays 6’4″ senior forward will leave Greenwood Laboratory School as one of the all-time greats. Also an all-state soccer player, Walker averaged 25 ppg and 9 rpg last season. With nearly 1,500 career points he’s within striking distance of the coveted 2,000 point milestone this season.
Nathan Wilson, Licking
The Wildcats’ 6’5″ senior forward is a big reason Licking was in the state’s top 10 entering the season. Wilson averaged 25 ppg and 8 rpg last season, while providing shutdown defense to earn All-Frisco League honors.
