With the high school basketball season quickly sneaking up on us, we take a look at some potential breakout players for the 2020-21 season on the girls side. These are players who have been previously overshadowed and relatively unknown who due to graduation of older players, growth spurts, and overall skills improvement, are expected to step up this coming season. This is the second part of our breakout series.

For part one, click here

For part two, click here

Without further ado, and in no particular order, here are just a few of those players. If you feel that we have missed someone or have suggestions, please email us at southwestmissouribasketball@gmail.com

Vance Mullins, 5’11 Strafford 2021 – Strafford lost a lot to graduation, but Mullins is back for his senior season after taking a back seat previously. This year we expect him to increase the 7 ppg he averaged last season and at least match the 5 assists per outing he put up last time around. He will have the ball in his hands much more often and should have plenty of leeway to create his own offense this season.

Connor Lewandowski, 5’9 Greenfield, 2022 – Greenfield is another team that loses a lot to graduation and Lewandowski is the logical choice to step up his game and numbers. He is the only returning starter, so look for the 7 ppg he averaged last year to at least double. Lewandowski is strong and can score at all three levels, so look for him to lead a rebuilding Greenfield squad during his junior season,.

Lawson Beem, 5’10 Skyline 2022 – His standout older brother Dax and his 20+ ppg is now graduated, but Skyline has plenty coming back this season to fill in the gaps. Lawson Beem will be one of their main cogs and with the ball in his hands more often, look for the 12 ppg the talented junior averaged last season to go up significantly. He can score at all three levels, but he is also a great facilitator, as his 5 assists per outing last time around attests to. Skyline should be good once again with Beem and other talented returnees like junior Jaytin DeFreese and senior Bradyn Porter back in the fold.

Quinton Donley, 5’9 Ava 2021 – His teammate Andrew Dalton is the headline grabber, but with the loss of two all conference players from last season, there is a serious need for others to step up and help Dalton. Donley is the most prominent among the returnees, especially after a great summer of adding strength and expanding his game beyond just being a shooter. He knocked down some 40% from three last season, but averaged only 5 ppg, a number that we expect to more than double as he shows off his improved ability to attack the rim off the dribble and will have the ball in his hands more often.

Kyler Tennis, 6’2 Billings 2021 – Tennis is an athletic, high ceiling player who is expected to improve further on the 13 ppg he averaged last season for an experienced Billings squad. He has been lauded for his quickness, relentlessness on the boards, and his ability to score from anywhere on the court. Look for Tennis to raise his game to another level as Billings looks to be a team to watch in the area this season.

Isaiah MItchell, 6’4 Blue Eye 2022 – Mitchell is the latest in a long line of sibling standout athletes for Blue Eye, and with his team hit hard by graduation, he is the logical choice to establish himself as one of the better players in the area this season. He has length and athleticism and his 8 ppg and 5 rpg from last season should take a giant leap this time around for the young and rebuilding Blue Eye squad, who does not have a single senior on the roster.

Liam O’Reilly, 6’2 Catholic 2022 – Catholic has been one of the most successful boys teams in the area, with a Class 3 runner-up squad just two years ago, but now they must replace two standout graduates in Will Morrison and Ben Galligos. Classmate super stud Zach Howell and his 19 ppg is back, but it is O’Reilly who is expected to up his status and numbers from last season. Look for the 10 ppg he averaged during his sophomore year to rise substantially based on his combination of experience, youth, and high ceiling.