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BBB: Potential Breakout Players for 2020-21, Part Three

Posted on November 28, 2020 by -

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.

 

BBB: Top Under The Radar Players, Part Two

Posted on November 26, 2020 by -

With around 120 school districts in the southwest Missouri coverage area, it is a given that there are many great players that fall through the cracks and do not get the recognition that they deserve. This is especially true in the outlying areas that simply do not get the same kind of media coverage that players closer to Springfield, the hub of southwest Missouri, receive. And then there are those players that are overlooked because they play on teams with more heralded teammates.

Here, we cover a few players on the boys side that we feel do not get their due attention. We feel that colleges looking for good potential recruits should pay attention to these players, some of who have not committed yet or much less received due attention. This is the second part of this series. To read part one, click here

Crishawn Haggard, 6’0 Hillcrest 2021 – Haggard gets a bit overlooked amongst the crowd of stellar Springfield public school players, but players that score 20 ppg, with 4 rpg and 4 apg thrown in aren’t exactly common, and it was a huge breakout junior season for the lead guard. His ability to get to the rim and finish in a variety of ways is near the top of the list amongst area players and he can knock down triples with regularity as well. His aggressive and high basketball IQ should bode well as Hillcrest looks to improve on last season. An exciting player to go watch.

Wyatt Snelson, 6’5 Galena 2021 – Snelson led his team to a 15-win season last year and with the addition of several quality players, he could lead his squad to even more wins and perhaps a deep playoff run this time around. Snelson put up 18 ppg, 10 rpg and over 2 spg last season and going into his fourth season as a varsity starter. He has matured physically and has a motor that only runs in overdrive, so look for him to be instrumental in what could be shaping up to be a special season for the Galena boys team.

Zayne Gale, 6’5 Galena 2021 – Gale is a transfer from Spokane who is expected to take on one of the leading roles for an unsung Galena squad that will surprise people this season. Gale put up 17 ppg and 6 rpg last season and also had a good number of assists, steals and blocks. He is an inside-outside force on offense, can hit the three ball with regularity and also post up smaller players. His unselfishness and passing ability will lead to a high number of assists on a Galena squad with multiple weapons. And his length enables him to block or alter shots on the defensive end. He will pair with teammate Snelson and others to make life difficult for any team they play this season.

Garrett Davault, 6’2 Norwood 2022 – Davault has averaged wellover 20 ppg his first two seasons at Norwood and should continue to put up big time numbers, especially since he has added a bit of height and strength. And his offensive skills have improved as well, specifically shooting off the bounce and getting his shot off quicker. That is a scary proposition for Norwood’s opponents considering that he is already over 1000 points for his career and he’s half way through it. Davault scored 38 points in their season opening 69-43 win over Sparta and those kinds of point totals may be the norm this season. If you get a chance to watch this kid play, do not hesitate!

Marcus Price, 6’3 Pleasant Hope 2022 – Price helped his Pleasant Hope squad post their first winning season in 10 years last season, thanks to the 18 ppg and 10 rpg numbers he put up as a sophomore. Price is an athlete who deftly scores around the basket and boasts a nice mid range game too, and gets a lot of points in transition, using his athletic ability to finish at a high percentage at the rim. As Price develops his perimeter game, look for him to become one of the most dynamic players in the area.

Joel Kleeman, 6’0 Miller 2021 – Kleeman is an athletic wing who put up 16 ppg and 7 rpg for his Miller team, and is expected to shoulder an even larger role during his senior season. He uses his hops and quickness to get to the basket and finish or draw the foul and is a high motor player. At just 6′ tall, he can play above the rim as well, which makes him an exciting player to watch.

Landon Austin, 5’11 Neosho 2021 – Austin had a breakout season last season, going from a sophomore who played sparingly to a player who put up 17 ppg, 6 rpg and 4 apg, taking over the point guard position for his Neosho crew. His mid range shot and penetration ability is top notch and with an improving perimeter game, Austin should have a huge season in his final go around at the high school level. He is strong, aggressive, and has a nose for the ball. 

Owen Duddridge, 6’0 Willow Springs 2022 – Duddridge is going into his junior season having started since his freshman year and is the leading man for a Willow Springs team that won 16 games last season. He put up 15 ppg, 3 rpg and 3 apg from his point guard spot, stellar numbers for a sophomore, and looks to up those numbers this year. With his poise and leadership on the court, abd his all around skills, Duddridge has the makeup that every winning team aspires to have.

Mason Ballay, 6’0 Mt Vernon 2021 – Mount Vernon loses several seniors from last season’s 20-win squad but are in good shape with Ballay back in the fold. Last season he put up 15 ppg, 5 rpg and 4 apg, great all around numbers that should only get better this time around. Ballay is expected to lead a youthful Mountaineer team on and off the court. He is an all around offensive and defensive talent who excels at knocking down 3’s, often from well behind the line, getting to the rim and using his superior strength to finish through contact, and setting up his teammates.

Luke Lawson, 6’4 Diamond 2021 – Lawson put up 17 ppg and 5 rpg for his Diamond team last season and looks to up those numbers during his senior year. He works hard on his game and is a high character player and student who sets a great example on and off the court with everything he does. Lawson is a knock down perimeter shooter who can also get to the rim and finish adeptly with either hand, and is a smart overall player. It is telling that Diamond’s record has improved with each season in unison with Lawson’s role and numbers on the team and with several good players back in the fold to go with Lawson, Diamond should have a good season.

 

 

GBB: Top Under The Radar Players

Posted on November 15, 2020 by -

With around 120 school districts in the southwest Missouri coverage area, it is a given that there are many great players that fall through the cracks and do not get the recognition that they deserve. This is especially true in the outlying areas that simply do not get the same kind of media coverage that players closer to Springfield, the hub of southwest Missouri, receive. And then there are those players that are overlooked because they play on teams with more heralded teammates.

Here, we cover a few players on the girls side that we feel do not get their due attention. We feel that colleges looking for good potential recruits should pay attention to these players, some of who have not committed yet or much less received due attention.

Rachel Senn, 6’1 Kickapoo 2021 – Like the boys team, the Kickapoo girls have a loaded roster again this season, and are one of the tallest teams in the state on the girls side. With so many players rotated in and out of their games constantly, it is hard for any one player to put up gaudy individual stats. Senn is certainly a player that if she were the focal point of an offense, could put up big time numbers. But on Kickapoo, her numbers last season were 8 ppg and 7 rpg, which does not accurately reflect how good she is. She has a great shooting touch from outside and inside and is a smart, aggressive player who isn’t afraid to mix it up inside. She recently committed to play for Division 2 William Jewell College, so Senn gets her due, but we still feel that she is overlooked a bit compared to some of the other Kickapoo players.

Kaylee Corbin, 5’10 Kickapoo 2022 – Corbin is another player we feel does not get her due, as she has lurked in the shadows of older, taller and more prominent players. But like Senn, she gets lost in the shuffle a bit and on another team, she would garner more recognition. Corbin averaged 8 ppg and 6 rpg as just a part time player for the deep Kickapoo squad, and she gets many of those off of sheer hustle and is especially relentless on the offensive glass, getting many put backs. If she gets the opportunity to expand on her game away from the basket this season and next, her numbers and stock will continue to rise. She also has great intangibles and is the consummate teammate, showing great enthusiasm and support.

Aliya Grotjohn, 5’6 Seneca 2022 – Grotjohn doesn’t get much attention in the immediate Springfield area, playing for a school in a small town that is just a stone’s throw away from Oklahoma, but she put up big numbers for her team last season as a sophomore to the tune of 17 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 3 apg, earning her first team all conference honors in the Big Eight West. She is a tough, competitive gritty player who plays without fear and backs down from no one and typically guarded the other team’s best perimeter player. With the loss of three starters from last year’s team, Seneca will rely even more on Grotjohn to produce for them this season and next.

Emily Phillips, 5’4 Glendale 2021 – Glendale doesn’t get the attention these days like their rival Kickapoo counterparts do, so players like Phillips tend to be overlooked. Phillips works harder than anyone, keeps herself in top shape and leads by example. She has great dribbling and playmaking skills and an improving shot to go with it. Last year she averaged 8.5 ppg, 2 rpg and 2 apg, numbers we expect to rise given her work ethic and dedication to getting better.

Lexi Berry, 5’7 Bolivar 2021 – Berry recently committed to Evangel based on her considerable skills, which includes great moves off the dribble to the rim, a deadly pull up jumper, and an accurate 3 point shot. She also sees the floor well and can make the nifty pass to her teammates for easy buckets. She has one of the quickest releases around on her shot, especially off of her dribble moves, which enabled her to score 19 ppg to go along with over 3 rpg, 4 apg and 2 spg last season. She is definitely one of the better guards in southwest Missouri and we feel that she flies under the radar.

Trinity Williamson, 5’10 Bolivar 2021 – Like her teammate and classmate Berry, Williamson doesn’t get her due for being as athletic and skilled as she is on the basketball court. Her forte is rebounding, using her hops and aggressiveness to outrebound taller players, and is especially tough on the offensive boards. She averaged 10 ppg, 11 rpg and 2 spg last season and has shown steady growth in each year of high school basketball. Look for her to pair with Berry to lead an improving Bolivar team this season.

Emma Eagleburger, 5’10 Ash Grove 2021 – Eagleburger is another player who plays bigger than her size, and is a key cog for an experienced and talented Ash Grove team. She works well with 6’2 MSU commit Khloe Moad, as her inside presence allows Moad to play further outside and create mismatches with her height and skills. Eagleburger averaged 11 ppg and 9 rpg last season and she looks to expand her offensive game further away from the basket this season. Her work ethic and competitiveness will help set the tone for what should be a good season for the Lady Pirates.

Annette Ramirez, 5’4 Sarcoxie 2021 – Ramirez might be the best scorer on the girls side that you haven’t heard about. She had a couple of 40+ point games last season, including one against a good Ash Grove team, on her way to averaging over 18 ppg. She is also a phenomenal rebounder for her size and body type and has a knack for coming out of a crowd of mostly bigger players with the ball. Ramirez uses her speed and quickness with the ball to create openings for shots. She is an excellent dribbler and crosses over very well to get around defenders, and she has a great step through move to the basket. She also has a great shot off the dribble and deep range on the three ball. For her team she has to score a lot but she is a willing distributor of the ball as well. Ramirez is steadily receiving college offers and looks to have a big senior season to further showcase her skills.

Scarlett Teixeira, 6’1 Forsyth 2021 – Teixeira has the size, length and athletic ability colleges love to see in potential recruits and has multiple all conference and all district honors under her belt, including first team all conference last season in a loaded Mid Lakes conference. She averaged over 13 ppg, 8 rpg, and close to 4 blocks per games, along with countless steals and deflections thanks to her length and agility. She is for sure an impact player on both ends of the court and is looking to lead her Forsyth team to another good season after going 18-8 last time around, and hopefully in the process pick up more recognition from next level coaches.

Justine Barb, 5’9 Skyline 2022 – Barb is a vital part of a loaded fairly young Skyline team who is notable for playing way bigger than her size. She is a tough inside player who also has the quickness and dribbling skills to consistently maneuver around defenders from the high post area. Barb does a great job of establishing position down low and is very hard to keep off the boards, averaging 15.5 ppg and 10 rpg last season for Skyline. She has a motor that never shuts off and still has two years of high school ball left to further polish her skills, especially away from the basket. Barb is definitely a player with all the intangibles, skills and athletic ability that coaches love.

Miranda Quennoz, 5’6 Skyline 2022 – Quennoz, like Barb, is a big part of Skyline’s success and often doesn’t get the credit she deserves. She is the point guard and floor leader for the Lady Tigers and plays with a poise beyond her years. She is adept at scoring at all three levels and also plays stellar man to man defense, which is a perennial Skyline staple. Quennoz led her team in scoring her sophomore year with 16 ppg, 3 rpg and 2.5 apg. She has a variety of ways to get her shot off around the basket and is not a player you want to leave open from three point land. Another player with a future beyond high school ball that needs to be looked at.

Ashlyn Jones, 5’5 Willow Springs 2022 – Jones is the consummate floor general and lead guard that every good team needs. She is a hard nosed, gritty and determined player who makes opponents work on both ends of the court, finishing her sophomore year with averages of 12.5 ppg, 2 rpg, 2.5 apg and 2 spg. Jones is expected to lead a solid junior class for Willow Springs and pick up some of the scoring that was lost to graduation. Her combination of smarts, skills and intangibles serves her well and is one to watch this season and next.

Bella Stuckey, 5’8 Greenwood 2023 – The Greenwood girls team doesn’t get anywhere close to the attention that their loaded boys team does, but that doesn’t mean they are not good in their own right. They went 20-6 last season and return most every player from that squad. Stuckey is one of the young players that is expected to help Greenwood be even more successful this season and the ones to come. She put up double double numbers last season, over 13 ppg and almost 14 rpg, making her one of the very few girls players at any level to do so. The rebounding numbers are impressive since she is just 5’8, but she uses her athletic ability and knack for knowing where the ball is coming off at before other players do. She also averaged over 2 blocks per game. Look for Stuckey to continue to improve as the Greenwood girls team vies for more attention and emerge from the shadows of a nationally recognized boys team.

 

 

BBB: Top Under The Radar Players

Posted on November 14, 2020 by -

With around 120 school districts in the southwest Missouri coverage area, it is a given that there are many great players that fall through the cracks and do not get the recognition that they deserve. This is especially true in the outlying areas that simply do not get the same kind of media coverage that players closer to Springfield, the hub of southwest Missouri, receive. And then there are those players that are overlooked because they play on teams with more heralded teammates.

Here, we cover a few players on the boys side that we feel do not get their due attention. We feel that colleges looking for good potential recruits should pay attention to these players, some of who have not committed yet or much less received due attention.

Jamen Smith, 6’0 Buffalo 2021 – Smith is a tremendous all around athlete who also excels as a quarterback in football. A natural leader, Smith has a very high basketball IQ and has a great work ethic. He scored over 18 ppg last season to go along with 6 rpg, 5 apg, 3 spg and over a block a game, superb all around numbers for a high school player. Look for him to have a huge senior year for Buffalo.

Bode Abraham, 6’0 Buffalo 2021 – Abraham also deserves more attention just as his teammate Smith does. He puts in a lot of time in the gym and the weight room and has raised his game several levels over his high school career. Last year he scored over 14 ppg and was Buffalo’s most consistent outside shooter but he has become a top notch defender as well. This season, the extra strength he has gained is expected to help his ability to get to the rim and finish against taller defenders while also opening up more passing options. Like Smith, look for a stellar senior season from Abraham.

Kaden Daniels, 6’6 MV-Liberty, 2021 – Daniels has both size and strength and presents all kinds of matchup problems for opposing teams. He can knock down the 3 ball, often from a few feet behind the line, but also can go inside. Either way, he has a soft touch on his shot and we look for him to go out in a big way during his senior season. Last year, he averaged over 16 ppg and 6 rpg but both of those figures should go up significantly. A player with his combination of size, strength, and great shooting touch needs to be recognized and sought after by coaches at the next level.

Max Schnelle, 6’4 Lockwood 2021 – Schnelle is one of the most unique players in the entire state. At 6’4, over 200 pounds, and with tremendous strength for a high school basketball player (he’s a football standout as well), he is a point guard. His court vision is phenomenal and he loves to fire the long pass down the court to open teammates for easy layups. He is equally adept at finding open teammates in half court as well, often seeing things before anyone else does. He handles the ball well and has excellent mobility for a player his size. He can score from anywhere on the court, and regularly knocks down 3’s from well behind the arc. With his size and strength, he can also bull his way to the basket through and around defenders. He is the rare player that makes his teammates so much better and reminds us a lot of the male version of Katie Scott, who graduated from Carl Junction last season and is now slated to play D1 ball at Grand Canyon University. Check out Schnelle’s numbers from last season – 17 ppg, 9 rpg, 6 apg and over 3 steals per game. With those numbers and his overall skill set, we think it is a travesty that he did not make Class 1 all state. His high basketball IQ and unique sklll set to go along with his size and strength makes him a must-see player for next level coaches and basketball aficionados alike.

Blaine Garver, 5’11 Lockwood 2021 – Garver joins his Lockwood teammate on this list. Together the two seniors should lead their Lockwood team to an excellent season and a chance to go far in the post season. Garver put up 15 ppg, 3 rpg, and 3 apg last season and works well with Schnelle on the court, knowing where to go to get open and having the confidence to know Schnelle will deliver the pass. Garver is an intense competitor who also excels on the defensive end.

Andrew Dalton, 6’3 Ava 2022 – Dalton was the only sophomore in the state of Missouri to make the Class 3 all state team last season, but still is a player that flies under the radar a bit, playing in an outlying small town and along with most of the others in this article, being overshadowed by standout players closer to or in Springfield. Last season he averaged 19 ppg, over 8 rpg and nearly 3 apg, He is a versatile player who can score inside or out and can play or defend any of the five positions on the court. He has added some strength this past summer and we look for many more great things from Dalton this season and next. He is a player to go out of the way for to watch, if you have the chance.

Isaiah Smith, 5’10 Crane 2021 – Smith is the son of Crane coach Kevin Smith and has the high basketball IQ you would expect from a coach’s son. He is a great shooter and scorer but also makes a team better with his court vision, smarts, and passing. He put up averages of 15 ppg, 3 apg and 3 spg last season and with the graduation of primary ball handler and all state player Tyler Campbell, look for Smith to have the ball in his hands more this season with an accompanying escalation of his stats. Smith is a fun player to watch and we still expect Crane to be one of the better boys teams around this season.

Wilson Murray, 6’4 Licking 2021 – Murray is a lengthy guard who put up over 19 ppg, 9 rpg, 4 apg and nearly 4 steals per game last season for Licking, outstanding all around numbers for any player. At 6’4, he is a matchup problem for most teams at the guard position and shot over 35% from 3. He also has great court vision as his assists numbers attest to. Murray is a player who is getting some college interest and is one that needs to be watched this season. Players that average nearly 20 ppg, 10 rpg but also have his assists and steals numbers don’t grow on trees.

Jordan Andrews, 6’0 Thayer 2022 – Andrews put up big numbers – 19 ppg and 4 rpg – during an excellent sophomore season, numbers good enough to earn him a spot on the Missouri Class 2 All State team. He was the only sophomore selected to the team, and should only get better. Thayer returns all of their top players from a 22-win team last season so they will be a team to watch this season, along with their leading scorer Andrews. He is a polished offensive player for his age who can score at all three levels.

Lane Dunlap, 5’11 Golden City – Golden City made the final four last season in Class 1 and Dunlap was a big reason why. His natural charisma and take no prisoners attitude makes him a leader on and off the court. Few players bring it like he does, and with the graduation of standout Arlo Stump and his 22 ppg, Dunlap will assume the leadership mantle as he tries to get his squad back to the final four. He averaged 19 ppg, 7 rpg, and nearly 3 steals per game during his junior season. Make no mistake about it, there isn’t a school of any size in southwest Missouri that Dunlap would not stand out for and we look for an all state type of season from him. He and his Golden City team are talented and fun to watch, so if you are a true basketball junkie, make it a point to go catch some of their games.

Cameron Liggins, 6’2 Kickapoo 2021 – Liggins will be overlooked on an absolutely loaded Kickapoo squad this season, but he is a great player in his own right. Consider that even before the Chiefs added super studs Isaac “Ice” Haney and Trevon Brazile to their roster for this coming season, they made the Class 5 final four last season before MSHSAA shut it down. That is a credit to the talents of Mizzou-bound and fellow senior Anton Brookshire, but also to Liggins, who put up over 14 ppg and 6 rpg last season and was especially lethal in the postseason. He already has D1 offers rolling in and the word is that he may reclassify as a 2022 player. Either way, this is his last season for Poo and while his numbers won’t be in the stratosphere considering all the heralded teammates he has, Liggins should not be underappreciated.

Lance Hafar. 6’4 Reeds Springs 2021 – Hafar brings unmatched passion for the game as well as a versatile offensive repertoire, able to score around the rim with his length and athletic ability but also step out and hit the 3. He put up over 12 ppg, 9 rpg and over 2 blocks per game during his junior season. Hafar’s combination of intangibles, size and athleticism and versatile offensive game should garner him more attention as he and his Reeds Spring squad look to improve over last season, with Hafar and other talented teammates back in the fold.

Ethan Jones, 5’11 Branson 2022 – Jones is a tremendous athlete who despite averaging over 16 ppg and 4 rpg as a sophomore was only selected to third team all COC after last season. He has a great outside shot but also cuts well and finds the open spots and has the ups, fearlessness and strength to finish against taller players at the rim. Jones has two more years to really make his mark and gain the recognition that he deserves.

Bryce Hambelton, 6’3 Gainesville 2022 – Hambelton shot 70% from the field last season, an incredible mark for a primary offensive player who scored both inside and outside who is also a somewhat undersized post player. He was first team all district and all conference as a sophomore and scored over 15 ppg and grabbed over 8 rpg. Look for Hambelton to continue to improve his all around scoring acumen his last two seasons for Gainesville.

BBB: 2020 Future 50 Camp Junior High Player Evaluations (Part Five)

Posted on September 12, 2020 by -

The 2020 Future 50 Camp and Showcase, held at Strafford Sports Center on Sunday August 16th, was a huge success and overall a great experience for the players and their respective families! We saw a lot of great players from the area do their thing, with a good portion of the games being very competitive, particularly on the high school side. And now, we get to write about each of the players.

Here, we take a look at some of the younger players on the boys side. This will be one of several parts we will be publishing over the coming days.

Isaac Dalton, 2025 Ava, 6’0 – Dalton proved to be really strong with the ball and has a very high basketball IQ. Finished well through contact and does a great job at finding the open teammate. He has great size and strength for his age which will serve him well as he heads towards his high school years. 

Jordan Pittman, 2025 Jarrett, 5’2 – Pittman plays much bigger than his size. Can finish over and through bigger defenders. Has great court vision and defensively when you need a play he is always in the mix. Very high anticipation on the next pass and never shies away from the big moment. A confident player who has a bright future. 

Asher Rust, 2024 Ash Grove, 5’1 – Rust is a great shooter and moves well without the ball. Takes high quality shots and has great ball handling skills. Can really see the floor well and understands the game. 

Brendyn Paulson, 2024 Southwest, 5’11 – Paulson has great footwork to go with a really strong post offense and defense. A real competitor who will do anything to help his team win. Has a really soft touch when shooting and has range out to the 3 point line, can score from anywhere on the court. 

Gage Johnson, 2024 Weaubleau, 5’9 – Johnson is a great scorer who is a threat to score at all three levels. Finishes well around the rim, great mid range game, and has significant range from behind the 3 point line. Very strong with the ball and has great body control when attacking the rim and hit the boards hard. Will make a big impact in Weaubleau in the coming four years and can help a varsity team right away.

Levi Romero, 2025 Pleasant View, 5’8 – Romero play at a very high velocity and will outwork everybody. Great defender, great rebounder, and moves well without the ball. He can score at all three levels. Finishes strong around the rim, has a soft touch from the 3 point line, and can make one move and go right past a defender. Super athletic, he has a bright future. 

Collier Hendricks, 2024 Neosho, 5’5 – Hendricks is a very skilled guard who plays with a lot of grit. Shoots it very well from three and handles the ball at a high skill level. Sees the floor well and gets a lot of deflections on the defensive end. 

BBB: 2020 Future 50 Camp Junior High Player Evaluations (Part Three)

Posted on September 7, 2020 by -

The 2020 Future 50 Camp and Showcase, held at Strafford Sports Center on Sunday August 16th, was a huge success and overall a great experience for the players and their respective families! We saw a lot of great players from the area do their thing, with a good portion of the games being very competitive, particularly on the high school side. And now, we get to write about each of the players.

Here, we take a look at some of the younger players on the boys side. This will be one of several parts we will be publishing over the coming days.

Tyler Barnett, 2024 Willard, 6’0 – Barnett is a competitor that can be counted on by his coaches to always bring effort and grit. He has the size to go inside on offense, but also can play out on the wing. Defensively he can defend players taller than he is and even out rebound them.

Carter Sullens, 2025 Licking, 5’8 – Sullens is an up and coming wing player who has great range and accuracy on his shot. On the other end, his defense is a huge asset to any team he plays for, he can flat out guard and can switch from man to man to zone on the fly.

Hugh Eaton, 2024 Marionville, 5’10 – Eaton is an all around impressive player who will make his mark at the varsity level sooner rather than later. Has a nice shot from the 3 point line or from mid range. Does all the fundamental things that coaches love like blocking out on rebounds and having the willingness to play hard-nosed defense.

Taner Hicks, 2025 Pleasant View, 5’7 – Hicks made a good impression with his offensive skills and high basketball IQ. He’s a very polished player for his age and can score at all three levels. His outside shot is comparable to a varsity player as far as form and accuracy. He hits the boards hard, forces turnovers on defense, and generally will be hard for any coach to keep off the floor.

Bradlee Mullins, 2025 Strafford, 5’3 – Mullins is a speedy guard who can play both the point and shooting guard spots well. Is uncanny at knocking down corner 3’s, and is an intelligent player. Plays gritty defense and can keep up with most anyone. Good at closing out against perimeter shooters.

Adam Newton, 2025 Crocker, 5’7 – Newton is a strong, all around guard who can swing between the point or shooting guard spots. He is adept at scoring on the fast break but can also find ways to put it in the bucket in half court. He finishes strong around the rim on his forays to the hoops off the dribble. Can flat out guard man to man as well.

Gunner Bradshaw, 2025 Norwood, 5’6 – Bradshaw is a nice all around guard who showed a propensity for finding the open spots on the offensive end. Has an accurate mid range shot and is equally as apt to drive to the basket for scores. Good at intercepting passes on the defensive end and closes out well.

Clayton Henderson, 2024 Niangua, 5’8 – Henderson is a good inside-outside player on offense, he is tough and strong enough to get inside and score through contact and he relishes the transition game as well. Got high marks for his defensive effort as well.

Wyatt Gorman, 2024 Wheaton, 5’10 – Gorman is an inside-outside threat on offense, strong with good length. Has great post moves, but the next time down the court he can nail an outside shot or take it to the basket. A willing and solid defender as well.

Landon Hines, 2025 MV-Liberty, 5’3 – Hines is an energetic scoring point guard who is hard to keep up with on the offensive end. He has a good pull up jumper or he can get all the way to the hoop on the drive. He supplements that with an accurate 3, especially from the corners. He uses his speed to cause havoc on the defensive end, especially when apply pressure, often coming up with steals or deflections.