Preview: A look at state’s top Class 5 contenders
With Class 4-5 district play scheduled to begin play soon, PrepHoops.com/Missouri looks at some of the state’s top contenders in Class 5. Chaminade Red Devils (20-5) The defending Class 5 champions have a different look this season, but they are…
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Continue ReadingWith Class 4-5 district play scheduled to begin play soon, PrepHoops.com/Missouri looks at some of the state’s top contenders in Class 5.
Chaminade Red Devils (20-5)
The defending Class 5 champions have a different look this season, but they are still contenders. They have two really good players in 6’6 2018 forward Karrington Davis and 6’7 2018 wing Jericole Hellems. They have good size, play good defense and have good guard play in Reggie Crawford, who is averaging 15 points per game. If Jadis White plays the rest of the way like he did against BVNW at the 810varsity Best of the Midwest Showcase a couple weeks ago, they have as good a shot as anyone. The Red Devils have hit a speed bump late in the season, going 3-4 over their last seven games.
Glendale Falcons (20-6)
The Falcons have two of the state’s better guards in Monty Johal and Jordan Walton and finished the Ozark Conference slate 8-1. They are a high-scoring squad having scored at least 90 points in six of nine league games. On the other wide, the Falcons don’t have a lot of size and their defense can be shaky.
Kickapoo Chiefs (20-4)
They are going into district play as hot as anyone down the stretch having won 10 straight since the Tournament of Champions. The Chiefs have a dynamic duo of players in NCAA Division I signees Jared Ridder (Xavier) and Cam Davis (Davis). The emergence of big man Travis Vokolek (Rutgers, football) potentially takes the Chiefs to another level.
Lee’s Summit West Titans (21-2)
Big man tandem of 6’8 2017 Elijah Childs and 6’7 2017 Christian Bishop will cause a lot of teams trouble. Those guys are long, athletic and play above the rim. 2017 Mario Goodrich is a dynamic point guard. They’re the class of Kansas City this year, but if they have an off night a lot of teams have the ability to knock them off along the way. Both of the Titans losses this season have been to Blue Springs, who they also beat in the championship game of the William Jewell tournament 71-48.
Nixa Eagles (22-3)
Well coached, have had a tremendous run in recent years. They will need 2017 forward Christian Bundy to have a big run in the postseason to make a deep run. Nixa was beaten in two overtimes by COC rival Republic but have otherwise put together a big run since losing in the semifinals to Ozark at the Blue and Gold, winning 10 of 11.
Park Hill Trojans (19-5)
The Trojans are easily one of the state’s most talented teams on paper — they check off all the boxes: good guard play, tremendous size and length in the paint, and elite depth with several talented players coming in off the bench. Park Hill has posted several quality wins, and has a pair of close loss to Lee’s Summit West, including a 52-50 defeat.
Republic Tigers (19-5)
These guys play hard, play great team defense and are as disciplined team as you’ll see. They don’t have a lot of size and they’re not super athletic. They’ll have to play really well and pull out close games at the end to make a deep run. They have won eight straight since dropping three games at the Tournament of Champions.
Rock Bridge Bruins (18-4)
Talented team and have one of the state’s most talented 2019 classes. Eysan Wiley who recently committed to William Jewell is one of the better post players in the state and he teams with Isiah Mosley to form a dynamic 1-2 punch in the paint. Rock Bridge has now won 15 of its last 16 games.
SLUH Junior Bills (20-6)
Probably have seen less SLUH this year than all the other teams, but they are deep and experienced. Might not be a Class 5 team in the state that has as much Final Four game experience than they Junior Bills as SLUH has been to the Final Four the past two years with several of the same players. Have posted big wins over CBC, Chaminade and lost in recent weeks to Webster Groves and Vashon. They are led by Brandon McKissic (UMKC) who is averaging 15.8 points per game.
Webster Groves Statesmen (22-2)
They have the best 1-2 punch in the state in 2018 6’9 forward Carte’Are Gordon (St. Louis) and 6’4 2018 point guard Courtney Ramey (Louisville). With all due respect to everyone else, there is a reason those two are as highly regarded as they are. With that said, if they have an off night, foul out or don’t bring it, they’re not winning it all. They have now won 17 straight games dating back to a one-point loss to SLUH, before Gordon was cleared to play.