Class 4 Teams to Watch
Here is a look at some of the top Class 4 teams in the state:
St. Mary’s: The veteran Dragons are back intact after a 24-win campaign with 2019 point guard Yuri Collins and a strong six-man senior class led by four-year starters Antonio Burks and Yahuza Rasas.
Vashon: The two-time state champions are young, but very athletic and very dangerous. The new leader is dynamic 2019 guard Mario McKinney, who can get buckets. A pair of talented 2020 wings in Cam’ron Fletcher and Kobe Clark will step into bigger roles.
Sikeston: The Bulldogs potentially have their best team ever and that’s saying a lot. They are led by Saint Louis U. signee Fred Thatch and a deep supporting cast that includes 2019s Kevin Jones and Trey Jenkins.
Grandview: A talented squad that advanced to the quarterfinals last season, Grandview returns 6’4″ Northwestern signee Jordan Lathon, 6’4″ Air Force signee Mason Taylor, 2019 guard Dre Sorrells and a group of excellent athletes.
Parkway Central: The Colts return their entire nucleus intact from last season’s Final Four team, led by 6’0″ 2018 guard Deandre Campbell, 6’3″ 2018 athlete Arther Green and 6’1″ 2018 shooter Jake Sylvestri. Young 2020 post Devion Harris is a 6’6″ future standout.
Helias: The Crusaders have one of the state’s top backcourts in 5’11” 2018 Landon Harrison and 2019 Ben Cooper. Harrison is a high-volume scorer while Cooper can really shoot it. Adam Bax, a 6’6″ 2018 post, handles the inside duties well.
Confluence Academy: A talented team with the potential to break through this season. They have one of the state’s top inside-outside combinations in 6’7″ 2018 forward Leon Perry and 5’10” 2019 bucket-getter Brandon Frederick.
Jennings: The Warriors advanced to the state quarterfinals last year. They return their top player in 5’10” 2018 guard Kyle Younge along with 5’9″ 2018 Terran Jackson and 6’5″ 2018 forward Jordan Brown.
Hillsboro: The Hawks won a district championship a year ago and return an excellent nucleus led by 6’8″ 2018 forward Gaven Pinkley and 6’5″ 2019 forward Michael Brewer.
Raytown South: The Cardinals return an excellent forward in 6’6″ 2018 Se’von Witt along with 6’6″ 2018 forward Caleb Jones.
Nevada: One of the state’s most productive forwards in 6’6″ 2018 Clay Gayman is back for his fourth and final year of varsity dominance. An Abilene Christian signee, Clay will get ample support from 2019 forward Dalton Gayman, his younger brother.
Farmington: The Knights return their top three players from last season’s 19-win team in 6’3″ 2018 guard Brendon Hardy, 6’4″ 2019 forward Tycen Gray and 6’7″ 2019 forward Cole Laurence.
Wentzville Liberty: After a historic first district championship season, Liberty returns its top two players in 6’4″ 2018 Kaleb Overall and 6’1″ 2018 guard Jaylen Sims. The big addition is 6’6″ 2018 forward Kale Catchings, a CBC transfer who has committed to Harvard.
Fulton: The Hornets won 20 games last season and return a very talented duo is 2018s Cameron Vaughn and Makygh Galbreath.
Rolla: The Bulldogs return 6’4″ 2018 wing Josh Pritchett, who is a fine all around talent; and 6’5″ 2018 post player Nick Janke.
Borgia: The Knights won a district championship last season and return 6’4″ 2018 wing Hunter Mehler, 6’5″ 2018 shooter Eli Marquart and 6’5″ guard Jacob Unnerstall.
St. Joe Lafayette: The Fighting Irish will build around the talents of 6’0″ 2018 guard Diego Bernard, a Northwest Missouri State signee.
Soldan: The Tigers have an experienced backcourt in 6’0″ 2019 twins James and Jesse Little along with 6’6″ 2019 post player Elijah Bishop, who is strong around the basket.