Southwest Missouri Player of the Year Candidates
2019 G Braeden Combs, Nixa
Combs is entering his third year in Jay Osborne’s system, seeing an increase in role and production each season prior. As a sophomore he averaged 10.4 points, shooting 50 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3-point range. The 6-foot-2 guard can be an explosive scorer and with Nixa graduating four of its top five scorers, Combs will see plenty of touches.
2019 G/F Tyem Freeman, Parkview
He’s the No. 5 prospect in Prep Hoop Missouri’s 2019 Rankings and for good reason; Freeman is one of the most dynamic athletes in the entire class. At 6-foot-5 he can score at all three levels and easily defend 1-3 because of his length and athleticism. He continues to improve his jumper. He averaged 19.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists last season at Hillcrest, he should see increases across the board at Parkview.
2018 G Monty Johal, Glendale
He’s already Glendale’s all-time leading scorer and should break the Springfield Public Schools scoring record held by former NFL receiver Dorial Green-Beckham. Johal put up 27.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals as a junior, including a single-game record of 51 points against West Plains. The 6-foot-3 lefty can score it with the best of them.
2018 G Quinn Nelson, Ozark
The 6-foot-3 wing went from sixth man to star as a junior, averaging 17 points for an Ozark team that pushed Kickapoo in the district championship. Nelson is one of the best catch-and-shoot guys in the Ozarks, knocking down 89 3-pointers last year at a 44 percent clip. He’s improved his ability to attack off the bounce and finish at the rim, which will help his bottom line.
2018 G Logan Thomazin, Walnut Grove
The reigning Class 1 Player of the Year is coming off of a season that saw him average 24.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists; he couldn’t have been any more dominant at his level. Walnut Grove won the Class 1 state title with Thomazin averaging 31.5 points and 12 rebounds in his two Final Four games. He enters his senior season tied for the all-time 3-point record in Missouri, with a chance to chase the national mark.
2018 G Jordan Walton, Glendale
Walton continues to be the best point guard in the Ozarks. The savvy senior is coming off of a season where he averaged 22.7 points, 4.3 assists and 2.7 steals for the Falcons. His stroke is about as pure as they come, and Walton will finish his career with more than 2,000 points, but he’s extremely underrated in his ability to find offense for others. He’s a major reason why Glendale averaged a school-record 83.3 points in 2016-17.