Ozark Mountain Shootout: Uncommitted Missouri Players to Watch
The Ozark Mountain Shootout has become one of the premier events in Southwest Missouri. We’ve already seen an event preview, but here are Missouri’s top uncommitted players in the field.
2018 G Monty Johal & Jordan Walton, Glendale
The Falcons scored 95 points in their first game, despite scoring just seven points in the fourth quarter. The offense is even more explosive than last year, and Johal and Walton are at the heart of it. Johal, a 6-foot-3 wing scored 40 points in a season-opening win over Smithville and that’s not even close to his career-high. Walton scored 12, continuing to be a willing passer despite his ability to also score with ease. Classmate Jaxon Davis dropped 21 and is one of the state’s top distance shooters after knocking down more than 100 3-pointers last year. This team will be fun to watch.
2018 G Cameron Williams & 2018 F Xavier Ball, Hazelwood Central
The Hawks continue to pump out high-level players and this year is no exception. Shaun Williams will be taking his talents to Kansas State next year, but classmates Cameron Williams and Xavier Ball also have bright futures. Williams is a long, athletic 6-foot-4 guard that can score and defend with a developing jumper. Ball is a rangy 6-foot-7 forward that eats glass. Both will have a chance to make names when matching up with Blue Valley Northwest (Kan.) stars Parker and Christian Braun, both of whom have Division One offers, as well as 6-foot-6 Abilene Christian recruit Joe Pleasant.
2018 F Leon Perry & Brandon Fredrick, Confluence Prep
Perry and Fredrick might be the most entertaining players you’ll see all weekend. The 6-foot-7 Perry has lived up to the hype so far this season. Five games and five double-doubles, averaging 24.8 points, 12.6 rebounds and three bocks a night. He’s a load on the block, too quick for bigs and too big for guards, and seeing him against a Nixa team that routinely has size and length will be extremely intriguing.
NEW: Class of 2018 Forward Leon Perry Highlights @ The Washington Tournament of Champions! (VIDEO) https://t.co/ERAHExDrdW pic.twitter.com/a5xzRmUix4
— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) November 29, 2017
With all the big names in St. Louis right now, the city’s leading scorer isn’t any of the Division One signees, but it’s 5-foot-10 Confluence Prep guard Brandon Fredrick. He’s been absolutely electric, averaging 31 points, 4.6 assists and five steals through his first five games. He’s scored at least 25 in all five games and he’s shooting a blistering 49 percent from deep (34-69). Fredrick vs. bigger guards like Braedon Combs (Nixa) or Charlie O’Reilly and Jake Branham (Springfield Catholic) should be fun.
NEW: Class of 2018 SG Brandon Fredrick Highlights @ The Washington Tournament of Champions! (VIDEO) https://t.co/O0rnMPrqX2 pic.twitter.com/l9oppA287e
— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) December 3, 2017
2018 G Cameron Van Leer, Pacific
He’s the younger brother of Mizzou guard Cullen Van Leer, but his game is much different. Cameron is a 6-foot-4 combo guard that does a little bit of everything. He leads Pacific in points (22.6), rebounds (9.6) and assists (3.8), with a pair of double-doubles already.
2018 G Quinn Nelson, Ozark
The progression for Nelson has been noticeable and now it seems as though he’s ready to explode. As a sophomore he was a catch-and-shoot option off the bench, becoming one of the best 6th men in the Ozarks. As a junior he became a more well-rounded scorer, averaging 18 PPG and as a senior he’s put everything together. He’s putting up 23.8 PPG this season, with 5.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals – Quinn is shooting 57 percent from the field and 44 percent from deep.
2018 G Micaiah Rocha & 2018 F Anthony Stanford, Forsyth
Rocha and Stanford are two of those most underrated players in Southwest Missouri. Rocha is closing in on his 1,000th point, averaging 24 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.2 steals. He’s a natural scorer and his size and frame allow him to do it efficiently. Stanford is a 6-foot-5 forward that can defend 1-5. He averages 11.6 points, 10 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. He always draws the opposing team’s best offensive player, regardless of position, which means he’ll likely matchup with Broc Smith.
2018 G Devan Hampton & 2018 G Caleb Peck, Clever
Hampton is the creator and Peck is the finisher. Hampton stuffs the stat sheet nightly, averaging 13 points, 4.8 assists and 3.5 steals. Peck is averaging 16.5 points, emerging as one of the top shooters in Southwest Missouri. Peck is a Glendale transfer and has found a home at Clever.
2019 F Isiaih Mosely & 2019 G Dajaun Harris, Rock Bridge
There just aren’t enough superlatives to define the Mosley-Harris duo. They both hold Division One offers and by the time all is said and done, they’ll both be Power 5 players. Mosley is the top player in PrepHoops 2019 rankings. Mizzou has already offered and he’s averaging 22.5 points through his first two games. Harris continues to prove that he’s more point guard than combo guard and his ability to defend and attack off the bounce is scary. The 2019 class at Rock Bridge is loaded with several D-1 to NAIA players, these two are as good as it gets.
Watch: Rock Bridge’s @Isiaihletrellm1 scores 26 points and earns game MVP honors at the @NSClassic48
Full highlights from Day 3 ????: https://t.co/jAqgDxWEBJ pic.twitter.com/rDm1cs5Ci1
— Andrew Kauffman (@AndrewABC17) December 4, 2017
Just nasty @DajuanH10 #Feathers pic.twitter.com/gVSZ5fxjbE
— RB Men’s Basketball (@RBBoysBall) December 4, 2017
2019 G Braeden Combs & 2021 G Kaleb Wofford, Nixa
These are two of the most offensively-gifted guards in Southwest Missouri. Both can score at all three levels and both can create enough space to get a shot whenever they want it. Combs is entering his third season at the varsity level, so it was expected for him to mature, but Wofford has wasted little time in establishing himself as an explosive scorer. The matchup with Confluence Prep and Brandon Fredrick will be fun. CPA has scored at least 80 five times already; this game could be a track meet.
We got some video of Nixa freshman Kaleb Wofford varsity debut on Tuesday. Great start to HS career for young guy! pic.twitter.com/6pQhrlgjYA
— SWMO Basketball (@SWMOBasketball) November 30, 2017
2019 G Broc Smith, Republic
It was pretty clear entering the season that Smith was going to be an explosive scorer and so far so good. The 6-foot-3 wing has already had a pair of 20-point games, including a 25-point explosion against Rolla in a game that totaled 99 points between the two teams. Smith can get a bucket however you want it.
2019 F Trent McBride, Eminence
As a freshman and sophomore, he was a back to the basket post. Now the 6-foot-5 junior has improved his body and expanded his range, which has changed the dynamic of his game. However, through two games nobody has been able to stop McBride on the block. He’s averaging 25 points and 10.5 rebounds for the Redwings. He has plenty of help around him, which makes him even more difficult to contend with.
2020 F Daniel Abreu & 2020 G Maurice Grayer, Willard
The loss of Kenny Chambers has forced every Willard player into a new role and these two sophomores are most likely to benefit. Abreu had a stellar freshman season as a defender and rebounder, but has improved his handle and range, while also flashing just how bouncy he is. Grayer has seemingly stepped right into Chambers spot and the combo guard has major upside. Matching up with a Kirkwood team that doesn’t lack for size or guard depth will be intriguing.
Daniel Abreu put that work in this past weekend at The Basketball Movement Invitational. pic.twitter.com/NEWp1dk6qy
— Basketball Movement (@BBall_Movement) October 12, 2017
2021 G Anton Brookshire, Kickapoo
The freshman has been nothing short of impressive for Kickapoo and the freedom and poise that he plays with is extremely telling about his game. Brookshire is averaging 16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals and this is him “acclimating” to varsity action against quality teams. He’s so dynamic with the ball and difficult to keep out of the paint that Pacific may opt to go with size and put Van Leer on him. Kickapoo has a history of producing D-1 guards, Brookshire is the next one up.
Top 2021 Prospects Michael Foster & Anton Brookshire TEAM UP at #NY2LAFUTURESCAMP2K17
Full Video Link:https://t.co/oGiN8oQBIh@ny2lasports pic.twitter.com/8kyT9cNvoy
— Movement Hoops (@MovementHoops) October 17, 2017