Class of 2019 Wings (Versatile Scorers)
In today’s class and positional breakdowns, Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the top Class of 2019 wing players who can put the ball in the basket in a variety of ways. We call this second group of 2019 wings, the versatile scorers.
Isiaih Mosley 6’6″ Rock Bridge
The total package offensively with the size and ability to score at all three levels. After leading Rock Bridge to a third-place finish in the Class 5 state tournament, he was a standout for MoKan Elite’s 17U team that advanced to the Final Four of the Nike EYBL Peach Jam. Returns for his senior year to lead a loaded Rock Bridge team that will be one of the favorites in Class 5 this season.
Mario McKinney 6’2″ Vashon
The talented wing enhanced his national chops with a big breakout performance at the Peach Jam, where he averaged 17 points a game. The bouncy southpaw attacks the basket, scores on post ups, knocks down 3-pointers and loves the transition game. He is also a very good offensive rebounder for his size. He has several high major scholarship offers. He’s the senior leader of loaded Vashon team that will be one of the best teams in the region.
Jamonta Black 6’4″ Rock Bridge
The Missouri State commit is one of the smoothest operators around with the ball in his hands. He has good size, solid handles and can get buckets from three levels. He has a nice pull up jumper from 15 feet and he can stretch it out to beyond the 3-point line. A valuable piece of Rock Bridge’s three-headed monster attack that is poised to make a big postseason run in Class 5.
JaRon Thames 6’6″ Trinity
The talented wing had a big junior year after transferring to Trinity from Atlanta last season. Since then, he has grown an inch or two and added a reliable 3-point shot to his offensive arsenal. He has good size and his game continues to evolve. He will be the offensive leader of a Trinity team that will be one of the top Class 3 squads to watch this season.
EJ Bellinger 6’4″ Fort Zumwalt South
A potent offensive threat who averaged 24 points a game and led Fort Zumwalt South to a berth in the Class 5 state quarterfinals last season. He entered high school as instant offense off the bench with his 3-point shooting ability, but he has evolved into a versatile scoring weapon who can get it done in the half court or in transition. He has offers from Southern Illinois, SEMO and Louisiana-Monroe.
Avery Taggart 6’4″ Eureka
One of the breakout players of the summer, the big-bodied wing player showcased his ability to get buckets against some tremendous competition. He can handle the ball, create his own shot and knock down 3-pointers while also scoring in the post. He received several Division II offers in mid-July, then received an offer from Southern Illinois University of the MVC where he gave a commitment. He will play both football and basketball at SIU.
Amorey Womack 6’0″ Webster Groves
A transfer from Maplewood, Womack became a valuable complimentary player for the Statesmen in their run to the Class 5 state championship. He played for the Bluff City Legends out of Memphis in the Nike EYBL where he worked his way into the starting lineup with his offensive punch. Had a game with 18 points and 19 minutes in an EYBL game. He will become a bigger offensive factor as a senior for the Statesmen.
Erick Slack 6’4″ North Kansas City
A big bodied wing player who really emerged as a nice prospect during the grassroots season with NdaGym. His size, strength and ability to score from just about anywhere made him a very difficult player to match up with. He was capable of putting up a bunch of points in a short period of time. He attacks the basket and can knock down jumpers off the dribble.
Broc Smith 6’4″ Republic
One of the top players in Southwest Missouri, Smith is a knock-down shooter who enjoyed a very productive summer for Missouri Team Carroll. He was consistently making three to four 3-pointers a game while passing the ball well and playing solid defense. He has already given a verbal commitment to nearby Drury University.
Ben Cooper 6’2″ Helias
A versatile wing player who displayed his overall scoring ability in June at a couple of team camps that I attended. He was always a good spot-up shooter, but also saw good ball handling and a lot of creative moves off the dribble. He is more than just a shooter. He is a scorer. Cooper recently gave a commitment to Truman State.
Ray Adams 6’3″ Webster Groves
One of the top 3-point shooters in the state, Adams has done a nice job keeping the floor spaced with his perimeter shooting for the two-time Class 5 state champions. He made five 3-pointers in the state-championship game against Chaminade last season. He has developed a few moves off the dribble and he moves well without the basketball for buckets. Had a strong summer for the Ramey-Jets United.
Tyler Nelson 6’2″ Rockhurst
A very athletic wing player with the ability to slash to the basket and knock down open perimeter shots. If he gets time and space, he is going to make the open 3-pointer consistently. He is also good in transition where he can showcase his athleticism. Will be a key guard for a Rockhurst team that will be one of the best in Kansas City in 2019.
CE Talton 6’3″ Monroe City
A small-school standout who has led Monroe City to back-to-back Class 3 district championships. He had a productive summer for the Jets-Ramey United 17U. He has good size and a versatile skill set. He gets very good elevation when he pulls up for his mid-range jumper. He is a strong bucket getter but he is also very unselfish.
Savion Thorpe 6’3″ Moberly
One of the more talented offensive players in Mid-Missouri, Thorpe returns after averaging 18 points and four rebounds as a junior. He is a solid athlete who can get to the basket and score in traffic, plus he has a nice 3-point stroke to keep defenders honest. He will also get buckets cutting and moving without the basketball.
Isaiah Ervin 6’2″ Hazelwood Central
A transfer from Alton Marquette (IL), the long and lanky wing player is a proven bucket-getter. Despite his thin frame, he is capable of slinking his way into openings to finish at the rim. He is a creative offensive player who can escape defenders with his smooth handles to set up his perimeter game.
Darreon Graham 6’5″ McCluer
A long and slim perimeter player with a very accurate stroke from 3-point range. He knocks down 3-pointers and can compliment that shooting with a very good drive game to the basket. He averaged 11 points a game as a junior for a Comets team that came on strong late to play for a district championship in 2018.
Braeden Wetrich 6’2 Moberly
A four-year varsity starter who enjoyed an excellent summer playing with the Knights Basketball Academy. Wetrich is a very good 3-point shooter who has improved his overall offensive game during his career. He has added a very accurate one-dribble mid-range jumper to his perimeter stroke. He averaged 17 points and four rebounds and shot 40 percent from 3-point range as a junior.
Ari Jackson 6’4″ CBC
A big-bodied wing player who is poised for a very good senior year for the Cadets. He uses his size and strength to his advantage against smaller guards. He has a very accurate stroke from 3-point range with the ability to put the ball on the floor and create offense. He shot better than 40 percent from 3-point range as a junior.
Andrew Mitchell 6’5″ Blue Eye
The small-school standout is one of the top perimeter shooters in the state. If he has time and space, you can put it in the bank from 3-point distance. He led his team to a Class 2 district championship last season by playing a versatile overall game. In addition to his shooting, he rebounds, passes and handles the ball for Blue Eye.
Hayden Thomas 6’2″ Twin Rivers
A fundamentally sound wing player who does a lot of multi-tasking for his high school team. I like his ability to use ball fakes to set up his offense as much as any player I’ve watched in the state. He had an excellent summer playing for the SI Select and help them to an AAU national championship. His mid-range game is good as well as his 3-point stroke.
Owen Long 6’2″ Sikeston
A transfer from Alabama to came in and helped the Bulldogs reach the Final Four of the Class 4 state tournament. He averaged nine points a game while providing excellent 3-point shooting. He is a tough kid who plays with a lot of confidence.