Preview: Class 4 Teams to Watch
Here is a look at some of the Class 4 teams in the Show-Me State
Cape Girardeau Central: The Tigers nearly won a district title last season. They return a talented trio of perimeter players in 5’8″ 2020 Tyrus Reddin, 6’0″ 2019 Chauncey Hughes and 6’2″ 2019 forward Kinyon Hodges.
Carl Junction: The Bulldogs will return 6’6″ Southwest Baptist signee Trenton Smith from a team that won a district championship a year ago.
Confluence Academy: The Titans have a new cast of players, but there is good talent on hand with 2020 guard Devin Phillips, 2019 guard Tarrell Morris and 6’5″ 2019 forward Tavon Graham.
Farmington: The Knights will build around their strong frontcourt duo of 6’4″ 2019 Tycen Gray and 6’7″ 2019 Cole Laurence.
Grandview: The defending state champions return an excellent shooting backcourt in 2019 guard Deandre Sorrells and 2020 Reggie Morris, plus a talented 2022 forward in 6’7″ Tahj Manning.
Helias: The Crusaders have a talented trio of guards in 2019 Ben Cooper, 2020 Marcus Anthony and 2021 Xavier Sykes. All three can get buckets.
Hazelwood East: The Spartans have a young and talented crew of guards back from a 16-win team, including 2020 shooter Jordan Gilmore and 2021 guards Jonathan Brown and Terry Lowe. 2019 wing Javon Fultz is also back.
Jennings: The Warriors will be good again after finishing third in the state tournament last year. They return 6’3″ 2019 guard Elijah Hicks, who will lead a long and very athletic team. Transfer Buck Bowling and Javon Bolden are big additions.
John Burroughs: The Bombers won 18 games and played for a district title last season. They return its backcourt in 6’0″ 2019 Derrick Miller and 5’7″ 2020 guard Brandon Miller and have a talented group of freshman on hand.
Kearney: The Bulldogs have made a couple of nice postseason runs in the past two seasons. They return an excellent young guard in 5’9″ 2021 Brennan Watkins.
Ladue: The Rams have been moved down from Class 5 and they will be a factor with the return of 6’0″ 2020 point guard Jaylen Boyd and the big duo of 6’6″ 2020 Evan Schneider and 6’7″ 2019 football standout Moses Okpala.
Logan-Rogersville: The Wildcats return their top player in 6’4″ 2019 forward Luke Vandersnick from a team that advanced to the state sectionals a year ago.
Nevada: The Tigers graduated stud forward Clay Gayman, but they return his talented brother in 6’6″ 2020 forward Dalton Gayman and 6’4″ 2019 forward Matt Thompson.
Park Hills Central: The Rebels move up to Class 4 after winning district titles in Class 3 the past two seasons. They have a dynamic 2020 duo in 6’5″ Breven McMullen and 6’2″ Brenton Wagner.
Raytown South: The Cardinals advanced to the state championship game a year ago. A talented front line graduated, but back are a pair of good young guards in 2020s Deon McKinney and Kobe Campbell.
St. Joe Lafayette: The Fighting Irish will be strong again with the return of 6’3″ 2019 guard Ike Book and talented 6’4″ transfer wing Kolten Griffin.
St. Mary’s: The Dragons graduated a strong group of 2018 performers, but return 5’11” 2019 guard Yuri Collins to run the show with 6’4″ 2020 guard Sofara Rasas ready to step into a big role.
Sikeston: The Bulldogs graduated all-time great Fred Thatch, but return many talented players, including 6’7″ Trey Jenkins, 5’10” Kevin Jones and twins Owen and Parker Long.