Preview: Class 1 Teams to Watch

Prep Hoops Missouri takes a preseason look at the top Class 1 teams in the state. (Listed in alphabetical order). Dora: The Falcons return their talented nucleus from their 30-victory team that finished second in the state tournament. The top returning player is 6'1" 2021 guard Isaac Haney, who was the Prep Hoops Missouri Class 1 Player of the Year. Also back are the potent trio of 2021 triplets, Bryson Luna, Mason Luna and Auston Luna. Also back is 6'4" 2021 forward Waylon Masters. Golden City: The Eagles won a district championship a year ago and return talented 2020 guard Arlo Stump, who has already surpassed 2,000 career points. Also back are 2021 forward Lane Dunlap and 2021 guard Chain Parrill, who can shoot the 3-pointer. Jamestown: The Eagles followed up their Final Four appearance in 2018 with a district championship last season. They return a top front court player in 6'6" 2020 forward Christian Snyder along with 2021 guard Clark Rohrbach. Jefferson (Platte Valley): The Eagles won 25 games and made a great run all the way to the state championship a year ago. They return a pair of All-State performers in 6'2" 2020 Clayton Merrigan and 6'6" 2020 forward Chase Farnan, who scored 30 points in the state championship game victory over Dora. Lesterville: The Bearcats won 21 games and played for a district championship a year ago. They return a strong nucleus, led by double figure scorers 5'11" 2020 guard Holden Laughman and 6'3" 2020 forward James Gibson. Also returning are 5'11" 2020 Vince Mathes and 6'0" 2021 Nolan Mathes. Macks Creek: The Pirates have a strong nucleus returning, led by 6'4" 2020 forward Hunter Lane, who averaged 21 points a game. Also returning as starters are 2020 point guard Cole Register and 2020 guard Colton Walker. Mound City: The Panthers won 22 games and a district championship with a nice group of underclassmen last season. Their top returning player is 6'1" 2022 guard Tony Osborn, who averaged well over 20 points a game as a freshman. Another top young player back is 2021 guard Landon Poppa, who can also shoot the basketball. Northeast Cairo: The Bearcats have moved down from Class 2 after advancing to the state quarterfinals a year ago. They return an excellent front court with 6'6" 2020 Jacob Davis, 6'5" 2021 Bryce Taylor and 6'7" 2022 Gage Wilson. Back to run the offense will be talented 6'0" 2020 point guard Colby Hale. Oak Ridge: The Blue Jays move down from Class 2 and will be a team to watch after winning 20 games last season. They return 5'10" 2020 bucket-getting guard David Layton, who averaged 35 points a game. Also back is 6'0" 2020 guard Zach LeGrand, who averaged 16 points a game. Senior guards Tanner Schamburg and Drew Gluek are also back. St. Elizabeth: The big and talented Hornets made a great run to the Final Four last season and a third place finish. The top returning player is 6'8" 2020 All-State performer Ross Struemph, who leads a tall front line that includes 6'5" 2020 forward Brady Heckemeyer. Returning to the backcourt are 6'2" 2020 guard Nolan Heckemeyer and 6'0" 2022 guard Brock Lucas. Slater: The Wildcats won 21 games and a district championship a year ago. They return 6'2" 2021 All-State performer Keegan Zdybel, along with 5'11" 2021 guard Chandler Zdybel and 6'5" 250-pound 2021 forward Jakobie Brashears. South Iron: The Panthers are a young and talented team that won a district championship a year ago. They return several top players, led by 6'3" 2021 All-State guard Brock Wakefield and 5'10" 2022 point guard Drenin Dinkins, who can also get buckets. Also back are 6'0" 2022 guard D.J. Prater and 6'2" 2021 forward Jemarco Burse. Southwest Livingston: The Wildcats won 20 games and played for a district championship a year ago. They return one of the top post players in Class 1 in 6'6" 2020 forward Mack Anderson, who averaged 22 points and 15 rebounds a game as a junior. Westran: The entire starting five returns from last year's conference championship team, led by 6'1" 2022 guard Caleb Nagel, 6'2" 2020 forward Trey Burton, 5'8" 2020 guard Seth Berrey, 6'2" 2020 forward David Dale and 6'6" 2021 forward Karter Koenig. Winston: The Cardinals graduated their dynamic duo of Craig Lewis and Cy Uthe from their district championship game, but the winning should continue with the return of 6'2" 2021 forward Jakub Hisel and 2022 guards Brian Lewis and Jacob Uthe, who played key roles as freshmen last season.