The season is over and now we spend our time talking about who got snubbed on all-state, what day Pineapple Whip officially opens and if it is yet socially acceptable to disown friends that wear Chacos (it is). While all-district, all-conference and all-state honors are cool, here is the real list that everyone wants to know.
So, enjoy the 4th Annual #All-Stars and awards.
#letsgetitstarted (Best Pregame Ritual): Crane Prayer Cricle & Strafford “Turn-up” – These are slightly opposite but really cool to see. To each his own, but you can either turn-up with the Lord or turn-up by hittin’ the whip and in some cases you should just do both. Either way, you’re winning.
#youknowwhyimhere (Best Hospitality Room): Pink and White Lady Classic – Thank you Rib Crib. I’m not a huge BBQ guy (which kills every stereotype, I know) but I do look forward to eating beans and brisket for three straight days following Christmas.
#zerochill (Best Student Section): Fair Grove/Strafford – Yes, they are rivals and yes, they are equally savage when it comes to taunting each other, but both bases also share the ability to create an excellent atmosphere for a girls basketball game, especially when they play each other, something the bigger schools don’t always do.
#monmouthstyle (Most Lit Bench): Nixa – Nixa’s bench was like a mixture between a rave and a 5th grade birthday party. They row the boat, they set up human basketball goals, they surf and they even occasionally hit some Beyoncé dance moves. Regardless the means, the goal is always accomplished for Nixa.
With districts tonight, see how four freshmen helped change Nixa's season from the bench: https://t.co/yPdoct15Tp pic.twitter.com/YpWeXT8FIz
— Ozarks Sports Zone (@OzarksOzone) February 29, 2016
#SCTop10 (Play of the Year): Hayley Frank’s fullcourt chuck – Well, I think she proved that she has better arm strength than Alex Smith does with this one. Frank’s length of the floor halftime buzzer-beater is the craziest shot I’ve seen. Ever… The even crazier part is that her dad recreated it, all the way down to the celebration, just a few days later.
VIDEO: Strafford freshman Hayley Frank hits 65-foot buzzer-beater; https://t.co/DmDZetxFcE @sctop10 pic.twitter.com/UXDRe1BIpU
— Ozarks Sports Zone (@OzarksOzone) March 6, 2016
#uncleDrew (Best Scorers)
Alexa Willard, Stoutland – I’m not really sure which list to put her on because of how much she does, but she is probably the most gifted scorer to ever play in the Ozarks. Yes, people have scored more points but no one has ever done it this efficiently. Willard averaged 31.2 PPG this season, scoring a total of 810 points while shooting 58% from the field, 49% from 3 and 90% from the line. She owns Stoutland single-game, single-season and career scoring records.
Payton Curley, Salem – She could have gone on a few different lists but the 5-foot-10 junior is one of the more natural scorers in the Ozarks. The SCA Player of the Year averaged 20.1 PPG with 14 20-point games. She can score at all three levels and even knocked down 81% from the line. She also averaged 3.4 RPG, 3 SPG and 1.4 BPG and has 1,204 career points entering her senior year.
Taylor Faulkner, Buffalo – Few players in the area scored more points than Faulkner has in the last three seasons. The 5-foot-4 senior put up 1,528 points in that time, with 603 coming this year thanks to 23.2 PPG. She scored 30 or more five times this season, including a career-high 38 coming against Bolivar.
Amanda Kearney, Branson – She is literally a walking bucket; to say she slayed would be an understatement. The Co-COC Large POY dropped 22.9 PPG this year, breaking the program’s single-season record with 615 points. The Harding commit has 1,510 points through three seasons and also owns the single-game scoring record.
Rylee Neill, Lockwood – Neill took another big step as a sophomore, transitioning from a shooter to a scorer at all three levels. She led Lockwood to an 18-win season with 19.3 PPG, while also knocking down 50 3s and also getting to the free throw line nearly twice as much as last year. The sophomore guard also pulled down 5.7 RPG and swiped 2.4 SPG.
Ali Sparks, Fordland – She’s the scoring queen at Fordland and basically the face of the program at this point. All she did her senior year was cement her legacy by feeding opponents 18.7 PPG and knocking down 66 3s. She also grabbed 5.7 RPG and collected 1.8 SPG. Few in the Ozarks were better at putting the ball in the basket than Sparks.
*Honorable Mention*
Emily Parker, Aurora – Unfortunately a torn ACL ended her junior season, which also saved the school record book because Parker was getting ready to break some stuff. The 6-foot-2 junior averaged 22.6 PPG in her 14 games, including 38 in a season-opening win against Nixa, while shooting 58% from the field. She also averaged 2.4 SPG and 2.1 BPG. The injury couldn’t keep her from scoring her 1,000th point.
#StephCurrywiththeshot (Best Shooters)
Madison Strong, senior, Gainesville – Sometimes watching Strong shoot it almost seems effortless. She averaged 19.4 PPG while shooting 43% from 3 and 84% from the line. She hit at least four 3s in 10 games, including going 8-for-11 in the Sectional game against Crocker, part of her season-high 36 points. In that game she hit seven consecutive 3s at one point in the first half in the most Steph Curry-like performance I’ve ever witnessed. It was nuts. Her 277 career 3s is unofficially the fifth most in state history.
Kelsi York, Crocker – York has seemingly limitless range and unwavering confidence, which is a dangerous combination. The Lincoln signee averaged 13.7 PPG this year and knocked down 51 3s at a 44% clip, never shying away from the opportunity to take and make a clutch shot.
Morgan Allred, Ash Grove – She went out with a bang this year, leading Ash Grove with 16 PPG. The senior guard shot a blistering 44% from 3 (48-for-110) and 89% from the line (57-for-65). The All-Mid-Lakes selection also averaged 3.9 RPG and 3.2 SPG for the Lady Pirates, making her brother, Logan, the second most athletic Allred in the house.
Hailee Erickson, Alton – The 5-foot-4 junior is one of the most explosive and most efficient scorers in the Ozarks. Her 21.9 PPG is nice, but the fact that she hit 72 3s at a 40% clip is insane. So too is the fact that she shot 89% from the free throw line. Erickson had nine games with at least four made 3-pointers and has 1,151 points through three seasons.
Abby Oliver, Strafford – Oliver is the perfect complement to Hayley Frank because of her ability to stretch the floor with raaaaaange and a super quick release. The 5-foot-7 junior knocked down 88 3s this season, scoring 17.9 PPG. She also connected on 80% of her free throw attempts. She also handed out 4.5 APG and had 1.6 SPG.
Aleena DeRossett, Bolivar – It’s fitting that she wears No. 3 because few people shoot it as well as DeRossett does. The 5-foot-6 senior hit a team-high 68 3s this year, shooting 50% from beyond the arc. She had eight games of four or more 3s.
Jaycee Cabasi, Catholic – See the 3, be the 3 was Cabasi’s motto this year. The freshman took 217 shots this year and 183 of them were 3s. But, she cashed a team-high 73 of them (43%), earning All-COC Small honors as a freshman.
#mouseinthehouse (Best Posts)
Kallie Bilder, Waynesville – Waynesville may never have another Kallie Bildner. Like ever. The 6-foot-2 Lindenwood signee averaged 26 PPG and 14 RPG and some of her stat lines were unreal. She had 25-24 against Camdenton, 37-20 against Lutheran South and 34 points against state-ranked Hickman. She is Waynesville’s all-time lead in points and rebounds and was also named the Class 5, Ozark Conference POY and finalist for Miss Show-Me Basketball.
Brooke Stanfield, Republic – She’s slightly undersized to play a true 4/5, but her athleticism is elite. Stanfield again was the Co-COC Large Player of the Year thanks to her 16 PPG, 5 RPG and 2 BPG. Few understand using body position and timing better than Stanfield. She’s also one of the few bigs that can switch a ball screen and not create a mismatch.
Megan Scott, Carl Junction – The 6-foot-2 sophomore continues to develop into one of the state’s best post players. Injuries limited her production, but she still led CJ to one of its best seasons in program history with 11.6 PPG, 7 RPG and 2 BPG. Scott still shot 54% from the field and was nails down the stretch, averaging 11 PPG, 12 RPG and 3.7 BPG in her final three games of the season.
Kaitlyn Painter, Morrisville – The 6-foot-1 senior launched a farewell tour this season, putting up team-highs in scoring (23.6 PPG) and rebounding (10 RPG). She also averaged 2 SPG and shot 47% from 3. That includes a 37-point game in a 60-59 win over Ash Grove.
Koty Cooper, East Newton – She’s been a starter for East Newton since her freshman year and while opponents know what’s coming, the 6-foot junior again made her way on the All-Big 8 Team thanks to 16.4 PPG, 7.5 RPG and 2.2 SPG while shooting 55% from the field.
Sarah Kelley, Houston – The 5-foot-11 senior is one that has given post players in the SCA fits throughout her career. Double and triple teams couldn’t stop her from averaging 17.3 PPG and 9.3 RPG, leading the Lady Tigers to the SCA title and district championship.
Olivia Dill, Conway – The sophomore forward was an absolute monster this year, averaging 14 PPG and 11.5 RPG to go along with 1.7 SPG and 1.2 BPG. She finished the season with 13 double-doubles, including three 20-20 games.
*Honorable Mention*
Emma Lander, Crane – A hip injury got her off to a slow start, before a torn ACL ended her high school career, but it’s impossible to not think about what could have been. Had she stayed healthy I think Crane is much more equipped to beat North Little Rock. With that being said, Lander had 17-9 against Kickapoo, 14-12 against Rogers (Ark.) and 13-9 in limited minutes against Rogersville.
#controlingthechaos (Best Point Guards)
Larissa Pyle-Moore, Aurora – Pyle-Moore showed her versatility this year when she had to transition from facilitator to scorer after the season-ending injury to Emily Parker. She clearly figured it out, finishing the season with 17.1 PPG, 4.6 APG and 3.7 SPG. She also set a school-record for single-season 3s, knocking down 55 at a 42% clip and her 3.5:1 assists-to-turnover ratio is one of the highest you’ll see.
Kourtney Shipley, Bradleyville – The fact that she averages 4 APG and 2.9 SPG let you know that she understands getting teammates involved and being active defensively. But, what makes her dynamic is her ability to score the basketball. Her 22.9 PPG makes her one of the Ozarks’ top scorers and few hit more than her 84 3s. Shipley went for 30 or more seven times this year… and she’s only a sophomore.
Bailey Weaver, Fair Grove – She’s been one of my favorite players to watch because of how competitive she is; an essential quality in a good point guard. Weaver led Fair Grove to a 20-win season, averaging 10 PPG, 4.4 APG and 2.2 SPG. Fair Grove was 9-1 when she handed out at least six assists this year.
Payton Richards, West Plains – It’s pretty difficult to not appreciate the way Richards plays basketball. The Drury commit took on more of a scoring role this year, leading West Plains with 15.3 PPG. But, she still handed out 3.9 APG and while snagging 2.7 SPG and knocking down 53 3s.
Kaycee Gerald, Hillcrest – Losing Kelsie Cleeton wasn’t nearly as bad as many expected because of the level that Gerald played at this year. The William Woods commit was spectacular all season and had one of the more ridiculous lines you’ll see (20.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.1 APG and 3.7 SPG). She walks away from Hillcrest in the top 10 of nearly every major stat category, including the single-game scoring record (36).
Jordan Wersinger, Kickapoo – She was snubbed from the all-state list, which I guess I can kind of understand considering nearly Kickapoo’s entire starting five was worthy of the honor. But Wersinger’s progression as a lead guard is the reason Kickapoo didn’t lose a game after Christmas break. Her 13.9 PPG, 3.7 APG and 1.7 SPG, coupled with her playoff performances, are going to have D-1s taking notice.
Kaylee DaMitz, Skyline – Kevin Cheek probably couldn’t design a better lead guard to run his system; she’s tough, she’s great defensively and she attacks the rim. The 5-foot-4 sophomore score a team-high 14.3 PPG for the Lady Tigers this year, helping Skyline get to a fourth straight Final Four.
#PerryEllis (Good Seniors)
Laura Vierkant, Kickapoo – If you go back to that 2003 team with Molly Miller and the gang, you’ll probably see Vierkant in the team photo; it feels like she’s been at Kickapoo for that long. Her jersey is already hanging in the gym and all she did this year was validate that with 13.6 PPG, shooting 43% from 3 and 80% from the line, leading the Lady Chiefs to the Class 5 state championship. She also took on the top defensive assignment for Coach P.
Ashley Forrest, Branson – Forrest is another player that just figured out how to be effective in every facet of the game. She can score (12.6 PPG) but that’s probably the last thing on her mind. The 5-foot-8 senior gets on the glass (5 RPG) and gets others involved (5 APG) better than most high school guards. She also averaged 2.8 SPG. Becky Vest and C of O got another steal here.
Desirie Ennes, Purdy – The 5-foot-8 forward’s farewell tour was pretty legit. She was a double-double hoarder, snagging 15 this year alone thanks to 12.9 PPG and 10.7 RPG this season, to go along with 3.7 APG and 4.3 SPG. She finishes her career with 1,141 points, 880 rebounds and 361 steals. More importantly, Purdy won 74 games in her career.
Kylee Moore, Crane – Moore is just three years away from retirement and her AARP card, but her final run at Crane was the best of her career. We knew she could lock-up defensively, but her ability to do everything else is the reason she’s going to Evangel next year. The All-SWCL selection averaged 12.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.7 APG and 2.7 SPG. She’s about as scrappy as they come, but her 2.1:1 assist-to-turnover ratio show just how high her basketball IQ is.
Bailey Rezabek & Sophie Shore, Camdenton – It feels like these two have been in high school forever. Both four-year starters, Rezabek and Shore helped put Camdenton back on the map and both were scoring machines. Rezabek, a future SBU Lady Bearcat, averaged 17.5 PPG, 3.2 APG and 2.2 SPG, shooting 52% from the field and 50% from 3. Shore, an Evangel signee, averaged 11.3 PPG, 6 RPG and 2 SPG. They combined for more than 2,500 points in their career.
Kylie Rothdiener, Bolivar – After a solid junior season, Rothdiener exploded her senior year for 17.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG and 1.6 SPG for the Lady Liberators. The 5-foot-9 wing scored 20 or more nine times this year and finished her career with 1,101 points.
Riley Luallin, Conway – The 5-foot-10 forward did a little bit of everything for Conway this year, averaging 17.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG and 2.6 SPG for the Lady Bears and she was even better against good teams; 24-14 against Fordland, 19-8 against Gainesville and 25-12 against Buffalo. Luallin also shot 42% from 3.
#tripledoublealert (Most Versatile)
Lexie Vaught, Senior, Crane – There wasn’t a more productive high school basketball player in Missouri this year than Lexie Vaught. The Drury signee was snubbed from being a Miss Show-Me Basketball finalist, but her 15.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 6.7 SPG and 6.1 APG against elite competition show just how dominant she was this year. Oh, she also shot 57% from the field, 41% from 3 and 80% from the line. Ohhhhhh, and her assist-to-turnover ratio was 3.64:1.
Layne Skiles, Sophomore, Purdy – The 5-foot-11 sophomore just started hitting her stride this year, averaging 15.4 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 4.1 APG and 2.6 SPG. She had five double-doubles this year and her size and skillset make her a difficult matchup. Purdy is 43-13 since she got to high school.
Kelsey Winfrey, Lebanon – The Mizzou commit took her game up another notch this season, earning All-Everything honors behind 21.2 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 4.6 SPG, 3.4 APG and 1 BPG. There’s nothing on the court that she can’t do and if the way she finished the season is any indication to how she’ll end her career then watch out; 13 of her final 16 games were 20-point games and two that weren’t ended with a mercy rule.
Alex Vogt, Carl Junction – Vogt was good as a sophomore, but what she brought to the table for the Lady Bulldogs this year was even better. 14.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.8 SPG, 1 BPG and shooting 54% from the field. She went for 20 against Republic, 26 against Nixa and 22 against Owensville; her senior year will be scary.
Bayley Harman, Walnut Grove – If you watched a Walnut Grove game this year then you’d probably swear that Rory Henry found a way to clone Heather Harman, but nah, it was just her little sister Bayley. All the way down to the jersey number, her game feels a lot like Heather’s and her 20.3 PPG, 7.2 RPG and 4.6 APG back that up. But Bayley actually plays defense (3.8 SPG, 1.2 BPG). Her 1,027 points through two seasons put her in position to end her career as the family’s all-time leading scorer.
Lindsay Medlen, Crocker – She’s one of the most competitive players you’ll see, which is part of the reason she does everything on the court; she’s like our version of Russell Westbrook. The Frisco League MVP averaged 18.9 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 4.6 APG and 3.4 SPG. She often guarded the opponents’ best player and ended her career with 2,063 points, a school record.
#noneforyou (Best Defenders)
Jordan Sanders, Junior, Kickapoo – As a freshman you could see the limitless potential that Sanders had and she has put in the work to cultivate that. The 5-foot-10 junior was unstoppable this year, averaging 16 PPG for Kickapoo and few players are better on both ends than Sanders. The Illinois State commit averaged nearly 4 SPG and her 1.5 BPG were usually highlight-reel worthy.
Lexie Royster, Jasper – The senior guard has some of the stickiest fingers you’ll see. She nabbed SRVC Player of the Year honors thanks to her 5.6 SPG. She is Jasper’s all-time leader in that category. She also averaged 16.6 PPG and walks away as the No.2 scorer in program history.
Jordyn Bartlett, Osage – The 6-foot junior owned the paint this year and is the reason Osage lived in the top 10 for much of the year. Bartlett’s 10.2 PPG, 11 RPG, 4.8 BPG and 1.2 SPG are extremely impressive, so too were some of her box scores, which include a 12-point, 17-rebound and 11-block triple-double against Eldon and a 22-20-9 performance against Warsaw.
Morgan Zimmerman, Glendale – Coach Temple has had some tremendous players in her career, but Zimmerman may be the best defensively. The three-time All-Ozark Conference Defensive Team has made a career out of checking the opposing team’s best player. Only a torn ACL kept her from being a four-time honoree.
Shelby Roder, Crane – There are bigger guards, but none are grittier or more defensively sound than Roder. She averaged 2.2 SPG, but she was so relentless on the ball that her teammates typically benefitted because of how frustrated she would make the opposing point guard. She was like a horsefly at a lake and her list of defensive assignments is like a who’s who of area hoops.
Zava Bennett, Hurley – There’s not much Bennett didn’t for Hurley over the last four years. Her senior line is disgusting, leading the team in scoring (21.6 PPG) and steals (6.4 SPG), while also adding 4.2 RPG and 3.4 APG. She totaled 25 steals in the district semifinals and championship.
#letemsleep (Most Underrated Players)
Haley Gilpin, Buffalo – It’s easy to overlook Gilpin’s impact because she doesn’t score a ton of points (8.9 PPG), but you can’t ignore everything else she does. The 5-foot-9 senior added 5.5 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.8 SPG and 1.1 BPG for the Lady Bison as well.
Justeen Mahan, Crane – If she didn’t play on the best team in Missouri then she likely would have been around 20 PPG. Instead she averaged 10.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.2 APG and 3.2 SPG and helped guide the Lady Pirates to yet another state title. Had she not stepped up the way she did following Emma Lander’s torn ACL then Crane may not have made it back to the Final Four.
Annie Noah, Gainesville – The 5-foot-11 sophomore has one of the most diverse skillsets that you’ll see. She led Gainesville in rebounding (7.6 RPG) and assists (4 APG) while also adding 7.6 PPG, 1.8 SPG and 1.3 BPG. She can step out it and shoot it and makes excellent decisions with the ball in her hands. Look for her to have a breakout season next year.
Michelle Gabani, Bolivar – As a freshman Gabani averaged 3.9 PPG and 2 RPG for Bolivar; that was child’s play. The 5-foot-10 sophomore exploded for 12.2 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.6 SPG and 1.1 BPG. She stuffs the stat sheet every night, which is why she finished the season with 15 double-doubles and a 20-13-10 triple-double against Buffalo.
Sarah Jordan, Rogersville – It’s not like she’s new to the varsity scene as a three-year letterman, but Rogersville’s junior guard came to play this year. Her scoring was slightly down (13.6 PPG), but the 5-foot-9 guard shot 55% from the field, a career-high, and also pulled down 5.1 RPG in leading the Lady Cats to their first conference title in decades.
Laurnea Jarman, Hillcrest – Part of the reason Hillcrest could just reload and not rebuild was the emergence of Jarman. The 5-foot-7 senior averaged 13.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG and 2.9 SPG for the Lady Hornets, including seven double-doubles. The William Woods commit is top 10 all-time in rebounding at Hillcrest.
#thefutureisnow (Best Freshmen)
Cameron Call, Mount Vernon – I can’t get off the Lauren Aldridge comparison because that’s just who her game reminds me of. Call scored (17 PPG) and facilitated (5 APG) as a freshman, getting the ball and a leadership role from Day One. Her poise and game are far beyond her age. Like Aldridge, she’ll play D-1 basketball one day.
Piper Francis, MV-BT/Liberty – Francis slayed the SCA all season long. The 5-foot-8 scoring machine averaged 20.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG and 3.4 SPG, leading Liberty to its best season in program history. She also set a school-record with 53 3s and the fact that she averaged 26 PPG in conference play is just silly.
Hayley Frank, Strafford – There’s really not enough you can say about her. The numbers are staggering (20.1 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 6 APG, 2.3 SPG and 1.1 BPG) while shooting 67% from the field, 58% from 3 and 88% from the line; all those are team-highs. She basically had the best freshman season in the history of Missouri basketball.
Alana Findley & Harley Maxwell, Fair Grove – *Insert Twin Towers reference here* Findley is 5-foot-10 and Maxwell is 6-foot-2 and neither freshman had much of a learning curve this year. Findley was a double-double machine, leading Grove in scoring (12.9 PPG), rebounding (11.4 RPG) and blocks (1.4 BPG). Also a volleyball standout, she finished with 13 double-doubles, including a 24-18 performance against Mount Vernon. Maxwell is a hidden gem in the Ozarks; her ceiling doesn’t exist. She has size that will have major programs interested, to go along with a soft touch and good footwork. She averaged 6.4 PPG and 4.1 RPG off the bench this year. These two will be scary good together moving forward.
Harper Little, Clever – The 5-foot-6 guard helped Clever establish itself as the next SWCL dynasty with her 14.3 PPG, 4.2 SPG, 3.7 RPG and 1.4 BPG. Little’s offensive game is still catching up, but her raw athleticism and instincts made her a handful to deal with this year and she’s only getting better.
Twilah Carrasquillo, Verona – Her older sister, Tristian, was a stud and clearly it’s all in the genes. Twilah had a coming out party in the Ozark 7, earning all-conference honors behind 11 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.4 APG and 4.9 SPG, leading Verona to a district runner-up finish.
Madi Sutt, Wheatland – Get ready to hear this name all the time; she might cause as much panic in the PCL as any Harman has. Sutt killed it as a freshman with 20 PPG, 9.7 RPG and 1.9 SPG. She also knocked down 52 3s for a district championship team.
Sophie Sparks, Fordland – Her older sister is the most decorated player in program history for now, but little sis might have something to say about that sooner rather than later. Sparks wasted zero time in throwing her name in the best point guard discussion, averaging 11.3 PPG to go along with 5.3 APG and 3.8 SPG. Opposing coaches will have a heck of a time trying to figure out how to keep her out of the paint.
Maggie Phipps, New Covenant – Phipps plays with a motor that doesn’t stop running. The 5-foot-6 combo guard averaged 16.9 PPG, 5.4 SPG, 5.1 APG and 3.5 RPG. Her length and quickness made her a handful on or off the ball defensively. She had four double-doubles this season, all coming with points and steals, including a 24-point, 10-steal season finale against Hurley.
Madison Chittenden, Catholic – She quickly staked her claim as the best freshman in the conference this year, leading Catholic to a surprisingly solid year despite not having any seniors with her 14.2 PPG and 6.8 RPG. The 5-foot-7 guard also led the team in assists, steals and blocks.
