Basketball season is underway in Missouri. Below are the area’s Class 6 Girls Basketball Players to Watch this year.
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Kaemyn Bekemeier, Republic Junior
The Missouri State commit continues to impress as her game develops. The 5-foot-10 athlete averaged 20.6 points and 8.2 rebounds as a sophomore, showing more comfortability with the ball in her hands and creating plays for others. She’s over 1,000 career points too.
Macie Conway & Ali Kamies, Nixa Seniors
Conway and Kamies have developed into one of the top duos in the state, which will continue when they both get to Rockhurst next fall. Conway averaged 17 points and 3.6 rebounds, with the 5-foot-10 guard having the ability to score seemingly at will. Kamies is a steady guard that averaged 11 points, 3.3 assists and 2.7 steals. She’s one of the top defenders in Missouri. Classmate Rhi Gibbons – a Drury commit – makes this a potent three-headed monster.
Kori Cromer & Raegan McCowan, Lebanon Senior & Junior
This will be one of the best inside-out duos in the area. Cromer was a unanimous All-Big 8 selection as a junior. The SBU signee got better as the season progressed, with her highest-scoring outputs coming down the stretch. She’ll add instant punch to Lebanon’s offense. McCowan enters her junior year just 81 points away from 1,000, which lets you know the amount of damage she’s done in two years. She averaged 20.4 points and 9.6 rebounds as a sophomore with 12 double-doubles and a pair of 20-20 games. She already has a host of D2 offers, the 5-foot-11 forward will start seeing more D1s get involved soon.
Bella Fontleroy, Kickapoo Senior
The McDonald’s All-American candidate is without question one of Kickapoo’s most physically gifted players ever. As a junior, finally healthy, the 6-foot-2 guard averaged 16.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals. The Baylor signee is one of the most skilled and versatile players on the boys or girls side of local hoops.
Ella Hafer, Joplin Senior
Injuries have really limited her career, but a healthy Hafer will be a problem for the COC. The NEO A&M commit is a 6-foot guard with immense athleticism. She had 15 points in a season-opening win against Cassville. She’ll only get better as she continues to knock the game rust off.
Breona Hurd, Waynesville Sophomore
At 6-foot-2, Hurd shouldn’t be able to do the things she can. It’s not the blocks and rebounds that are the most impressive part, but how she turns into a big guard once the ball is in her hands. As a freshman she averaged 17 and nine, which is why Missouri State, Oklahoma and several other Power 5s are in the mix.
Moriah Putt, Ozark Senior
The Putt girls have been dominant across the spectrum in basketball, volleyball and soccer with Moriah being just the latest installment. The Rockhurst signee has tons of versatility and pairing with new head coach Doug Hepler, she should have a monster senior season.
Heaven Shockley, Central Junior
Shockley has grown into her 6-foot-1 frame over the last two seasons, developing into one of the area’s premiere shot blockers. As a junior she averaged 11 points, nine rebounds and 3.2 blocks. She’ll continue that same defensive production while becoming a focal point offensively.
Kianna Yates, Carthage Junior
There aren’t many players that can fill a stat sheet the way Yates can. The 5-foot-5 point guard was among Carthage’s leaders in scoring (12.8), assists (5.6), rebounds (4.8) and steals (4.2). She’s entering her third year as a starter and might be the best defensive PG in the Ozarks.
Others to Watch
Makayah Alexander, Lebanon Senior
Riley Boggs, Ozark Senior
Norah Clark, Nixa Junior
Rylinn Finley, Republic Sophomore
Emma Floyd, Joplin Senior
Rhianna Gibbons, Nixa Senior
Kaya Goldsby, Kickapoo Senior
Kya Johnson, Kickapoo Sophomore
Brooke Nice, Joplin Senior
LeeLee Pittman, Springfield Central Junior
Sophie Shannon, Carthage Senior
Lyla Watson, Ozark Senior
