By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Basketball season is underway in Missouri. Below are the area’s Class 4 Boys Basketball Players to Watch this year.
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Tanner Baird, Forsyth Sophomore
We went back and forth on which list to put him on as we fully expect Baird to have a breakout season, but he’s already one of the best bigs in Class 4. He was solid as a freshman, averaging 10 points and eight rebounds, but Baird has really added to his body and game over the summer. His ceiling doesn’t exist and at 6-foot-11, he’s the most imposing big in the Ozarks.
Cade Beshore, Nevada Senior
He’s the quarterback of the football team, so leading is right in his wheelhouse and why he’s a great point guard. As a junior, he averaged nine points and a pair of assists, earning All-Big 8 honors. Nevada has had its fair share of great guards and Beshore is next in line.
Ryder Blevins, Forsyth Senior
Blevins is a walking Overtime highlight; most of his plays occur well above the rim. He may not have as much bounce as his brother – former Rogersville standout Cade Blevins – but Ryder certainly matches his motor. As a junior, he averaged 16 points and nine rebounds per game, throwing down some of the most ridiculous dunks in the area in the process of earning numerous postseason honors.
Trandan Darnall, Aurora Senior
Last year it was all about the 3-ball for Darnall, who can get hot in a hurry. He averaged 10.7 points and 2.5 assists for the Dawgs, showing the ability to play on or off the ball. The 6-foot guard is also an absolute pest defensively, living in passing lanes and thriving in transition.
Joseph Horinek, Buffalo Senior
Horinek is a throwback big. At 6-foot-7, he’s an elite rim proctor, posting nearly five blocks per game as a junior. He also added 9.4 points and 9.3 rebounds and will again be counted on to anchor Buffalo on both sides of the ball. His presence allows the Bison to be extremely aggressive on the perimeter.
Cooper Long, Seneca
Long has no problem putting the ball in the basket. As a junior he averaged 13.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. What makes him unique is his ability to score from anywhere on the court, in any action. He shoots it off the catch, shoots it off the bounce and can create space at any level. He’s a natural scorer.
Blaine Salsman, Monett Senior
His range starts when he steps off the bus and if you don’t get a hand in his face its going up. The 5-foot-10 guard averaged 13.1 points as a junior, earning All-Big 8 honors with the majority of his damage coming from distance. Salsman had a great summer, improving on his ability to score off the dribble as well. He’ll be a focal point of Jeremy Neville’s system.
Garrett Snyder, Hollister Senior
While Josh Barlow and Clay Kemp got a lot of the headlines last year, Snyder quietly put together a monster season, averaging 17 points, five rebounds and four steals. Don’t let his size fool you either, he’s a true point guard despite being 6-foot-3. And he’s an absolute sniper, loving the transition 3 off the bounce. Snyder is one of the best players you probably don’t know enough about.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Clayton Turner, Mount Vernon, Senior
Aidan Cook, Cassville Senior
Keegan Daniels, Rogersville Senior
Jon Dunbar, Cassville Senior
Bradley Henry, Mountain Grove Junior
Hayze Hoffman, Aurora Senior
Scooter Osborn, Willow Springs Senior
Curry Sutherland, Rogersville Senior
Caden Wiest, Reeds Spring Senior
