By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Championship aspirations live on at Kickapoo.
Experience, guard play and facing top competition should prepare the Chiefs to be among the best in Class 6.
As is the standard for this program.
“We return a core of nine seniors who have grown and competed together for several years,” said Chiefs coach Mitch McHenry. “We are undersized and will need to make up for it with toughness, experience and competitiveness.”
The Chiefs aren’t projected to have a player taller than 6’4” on their varsity roster. Areas like rebounding and interior defense will need to be a collective effort.
“Last season’s group had questions about defense and rebounding and we were elite in both those categories,” McHenry said. “We will need that same effort and focus this season.”
The Chiefs return four starters and are led by an exceptional backcourt.
Senior guard Reese Kimrey is a four-year varsity player and returning all-state player. He averaged about 13 points, five rebounds and five assists per game last season.
“Reese has high expectations going into his senior season,” McHenry said. “His experience should lead to a great season and the ability to make his teammates around him better.”
Senior guard Elijah Nabors made a nice splash in his first full varsity season last year. Look for Nabors (7.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg) to take another production leap this winter.
“Elijah is an excellent perimeter defender,” McHenry said. “He’s gotten stronger this offseason and we expect him to take another step in his offensive game.”
Senior guard Brayden Rubidoux is a potent perimeter shooter who has raised his defensive prowess. The 6’2” Rubidoux (7.2 ppg) will also be a team leader for the Chiefs.
“We expect him to take another jump in his overall game and continue to bring leadership and competitiveness to our team,” McHenry said.
Senior forward Brock Thompson will be the de facto “big man” for the Chiefs. The 6’3” Thompson (8.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg) has a nice skillset and can be an offensive facilitator when needed.
“He plays bigger than what he’s listed at,” McHenry said. “We can play through him because of his IQ and court vision.”
Senior guards Vincent Mhire (3.5 ppg) and Rylee Tan (2 ppg) give the Chiefs another pair of speedy playmakers. They look to carve out roles among a deep backcourt unit.
“Vince is one of our better playmakers and ballhandlers. He provides perimeter scoring and will need to be an anchor on defense for us,” McHenry said. “Rylee is another good playmaker who battled injury last year. He’s healthy now and we expect him to have a strong senior season. He has great pace and vision on offense.”
Under McHenry, the Chiefs have had seven straight seasons of 20+ wins. Included in that span are four district titles, two final fours and a state championship.
Kickapoo finished 25-4 overall last season and limited opponents to just 43 points per game.
The Chiefs fell to Nixa on a buzzer-beater in the district championship game. Since finishing Class 6 state runner-up in 2023, the Chiefs have suffered close losses in their district final the past two seasons.
“I expect that to fuel this group’s hunger and focus heading into the year,” McHenry said.
For the 2025-26 season, the Chiefs must replenish their forward unit. They lost a pair of athletic forwards to graduation: Jackson Shorter (all-state, COC-East Player of the Year) and Levi Phillips (three-sport athlete).
Shorter is continuing his basketball career at Missouri Southern. Phillips is playing football at Harding.
“Jackson was an anchor in our program. Losing a 6’6” all-state player is never easy at the high school level. We will need multiple players to step up to fill his void,” McHenry said. “Levi provided our group with size and physicality that we will need to replace.”
Up to seven newcomers could see varsity playing time this season.
Junior forward Will Winn is one of the team’s most improved players and could make a nice impact in his first full varsity season.
“Will had a great offseason, has a high-motor and is coachable,” McHenry said. “He gives us athleticism and can play at the rim. Will has really improved all aspects of his game.”
Fellow junior Jeydon Suddarth gives the Chiefs another athletic guard to utilize on the perimeter.
“He can impact the game on offense and defense. We are looking for Jeydon to take a jump with his consistency,” McHenry said.
Senior guards Robison Lee and Carter Christie are two capable perimeter shooters. Senior forward Andrew Kineman will supplement the Chiefs’ post presence.
“Andrew gives us depth in the forward spot and provides size, which we are lacking,” McHenry said.
Junior guards Gavin Mochamer and Atticus Wyrick round out the anticipated varsity roster.
A stacked schedule awaits.
Kickapoo opens the regular season Dec. 4-6 in the Arvest Classic at Parkview High School.
The Chiefs will also play December tournaments in Kansas (Blue Valley Northwest Classic) and Arkansas (Bentonville Classic). Kickapoo’s first home game is Jan. 2 versus Hillcrest.
The Chiefs will also play in the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in mid-January.
McHenry said the 2025-26 slate is “one of the most competitive” in his eight-year tenure at Kickapoo.
“We know the challenges that lie ahead and expect our schedule to prepare us for a competitive conference season and playoff schedule,” McHenry said. “We are needing all our returners to take the next step in their game and if we can compete with the same edge that’s defined this group, we have a great chance to take that next step and make this a special season.”
