Last week we picked the big school brackets beginning with the quarterfinal round through the finals. Now we take a closer look at the teams and players that actually found their way to the Show-Me Showdown which takes place Thursday-Saturday at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.
Five girls teams and three boys teams in Missouri’s two largest classes return after making the state tournament a year ago.
Top-ranked and undefeated Dexter, Webb City and Platte County are making returns to the Class 4 girls field after gaining playoff experience a year ago. Nerinx Hall and Blue Springs pulled the same feat in Class 5.
For the boys, Kearney returned to the Class 4 field, while Columbia-Rock Bridge and Oakville made it through districts again in Class 5.
All four No. 1 teams are still in contention for state basketball titles. For the girls, Dexter (Class 4) and Hazelwood Central (Class 5) made the final four, while St. Francis Borgia (Class 4) and Grandview (Class 5) take top rankings into the boys semifinals.
Here is a look at Missouri’s Show-Me Showdown large school team capsules.
Class 4 Girls Capsules
DEXTER BEARCATS 28-0
Coach: Chad Allen (50-5)
Ranking: 1st
Scoring Averages: 68.6-36.7
Last 10 Games: 10-0, won 28 straight
Conference (Record): Southeast Missouri League (7-0, 1st)
Top Players
Katelyn Heil 5-10 Sr. G 21.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg
Jill Temples 5-5 Sr. G 10.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg
Ashlee Taylor 5-9 Sr. F 15.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg
Abbie Warren 5-11 Jr. C 10.2 ppg, 10.8 rpg
Cathryn Heil 5-10 Sr. F 7.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg
Tournament History: Appearances-1, Last-2008
Finals: n/a
WEBB CITY CARDINALS 25-4
Coach: Brad Shorter (131-61)
Ranking: 8th
Scoring Averages: 64.7-45.3
Last 10 Games: 8-2, won 5 straight
Conference (Record): Central Ozark Large League (5-2, 2nd)
Top Players
Breanna Baker 5-5 So. G 5.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Sharenda Campbell 5-5 So. G 7.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Nicole Hudson 5-8 Sr. F 10.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg
Hailey Roderique 5-9 So. G 9.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg
Kaitlin Jaeger 6-0 So. F 20.9 ppg, 9.5 rpg
Sammy Stroud 5-7 So. G 5.6 ppg, 1.3 rpg
Tournament History: Appearances-5, Last 2008
Finals: n/a
MILLER CAREER ACADEMY PHOENIX 23-6
Coach: Martin Jenkins (122-69)
Ranking: Unranked
Scoring Averages: 57.9-34.3
Last 10 Games: 9-1, won 6 straight
Conference (Record): Public High League (9-0, 1st)
Top Players
Rashonda Willis 5-4 Sr. G 11.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Ciara Leak 5-5 Sr. G 14.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg
Shanity James 5-11 Fr. F 5.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg
Elyse Hart-Shelton 5-4 Jr. G 5.3 ppg, 1.0 rpg
Stephenie Williams 5-8 Jr. F 7.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg
Paris Williams 5-10 So. F 4.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg
Phylicia Thomas 5-8 Jr. F 7.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg
Tournament History: Appearances-2, Last-2007
Finals: n/a
PLATTE COUNTY PIRATES 26-2
Coach: Chris Stubbs (90-46)
Ranking: 5th
Scoring Averages: 62.3-39.9
Last 10 Games: 9-1, won 6 straight
Conference (Record): Greater Kansas City Suburban-Blue (10-0, 1st)
Top Players
Lyndsie Sellars 5-8 Sr. G 6.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg
Taylor Johnson 5-10 So. G 12.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg
Kelsey Knox 5-8 So. G 7.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Morgan Johnson 6-4 Sr. C 18.3 ppg, 10.7 rpg
Cheyenne Verdoorn 5-8 Sr. G 11.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Missy Breedlove 5-9 Sr. C 4.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg
Tournament History: Appearances-2, Last-2008
Finals: n/a
Class 4 Boys Capsules
ST. FRANCIS BORGIA KNIGHTS 26-3
Coach: Dave Neier (522-125)
Ranking: 1st
Scoring Averages: 68.3-47.0
Last 10 Games: 10-0, won 14 straight
Conference (Record): Freelance League (1-1, n/a)
Top Players
Tyler Ressel 6-1 Jr. G 11.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg
Michael Dempsey 6-0 Sr. G 9.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg
Eric Kimminau 6-0 Sr. G 8.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg
Chris Unnerstall 6-0 Sr. G 5.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg
Nathan Scheer 6-5 Jr. F 16.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg
Sean Duff 6-2 Sr. G 9.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg
Tournament History: Appearances-24, Last-2006
Finals: 1981 (2nd), 1993 (1st), 1994 (1st), 1998 (1st), 1999 (2nd), 2006 (1st)
JEFFERSON CITY HELIAS CRUSADERS 23-5
Coach: Josh Buffington (68-64)
Ranking: 6th
Scoring Averages: 66.0-54.1
Last 10 Games: 10-0, won 10 straight
Conference (Record): Freelance League (1-0, n/a)
Top Players
Danton Hughes 5-10 Sr. G 4.7 ppg, 1.3 rpg
Zachary Rockers 6-4 So. G 13.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg
Jay Shimmens 6-2 Sr. G/F 8.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg
Taylor Heislen 6-3 Jr. G/F 10.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg
Danny Feldmann 6-8 Jr. F/C 16.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg
Jordan Bax 6-4 Sr. G/F 5.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Tournament History: Appearances-10, Last-2002
Finals: n/a
MILLER CAREER ACADEMY PHOENIX 17-11
Coach: Michael Brown (n/a)
Ranking: Unranked
Scoring Averages: 62.3-56.8
Last 10 Games: 8-2, won 6 straight
Conference (Record): Public High League (8-1, 1st)
Top Players
Carlos Jones 5-7 Sr. G 5.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg
Ronald Fortune 6-3 Sr. F 15.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Jerome Jones 6-5 Sr. G 25.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg
Tournament History: Appearances-3, Last-2006
Finals: n/a
KEARNEY BULLDOGS 20-9
Coach: Gary Belcher (169-99)
Ranking: 10th
Scoring Averages: 54.8-47.3
Last 10 Games: 7-3, won 4 straight
Conference (Record): Suburban Small Six (5-5, 3rd)
Top Players
Damen Williams 5-9 So, G 4.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg
Tyler Frank 6-3 Jr. G 7.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg
Alex Klonowski 6-4 Jr. G 8.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Josh Klenda 6-4 Sr. F 5.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg
Grant Cozad 6-7 Jr. F 4.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg
Dillon Starzl 6-9 Jr. F 20.3 ppg, 11.6 rpg
Conrad Schottel 6-5 Sr. F 6.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg
Tournament History: Appearances-8, Last-2008
Finals: 1961 (1st), 2004 (2nd)
Class 5 Girls Capsules
NERINX HALL MARKERS 23-7
Coach: Michael Slater (166-67)
Ranking: 8th
Scoring Averages: 55.1-41.1
Last 10 Games: 10-0, won 11 straight
Conference (Record): Metro Women’s Athletic Association (3-2, 3rd)
Top Players
Melissa Murphy 5-9 Sr. G 10.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg
Kirsti Yess 5-11 Jr. G 12.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg
Lexi Cochran 5-10 Fr. F 4.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Mary Beth Mathias 5-11 Jr. G/F 15.6 ppg, 7.7 rpg
Tournament History: Appearances-8, Last-2008
Finals: n/a
NIXA LADY EAGLES 27-2
Coach: Jim Middleton (60-21)
Ranking: 3rd
Scoring Averages: 60.2-39.1
Last 10 Games: 10-0, won 19 straight
Conference (Record): Central Ozark League (7-0, 1st)
Top Players
Emily Walker 5-6 Jr. G 6.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg
Bethanie Funderburk 5-9 Jr. G 13.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg
Abby Bracker 5-10 Sr. F 7.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg
Aly Stock 6-3 Sr. C 8.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg
Morgan Smith 6-0 Sr. F 9.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Macy Mathew 5-5 So. G 5.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg
Tournament History: Appearances-5, Last 2007
Finals: 2000 (1st)
HAZELWOOD CENTRAL HAWKS 25-2
Coach: Wendy Reeves (102-30)
Ranking: 1st
Scoring Averages: 60.1-37.8
Last 10 Games: 10-0, won 18 straight
Conference (Record): Suburban North League (7-0, 1st)
Top Players
Candyce Ussery 5-7 So. G 5.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg
BreAnna McLaughlin 5-9 Sr. F 9.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg
Chantiera Johnson 5-10 Sr. G 11.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Charlonda Bozeman 5-9 Sr. G 8.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg
Jasmine Crawford 5-5 So. G 6.8 ppg, 1.5 rpg
Kasei Evans 6-0 Sr. G 6.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Tournament History: Appearances-7, Last-2004
Finals: 1985 (2nd)
BLUE SPRINGS WILDCATS 27-2
Coach: Mark Spigarelli (370-86)
Ranking: 2nd
Scoring Averages: 56.6-39.4
Last 10 Games: 10-0, won 18 straight
Conference (Record): Suburbann Big Seven League (12-0, 1st)
Top Players
Drew Roberts 5-5 Sr. G 14.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg
Jamesia Price 5-6 So. G 7.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Mackenzie Sykes 5-11 Jr. G 5.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg
Cee Cee Burris 5-11 So. F 10.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg
Bryonna Snow 6-1 Sr. C 11.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Tournament History: Appearances-5, Last-2008
Finals: n/a
Class 5 Boys Capsules
CHAMINADE RED DEVILS 25-4
Coach: Kelvin Lee (n/a)
Ranking: 6th
Scoring Averages: 66.0-56.6
Last 10 Games: 8-2, won 4 straight
Conference (Record): Metro Catholic League (7-1, 1st)
Top Players
Brandon Hannah 6-3 So. F 7.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg
Brandon Lockhart 6-1 Sr. G 16.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Bradley Beal 6-3 So. G 18.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg
Luke Bumgarner 6-1 So. G 7.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg
Brendan Kelly 6-3 So. F 5.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Tournament History: Appearances-4, Last-2004
Finals: n/a
COLUMBIA ROCK BRIDGE BRUINS 27-2
Coach: Jim Scanlon (573-189)
Ranking: 3rd
Scoring Averages: 70.7-47.4
Last 10 Games: 8-2, won 4 straight
Conference (Record): Freelance League (2-0, n/a)
Top Players
Justin Miller 6-0 So. G 9.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg
Skylar Tolson 6-0 Sr. G 13.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Ricky Kreklow 6-5 Jr. G 13.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg
Jordan Dressler 6-8 Sr. F 14.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg
Charlie Henderson 6-3 Jr. F 5.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg
Briton Rudd 6-3 Sr. F 7.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg
Tournament History: Appearances-15, Last-2008
Finals: n/a
OAKVILLE TIGERS 23-7
Coach: Nick Traxler (74-62)
Ranking: Unranked
Scoring Averages: 61.7-51.1
Last 10 Games: 9-1, won 4 straight
Conference (Record): Suburban West League (6-2, t-2nd)
Top Players
Keith Pickens 6-3 Sr. G 14.9 ppg, 9.6 rpg
Josh Noblitt 6-0 Jr. G 10.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg
Toraino Hellems 6-0 Jr. G 7.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Garrett Reeg 6-5 Jr. F 10.6 ppg, 9.2 rpg
Javier Duren 6-3 So. G 11.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg
Tournament History: Appearances-6, Last-2008
Finals: n/a
GRANDVIEW BULLDOGS 28-1
Coach: Randy Farris (252-238)
Ranking: 1st
Scoring Averages: 79.3-58.6
Last 10 Games: 10-0, won 24 straight
Conference (Record): Suburban Small Six League (10-0, 1st)
Top Players
Richmond Morris 5-11 Sr. G 5.3 ppg, 0.9 rpg
Ronnie Boggs 6-4 Sr. F 10.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg
Alec Burks 6-5 Sr. G 21.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg
Quantel Denson 6-8 Jr. C 9.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg
JaVon McGee 6-4 Sr. C 9.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg
Tyler Rambo 6-4 So. F 5.1 ppg, 1.3 rpg
Kaleb Oakley 6-3 Sr. F 8.0 ppg, 1.6 rpg
Pierre Poplion 6-3 Sr. F 7.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg
Tournament History: Appearances-5, Last-1996
Finals: n/a
