Still early in the year but here’s our first impressions of the season. The next few weeks will tell us a lot so we’ll wait 4 week before we do this again.
CLASS 1
- Walnut Grove
- Chadwick
- Humansville
- Eminence
- Exeter
Considered: Bakersfield, Dadeville, Verona
Walnut Grove has the best win of this group right now by beating Humansville. Chadwick has multiple scoring options and is very deep. Arianne Henry gives Humansville a lethal 1-2 punch with Kayla Bays. Eminence is undefeated behind the play of the Williams sisters. And Exeter’s win over Verona shows they’re more than Whitney Edie.
CLASS 2
- Sparta
- Miller
- Purdy
- Laquey
- Couch
Considered: Clever, Fordland, Hartville, Newburg, Osceola, Richland, Thayer
The defending champs lead the deepest group on the girls side after an impressive start. With only a loss to Webb City, Miller is looking strong & driven. Purdy is just going to improve as the year goes along. Tyler Brock heads up a Laquey team that looks like they haven’t lost a step. And Couch has a big win over Thayer to their credit already.
CLASS 3
- Mt. Vernon
- Fair Grove
- Ash Grove
- Stockton
- Skyline
Considered: Ava, Blue Eye, Conway, East Newton, Morrisville, Seneca
Another great group to choose from. Mt. Vernon has been easily the most impressive of this group so far. While only a loss to Mt. Vernon tarnishes Fair Grove’s record. Likewise Kaile Weinreis and Ash Grove have given Stockton their only loss so far. Skyline’s only loss was a 51-46 home defeat at the hands of Marshfield.
CLASS 4
- Webb City
- Republic
- West Plains
- Buffalo
- MacDonald County
Considered: Cassville, Marshfield
Webb City may be the best team in the entire state in any class. It’s going to be hard to catch them. Republic only has the loss to a good Mt. Vernon team, and they’re not totally healthy. West Plains is winning with defense this year holding opponents to under 40 ppg. Buffalo is off to a solid start but gets into the COC after the first of the year. No bad losses for Mac County so far.
CLASS 5
- Nixa
- Glendale
- Ozark
- Branson
- Kickapoo
Considered: Carthage, Hillcrest
Everybody is following the leader right now, and that’s Nixa. Influx of young talent has then looking great. Glendale will continue to improve & challenge. Likewise, Ozark should be even stronger as we move along. Branson is off to a great start but can they maintain it. Loss of Hana Haden has hurt Kickapoo more than I thought it would. Don’t write off the Lady Chiefs just yet though.



Skyline is not even “considered” in class 3. Was that just an oversight?
Yes it was. I can say with 100% certainty that of the 121 schools that I cover, Skyline is ‘the’ hardest one to find timely information on. And I forgot them. It’s corrected now. Thank you.