Missouri Basketball Preview

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Missouri boys' basketball

Grandview

After losing eight seniors from a team that went 29-2 and made it to the Class 5 state championship game, coach Randy Farris said the main question about the Bulldogs this season is whether they are rebuilding or reloading. Replacing star guard Alec Burks - who is now at Colorado - and three other starters who are now playing in college will be tough, but Grandview still has plenty of talent. It starts with star center Quantel Denson, the Bulldogs' sole returning starter, but Farris said small forward Tyler Rambo, point guard R.J. Leverette and guard James White (among others) have emerged as quality options.

Kearney

Four players with starting experience return from a team that went 21-10 last season and advanced to the Class 4 state championship game. Things figure to revolve around star center Dillon Starzl, but with the loss of power forward Conrad Schottel and two other seniors to graduation, Kearney coach Gary Belcher said the Bulldogs must find some leadership. Not to mention that most of his players were members of Kearney's state championship football team, which just finished playing last week. "We've got to get back into basketball mode," Belcher said.

Liberty

The Blue Jays have to replace Shaun Adams and Kevin Starr, who are No. 1 and No. 3 in all-time points scored in the program's history. But coach Roger Stirtz said it would be a mistake to count his Blue Jays out. Junior guard Jordan Lewis and senior forward Bryan Adams lead a balanced group that returns six varsity letterwinners. "If we had to draw up a play during crunch time to win the game, we'd have to go with the hot hand because we have a lot of guys who can step up and make the shot," Stirtz said.

O'Hara

Celtics coach Todd Magwire can barely contain his excitement about this group, which returns four starters from a team that went 18-9 last season. Senior guard T.J. White averaged 15 points a game last season and was joined on the all-West Central Conference first team by junior point guard D.J. Jackson. Meanwhile, junior guard JeVon Lyle has already committed to Northern Iowa and 6-4 senior post Dominique Fields returns as well. Throw in a deep bench, and Magwire believes he has more than enough weapons to get out and run. "If they can learn to play together, it could be a phenomenal year," Magwire said.

Raytown South

Junior point guard Corey Hilliard, who stands 6-1 and has already been offered a scholarship by Missouri State, will be flanked by 6-3 guard Earl Peterson, a transfer from Hickman Mills. Throw in 6-foot-11 senior center Joe Cooper and a dynamite 6-5 freshman wing in Ishmail Wainright, and coach Brad Oestreich likes what he has.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Quantel Denson, Grandview, senior, 6-8, center Denson figures to improve on last year's averages of 13 points and eight rebounds per game simply because the offense will now run through him. Farris also said he's gotten a lot stronger and has become the Bulldogs' vocal leader. "He's stepped up his role on the team quite a bit," Farris said.

Daylen Robinson, Northeast, senior, 6-0, guard When longtime Raytown coach Mark Scanlon took the head coaching job at Northeast, he quickly became acquainted with Robinson, a player who reminds him of former Raytown great Tyronn Lue. Robinson missed part of last season due to academic issues, but had 29 points, nine steals and seven assists in a season-opening win over St. Louis Construction Careers Center last week. "Some of the stuff he does, I don't think there's a better player around," Scanlon said. "I've had some great players at Raytown, but I haven't had a playmaker-type kid like this since Tyronn Lue."

Dillon Starzl, Kearney, senior, 6-9, center Kearney coach Gary Belcher said Starzl, who averaged almost 20 points and 11 rebounds per game last season, is getting better each time he steps on the floor. "He's put on some strength, and he's going to be a tough force for us around the basket," Belcher said. The key will be staying injury free. Belcher said Starzl missed 10 games with a foot injury last season.

Ishmail Wainright, Raytown South, freshman, 6-5, guard-forward The buzz surrounding Wainright, who possesses a 7-2 wingspan, is tremendous. He is widely considered to be one of the top five players in the class of 2013 and has already received interest from North Carolina, Kansas, Florida, Missouri and Texas. Wainright started at small forward in the Cardinals' season-opener last week and had nine points and nine rebounds, but he only figures to improve on those numbers. "He's mature beyond his age," said Raytown South coach Brad Oestreich.

Frank Williams, Raytown, senior, 6-5, guard-forward Williams, who averaged 22 points per game last season, is an all-around offensive threat who can score inside or outside. Williams, who has signed with the University of Detroit, will team up with senior guard Jordan Hopkins to give the Blue Jays one of the best duos in the KC Metro Area. "This year he's shown he can take it to the basket," Raytown coach Brandon Weis said, referring to Williams. "He's a versatile player."

MUST SEE GAMES:
O'Hara vs. Bishop Miege, Dec. 19: The final game of this year's Hy-Vee Shootout promises to be a blast. A deep O'Hara team takes on a loaded Bishop Miege squad in a battle between two teams with lofty expectations.

Finals of the William Jewell Holiday Classic, late December: There's plenty to look forward to here, including the tripleheader of division championship games on the tournament's final night.

Raytown vs. Raytown South, Jan. 9: One of the most intense rivalries in the KC Metro Area. Both of these talented teams will learn something about the other after this game, their first matchup of the season.

Kearney at Staley, Jan, 19: The second battle of the season between these two teams shouldn't be any less fun, considering both teams should be better after a month and a half of competition. The showdown between Kearney's 6-9 center Dillon Starzl and Staley's 6-9 center Joey Quigley should be a delight.

Grandview at Liberty, Feb. 1: Grandview figures to give Liberty a huge test just a few weeks before district play begins.

Columbia Rock Bridge at Raytown South, Feb. 5: It should be interesting watching the Cardinals take on Rock Bridge, which features a D-I talent of its own in 6-7 senior guard Ricky Kreklow, who is committed to Missouri.