Predicting the Pink & White Lady Classic (Pink Division)
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The annual Pink & White Classic held at Drury University in Springfield is one of the cream of the crop girl’s basketball tournaments in the state. A bolder and more cocksure person than I would say that it’s the best,…
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Continue ReadingThe annual Pink & White Classic held at Drury University in Springfield is one of the cream of the crop girl’s basketball tournaments in the state. A bolder and more cocksure person than I would say that it’s the best, period, and a lot of that is because girls high school basketball in southwest Missouri is no joke. From large Class 6 schools close to Springfield on out to smaller rural schools, the area is a hotbed of talent. And the Pink & White regularly features Class 5 and 6 powerhouses against Class 2 and 3 ones, which adds much intrigue to those who follow it.
So here we will break down the matchups, starting with the earliest games for each round, and predict how things shake out in the Pink division. The tournament starts on Monday December 27th and the schedule can be found here.
First Round Games, Monday December 27th
#7 Ava vs Greenwood – Ava beefed up their schedule this season and comes in as one of the most improved teams in the state since the start of last season. Led by all stater 6’2 junior Sara Mendel Sara Mendel 6'2" | SF Ava | 2023 State MO , do it all 5’10 guard Hannah Evans, and lead guard Lexie Gastineau, Ava has solidified themselves as perhaps the best Class 4 team in southwest Missouri. And they are doing with without Lexie Gastineau’s twin sister Olivia, who is out with an injury but slated to return sometime this season. Olivia averaged 14 ppg, 8 rpg last season with plenty of steals and assists thrown in. If she is healthy and blends in with the others well upon her return, Ava can make a state run in Class 4.
Class 2 Greenwood has two very good players in 5’10 sophomore Hannah Gibbons Hannah Gibbons 5'9" | CG RUSH | 2024 State MO , who was born to score and is capable of scoring 30-plus on a given night, and fellow 5’9 sophomore Camryn Parker Camryn Parker 5'6" | PG Greenwood | 2024 MO who is the point guard for the Lady Blue Jays and can fill the stat sheet. They lack the depth of talent and overall size and athleticism that Ava has, however.
Prediction: Ava rolls in this game by 30 and moves on.
#2 Republic vs Waynesville – Republic lost 3 key starters from last season in the back court and have had to replace them with girls lacking in much varsity action, but they do return all stater and MSU commit Kaemyn Bekemeier Kaemyn Bekemeier 5'9" | SG Republic | 2023 State MO , who is just a junior, as well as 5’11 sophomore Rylinn Finley, who earned a starting gig during her freshman season and can score inside or out. So far this season, 5’4 junior guard Hope Schatz has stepped in to give Republic a much needed outside threat and has a few double figure scoring games under her belt so far this season and the point guard position has been manned by 5’3 sophomore Misora Nambara, who is a quick guard with great handles and passing ability and is another threat from outside or going to the rim. Nambara is one of the most fun players to watch in the area due to her small size, but she makes up for it with her considerable skills and handles. Her sister, senior Miha Nambara, also is a big contributor for Republic with her shooting and handles.
It isn’t often that a first round game in a tournament – or really any game for that matter – features two division one prospects, but this game does. Waynesville features 6’2 monster Breona Hurd Breona Hurd 6'2" | PF Waynesville | 2024 State MO , who was receiving D1 offers before she even played a high school game. Coming off of a freshman season in which she averaged 17 ppg and 9 rpg, she can do it all on the court, including playing out on the perimeter. But Waynesville has struggled this season to replace all state guard Naudia Evans, who is now playing for D1 Grand Canyon, and they won’t be a match for Republic.
Prediction: Republic in a landslide. Bekemeier and the back court and hard nosed defense that is a staple of Kris Flood teams will be too much for Hurd and Waynesville to overcome.
#6 Ozark vs Carthage – Ozark has been quietly under the fold in the early going, as they played in an out of state tournament in the early going and have only one home game thus far, a 54-40 loss to West Plains, but are still deserving of a seed in this tournament. They are led by 5’11 senior Moriah Putt Moriah Putt 5'10" | SF Ozark | 2022 State MO , the latest in a long line of Putt athletes and a D2 Rockhurt commit, along with hustling, hard nosed point guard Riley Boggs Riley Boggs 5'9" | CG Ozark | 2022 State MO and outside sniper Lyla Watson Lyla Watson 5'5" | CG Ozark | 2022 State MO , the latter two also being seniors.
Carthage counters with junior point guard Kianna Yates Kianna Yates 5'5" | PG Carthage | 2023 MO , who has taken on a bigger load this season, and they have already played the likes of Kickapoo and Miller, both losses by significant margins. Their last two games have been a good win over Central and a 1 point loss to a 7-2 Nevada team, so they appear to be coming together after losing four key seniors from last season. They need a consistent scoring threat to go along with Yates to compete with the best, however.
Prediction: Ozark by 15. This should be a pretty low scoring game, but Ozark has the defenders to slow Yates down and Putt will be a tough matchup for Carthage on the other end.
#3 Lebanon vs Buffalo – Lebanon won the tough Fair Grove tournament and are undefeated coming into the Pink & White. They have been bolstered by the addition of senior lead guard Kori Cromer Kori Cromer 5'8" | PG Marshfield | 2022 State MO , who came over from Marshfield for this season. She is putting up some 17 ppg and nailing 45% of her 3’s so far, which goes nicely with 5’11 junior D1 prospect Reagan McCowan who does most of her scoring around the rim. McCowan is an athletic freak with the leaping ability to grab the rim and is averaging 25 ppg and 11 rpg. They also are aided by senior guard Makayah Alexander Makayah Alexander 5'9" | SF Lebanon | 2022 State MO , who puts up 11 ppg and 6 rpg, nice for a guard and also have other experienced varsity players who provide plenty of depth. The backcourt depth allows Lebanon to relentlessly pressure other teams and create turnovers, leading to transition points.
Buffalo comes in at 3-4 but has played a tough schedule, with losses to top teams West Plains, El Dorado Springs and Skyline. They do have some offensive firepower and scored 88 in a game this season. They are led by junior guard Bella Young, who can heat up fast from outside and scored 16 per game last season, and 6’0 junior post Reagan Carter, who scored 11 ppg and grabbed 7 rpg during her sophomore season, and they have several other contributors who have stepped up at times.
Prediction: Lebanon by 30. Buffalo is battle tested and shouldn’t be intimidated by Lebanon as much as other teams would be, but they will struggle with Lebanon’s speed, depth and overall athleticism in this game.
#8 Branson vs Aurora – Branson’s style of play can best be described as creating chaos and winning ugly. They will flat out get after you on defense and teams that have to play them feel it the next day. They do not have the marquee players that other seeded teams have but they make up for it with moxie and hustle. They return 9 letter winners and none averaged more than 6 or 7 ppg last season. No one epitomizes their style of play better than senior Chloe Grimm, a 4 year varsity player. Also a soccer standout, she will play both sports in college. She is hard nosed and hustles all over the court on both ends.
Aurora is led by juniors Ellie Creasey and Payden Blevins, who transferred from Marionville. The 5’8 Creasey can score inside or out and Blevins is the floor general. Unfortunately, Aurora has struggled to find the wins this season and lack the depth that the better teams have.
Prediction: Branson by 25. Aurora will struggle with the Lady Pirate’s pressure defense and Branson will once again “win ugly”.
#1 Kickapoo vs Thayer – Kickapoo is coming off of a Class 6 final four run last season and despite losing most of their size from past seasons, return plenty of talent, led by Baylor commit senior Bella Fontleroy. Also returning is senior point guard Kaya Goldsby Kaya Goldsby 5'7" | PG Kickapoo | 2022 State MO , who moved in prior to last season from North Carolina and excels on the defensive end and can make plays on the other end with her scoring and passing. Those two are flanked by several other talented players who can step up in any game, one of which is sophomore Kyah Johnson, who made a splash as a freshman last season on a loaded team, filling up the stat sheet. She helps her team on both ends with her scoring at all levels, passing, rebounding and defense. 5’10 senior Brooke Turner is as tough as they come and her size is much needed on this team for a change. Kickapoo lost to Incarnate Word, a team with multiple 6 footers and 7 D1 players, by 20, but otherwise are unblemished so far.
Thayer won the Class 2 state championship two seasons ago and are somewhat under the radar so far this season, playing mostly out of state teams. They are led by junior Maddy Donahue and senior Callie Johnson. Both are in the 5’8-5’9 range and are largely responsible for them having only one loss so far. Thayer has good size for a Class 2 team and may actually match Kickapoo size wise, but nonetheless, they lack the experience of the Lady Chiefs.
Prediction: Thayer will play Kickapoo tougher than expected, but ultimately Kickapoo pulls away and wins by 20.
#5 Skyline vs Mount Vernon – Both of these teams made the final four last season, Skyline lost the Class 3 championship game and Mount Vernon the Class 4 one. But what a difference a season makes… Skyline returns most of their top players, and Mt Vernon lost over 80% of their scoring. Skyline is led by a stellar 2022 class of seniors who have been playing together for years. Justine Barb is a strong 5’9 post who plays bigger than her size. Her low post game is textbook with the way she muscles for position and creates space to catch a pass down there and score. Miranda Quennoz is a high IQ point guard who can score at all three levels and distribute well. Both players were first team all state selections last season. And as always, Skyline brings it on the defensive end and have tradition on their side thanks plenty to one of the best coaches in the area in Kevin Cheek.
Mt Vernon graduated arguably – or maybe even unarguably – the best player in their history in Lacy Stokes, who is now tearing it up for D2 Missouri Southern. Few players in Missouri girls’ basketball history have been the difference maker she was on both ends and it is impossible to replace a player like that. Not far behind her was Ellie Johnston, a gifted scorer who was Scottie Pippen to Stoke’s Michael Jordan. Coach Grant Berendt is one of the best around and maximizes what he has, but as any coach will tell you, you need talent to win and they have struggled this season in the early going especially on the offensive end. On the defensive end, they compete and keep the scores low but thus far, they are having great difficulty not only finding offense, but also wins.
Prediction: Skyline by 30. Two teams steeped in tradition but one who has a big edge on the talent side is the difference. A year ago, this would have been a great matchup. And oh wait – they did play a year ago in this very tournament with Skyline winning by a single point. As we said, what a difference a year makes…
#4 Cabot vs Parkview – Cabot is one of two teams in this tournament not from southwest Missouri, as they hail from Arkansas. While we don’t claim to know a ton about Cabot, we do know that they beat Har-Ber out of northwest Arkansas 81-70, and Har-Ber beat area power Strafford 70-55. So they are obviously very good and could be a sleeper as the 4 seed. And lest you think Cabot is a small school, they are not, with an enrollment of over 2,000 students, being located just outside of Little Rock. The level of girls basketball played in Arkansas is no joke so we fully expect a good showing by this team. What we know about them is that they are deep, athletic and well coached but lack imposing size.
Parkview is led by sophomore guard Tara Masten Tara Masten 5'5" | CG Parkview | 2024 State MO , who reminds us some of Lacy Stokes being a lefty point guard with speed and quickness. She’s put up a 30 point game this season, against Seneca, and her outside shot is improving to go with her ability to get to the rim and finish in traffic. She also creates chaos on the defensive end with many steals and deflections. Her stats thus far are 21 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg, and 6 spg. Again, those are Lacy Stokes numbers… Her younger sister Brook is one of the best freshman in the area, scoring nearly 16 per outing thus far. Also contributing are sophomore Austin Hall, who making over 40% from 3 and scoring 9 per game, and 5’5 junior Leah Reichert, who plays bigger than her size, putting up 8 ppg and 7 rpg so far.
Prediction: The depth and overall athleticism of Cabot is too much for Parkview and they take this one by 25.
Second Round Games, Tuesday December 28th
#2 Republic vs #7 Ava – This will be a really good matchup. Ava has the ability to pull off the upset here as we think their size will give Republic some trouble on both ends. The game will come down to how Ava handles the Republic pressure and if they can stop Bekemeier from going off. Ava will also need to knock down shots from the perimeter to have a shot at this one. Ultimately, Republic wins, but they get a scare from Ava and only take it by 10 or so.
#3 Lebanon vs #6 Ozark – Another good matchup with Putt and Boggs of Ozark vs McCowan and Cromer of Lebanon. Ozark will keep the score down and that will give them a fighter’s chance but we think the depth and pressure of Lebanon will be too much for Ozark. Foul trouble could be an issue in this one as both teams play tight, hard-nosed defense and like to pressure. Lebanon by 12-15.
#1 Kickapoo vs #8 Branson – Branson will create turnovers and make this yet another low scoring and ugly game, but Fontleroy and company are too much for the Lady Pirates, who will struggle at times to score if they are not getting transition points. Branson won’t go down without a fight though, and lose by 15, which is less than you’d expect a #1 to beat a #8.
#4 Cabot vs #5 Skyline – This will be a very intriguing matchup, Skyline will certainly have a good game plan against Cabot. Look for Barb to be a big factor for Skyline in this one but ultimately we think that Cabot will be too deep and athletic for Skyline and win this one going away by 15.
Third Round Games, Wednesday December 29th
#2 Republic vs #3 Lebanon – It’s been tough to predict any upsets thus far in this tournament, but we believe this has the makings of one. Lebanon will bring pressure to Republic like no one else has this season and the McCowan vs Bekemeier matchup will be very fun to watch. These are the two best juniors in southwest Missouri and two of the best in the entire state, both players are D1 level, and both have similar size and skill sets. Bekemeier is a bit more perimeter oriented, McCowan is a load closer to the basket. This one comes down to guard play, and we believe Lebanon prevails due to the experience and athleticism of their guards compared to Republic’s. Lebanon wins a close one, 5 points or less.
#1 Kickapoo vs #4 Cabot – Another great matchup… it’s very hard to pick either team here. The homer in me wants to pick Kickapoo but the out of state teams in the Pink and White traditionally hold their own. Cabot will very likely play a good zone defense that will force Kickapoo to hit shots from the perimeter which is not one of their strengths, and they have the athletes to keep up with the Lady Chiefs on both ends. Ultimately, a disciplined game plan by Cabot enables them to pull off the upset. Cabot wins by 5-10 points with the game being close till the end and Cabot closes it out with free throws.
Championship and Third Place Games, Thursday December 30th
#3 Lebanon vs #4 Cabot – The championship game, if our predictions ring true, will feature a matchup that many may not have expected to see. I’ve seen film on Cabot and they are very well coached and athletic. But so is Lebanon. Lebanon will have the best player on the court with McCowan and they will also pressure the hell out of Cabot. Cabot is capable of handling the pressure well but they can also falter. Lebanon will have to hit some perimeter shots and get good ball movement. In a barn burner of a game, we are going to go with Cabot, they win a very close game, could even go into overtime. So much for being a homer…
#1 Kickapoo vs #2 Republic – A rematch of a recent game where Kickapoo won by 10. Kickapoo once again gets the W.
Consolation
On the consolation side of things, we believe it will be Thayer vs Carthage for the championship and we expect Thayer to win that. The dark horse is Parkview. If they can beat Thayer, then they have a great shot at winning it with a great point guard matchup of Parkview’s Masten against Carthage’s Yates.