Kewpies Court Shootout: The Top Teams

Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at some of the top teams who competed in last weekend’s Kewpies Court Shootout, which was held at Columbia Hickman. &nbsp; <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-445299" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/675C1B10-9811-4AEA-B122-C18D308513F0.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> Tipton: The Lady Cardinals have one of the top small-school teams in the state and they looked like a well-oiled machine in the games that I watched them. The guard play was excellent with 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="107020" first="Myra" last="Claas"], who is a three-level scorer and 2025 [player_tooltip player_id="303290" first="Charlee" last="Bailey"], who can shoot the ball and pass it. Up front, there is 5’11" 2023 forward [player_tooltip player_id="170384" first="Briar" last="Cox"] holding it down with her consistent scoring and rebounding. &nbsp; &nbsp; <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-445301" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/A85BF59B-5CA5-4421-9857-745DEEA78D23.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> Hickman: The Kewpies have a talented team with plenty of size and a good combination of experience and young talent. 5’11" 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="194421" first="Ashtyn" last="Klusmeyer"] is an all-around forward who can score inside and on the perimeter. There is more good size up front in 6’1" 2024 Lucy Elfrink, 6’0" 2023 Addy Schultz and dynamic 5’11" 2025 Sy’Rae Stemmons. Talented 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id="303297" first="Jayla" last="Griffith"] can run the offense and knock down 3-pointers and 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="170604" first="Ella" last="Rogers"] is also a very good player. &nbsp; &nbsp; <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-445315" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/15B5A6BA-B1D0-4C16-ADE1-6DDA202A2AEF.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Battle: The Spartans are primed for an excellent season in 2023 as they feature a very talented trio of young guards in 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="199287" first="Nautica" last="Washington"], 2025 Taylor Robinson and 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="208004" first="Boo" last="Anderson"]. The 5’9" Washington is a smooth offensive player who can penetrate and knock down perimeter jumpers. Robinson is an excellent pass-first point guard with excellent quickness and leadership ability to go along with her skills. Anderson is a skilled southpaw shooter who can handle the basketball. 6’0" 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="252298" first="Kaelyn" last="Johnson"] can really stretch the floor with her 3-point shooting.</span> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-445304" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/DA8D231C-82AB-465B-B419-C63D7B050F7C.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> Cardinal Ritter: The Lions came to Columbia with one of the tallest teams in the event and they worked the high-low sets very effectively on the offensive end. They are led by 6’2" 2024 Ai’Niya Williams who has a versatile skill set and good defensive ability to go along with her size. 6’0’ 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="194408" first="Hannah" last="Wallace"] is a tremendous athlete who can guard multiple positions while 6’4" 2023 Sydney Taylor is a strong rebounder inside. Guards [player_tooltip player_id="344798" first="Daijah" last="Jones"] and [player_tooltip player_id="350014" first="Elyssa" last="White"] are capable players who will step up in the backcourt. &nbsp; &nbsp; <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-445305" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/926B4A4D-48D6-4299-BE66-C4DD8C61AE5D.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> Liberty North: The Eagles have an impressive team with a lot of young players who will contribute. The top youngster is versatile 5’11" 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="299456" first="Kennedy" last="Herrig"], who excels just about anywhere on the court. Another trio of 2024s who also played well are guards [player_tooltip player_id="335948" first="Gabby" last="Rose"] and Ava Levings while 5’11" forward Laura Babbitt can rebound and block shots inside. 2023 forward Neveah Campbell is an excellent all-purpose player while 5’10" 2026 [player_tooltip player_id="445429" first="Millie" last="Perry"] is a talented up and coming perimeter player. &nbsp; &nbsp; <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-341536" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/D1EA7E40-3DA0-4A55-BEC8-90ED75E35FA5.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> Helias: The Crusaders were missing many key players in the early game as it was an ACT testing day. In the afternoon game, they were back and it was a different ball game as we saw versatile 6’1" 2024 forward [player_tooltip player_id="194413" first="Adalyn" last="Koelling"], who can stretch the floor with her shooting and facilitate offense well. The guard play is also very good with the presence of 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="170615" first="Mikah" last="Edwards"] and 2024 Clare Manns, who are both good two-way players. Helias was a Class 4 Final Four participant last season. &nbsp; &nbsp; <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-445385" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/F3D11DB2-84E0-4E3D-94DA-094147EF8E00.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> Raytown South: The Lady Cardinals made a nice run to the Class 5 state quarterfinals last season and they look to have another strong team with good talent and speed. The 2023 duo of twin guards [player_tooltip player_id="279704" first="Jiyani" last="Thompson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="279705" first="Amrri" last="Thompson"] are excellent shooters who can also impact the game on defense. 5’9" 2025 Taniya Crutherd is a smooth lefty wing player who can score while 6’1" 2026 [player_tooltip player_id="279717" first="Jayla" last="McClinton"] is one of the top incoming freshmen in the state. &nbsp; &nbsp; <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-445306" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/6366A361-B33B-4DF8-A1A9-A447E5734F37.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> Southern Boone: The Lady Eagles look very much the part of a team that is going to enjoy another strong season. 5’6" 2024 Chloe Bukowski will be even stronger in the backcourt with her ability to handle the offense and shoot the 3-pointer. Up front, the Eagles have an excellent 1-2 combination in 5’11" 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="170614" first="Emilee" last="DeHaas"] and 6’0" 2023 Paige Morse. They play very well together inside.