Way Too Early Class 3 Teams to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(The Prep Girls Hoops Missouri Top 250 Expo will be held on September 23 at Principia and the Freshman Showcase will be on October 7, also at Principia. Make sure you enter AustinHoops2023 in the coupon code area to receive a discount on your registration).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are nearly three months away from the beginning of the high school season, but we never think its too early to take a look at some of the top teams to watch around the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> With that in mind, Prep Girls Hoops Missouri presents its Way Too Early look at some of the top Class 3 teams to watch. Of course, since we are putting out our list in early September, things can definitely change, such as teams that are moved to different classes, transfers and any other circumstances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":671074,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/IMG_2424.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-671074" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fair Grove: The Lady Eagles had a great 28-4 season which culminated in a state championship. They return a talented All-State point guard in 5'5" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='634025' first='Brooke' last='Daniels'] and 5'8" 2025 All-District guard [player_tooltip player_id='627259' first='Ashton' last='Bell']. Daniels averaged 10 points and six assists a game while Bell had a big postseason run. Also returning will be 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='865999' first='Abbey' last='Green'] and 2024 Taylor Green.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":723001,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_4507.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-723001" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Diamond (MO) 2024 PG [player_tooltip player_id='645079' first='Grace' last='Frazier']. Photo: Prep Girls Hoops.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Diamond: The Wildcats are coming off their first district championship since 1986. They are led by high-scoring 5'4" 2024 All-State guard [player_tooltip player_id='645079' first='Grace' last='Frazier'], a Missouri Southern commit. Also back are All-District 2024 guard Lauren Turner and 2025 guard Kabrie Parmley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>El Dorado Springs: The Bulldogs are coming off a state championship in 2022 and a state-runner up finish last season. They have good young talent back from last year's 26-6 team, led by 2025 All-State guard [player_tooltip player_id='634027' first='Neely' last='Schaaf'] and 2024 guard Tenlie Stewart. Also back from last season's young nucleus are 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1020493' first='Alexis' last='Collins'] and 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='982957' first='McKinli' last='Mays'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":716135,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_4538.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-716135" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montgomery County: The Lady Wildcats finished finished last season with a 22-7 and a district championship. [player_tooltip player_id='645081' first='Malia' last='Rogers'] is a 2024 guard who returns after an All-State campaign last season. Also returning are All-District guard Maddy Queathem and guard Olivia Shaw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":672422,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/Candra-King.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-672422" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Palmyra: The Panthers finished last season with a 21-7 record and a berth in the district championship game. They have plenty of talent back led by 6'0" 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='645076' first='Candra' last='King'], who was an All-State selection last season. The talented 2025 pair of 5'8" [player_tooltip player_id='303289' first='Clare' last='Williams'] and 5'10" [player_tooltip player_id='302787' first='Sydney' last='Compton'] are also back as is 2024 guard Taytum White.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Skyline: The Tigers made an excellent run to the Final Four of the state tournament, where they finished in third place. They have a talented young nucleus led by a pair of 2025 All-State guards in Kenzi Cheek and [player_tooltip player_id='634024' first='Ashlen' last='Garrett']. Also returning is 2024 forward Gracie Mead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":672424,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/Bella-Roush.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-672424" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Shelby: The Lady Birds followed up their state runner-up finish in 2022 with a 25-5 season and a quarterfinal berth last season. They are primed for another strong season with 5'9" 2025 forward [player_tooltip player_id='424746' first='Belle' last='Roush'] leading the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":741510,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/08/IMG_9366.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-741510" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Pius (Festus): The Lancers won 23 games and played for a district championship last season. They return a strong Inside-Outside combination in 6'1" 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='351821' first='Brooke' last='Blakenship'] and 5'2" 2025 point guard PJ Krodinger. Blankenship averaged 10 points and nine rebounds while Krodiger averaged 14 points a game last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strafford: The Indians won 20 games and played for a district championship last season. They return one of the state's top young guards in 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='460862' first='Elsie' last='Larsen'], who averaged 15 points a game. Also returning is 5'9" 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='747883' first='Lauren' last='Jones']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":727871,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_4596.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-727871" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>University Academy: The Gryphons won 21 games and advanced to the sectional playoffs last season. They are led by 5'10" 2025 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='335937' first='Anonda' last='Ford'], who has been the team's leading scorer since her freshman year. She was an All-District player last season as was fellow 2025 forward Nevaeh Leeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->