Way Too Early Class 4 Teams to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(The Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo will be held on September 23 and the Freshman Showcase will be on October 7. Both events will be held at Principia. Make sure to enter AustinHoops2023 to receive a discount on your registration).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are nearly three months away from the beginning of the high school season, but we think it's never 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 Class 4 Teams to watch. Of course, since we our putting out this list in early September, things can definitely change, such as teams moving to different classes, transfers, injuries and other circumstances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":723158,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_4904.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-723158" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vashon: The Wolverines broke through and won their first state championship last season with a 27-5 record. Returning to lead the way is 5'8" 2024 point guard Chantrel "Tutu" Clayton, an All-State performer who averaged 16 points a game last season. Some new faces on the scene with good talent are 5'9" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='740677' first='Kiera' last='Burns'], 6'1" 2025 forward Jaisayah Wallace and 5'3" 2026 point guard Lauren Wimbley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":636513,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/04/IMG_8462.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-636513" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benton: The Cardinals have advanced to the state championship game that past two years and are looking to make another deep run in the state tournament. Returning from last year's 27-4 team are 5'11" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='418783' first='Andrea' last='Simmons'] and 5'6" 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='351758' first='Eliana' last='Arambula']. Simmons is a versatile forward who can play inside or outside while Arambula is a talented point guard who plays with great poise beyond her years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":671092,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/IMG_2255.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-671092" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>California: The Pintos won 20 games and played for a district championship last season. They have a strong group of perimeter players with 5'9" 2025 Hailey Raderman, 5'8" 2024 Isabelle Rohrbach and 5'6" 2025 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='303291' first='Kierstyn' last='Lawson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":672423,"width":227,"height":170,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/Jolie-Bonderer-III.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-672423" style="width:227px;height:170px" width="227" height="170" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chillicothe: The Hornets won 23 games and played for a district championship last season. A solid nucleus of players returns, led by 5'9" 2024 All-District guard [player_tooltip player_id='424374' first='Jolie' last='Bonderer']. Also returning are 5'9" 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='982940' first='Lyla' last='Beetsma'] and 2024 guard Kayanna Cramner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":691569,"width":216,"height":162,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_4383.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-691569" style="width:216px;height:162px" width="216" height="162" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cardinal Ritter: The Lions return several players from last year's team that played for a district championship. They are led by 6'1" 2024 wing [player_tooltip player_id='194408' first='Hannah' last='Wallace'], who has committed to Saint Louis U. and 6'2" 2024 forward [player_tooltip player_id='424401' first='Ai'Naya' last='Williams']. The Lions also have a group of talented guards in 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='493372' first='Alanah' last='Howard'], 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='344798' first='Daijah' last='Jones'] and 2026 Keara Williams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":722213,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_4964.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-722213" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Centralia: The Panthers won 24 games and played for a district championship last season. They return a very talented young player in 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='460885' first='Braylin' last='Brunkhorst'] and also have a talented 2027 entering the prep ranks in guard [player_tooltip player_id='803053' first='Ryenn' last='Gordon']. Also returning is 5'11" 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='252283' first='Morgan' last='Ross'] who missed last season with an injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":408321,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/04/CD3C2B98-7335-481F-A8A6-E3F145EF016A-scaled.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-408321" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fatima: The Comets won 22 games and a district championship last season. They return an All-State performer in 5'10" guard Alli Robertson, who has committed to Columbia College. Also back in the lineup is talented 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='634037' first='Vivian' last='Bax'] and 2024 guard Lucy Crede.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":689471,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_4357.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-689471" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lift for Life: The Hawks made a strong late-season push which led to them advancing to the state quarterfinals. They return 5'4" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='488377' first='Zha' last='Harris'], who was an All-District selection. Also back are 5'9" 2024 forward [player_tooltip player_id='644567' first='Paige' last='Fowler'] and 5'8" 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='773859' first='Chase' last='Giddings'], who returns after missing last season with an injury. The Hawks also have a talented group of 2027s in the fold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":672428,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/Grace-Billington.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-672428" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moberly: The Spartans won 22 games and advanced to the state quarterfinals last season. They return a strong group, led by 5'10" guard [player_tooltip player_id='194419' first='Grace' last='Billington'], who has committed to Murray State. She is a very talented offensive player who averaged nearly 20 points a game. Also back is 6'0" forward [player_tooltip player_id='644568' first='Asa' last='Fanning'], who has committed to William Jewell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":287964,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/05/Grace-Carlson1-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-287964" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notre Dame de Sion: The Storm have a strong nucleus back from last year's 17-9 season. The top player back is 5'7" 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='648582' first='Grace' last='Carlson'], who averaged 16 points a game. Also back are talented underclassmen in 5'11" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='302389' first='Taelyn' last='Smith'], 6'0" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='434606' first='Ava' last='Lynn'], 5'8" 2026 Faith Carlson and 5'5" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='498378' first='Terryn' last='Ford']. New to the fold is 5'9" 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='335933' first='Abby' last='Wendte'], a transfer from Lee's Summit West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":692693,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_3754.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-692693" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owensville: The Dutchgirls return a talented set of guards from last year's team that finished with an 18-9 record. The backcourt trio consists of 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='194416' first='Emma' last='Daniels'], 2025 Allison Daniels and 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='383244' first='Camryn' last='Caldwell']. [player_tooltip player_id='194416' first='Emma' last='Daniels'] averaged 17 points a game last season, Alison Daniels averaged 11.8 points and Caldwell averaged 10 points a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":636799,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/04/IMG_9773.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-636799" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Park Hills Central: The Lady Rebels won 28 games and made a run to the Final Four of the state tournament. They return a pair of All-State performers in 5'10" 2024 forward [player_tooltip player_id='255530' first='Khloe' last='Dischbein'] and 5'7" 2025 point guard Alyssa O'Connor. Another starter last year's Final Four team expected back is 2024 wing [player_tooltip player_id='644566' first='Kinley' last='Norris']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":430293,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/05/78037C46-98D4-4193-B667-DF0C2FB94427-scaled.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-430293" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. James: The Tigers followed up their Final Four season in 2022 with a 20-8 record and a berth in the sectionals last season. They have a strong group of players back in 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='194528' first='Emily' last='Recker'], 5'10" 2024 forward [player_tooltip player_id='199288' first='Kendall' last='Costoplos'] and 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='303299' first='Lydia' last='Kemnitzer'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->