Way Too Early Class 4 Teams to Watch
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(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…
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Continue Reading(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).
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.
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.
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 Kiera Burns Kiera Burns 5'9" | SG Vashon | 2025 State MO , 6’1″ 2025 forward Jaisayah Wallace and 5’3″ 2026 point guard Lauren Wimbley.
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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 Andrea Simmons Andrea Simmons 5'11" | SF Benton | 2025 State MO and 5’6″ 2026 Eliana Arambula Eliana Arambula 5'5" | PG Benton | 2026 State MO . 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.
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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 Kierstyn Lawson Kierstyn Lawson 5'4" | PG California | 2025 State MO .
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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 Jolie Bonderer Jolie Bonderer 5'9" | SG Chillicothe | 2024 State MO . Also returning are 5’9″ 2026 Lyla Beetsma and 2024 guard Kayanna Cramner.
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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 Hannah Wallace Hannah Wallace 6'0" | SF Cardinal Ritter | 2024 State MO , who has committed to Saint Louis U. and 6’2″ 2024 forward Ai’Naya Williams Ai’Naya Williams 6'1" | C Cardinal Ritter | 2024 State MO . The Lions also have a group of talented guards in 2026 Alanah Howard Alanah Howard 5'6" | PG Cardinal Ritter | 2026 State MO , 2025 Daijah Jones Daijah Jones 5'5" | CG Cardinal Ritter College Prep | 2025 State MO and 2026 Keara Williams.
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Centralia: The Panthers won 24 games and played for a district championship last season. They return a very talented young player in 2026 guard Braylin Brunkhorst Braylin Brunkhorst 5'11" | SG Centralia | 2026 State MO and also have a talented 2027 entering the prep ranks in guard Ryenn Gordon Ryenn Gordon 5'7" | PG Centralia | 2027 State MO . Also returning is 5’11” 2024 Morgan Ross Morgan Ross 5'11" | SG Centralia | 2024 State MO who missed last season with an injury.
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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 Vivian Bax Vivian Bax 5'8" | PG Fatima | 2025 State MO and 2024 guard Lucy Crede.
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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 Zha Harris Zha Harris 5'6" | PG Lift For Life Academy | 2026 State MO , who was an All-District selection. Also back are 5’9″ 2024 forward Paige Fowler Paige Fowler 5'9" | PF Lift for Life | 2024 State MO and 5’8″ 2024 guard Chase Giddings Chase Giddings 5'8" Lift for Life Academy | 2024 MO , who returns after missing last season with an injury. The Hawks also have a talented group of 2027s in the fold.
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Moberly: The Spartans won 22 games and advanced to the state quarterfinals last season. They return a strong group, led by 5’10” guard Grace Billington Grace Billington 5'10" | SG Moberly | 2024 State MO , 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 Asa Fanning Asa Fanning 6'0" | PF Moberly | 2024 State MO , who has committed to William Jewell.
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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 Grace Carlson, who averaged 16 points a game. Also back are talented underclassmen in 5’11” 2025 Taelyn Smith Taelyn Smith 6'0" | SF Notre Dame De Sion | 2025 State MO , 6’0″ 2025 Ava Lynn Ava Lynn 6'0" | SG Notre Dame De Sion | 2025 State MO , 5’8″ 2026 Faith Carlson and 5’5″ 2025 Terryn Ford Terryn Ford 5'5" | PG Notre Dame De Sion | 2025 State MO . New to the fold is 5’9″ 2025 guard Abby Wendte Abby Wendte 5'9" | PG Notre Dame de Sion | 2025 State MO , a transfer from Lee’s Summit West.
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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 Emma Daniels Emma Daniels 5'7" | PG Owensville | 2024 State MO , 2025 Allison Daniels and 2025 Camryn Caldwell Camryn Caldwell 5'5" | PG Owensville | 2025 State MO . Emma Daniels Emma Daniels 5'7" | PG Owensville | 2024 State MO averaged 17 points a game last season, Alison Daniels averaged 11.8 points and Caldwell averaged 10 points a game.
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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 Khloe Dischbein Khloe Dischbein 5'10" | SF Park Hills Central | 2024 State MO and 5’7″ 2025 point guard Alyssa O’Connor. Another starter last year’s Final Four team expected back is 2024 wing Kinley Norris Kinley Norris 5'9" | SG Park Hills Central | 2024 State MO .
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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 Emily Recker Emily Recker 5'6" | CG St. James | 2024 State MO , 5’10” 2024 forward Kendall Costoplos Kendall Costoplos 5'10" | SF St. James | 2024 State MO and 2025 guard Lydia Kemnitzer Lydia Kemnitzer 5'5" | PG St. James | 2025 State MO .