Top 5 Stars: Thayer vs Alton

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Girls Hoops Missouri took in a little rivalry action when Thayer paid a visit to nearby Alton in the annual Oregon County Showdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one was much anticipated as Alton entered the contest with 20 wins and a Class 2, No. 8 ranking. Thayer entered with a 13-7 record against a challenging schedule. The Bobcats are ranked No. 4 in Class 2. Both teams are also in the same district as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On this night, Thayer proved to be too much for their rivals as it dominated from start to finish to take a 73-45 victory. Taking a postseason tradition from hockey, Prep Girls Hoops Missouri selects its Top 5 Stars from the Oregon County Showdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 1 Star: [player_tooltip player_id='831254' first='Hadley' last='Meyer'] (Thayer): A 5'11" 2025 forward who scored a team-high 17 points in the victory. She is a very smooth combo forward with a nice shooting touch from the low post. She can also turn and face and hit the turnaround jumper from the high post. She is an excellent passer who finds open cutters left and right. She is a good athlete who runs the floor and can handle the ball in the open court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 2 Star: Joslyn Tucker (Thayer): The 2024 guard scored a team-high 17 points and put on quite an impressive shooting display in the second half when she made five 3-pointers. She made three triples on three consecutive possessions, which turned what was still a fairly competitive game into a blowout. Once she got into her rhythm, her teammates did a good job of getting her the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 3 Star: Evin Montgomery (Alton): A 2024 point guard who scored a team-high 17 points. She handles the ball well enough to weave through pressure defense. She has a nice hesitation dribble in the open court to shake defenders on her way to the basket. She also hit a pair of 3-pointers from well beyond the 3-point line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 4 Star: Shaylee Peterson (Thayer): A 2026 forward who scored 15 points and did an excellent job on the boards. She has good mobility and she can play the physical game inside. She uses the glass well and can score on the turnaround.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 5 Star: [player_tooltip player_id='1162189' first='Abby' last='Bowers'] (Thayer): A 2025 guard who shot it well from the perimeter. She scored 12 points, with all of them coming off her four 3-pointers. She also showed some athleticism on defense by blocking a 3-pointer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> [player_tooltip player_id='865966' first='Alee' last='Willard'] (Alton): A 6'3 2025 center who scored 10 points and rebounded the ball well. She moves well and she blocks shots on defense. She works hard inside and she doesn't mind the physical play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->