A Look at Class 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we embark on a new season this week, here is a look at the top players and teams in Class 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>THE STARTING FIVE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["777605"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67488f3f0e7be"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A talented 5'7" 2027 point guard who led the Hawks to the Class 4 state championship last season. She averaged 17 points, five rebounds and three assists while shooting 39 percent from 3-point range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["803072"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67488f3f0e815"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 6'2" 2027 forward who was an impact freshman last season in helping Marshfield to a third-place finish in the state tournament. The versatile forward averaged 13 points and six rebounds a game last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["488377"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67488f3f0e859"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 5'6" 2026 point guard who was a two-way standout for the Class 4 state champions last season. As a sophomore, she averaged 16 points, four assists and six steals a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["627258"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67488f3f0e89a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 5'9" 2025 small forward who has the athleticism to impact play at both ends of the court. An All-State selection last season, she averaged 16 points, and four rebounds a game while shooting 41 percent from 3-point range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["421821"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67488f3f0e8da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 6'2" 2025 forward who led Smithville to a Final Four berth in the state tournament, which is its second in three years. She can really stretch the defense with her 3-point shooting. She has already signed with Wyoming of the Mountain West Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10 MORE PLAYERS OF NOTE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='970743' first='Jazlyn' last='Rhodes'] (St. Teresa's): A 5'9" 2027 guard who is one of the top young prospects in the KC area. She averaged 12 points and four assists as a freshman for a district championship team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='859813' first='Lauren' last='Stone'] (Platte County): A 5'10" 2025 guard who led Platte County to a 21-7 record last season. The Clarke recruit averaged 10.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals a game as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='458957' first='Ashley' last='Hilton'] (Hillsboro): A 2026 forward who averaged 17 points and seven rebounds a game in leading the Hawks to a 26-3 record and a district championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='493477' first='Diamond' last='Polk'] (Lift for Life): A 5'8" 2026 guard who is a prime shooter and defensive player. She averaged 12 points a game for the Class 4 state champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='984321' first='Madison' last='Mills'] (Farmington): A 2025 guard who returns after earning All-State honors as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='635330' first='Mariah' last='Mayfield'] (Hannibal): A 5'8" 2025 guard who is a three-level scorer who can create her own shot. She was an All-District selection last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='457728' first='Jael' last='Green'] (University City): A 5'4" 2026 point guard who averaged 12 points, three rebounds and four assists in leading the Lions to a 20-victory season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1005562' first='Siena' last='Snyder'] (Parkway West): A 5'10 2025 forward who averaged 11 points and eight rebounds in leading the Longhorns to a district championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='302377' first='Brooke' last='Boyce'] (Cardinal Ritter): A 5'9" 2025 guard who is a strong all-purpose player. She averaged 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals as a junior at Pattonville last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='722134' first='Quinn' last='Aldridge'] (Marshfield): A 5'10" 2026 guard who helped the Bluejays to a third-place finish in the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A FEW TEAMS TO WATCH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lift for Life: The Hawks have moved up to Class 5 after running to the Class 4 state championship last season. They have the best group of guards in the state in 5'7" 2027 twins Amaya and [player_tooltip player_id='803071' first='Cara' last='Manuel'], 5'6" 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='488377' first='Zha' last='Harris'] and 5'8' 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='493477' first='Diamond' last='Polk'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marshfield: The Bluejays made a strong run to a third-place finish in the state tournament last season. They have some impressive young talent in 6'2" 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='803072' first='Peyton' last='Ward'], 5'10" 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='722134' first='Quinn' last='Aldridge'] and 2028 guard [player_tooltip player_id='887236' first='Izzy' last='Cherne'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cardinal Ritter: The Lions have an impressive group of guards to build around in 2025s [player_tooltip player_id='302377' first='Brooke' last='Boyce'] and [player_tooltip player_id='344798' first='Daijah' last='Jones'], 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1044970' first='Alanah' last='Howard'], 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='970764' first='Nyla' last='Scales'] and 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1039457' first='Trinity' last='Jackson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smithville: The Warriors made their second trip to the Final Four in the past three seasons. They are led by 6'2" 2025 All-State forward [player_tooltip player_id='421821' first='Peyton' last='Wohlford'] and 6'0" 2026 forward [player_tooltip player_id='982953' first='Reese' last='Foster'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Teresa's: The Stars returns some talented players back from a district championship team. Back are talented 2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='970743' first='Jazlyn' last='Rhodes'] and 6'1" 2025 Missouri S&amp;T recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1005339' first='Nora' last='Roddy'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Joseph's: The Angels have moved from Class 6 to Class 5 and they have the talent to make some noise. They will be led by 2025 guards [player_tooltip player_id='740363' first='Maddie' last='Hannis'], [player_tooltip player_id='458866' first='Amali' last='McBride'] and 2026 forwards [player_tooltip player_id='493366' first='Piper' last='Mooney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='351775' first='Kylee' last='Reiter'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Platte County: The xx won 21 games a year ago and return a host of key players, led by 5'10" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='859813' first='Lauren' last='Stone'], 6'0" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='984329' first='Addy' last='Schlake'] and 5'9" 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='893153' first='Rylee' last='Carr'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Plains: The Zizzers have a talented nucleus of young players in the mix this season. Stepping into new roles are 2026 guards [player_tooltip player_id='722140' first='Lucy' last='Hafer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='937735' first='Zoe' last='Scharnhorst'] and 2026 guard Shayla Peterson. A pair of 2028s who will make an impact are forward [player_tooltip player_id='954858' first='Gillian' last='Green'] and guard [player_tooltip player_id='999522' first='Ainsley' last='McWilliams'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->