Way Too Early Class 1 Teams to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are nearly three months away from the beginning of the high school season, but we never think it's too early to take a look at some of the top teams to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With that in mind, Prep Girls Hoops Missouri presents its Way Too Early look at the top Class 1 Girls Teams. Of course, since this list was published in early September, things can definitely change, such as teams moved to a different class, transfers and any other circumstances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":719459,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_4702.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-719459" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meadville: The Eagles are coming off a memorable season when they finished 31-0 and won the state championship. There is plenty of firepower back for another run with 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='424372' first='Korrie' last='Holcer'] and the Carvajal sisters, 2024 Paige and 2026 Madison. The 5'7" Holcer averaged nearly 20 points a game and knock down 106 3-pointers last season. [player_tooltip player_id='620693' first='Madison' last='Carvajal'] was the Class 1 Freshman of the Year after averaging 20 points and nearly nine steals a game last season. [player_tooltip player_id='645074' first='Paige' last='Carvajal'] is another terrific shooter from 3-point range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":459053,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/07/7EB010FE-2FC4-44D1-8DA2-AF806EBFD33C-scaled.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-459053" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chadwick: The Lady Cardinals made a great run last season as they finished with a 26-4 record and advanced all the way to the state championship game last season. Returning is All-State guard [player_tooltip player_id='424724' first='Kerrigan' last='Guerin'] and fellow All-Stater [player_tooltip player_id='633990' first='Raeleigh' last='Little'], who are both 2025 standouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Delta: The Bobcats has been a small-school power in the SEMO area in recent years and that success should continue again with several key players returning from a team that advanced to the state quarterfinals last season. They were also state runners-up in 2022. They return a talented trio of guards in 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='194539' first='Presley' last='Holweg'], 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='194533' first='Addison' last='Nichols'], both All-State selection, along with 2025 All-District performer Olivia Wagoner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":666496,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/IMG_1508.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-666496" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Higbee: The Tigers were a young team last year that finished with a 20-8 record and played for a district championship. They return a crew of talented players, led by 5'8" 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='424768' first='Ronnie' last='Welch'] and 5'7" 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='624830' first='Lauren' last='Spillman']. Welch is a high-energy guard who fuels the full-court press while Spillman can shoot the ball from 3-point range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":689997,"width":251,"height":188,"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_3731.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-689997" style="width:251px;height:188px" width="251" height="188" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Macks Creek: The Lady Pirates are looking to break through and make a deep postseason run after going 24-6 and playing for a district championship last season. They are led by 5'9" 2025 forward [player_tooltip player_id='424723' first='India' last='Willis'], who was an All-State selection after averaging 20 points and nearly 10 rebounds a game last year. Also returning are All-District 2025 standouts [player_tooltip player_id='636212' first='Brooklyn' last='Duggan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='397617' first='Addison' last='Ratliff'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":666919,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/Gabby-Meyer.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-666919" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northwest Hughesville: The Lady Mustangs won 20 games last season and return a strong inside-outside combination in 6'0" 2024 forward [player_tooltip player_id='745522' first='Karli' last='Smith'] and versatile 5'10" wing [player_tooltip player_id='722141' first='Gabby' last='Meyer']. They will be tough to stop as a duo in Class 1. They will get support from a pair of sisters in 2024 Grace Walker and 2026 Mary Walker, who both excel on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":755042,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/IMG_9309.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-755042" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Platte Valley: The Northwest Missouri powerhouse program has been a fixture in the Class 1 Final Four for the past three seasons with two state championships and last season's third-place finish. Another deep postseason run is a strong possibility with the return of dynamic duo [player_tooltip player_id='299460' first='Maggie' last='Collins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='424370' first='Brylie' last='Angle'], both All-State selections. The 6'1" Collins is a Northwest Missouri State commit who averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds a game last year. The 5'10" Angle is a versatile guard who is a strong playmaker and consistent scoring threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santa Fe: The Lady Chiefs finished with a 24-3 record last season and made a nice postseason run to the state quarterfinals. They return a solid trio of veteran players in 2024s Molly Malter, Kameron Dankenbring and Ava Schmidt, who were all All-District selections last seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":690560,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_3743.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-690560" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Iron: The Panthers figure to have another strong season after finishing last year with a 25-3 record and a district championship. Class 1 Player of the Year Maddie Ayers has graduated, but returning is the talented backcourt pair in 2024s [player_tooltip player_id='424373' first='Enzley' last='Dinkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='745518' first='Anna' last='Parker']. Dinkins was an All-State performer while Parker earned All-District honors last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walnut Grove: The Lady Tigers return a young and strong nucleus from a team that was 21-7 and played for a district championship last season. [player_tooltip player_id='424722' first='Ellie' last='Smith'] is a talented 5'6" 2025 point guard who has been a standout in the Tigers backcourt since she was a freshman. [player_tooltip player_id='635307' first='Jacie' last='Gavisk'] is a 6'0" 2025 forward who averaged a double-double as a sophomore. Both were All-State selections last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>([player_tooltip player_id='620693' first='Madison' last='Carvajal'] photo, courtesy of Lisa Rigdon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->