Top 25 Missouri high school boys basketball rankings (12/22/2023)

Check out this week's Missouri boys basketball rankings

Author:
Cody Thorn
Publish date:
Dec 22, 2023 11:58 AM EST

Caleb Estes and the Oak Park boys basketball team made a statement on Dec. 9 at Mizzou Arena.

Playing in the Norm Stewart Classic, the Northmen rallied late to beat Vashon 77-72 in overtime behind a game-high 27 points from Estes, a junior guard.

“I think this game puts a statement that we are the best team in the state and it shouldn’t be up for debate anymore,” said Estes, who knocked down a 3-pointer with 2 seconds left in regulation to tie it up. “We’re here. We’re fighting for everybody who wants that No. 1 spot. Sherron Collins, that was a blessing for him to come over to Oak Park. That helped us as a team a lot.”

First-year Oak Park coach Sherron Collins, the former Kansas standout, has a talented, experienced and hungry team led by junior guards Estes and Corbin Allen. The Northmen went 26-2 a year ago – with both losses coming against state champion Staley – and look like a team capable of making a run at a state title of their own.

Missouri high school boys basketball rankings

December 22, 2023

1. Oak Park (4-1)

The Northmen have two wins against teams in the top 25 — Grandview and No. 2 Vashon — and the only loss came against Little Rock (Ark.) Central.

2. Vashon (5-2)

Three-star recruit Nicholas Randall, who is uncommitted, is leading the Wolverines in scoring through seven games with 12.8 points per game.

3. North Kansas City (6-1)

An undefeated start came to an end last week against Maize South from Wichita. Up next for the Hornets will be playing in the William Jewell Holiday Classic on Dec. 28 against Kansas City East Christian.

4. Cardinal Ritter (3-5)

The Lions have played only one Missouri team so far, beating University City. Since then, they’ve played teams from Illinois, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Arkansas and California. Ritter returns to action on Jan. 5 vs. Duchesne.

5. Chaminade (3-1)

Last weekend, the Red Devils beat Millwood (Oklahoma), 65-58, in the Midwest Showdown Shootout. Football standout Madden Irving was named the MVP of the game with 13 points.

6. Kickapoo (9-1)

The Chiefs won the Parkview Arvest Classic to open the season and recently picked up wins against Ozark and Nixa — future conference foes next season. The start of the final Ozark Conference slate starts on Jan. 2 at Rolla.

7. St. Mary’s (13-1)

Junior guard Zyree Collins is quickly establishing himself as a frontrunner for MBCA’s Mr. Show Me award. He’s averaging 30.2 points per game and hitting nearly 40% of his 3-point attempts.

8. Vianney (5-0)

Luke Walsh set a new school record for points in a game last week with 48 points in a win against Jackson. The junior guard is scoring 29 points per game.

9. New Madrid County Central (6-1)

Two-sport standout Jadis Jones, who recently decommitted from playing football at Coastal Carolina, entered this week averaging 24 points per game for the Eagles. He was a Class 3 all-stater on the hardwood last year.

10. Springfield Central (3-1)

After losing to No. 8 Vianney in Columbia, the Bulldogs beat Nixa, 75-47, on Dec. 19. It was the first win over the Eagles since 2009.

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11. Battle (6-2)

The Spartans have three players scoring in double figures, led by junior Vernell Holt’s 18.6 points per game.

12. Lindbergh (7-0)

The Flyers are well on their way to a third straight winning season and are on pace for the most wins for the program dating back to 2008-2009.

13. Nixa (5-3)

The tournament defense for the Eagles in the Blue and Gold Tournament starts on Dec. 26. Nixa is the No. 1 seed in the Blue bracket in the tournament held at Missouri State.

14. Sikeston (7-0)

The Bulldogs added a key transfer in P.J. Farmer, who made an impact for the soccer team in the fall. He is averaging 12.7 points so far, while Dontrez Williams (18.3) and Tristan Wiggins (16.3) are also in double figures.

15. Webster Groves (4-2)

The Statesmen will play No. 1 Oak Park in the Twelve Courts of Christmas Event on Dec. 22 in Kansas City. Webster Groves has already played top 25 teams in Father Tolton Catholic and St. Mary’s.

16. Park Hills Central (5-1)

The Class 4 runners-up from last year will look to defend their title when they host the 68th Annual Bob Sechrest, Jr. Central Christmas Tournament starting on Dec. 26. It could be the first back-to-back titles since 2014-15, 15-16.

17. Parkview (4-3)

A 17-win team a year ago, the Vikings are about to play in their third tournament of the season. Parkview, led by 6-foot-6 junior Eli Govan, will be at the Foster Roofing Holiday Classic at Fort Smith Southside Dec. 28-30.

18. Ladue (6-0)

Dwayne Foley, an all-conference defensive back in the fall, is leading the Rams with 13.3 points per game while adding 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game as well.

19. St. Francis Borgia (10-0)

The Knights have won the Borgia Turkey Tournament and St. Charles West Tournament. They capped the December portion of the schedule with a close win over Westminster Christian Academy, 54-49, on Dec. 19. Brody Denbow had 15 in the win.

20. Lee’s Summit West (6-2)

The Titans are led by Cleveland State signee Chaz Watson, a Class 6 all-stater last year. They are 5-1 since a loss to Parkview on Dec. 1.

21. Staley (4-2)

The Falcons are the defending Class 5 champion but lost a lot from last year’s roster — three all-state players who are now playing Division I basketball. However, veteran coach Chris Neff has a track record of quick turnarounds.

22. Grandview (6-2)

Josiah Kirkwood is a returning all-stater and a key player for the Bulldogs this year. The senior point guard trains with Kansas City basketball legend Marcus Walker.

23. South Iron (9-0)

All the Class 1 team does is win. They won another state title last year and now have a 16-game winning streak thanks to a hot start.

24. John Burroughs (6-2)

Tristan Reed, a 6-foot-8 sophomore and the younger brother of Michigan sophomore forward Tarris Reed, is already a coveted recruit in the Show-Me State and poised for a breakout season. Saint Louis, Kansas State, Michigan, Mississippi State and Missouri have offered him since July. He’s averaging 15.5 points for the Bombers after eight games.

25. Father Tolton (2-3)

The Trailblazers are a little shorthanded right now without the services of standout junior guard Aaron Rowe, one of the top prospects in the country in the Class of 2025. The recent Missouri commit transferred back to where he started high school ball after playing at Link Academy last year. He was a key player on the team’s runner-up finish in 2021-22 and when he's back on the court Tolton should be one of the toughest teams in the state.

Link Academy sophomore point guard Aaron Rowe

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- Cody Thorn | latsch@scorebooklive.com | @SBLiveMiz