Coaches Confidential: Who was the best basketball player you went up against in 2023-24?
At the end of the 2023-24 high school basketball season, the News-Leader reached out to many coaches in the area with several questions to answer with anonymity. We will run a few of these stories throughout the week.
Today's question: Who was the best player you coached against this season and why?
Here are the responses by head basketball coaches throughout the area.
Boys' high school basketball
Jacob Lafferty from Sparta. He is a dynamic player who can play inside and out. Jake is engaged and passionate on both ends of the floor like few players of his caliber are consistently. In addition to his high level of passion, he is highly skilled with tremendous footwork and a great athlete.
More: Meet the News-Leader's 2023-24 All-Ozarks high school boys' basketball teams
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That's a really tough question. There are so many talented kids in the area. I'll say Amare Witham (Glendale) as No. 1 for me. He hit seven 3's in the first quarter against us in the Blue and Gold. Nine for the game. It was one of the best performances I've ever seen. The other guys that were impressive against us — Jacob Lafferty (Sparta), Collin Clark (Greenwood), Aidan Burns (Thayer), Hudson Roberts (Ozark), Brenley Hagewood (Republic) and Chase Branham (Rogersville).
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The PG from Rogersville (Branham) or Lafferty from Sparta. These two kids were the toughest to matchup with for our team. We have some kids who take a lot of pride in guarding the basketball and these two guys were extremely tough assignments.
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More: These Springfield area boys' high school basketball underclassmen showed they're next
Jacob Lafferty. He is the most athletic player in the area and our game plan for him was more specific and took more attention than anyone else we played this year. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor was special. Everything Sparta did revolved around him and watching him be a great teammate and willing passer was part of his game that impressed me.
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Keion Epps from Central. He rarely turns the ball over and is stronger than most point guards. Controls the game by either scoring or passing.
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Ethan Brown and Amare Witham were the best two players this year I coached against. They both are so dynamic with the ball and their coaches run stuff that really suits their games
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Justin Ray (Carthage). He could score from all three levels with a quick release. He had ability to take his defender off the dribble and rise over players to finish. Great basketball IQ and a tough competitor.
More: Dominant Dozen: Southwest Missouri's best boys' basketball players of 2023-24 season
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Brown from Rolla. He does it all, if you double him he dices you with the pass, he can score beyond the arc, mid-range and in the paint. High IQ and high talent.
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Tyrique Brooks of Central High School. He has no weaknesses in his game. He can shoot, drive and distribute to others as well as anyone in SWMO. Throw in he is surrounded by other great players and it makes him a matchup nightmare.
Girls' high school basketball
Ashlen Garrett (Skyline) was the best I saw and we saw her twice. We were pretty good defensively and we couldn't do anything with her.
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Misora Nambara from Republic. She literally can change the outcome of any game with her speed, basketball IQ, shooting ability and defense. Her ability to impact a game on any level was incredible to watch and so frustrating to go against!
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More: Ozarks girls' basketball coaching performances we were most impressed by in 2023-24
Mikayla Pilley from Kickapoo. Plays on both ends. Scores inside and out and is an unbelievable offensive rebounder. The defensive end is long and athletic.
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Kenzi Cheek, Skyline. She just takes over the game. She has the ability to score at all three levels and when her team needs a bucket she just finds a way to get a look. Defensively she plays longer than she is and always seems to be around the ball.
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Allyssa Joyner and Olivia Lawson from West Plains, Willow Gideon from Rolla. Nambara from Republic was just solid all year. Kylee Cole from Aurora shot the 3 ball really well.
More: Dominant Dozen: Southwest Missouri's best girls' basketball players of the 2023-24 season
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Kenzi Cheek and Ashlen Garrett. There are several players in the area who can score at a high level, but the way these two defend and compete sets them apart from the rest. They have the traits that are ingrained at Skyline and they will do whatever it takes to win. I wouldn’t want to see them as an opposing player or coach next season
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Misora Nambara. She was just so steady and couldn't get her rattled. She was a tremendous leader at Republic. Her floor experience shined through.
Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist with the Springfield News-Leader. You can contact him at 417-371-6987, by email at wwheeler@news-leader.com or X at @WyattWheeler_NL.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield area high school basketball coaches confidential best player
