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Meet the News-Leader's 2023-24 All-Ozarks high school boys' basketball teams

Wyatt D. Wheeler, Springfield News-Leader
·5 min read

The Springfield News-Leader is proud to announce its All-Ozarks boys' basketball teams for the 2023-24 season.

In addition to our Dominant Dozen, in which we name the 12 most impactful players of the season, we're giving you our choices for who the top players in the region were in a team format regardless of class and conference. We're choosing this team based on who in the area we would most want on the floor with the game on the line.

The News-Leader is announcing a first and a second team and honorable mention selections. Athletes were chosen based on our observations, conversations with coaches and others, observing highlight films and weekly statistics, the player's team's strength of schedule and seeing each player's impact on their teams throughout the season.

More: Meet the News-Leader's 2022-23 All-Ozarks high school boys' basketball teams

Here are the News-Leader All-Ozarks boys' basketball selections for the 2023-24 season.

First Team All-Ozarks

Logan-Rogersville's Chase Branum goes up for a field goal as the Wildcats took on the Camdenton Lakers in the first round of the Blue Division during the Blue and Gold Tournament at Hammons Student Center on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023.
Logan-Rogersville's Chase Branum goes up for a field goal as the Wildcats took on the Camdenton Lakers in the first round of the Blue Division during the Blue and Gold Tournament at Hammons Student Center on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023.

Chase Branham, Logan-Rogersville, 9

It's not often that a freshman walks into high school, with high expectations, and then exceeds them en route to leading a Class 4 team to a state semifinal appearance. Branham was phenomenal in his first year playing high school basketball, already rising to one of the elite players in the area. He averaged 17.9 points and 3.8 assists for the Wildcats, improved throughout the year and made it known that he's one of the best guards, if not already the best guard in the Ozarks.

Central Bulldog Tyrique Brooks celebrates after a field goal during a game against the Kickapoo Chiefs at "The Pit" on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024.
Central Bulldog Tyrique Brooks celebrates after a field goal during a game against the Kickapoo Chiefs at "The Pit" on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024.

Tyrique Brooks, Central, 12

Brooks pushed a well-regarded Central roster heading into the season over the top when he made his way over from Waynesville. As he showed in previous years, Brooks' athleticism was unmatched when playing around the rim, often throwing down highlight dunks. His overall game got better as the year went on as well. He became a better shooter, his athleticism at 6-foot-4 allowed him to guard every position on the floor and he had top-tier teammates he could count on throughout a historic Central season.

More: Despite state semifinal defeat, Central basketball made it known that it's here to stay

Central’s Keion Epps dribbles the ball down the court during the MSHSAA Class 6 semifinal against Cardinal Ritter at Mizzou Arena on Mar. 15, 2024, in Columbia, Mo.
Central’s Keion Epps dribbles the ball down the court during the MSHSAA Class 6 semifinal against Cardinal Ritter at Mizzou Arena on Mar. 15, 2024, in Columbia, Mo.

Keion Epps, Central, 11

It's not often two first-team players come from the same school but Central was special this season. Epps was a big reason as he was the leader behind the first Bulldogs team to make a semifinal since 1963. There weren't many guards in the state who were as composed as Epps in big moments. He'd know when to take over or dish the ball to one of the Bulldogs' many playmakers. He led the Bulldogs in scoring and did a little bit of everything as the leader of the best team in town.

The Chadwick Cardinals beat the Braymer Bobcats to claim the Class 1 Boys State Championship at Mizzou Arena on Saturday, March 9, 2024.
The Chadwick Cardinals beat the Braymer Bobcats to claim the Class 1 Boys State Championship at Mizzou Arena on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

Clayton Garrison, Chadwick, 11

Garrison averaged a double-double leading the Cardinals to their first state championship in school history. He was the Class 1 Player of the Year and no one would question that he'd remain a great player if he played in any of the larger classes. He averaged 22 points, 10.5 rebounds and four assists. He took over in the Class 1 championship by scoring 24 points with 15 boards and four assists to be the lone first-team player with a championship ring.

More: Chadwick boys basketball wins first state championship in school history

Sparta Spartan Jacob Lafferty completes the win over Greenwood in the second round of the Blue Divsion during the Blue and Gold Tournament at Great Southern Bank Arena on December 27th, 2023.
Sparta Spartan Jacob Lafferty completes the win over Greenwood in the second round of the Blue Divsion during the Blue and Gold Tournament at Great Southern Bank Arena on December 27th, 2023.

Jacob Lafferty, Sparta, 12

Lafferty exits Sparta as one of the greatest athletes to come through the school. He's the only repeat First Team All-Ozarks player on this list after ending his career as Sparta's all-time leading scorer. This season, he averaged 28.4 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.8 steals. He turned it on in conference play, averaging nearly 31 points per game. Lafferty continued to get better throughout his high school career, even when you didn't think it was possible at some times. He was a passionate player on the court and someone the area will miss watching after a great career.

Central Head Coach Jordan Epps as the Bulldogs take on the St. John Bosco Braves (Calif.) during the 39th Annual Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions at Great Southern Bank Arena on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.
Central Head Coach Jordan Epps as the Bulldogs take on the St. John Bosco Braves (Calif.) during the 39th Annual Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions at Great Southern Bank Arena on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.

Jordan Epps, Central — News-Leader Coach of the Year

Central had high expectations. The Bulldogs' coach wanted them. He helped his team exceed them.

Jordan Epps is the News-Leader's 2023-24 Coach of the Year after leading Central on a historic season that saw the Bulldogs finish third in Class 6, its highest finish since 1945.

Other coaches before the season said Central would be the best team if it came together. The Bulldogs left no doubt thanks to the great chemistry on the court whether it be from Brooks, Keion Epps and others like Bryce Walker, Dru Wells and Devin Sanford. The Bulldogs were selfless, hard-working and never satisfied. They did everything their coach preached from the day he took over as head coach.

The winning culture Jordan Epps established at Central is one of the better high school stories in recent years. It's a culture that will last long after the 2023-24 Bulldogs.

Greenwood's Collin Clark shields off a defender during the Blue Jays' game vs. Strafford during Blue and Gold tournament action at Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield on December 27, 2022.
Greenwood's Collin Clark shields off a defender during the Blue Jays' game vs. Strafford during Blue and Gold tournament action at Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield on December 27, 2022.

Second Team All-Ozarks

  • Ethan Brown, Rolla, 10

  • Collin Clark, Greenwood, 11

  • Brenley Hagewood, Republic, 11

  • Adam McKnight, Nixa, 9

  • Amare Witham, Glendale, 10

  • Coach: John Schaefer, Logan-Rogersville

Honorable Mention

Ash Grove Brady Nicholson, 12 Aurora Cannon Thornhill, 10 Ava Isaac Dalton, 11 Blue Eye Colton Spinning, 12 Bolivar Drake Durham, 12 Branson Jayce Culver, 11 Buffalo Blair Abraham, 10 Cabool Josh Shockley, 12 Carthage Justin Ray, 12 Catholic Brett Roberson, 12; Ryder Rowden, 10 Central Devin Sanford, 11; Bryce Walker, 11; Dru Wells, 11 Chadwick Tristan Smith, 11 Fair Grove Tyler Barnett, 12; Spensar Seiger, 10 Forsyth Chris Halbrook, 10 Glendale Ta'Veaion Washington, 12 Greenwood Garrett Winslow, 12; Logan Sanders, 11 Hartville Jalon Cryer, 12; Grant Culver, 12; Payton Cogdill, 11 Hillcrest A.K. Staten-Balance, 12; Taner Hicks, 11 Kickapoo Jackson Shorter, 11; Reese Kimrey, 10 Lamar Ian Ngugi, 12 Liberty Terrell Gaines, 12 Logan-Rogersville Scott Metz, 12 Marionville Bryer Guerin, 10 Marshfield Tegen Curley, 11 Mount Vernon Jarrett Zerby, 11 Nixa Josh Peters, 12 Norwood Peyton McDaris, 11 Ozark Hudson Roberts, 11; Kylan Pickren, 9 Parkview T.J. Hill, 12; Eli Govan, 11; Dassaiah Green, 11 Seneca Morgan Vaughn, 12 Sparta Walker Loveland, 12 Strafford Cody Voysey, 11 Walnut Grove Tanner McMillen, 12 Webb City Barron Duda, 12 West Plains Briggs Hughston, 12 Willard Drew Quinlan, 12 Willow Springs Kolby James, 10

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: News-Leader 2023-24 All-Ozarks Boys Basketball Team Revealed