Which underclassmen are standing out? Mid-Missouri girls basketball summer observations
The summer season for high school basketball
There were looks into the 2023-2024 season on full display at the 2023 Kewpie Court Shootout last weekend, where Battle, Hickman and Father Tolton competed against other Missouri squads. Rock Bridge was not present but will have a full week coming up.
There were also looks into other mid-Missouri teams, too.
Here are some summer observations for high school girls basketball at the beginning of the summer months.
Father Tolton
The first action under new head coach Aqua Bradley caught some eyes at Hickman High.
Bradley, a Columbia native who played basketball in Columbia through high school and college, was hired as Tolton's head coach on May 27. She's inheriting a class with plenty of youth to work with.
This year, Tolton has incoming freshmen 6-foot-2 Symone Walker and 6-foot-1 Hannah Shifley who played well Saturday. That youth is what Bradley can work with, along with their size. Jillian Holt and Sadie Sexauer, juniors next season, will be the leaders for Bradley's first year at Tolton.
One coach mentioned to the Tribune that Tolton looked improved, even after Bradley's first few weeks at the helm. Credit Sam Sexauer for coaching Tolton the last two seasons as Bradley has confidence she can take the program to the next level.
Hickman
The host team at the 2023 Kewpie Court Shootout should have no shortage of talent this upcoming season.
Ashtyn Klusmeyer returns, as do Sy'Rae Stemmons and Jayla Griffith. Coach Morgan Scott will center next season around this core with Ella Rogers and Addie Schultz's graduating from the program.
Stemmons and Griffith are two talented guards. They showed last weekend they can direct the team as point guard, and have the length to guard multiple positions. Having those two is important to compete in Columbia with Battle and Rock Bridge which have talented backcourts.
Last weekend, Caroline Eastman showed she'll be an important addition to that guard rotation. She displayed talent as a sharpshooter. In a game against Fair Grove, she hit timely 3-pointers which stretched out the defense. Carrying that into the season would be a boon because it can allow players like Klusmeyer the space to get open on multiple levels.
Klusmeyer will also have more assistance in the post as Hickman can integrate Lucy Elfrink and Neela Adair into the rotation.
Adair, who was on JV last season, played last Saturday in a rotation with Elfrink. Those two bring the size and athleticism to compliment Klusmeyer and the Kewpies' talented backcourt.
Battle
Expectations are a little high for Battle, which is the team to beat in Columbia this season. The Spartans swept the city games against Rock Bridge and Hickman for the first time in program history while also returning plenty of talent for the 23-24 season.
The experienced guard rotation still remains intact and will be the strength of the team. At the Kewpie's Court Shootout, Battle's final game of the day was against Helias. The Crusaders ran out to a 14-6 lead to start the game.
Battle staged a comeback behind Nautica Washington, Tayla Robinson and Me'Ahjai "Boo" Anderson handling the ball and making timely shots. They're the best guard unit in Columbia until another team takes it from them.
However, the biggest potential difference-makers could be two underclassmen.
Battle sophomore Kumani Clark was a fierce rebounder and post-presence against Helias. When Clark turned on her intensity, she was one of the strongest players on the court. This showed against Helias' forward Adalyn Koelling, a Murray State commit.
Battle also saw glimpses from freshman Sway Jones, who impressed as a wing player alongside the Spartans' frontcourt. Jones has an impressive jump shot and has versatility with her size.
Battle's staff will be tasked with getting these two up to speed to help fill the shoes Kaelyn Johnson leaves as a graduating senior and the program's all-time leading scorer.
Other mid-Missouri notes
Helias' Koelling is primed for a strong senior season. She showcased a shotmaking ability that complements her size. She'll be a problem for CMAC opponents in her senior season.
Boonville showcased promising young players. Olivia Davis, a 6-foot-4 freshman, was already earning turning heads on the EYBL circuit with Missouri Phenom. Davis will comprise a talented underclassmen group to pair with her sister, all-district player Zoe Davis, as Boonville has experienced and young talent.
Helias and Boonville are both Class 4 teams, as are Hallsville, Centralia and Southern Boone. The talent and parity in Class 4 will be something to consider as the summer rolls on.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Mid-Missouri girls basketball observations from the start of the summer
