The Basketball Movement Exclusive

The Basketball Movement Exclusive is being placed on hold amid other projects.

Subscribers - It has been a good, busy year at The Basketball Movement. However, as we are sure you have noticed, the stream of exclusive area high school hoops content has been more sparse than last season. With the inception of Rob Yanders’ We Are United prep school and other projects, finding time to sustain The Basketball Movement Exclusive service has been challenging.

For this reason, this area of our site is being set aside for the time being. Therefore, you will not be charged again for the service.

We will continue to cover area players, but the content will be more front-facing and accessible to a broader audience as our focus continues its wider berth.

Expect the same high-quality highlights on our Instagram, and follow along for updates on Twitter and Facebook as we transition to more public offerings.

Thank you so much for supporting The Basketball Movement as we grow and fill the gaps and niches needed in our corner of the basketball world. See you very soon!

2023 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions

The 2023 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions is finally here, and The Basketball Movement has your inside scoop.

One of the biggest high school tournaments in the country, the 2023 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions tips off in just a few hours. The action beings at 4:30 pm (CST) tonight (Thursday, 1/12) and concludes with the championship this Saturday, January 14th, at 9:00 pm.

A full tournament bracket can be found below:

Opening night action begins with Christ the King (NY) facing Bartlett (TN).

Christ the King is a basketball program out of Queens, New York, that features 2025 guard Kiyan Anthony, son of NBA star Carmelo Anthony. Brandon Williams (2023) is a UCLA commit, Brandon Gardner (2023) is a St. Johns commit, and junior Dwayne Pierce holds offers from Mizzou, Florida State, and St. Johns.

Bartlett High is a relatively younger squad with an impressive junior class - Jack Shackelford, Christian Alston, and Rashad Williams all hold mid-major D1 offers, as does senior Javar Daniel. 2025 KJ Neville already holds multiple offers as well.

Link Academy (MO) is set to open the eyes of area basketball fans that have yet to see the squad in action. The team has too many impressive players to name, sporting commitments to UNC, Baylor, Memphis, LSU, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. So just come out and see for yourself as these players make their mark as one of the top prep programs in the nation.

St. Rita (IL) has another excellent crop of juniors with James Brown (not that James Brown, UNC commit), Morez Johnson (Illinois commit), and Nojust Indrusaitis (offers from Maryland, Marquette, Iowa State, and Ole Miss). In addition, senior Melvin Bell holds offers from Michigan, Mizzou, Iowa, and Illinois.

Sunrise Christian is another top-10 national program. Out of Bel-Aire, Kansas, they are coming off of a win against IMG Academy. With another lineup almost too impressive to break down here, it will feature Matas Buzelis (2023), who has committed to playing for the NBA G-League Ignite. Layden Blocker (Arkansas commit) and Scotty Middleton (Ohio State commit) are the other most notable seniors, while Mikel Brown Jr (2025) and 7’2 John Bol (2024) are players to watch as well.

Kickapoo is the lone Springfield, Missouri representative in the tournament this year. Sometimes those hometown fans can push the local guys enough to make some real noise, as we saw with Parkview last season. Kickapoo is led by seniors Brayden Shorter (Washburn commit) and Harrison Doennig (offer from Evangel).

Staley (Kansas City, MO) rounds out the Missouri teams and will lean on seniors Kayden Fish (Iowa State commit), Kyan Evans (Colorado State commit), and Cameron Manyawu (offers from Oral Roberts, Indiana State, Valpo, and more).

Calvary Christian Academy (FL) was a pre-season top-25 team nationally that will get a great chance here to prove itself. Memphis commit Carl Cherenfant (2023) is their top player. In addition, point guard Jaylen Curry (2023) holds offers from several big programs, and 6’10 junior Ethan Lathan is undoubtedly a player to watch.

Blue and Gold Power Five

With the dust settled following the 2022 Greenwood Blue and Gold Tournament, Rob Yanders selects his standout players.

The Blue and Gold tournament is an excellent holiday tradition for schools of all sizes around the Ozarks. It can kick-start big runs going into the new year, allow for a great experience for young or short-handed teams,  and entertain fans of local high school hoops such as ourselves!

While The Basketball Movement monitors team success as much as the next group of fans, our Exclusive area focuses on players first.

Rob Yanders is a well-known developer of talent and an excellent scout in his own right. He selected a “Power Five” group from the tournament’s action that he believes were the biggest difference makers on the floor.

Here is Rob Yanders’ Blue and Gold Power Five from 2022 in no particular order:

Ahlante Askew

It’s hard to argue with results. Republic High’s senior point guard Ahlante Askew was the best player for Blue Division’s best team. Clutch free throws, playmaking, and a clear desire to bring home some hardware made Askew one of the tourney’s best players from the start - especially in the championship when it mattered most.

Kyle Pock

Big games are another day at the office for big Kyle Pock. Bolivar’s star has been one of the most feared players in this tournament for a while, and he did not disappoint this year with stellar scoring and hustle. His team fell short, but Pock commanded attention and was a force per usual.

Kael Combs

Nixa championed the Gold Division, their lone first-place finish in this tournament since 2014. Combs was quieter than usual in the final game, but his scoring was not needed, with his team’s barrage of threes keeping Rogersville at arm's length throughout. He had 26 against a scrappy Fair Grove squad and remains one of the area's athletes to watch.

Jacob Lafferty

A junior from Sparta, Jacob Lafferty managed to outduel Kyle Pock in overtime and lead his squad to within a few possessions of the eventual champion Republic Tigers. Smaller schools typically struggle with size, but Lafferty brings quite the presence for his team, putting himself on the radar as one of the area’s better big men.

Josh Peters

Nixa junior Josh Peters is now on the map as one of the best sharpshooters in the Ozarks. Hitting five threes against Marshfield in the quarterfinals and seven in the Gold Division championship game, Peters was a difference-maker when the Eagles needed it most. Nixa is not shy about shooting triples, and their confidence in Josh Peters is a big reason why.

Check out more highlights on our Instagram and keep it locked right here as The Basketball Movement Exclusive ramps up to bring you all the best local high school hoops coverage!

Ahlante Askew - Republic

The Basketball Movement had an exclusive interview with Republic’s Ahlante Askew about his expectations and goals for the season.

A name that could be found on Rob Yanders’ 2021-22 player rankings last season, Republic high’s Ahlante Askew is poised for a big senior year. With another year of work under his belt, Ahlante should be one of the area’s top hoopers once again.

When asked which part of his game has improved the most, Askew noted some intangibles that come with experience. “I’d say I have improved keeping my head in the right place when things go wrong,” Askew says. “I was able to work on handling adversity this summer.”

For the first time since his freshman year, Ahlante also displays his athleticism under the Friday night lights for the Tigers. Of course, playing football is a great way to stay in shape, but how is Askew keeping his skills sharp?

“Luckily, I have a coach who cares,” Askew says. “Coach (Tim) Brown has been making sure I’m able to shoot before school and keep working on my game during football.”

Ahlante says that his expectation for his team is a district title, though he acknowledges that they have Kickapoo standing in the way. However, he is leaning on the preparation he and his teammates have.

“We have had a good summer,” Askew says. “Guys are ready to come in, work, and get better.”

Asked who he is looking forward to playing against, Ahlante had several squads on his mind. “Nixa - that is an exciting matchup always just because it is Republic and Nixa,” he says. “Springfield Central will be good this year and the next few years too. Bolivar is another one - that has been a personal rivalry for me since middle school.”

Ahlante knows he will have a heavy workload ahead with district title aspirations, but he is up for the challenge.

“My personal goal for the season is to do a good job leading the team,” Askew says. “I make us go; they look up to me. I’ll know I’ve done that if our team is having success.”

We look forward to seeing where Ahlante can take the Republic Tigers in his final high school season. Stay tuned to The Basketball Movement Exclusive as hoops finally ramp back up in Southwest Missouri!

Logan Applegate - Drury University

We Are United and Yanders Law alum Logan Applegate is taking his talents across town to Drury University.

After his prolific high school career with the Nevada Tigers, Logan Applegate chose to reclassify and go the prep route, attending We Are United. This decision was based on faith in his AAU coach, Rob Yanders, who founded We Are United and has a proven track record of player development.

Once the time came to decide on a college, Applegate chose to stay in Springfield, MO, at Drury University.

“With the transfer portal and how crazy things are, me and Coach Rob decided on something close,” Applegate says. “He’s my guy. This way, I can keep working out with him and always have his voice and have him in my corner.”

Logan had an impressive high school career and showed out in his time with Yanders Law. For We Are United, he took his playmaking and well-rounded guard play to the next level.

“My biggest takeaways (from We Are United) were improvements in my individual skills as a basketball player,” Applegate says. “I was able to round out my game and perfect my craft. With Rob, I was also able to completely learn the process that goes into that.”

In addition to individual skills, Logan also says he learned much about team skills. “I got better at being a team leader and knowing how to deal with every situation,” he says. “I’ve learned a lot about every part of basketball and unwritten stuff that many don’t know about. Just raising my IQ about the game.”

Already declared as an accounting major, Logan admits he is currently locked in on Drury basketball.

“Right now, I am getting to know the coaches,” Applegate says. “We haven’t practiced yet, but there have been open runs, and I’m learning offensive and defensive systems. I’m figuring out what I can do to help the team win and how to be a system player that can make it happen.”

Wanting to win and doing anything it takes is what Logan’s new coaches and teammates can expect out of him.

“I will be a team-first guy,” Applegate says. “A quality I have tried to make evident over my years playing is that I try to make everyone better when I’m on the floor.”

His passion for the game and dedication to his craft have already carried Logan a long way. These qualities do not just disappear, so Drury Panther fans can expect a hard-working young man that will not stop improving. We wish him luck this season!

Kanon Gipson - Missouri State University

From Logan-Rogersville to We Are United to Missouri State University… Kanon Gipson is keeping the local hoop scene strong.

Yanders Law alumni, Kanon Gipson, is living out his childhood dream of becoming a Missouri State Bear. We have had the privilege of watching and aiding Kanon along his journey. Through Yanders Law, Logan-Rogersville, and We Are United, Kanon has transformed from a kid with a good-looking outside stroke to a leader, facilitator, and Division I collegiate talent.

“I’ve always wanted to be a Bear,” Gipson says. “So many kids around here want to do that - to play for the hometown team.” Staying local has always been ideal for Kanon, but he was close to choosing a different path.

“I was close to committing to another school,” says Gipson, who played for Rob Yanders’ We Are United prep last season. “Really (Missouri State) just fell in my lap at the right time. It was too big, too good to pass up.”

When asked about his biggest takeaways from his time with We Are United, Kanon could not help but gush a bit about his Coach, Rob Yanders.

“Where do I start with that guy,” Gipson says. “I used to think that I knew what hard work was. He showed me what hard work was and drilled it into me. With We Are United, things were really focused on teamwork and leadership. So I would say leadership and work ethic are the biggest pieces I’m taking away from Rob and The Basketball Movement.”

Currently, Kanon says he is working on his strength ahead of his first NCAA season. “We are practicing, and I’m going up against these guys and getting stronger,” Gipson says. “We are learning roles, and since we have some older players, I am able to pick their brains as well.”

Gipson, who would like to coach someday, aims to be the hardest working player on the court and one of the loudest. He knows he has his work cut out for him to be a leader as a freshman. But, he says that he is ready.

With so many players moving around through the transfer portal, Gipson has a chance to shine for a MSU squad that will need to find its identity in a hurry. He is thrilled to be a part of the Missouri State family.

“It is what I’ve dreamed of,” Gipson says. “I’m excited for my parents. (Staying local) also means that Rob and guys like Coach Craig that have helped me get to watch me. Younger kids from the area can as well and see what they can do.”

We wish Kanon luck as he continues his journey in basketball, but as he knows, skill trumps luck more often than not. He will undoubtedly keep grinding and make our area proud!

Zach Howell - UW-Milwaukee

Rob Yanders’ top high school player in Southwest Missouri last season, Zach Howell, is headed to UW-Milwaukee to continue his hoops career.

Springfield Catholic and Yanders Law alumni Zach Howell made his mark in Southwest Missouri and is ready for his next chapter. When asked if he was apprehensive about moving away to attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he simply said: “Honestly, not really.”

“I have been wanting to start this new chapter for a while,” Howell says. “Of course, I have a bunch of relationships back home, but I am ready for something new.”

Howell has already been in Wisconsin for about a week and is enjoying the fruits of his lengthy recruitment process.

“(My recruitment) started with SIUe the summer after my sophomore year,” Howell recalls. I didn’t have much else going even through my junior season, but I just stayed focused and worked hard. I had a visit to Texas Tech but still not a lot going on. My senior season was tough. With the weird COVID year and then also the portal… there are only like 3,000 D1 spots, but I stayed patient, kept my head down, and kept working.”

Howell then visited the campus at UW Milwaukee and was offered to play D1 hoops. He knew “right away” that is where he wanted to be.

“I had a visit with Northwest Missouri State the day before,” Howell recalls. “Then I visited (UW-Milwaukee’s) campus with Rob (Yanders), played with the guys a bit, and talked with Coach (Bart) Lundy afterward. I could tell he was a good coach but also a good person. After that talk, I went back with Rob, Sly (Yanders), and my Mom, discussed everything, and we found that there was no wavering in my decision. So, I made up my mind right there.”

This summer, Zach has his game to the grindstone as always. We at The Basketball Movement know that he is a complete gym rat.

“Defense is the thing I most want to get better at, mostly on-ball,” Howell says. “Also ball-handling, shooting, finishing… I’m trying to work on all facets.”

Asked about the takeaways from high school and AAU he will use the most, Howell delivered an answer we would expect out of one of our most frequent visitors.

“What I have relied on is hard work,” Howell says. “You cannot cheat getting better. I keep my head down and stay in the gym. High school and AAU are very different. The next level is really a combo of both. There is a higher level of competition in AAU but more organization in high school. College is both but elevated.”

If any player is ready for elevated play, it is Zach Howell. He does not take his time on the hardwood for granted, has worked for what he has, and will relentlessly work to keep improving.

Off the court, he will spend his first year or so taking gen-ed courses and getting a feel for the direction his education will head. Zach is a winner, and we have no doubt he will succeed in all areas of his exciting new journey!

Anton Brookshire - Iona

Another Yanders Law alumni to enter the NCAA transfer portal, Anton Brookshire, has made his selection.

Originally from Milwaukee, Anton Brookshire made quite the splash as a high schooler in Missouri at Kickapoo. His play earned him the opportunity to play for Mizzou in his first NCAA season. From there, as so many others have done, he entered the transfer portal.

The Basketball Movement caught up with Brookshire and asked about his experience in the portal.

“Honestly, it was pretty smooth,” Brookshire says. “It was a process of patience. Sometimes you are hearing from a different coach every day, but other times you would have several days of quiet. I had guys like Rob (Yanders, Brookshire’s uncle) in my corner, so I never lost hope. It is a tough process but a good process.”

Brookshire announced on social media that he made the decision to play for legendary Head Coach Rick Pitino at Iona. The decision takes Anton out of the Midwest part of the country for the first time in his hoops career as he heads to New York.

“After talking with family, Uncle Rob, going on visits… the coaching staff (at Iona) treated me in a way that felt like home,” Brookshire says. “I went to dinner with some of the players and learned a lot. Having a Hall of Fame coach like Coach Rick makes me know I can reach my goals and that it’ll be a good fit for me.”

Overall, Anton is ready to embrace the move across the country, as he can stay connected with those he is leaving behind through technology. “I’m excited about it,” Brookshire says. “Getting here, getting to work, and being around these guys is exciting. I’m ready to try out getting away from home - it is actually pretty easy to stay in contact with family through Facetime and stuff.”

Brookshire has already been in New York for about a month. Practice has not started, but he can complete individual workouts and start applying his knowledge earned at The Basketball Movement and the experience he gained at Mizzou.

“I was blessed by the opportunity to be under the coaches’ wings at Mizzou and learn for a year,” Brookshire says. “I learned how to deal with each day and be consistent. I learned to never take a day for granted, and I am thankful for my time at Mizzou.”

That consistency applies to Anton’s work ethic, which he notes his new coaches and teammates can always expect from him.”I’ll bring energy and be a guy that’s the same whether I’m playing or not playing,” Brookshire says. “I will be a great leader and hopefully bring some wins. They had a great season and were close to the tournament last year. We all want to make it, so that is goal number one.”

Anton says that classes are going well too. He was a Sports Management major his freshman year, but with that program not offered at Iona, he is currently undecided.

One of the premier student-athletes to come out of our area in a while and an all-time-great Yanders Law alum, we will be rooting for Brookshire as he continues his journey. Good luck this upcoming season, Anton!

Isaac Haney - Northwestern State

Another SW MO standout and Yanders Law alum commits to a new school - Isaac Haney is headed to Northwestern State.

Isaac Haney torched the prep scene in Missouri and traveling with Yanders Law around the country. During his first year in the NCAA, he was an impactful player for a solid Missouri State squad. When he decided to enter the transfer portal, he admittedly did not know quite what to expect.

“It was definitely all very new,” Haney tells The Basketball Movement. “I had not spoken to anyone that had personally done it. I talked with family and all my supporters, people like Rob (Yanders) that are closest to me. Like anything else, you just take it as it comes. It felt kind of like my sophomore and junior seasons (in high school) getting recruited all over again.”

During his time playing for Missouri State, Haney came away with a wealth of experience as he continues to grow with the game he has always loved.

“I learned how to adjust to the college game,” Haney says. “It is a bit like in high school when you come in as a freshman but get to play varsity against guys that may be three or four years older than you. Getting recruited is tough enough, but then you’re back to playing older dudes again.”

Isacc says that the best thing to come out of his year with MSU was becoming more physically equipped to play at the college level.

Asked how he decided to play for Northwestern State, Haney gives a nod to his new head coach and a desire to continue the winning ways he has been accustomed to throughout his career.

“I had to take a step back and think about what was best for me and my future,” Haney says. “I also have a great relationship with Coach (Corey) Gipson. He’s about what I’m about - winning most of all. (Northwestern) is a smaller school, but we’ll be able to compete with whoever we play.”

Moving over 400 miles to Louisiana will be a big transition for the prolific guard, but it is really just one more challenge for Haney to conquer as he always has.

“(Moving so far) is not what I would probably call ideal,” Haney says. “But, I am excited and thankful." The town is smaller and actually feels like home at West Plains. Even if it is not ideal, I am more excited than nervous.”

Haney is majoring in business administration and is choosing to emphasize financial planning. His GPA is sitting around 3.9 after his first year in school, and he seems to have a hang of being a collegiate student-athlete."

“It’s been nice,” Haney says. “I owe a lot to academic advisors in my corner, giving me the tools to be stress-free in the classroom.”

New school, same “Ice” Haney on the hardwood and in the classroom. The Basketball Movement and #LawNation will back Isaac in all his endeavors - he earned Rob Yanders’ stamp of approval long ago. He keeps getting better, and we are excited to see what he does for the Northwestern program. Good luck, Isaac!

Brady Nicholson - Family Tradition

2024 Yanders Law G, Brady Nicholson is living up to the name that put Ash Grove basketball on the map.

6’2 shooting guard Brady Nicholson has become a pivotal piece for Yanders Law’s 16u squad. This is no surprise after the 2024 grad was listed on Rob Yanders’ list of top players in Southwest Missouri.

Basketball fans from the area may recognize the Nicholson name. Ash Grove hoops has been buoyed by Nicholsons often over the last several decades. Brady Nicholson is doing that for his squad as well.

“Oh yeah,” says Nicholson when asked if he draws inspiration from his family. “All my family has been helpers and role models. I try to be as good or better than them. I’m just trying to keep the Nicholson tradition going for Ash Grove and make it to the next level as well.”

All-Conference and All-District as a sophomore, Nicholson is already well on his way to setting an impressive legacy of his own.

Brady Nicholson has Division I basketball aspirations, which is a big part of why he currently plays for the Yanders Law 16u team. The results over the last several years are difficult to ignore, and Nicholson believes that his squad is already looking great.

“We have improved a lot from last year,” Nicholson says. “It’s already been fun and this summer will be too as we keep going and finish it out.”

Yanders Law squads play near and far to ensure local players get to face elite competition. The travel portion is an aspect that could be a nuisance to some, but Nicholson relishes it.

“I’ve been doing it for a long time, usually with a lot of these same guys,” Nicholson says. “It’s been a blast doing it with good friends. Travel is easy when you get used to it… of course, it is better when you’re winning too.”

The 16u squad has been doing some winning. Asked about his takeaways from the new level of competition, Nicholson referenced the phrase “we over me” and applauded his teammates for gelling so willingly.

“We are learning what it takes to play together; we have to to beat these teams,” Nicholson says. “We get good wins when we play together, shoot good shots, and avoid 1-on-1 ball.”

Nicholson and his teammates are getting to play for Coach Rob Yanders this year. This is a transition that seems to separate the toughest players from the pack. Brady seems up for the challenge.

“He’s awesome,” Nicholson says of Yanders. “He’ll get on to you sometimes but it to improve you as a player. His goal is to get us to the next level, and that is what we all love about him. He cares for us.”

With college aspirations, Nicholson has his goals set high. He shares our belief that he is in the right place to make it happen.

“To make it to the next level I have to trust the process and trust Coach Rob,” Nicholson says. “It has worked for past players but, of course, that doesn’t mean it’ll come easy. I have to work hard and do my best.”