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!

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!

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.”

Terrell Gaines - Yanders Law

The Basketball Movement chats with Yanders Law standout, 2024 PG Terrell Gaines.

Yanders Law has been a competitive grassroots program for years. However, the talent level over the last several of those has been through the roof; Terrell Gaines is starting a new chapter in our now storied AAU affiliate.

The 2024 PG stands at 5’8 but plays well beyond his stature. He is still coming onto the scene and will catch fewer and fewer opponents by surprise, but he is working daily to make sure he stays a step ahead.

Gaines says his strengths are “shooting, looking for open teammates, and defense,” and his bag is growing deeper as he focuses on constant improvement.

“I am trying to improve by being a leader for my teammates,” Gaines says. “I need to have my voice be heard.”

The level of competition Gaines is now facing with his Yanders Law 16u team is fierce. However, he says that he is adjusting by using that improved leadership and elevating his play. His squad is already taking shape as a contender.

“(Our guys) are looking really good,” Gaines says. “We are playing as a team… moving the ball around, shooting well, and defending well.”

Yanders Law’s promising young squad is coached by Rob Yanders himself, who has had a significant personal impact on Gaines.

“(Coach Yanders) is tough on me, but I like how he coaches and pushes me to be the best I can be,” Gaines says. “When he pushes me it is letting me know what I need to fix so that I can get better.”

Gaines attends Liberty High School in the Mountain View area. Another prominent Yanders Law baller from that neck of the woods is Northwestern State’s Isaac Haney. Gaines said he heard a lot about Haney and had the opportunity to watch him play. Speaking to Haney’s Father is what eventually led Gaines to Yanders.

Asked if he may be the next Isaac Haney for Coach Yanders’ squad, Gaines says that he will “try to be.” While parallels can certainly be drawn, Terrell is certainly his own player and will forge an exciting path in the world of basketball.

“I want to make it as far as I can,” Gaines says. “I want to get anything I can out of basketball, whether it is becoming a better leader or a better person.”

So far, so good for Terrell Gaines.

Top ladies in Southwest Missouri

The Basketball Movement has its final ranking for the top girl hoopers in Southwest Missouri for 2021-22.

This has been one of the strongest crops of talent for ladies’ basketball that our area has had in a long time. Multiple D1 athletes popped up around the Ozarks, with one being a coveted recruit on a national scale.

All of the talent made ranking players difficult, but certainly, the most challenging part was having to leave off so many young ladies that are still deserving of shoutouts. The work that goes into being one of the best cannot be understated. So, we commend the below on doing what it took to stand out in a crowded season for strong girl hoopers.

Here we go:

  1. Bella Fontleroy (Kickapoo)

  2. Ashton Judd (West Plains)

  3. Kaemyn Bekemeier (Republic)

  4. Reagan McCowan (Lebanon)

  5. Breona Hurd (Waynesville)

  6. Destiny Buerge (Carl Junction)

  7. Reese Schaaf (El Dorado Springs)

  8. Riley Arnold (Blue Eye)

  9. Avery Arnold (Blue Eye)

  10. Macie Conway (Nixa)

Honorable mentions: Emma Compton (Strafford), Khloe Moad (Ash Grove), Alyssa Joyner (West Plains), Ali Kamies (Nixa), Claudia Hadlock (Miller), Tara Masten (Parkview)

Congratulations to all of the above for their fantastic seasons. We will continue watching with interest and are excited for the future of girls basketball in Southwest Missouri!

2021-22 Final player rankings

With state championships wrapped up for all boys teams in Southwest MO, Rob Yanders’ definitive top player list is here.

Winning matters. Now that all the games have been played and the dust has settled, Rob Yanders is ready to reveal his final rankings for the top boy players in Southwest, Missouri.

Over the last several installments of The Basketball Movement rankings, the names have remained largely the same, with some jockeying for position taking place. The same stays true in the final ranking, though Yanders has opted to also include some honorable mentions.

The honorable mentions range from players that just barely missed the top 10 to a few good players that may not have faced competition at the level of some of the other players (i.e., smaller schools/talent pools).

Below are Rob Yanders’ final player rankings for 2021-22:

  1. Zach Howell - Springfield Catholic

  2. Kyle Pock - Bolivar

  3. Zaide Lowery - Kickapoo

  4. Colin Ruffin - Nixa

  5. Brayden Shorter - Kickapoo

  6. Elijah Whitley - Parkview

  7. Kael Combs - Nixa

  8. Liam O’Reilly - Springfield Catholic

  9. Andrew Dalton - Ava

  10. Ahlante Askew - Republic

Honorable mentions: AK Rael (Strafford), Gaige Pitts (Thayer), Jordyn Turner (Nixa), Garrett Davault (Norwood), Tanner Jones (Greenwood), Jaret Nelson (Nixa), K’Dyn Waters (Carl Junction), Jaiden Carrasquillo (Verona), Brady Nicholson (Ash Grove), Peyton McDaris (Norwood).

That’s a wrap on the 2021-22 school seasons. We have our full rankings for girls complete as well, so stay tuned to The Basketball Movement Exclusive to see which area ladies get the nod!

Peyton McDaris - Young cub becomes a lion

Freshmen Peyton McDaris comes up clutch to help lift Norwood Pirates to a state title.

Recently named to our Fab Five Freshmen list, Norwood’s Peyton McDaris proved worthy of Rob Yanders’ praise, displaying icy veins and a willingness to step up when his team needed him most. The result was the first state championship in his school’s history - in any sport.

In Norwood’s semifinal bout with College Heights, McDaris hit clutch free throws. In the Class 2 State Championship game against Bernie, McDaris was 6-6 at the line (with four coming in the final two minutes), but it was his last play that will be remembered.

Down one with 24 seconds to go, McDaris stole the ball and was able to find teammate Garrett Davault for what would wind up being the go-ahead layup. Davault finished with 24, capping an excellent career for the Pirates.

“We were in a half-court press; we’d been pressing all game,” McDaris says of the big play. “Emotions were running high. Both teams were up and down with every lead change. Our press finally got them to mess up, and I saw an opportunity to get the ball and find Garrett for the shot.”

McDaris says that being a champion is a great feeling. “Not many freshmen get to say it,” McDaris says. “It was a great opportunity and has been super fun.”

A Yanders Law product, McDaris’ growth as a player over the past few years has been dramatic. His late-game production would be an exclamation point on that growth, but this is far from the end.

Asked where Peyton gets his confidence from, his Father, Levi McDaris, says that some of it is natural, but most comes from the unseen hours of work.

“He has been through years of very hard work with (Rob) Yanders and The Basketball Movement,” Levi McDaris says. “Hours of work every week has been difficult. It is a big commitment financially and with our time, but we have seen a difference, and we are glad to be able to do it.”

“It is a big commitment for us, but honestly, it is a really big commitment for (Peyton),” McDaris says. “Getting done with regular practice or other sports and sometimes driving over an hour to Springfield when he still may have homework to get to afterward… There are many nights where I know he doesn’t feel like it, but the hard work has been worth it. Nothing has been better for my son.”

Peyton’s Dad reflected on the beginnings with Yanders Law and the prospect of playing bigger, better players from all around the country. “He wasn’t ready at first,” McDaris says. “By the end, he knew how to play at that level, and it shows now.”

Asked how Yanders Law has prepared him for big moments, Peyton credits the drive and commitment of the coaches. “Coach Rob and Coach Craig (Smith) have a different kind of drive that they push you with,” Payton says. “You don’t always realize it while you are there in it, but the results definitely show when you’re out.”

Peyton’s story is one we have heard before. We are always proud to see one of our gym rats succeed, whether in sports or life. Making the trek from Norwood to put in the work is a special kind of commitment. It reminds us most recently of Isaac Haney’s time driving in from Dora, which culminated in a D1 basketball career.

“The work I’ve put in - several nights every week has prepared me for those moments,” McDaris says. “It is second nature; I don’t have to even think about it anymore.”

Peyton McDaris is on our Fab Five Freshmen list for a reason. Congrats to McDaris, Davault, their teammates, and all of Norwood for this accomplishment. Levi McDaris noted a buzz around the community, and it is deserved.

Stay tuned for more stories from local players helping their teams make strong “postseason” pushes as the final games conclude!