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!

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.

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!