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!

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.

The Basketball Movement Exclusive pipeline

We are looking ahead to the very near future at what you can expect from The Basketball Movement Exclusive.

It has been a wild few weeks around The Basketball Movement. Good things have been happening, but we have also experienced an unfortunate tragedy, learning of the loss of We Are United’s Jeremiah Dotson.

The loss of Jeremiah shook The Basketball Movement family to the core, and we appreciate your patience as we have been dealing with things as we go.

As always, the basketball court has been a safe space for us, as it has been for so many of our athletes. The Yanders Law AAU program has had multiple squads traveling and competing, giving local talent the opportunity to face fierce competition from around the country.

We have been posting some Yanders Law pictures to our social sites but are getting ready to unload multiple albums worth right here on The Basketball Movement Exclusive.

Also in The Basketball Movement Exclusive pipeline are several exclusive interviews with some of the top prep players in Southwest Missouri. The hoops scene in our area is growing, and we are so excited to be able to contribute and cover it in as many ways as we can.

So, we thank you for your patience and want to remind you to check back in with us very soon as we navigate a new normal. See you on the hardwood.

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!

Bella Fontleroy - Certified bucket

Kickapoo’s Ysabella “Bella” Fontleroy is one of the best (if not the best) girl hoopers Southwest Missouri has had in a long, long time.

Bella Fontleroy is a certified bucket. No ifs, ands, or buts about it… Unless you are counting butts getting kicked, which tends to happen wherever Fontleroy laces up to hoop. The 6’2 guard has been one of the most highly recruited basketball players, boys or girls, that Southwest Missouri has had in a long time.

Despite tearing her ACL her sophomore season at Kickapoo, Fontleroy kept her nose to the grindstone and worked her way right back into being sought after by many of the literal top programs in the country. She ultimately committed to hooping for Baylor, a perennial national championship contender.

“She is one of the best, toughest players the area has seen in years,” says Rob Yanders. “For this area? She is one of the best of all time without a doubt. She is a heck of a player; a storied Kickapoo career but also legit WNBA potential.”

Yanders is confident that Fontleroy’s future is bright. He says she is “great at basketball but is even better as a person.” This is a big compliment with all the area athletes Yanders sees year in and year out. Character counts.

Naturally gifted as she is, so much of what we see on the court from Bella is a result of blood, sweat, and tears shed during the offseason. What we see today is the result of years of work, whether with coaches and trainers or with her parents, who are certainly no strangers to on-court success themselves.

Her parents, both William Fontleroy and Carolyn Fontleroy (née Weirick), were part of some of the most prolific teams to ever come out of Missouri State University.

A MSU alumni himself, Yanders says that he can see a bit of both of them in Bella. “More than anything else, I see her Mom’s toughness in her game,” Yanders says. “I see her Dad’s versatility as well. He was a big, tough guard. Success in hoops just simply runs through that family.”

Fontleroy’s most underrated skills as a player

As heavily recruited as she has been, Baylor knows what they are getting in Fontleroy. She is an exceptional rebounder, shooter, and competitor. Her toughness cannot be understated. Yanders says that she is truly an all-around great player, but her most underrated skills may be those of a facilitator.

“Handling the ball, putting it on the deck… all of those key guard skills are what is most underrated about her,” Yanders says. “She is an underrated passer. She is unselfish but still offensively dominant.”

Unselfish players that can still come through as offensive forces *cough* Lebron James *cough* have a track record of impressive collegiate and often professional careers.

Yanders and The Basketball Movement are excited not only to see how far Fontleroy can carry her Kickapoo team this year but what she can accomplish going forward. The sky is the limit, but only if you work as hard as Bella Fontleroy.

We will be watching and cheering.

Top players in Southwest Missouri

These are The Basketball Movement’s top-10 high school players in Southwest Missouri.

Below you will see the updated list of The Basketball Movement’s top-10 high school players in Southwest Missouri. Our original list has already seen some shuffling over the last month or so. After a heated showdown between the two top athletes, Rob Yanders remains firm in his assessment of who the best player is in the area.

Here are your top players:

  1. Zach Howell - Springfield Catholic

  2. Kyle Pock - Bolivar

  3. Zaide Lowery - Kickapoo

  4. Elijah Whitley - Parkview

  5. Colin Ruffin - Nixa

  6. Brayden Shorter - Kickapoo

  7. Andrew Dalton - Ava

  8. Kael Combs - Nixa

  9. Liam O’Reilly - Springfield Catholic

  10. AK Rael - Strafford

If you could not tell by the changes from our last list to this one: things are subject to change. The more games are played, the clearer it becomes in terms of who stands above the rest. Competition is key and Rob Yanders and The Basketball Movement know just what to look for.

Stay tuned to The Basketball Movement Exclusive to keep track of updated lists like these (Fab Five Freshman, anyone?) and news from around the area!

Top players in Southwest Missouri

The Basketball Movement’s top-10 high school players in Southwest Missouri:

Last year, The Basketball Movement began ranking the area’s top prep talent for boy’s basketball. So much talent graduated and moved on, but, as always, area players step up in big ways on their journey to filling those players’ shoes and elevating their teams.

The below players pass the eye test, and nothing escapes the eye of the veteran coaches, former trainers, scouts, and specialists at The Basketball Movement. Here we go:

  1. Zach Howell - Springfield Catholic

  2. Kyle Pock - Boliver

  3. Elijah Whitley - Parkview

  4. Zaide Lowery - Kickapoo

  5. Kael Combs - Nixa

  6. Colin Ruffin - Nixa

  7. LIam O’Reilly - Springfield Catholic

  8. Andrew Dalton - Ava

  9. AK Rael - Strafford

  10. Ahlante Askew - Republic

This list is absolutely, one-hundered percent subject to change. If any of these guys show us they have what it takes to move up - they will. Better yet, if anyone thinks they are left off and can show us they have what it takes to be here - they will.

Stay tuned to The Basketball Movement Exclusive to keep track of updated lists like these and news from around the area.