In a meeting of the two top hoopers in Southwest Missouri… who came out on top?
Who you taking? In one corner is Zach Howell, a 6’5 lights-out scorer with multiple D-1 offers and the ability to carry his team through games. In the other corner, 6’7 Kyle Pock, who can shoot over anyone in the area and has a knack for hitting the big shots when it matters most.
This matchup is between two of the top teams in the area, but at its core, the anticipation comes from Howell vs. Pock.
Two of the best players around going at each other, both boasting multiple D1 offers, is a recipe for a feast among basketball fans. Rob Yanders’ rankings of the top players in Southwest Missouri had Howell number one and Pock number two going in.
Last year Pock got the best of Howell when it mattered most. So how is the rivalry looking in 2022?
Kyle Pock had a big first half or Bolivar. After being knotted at 17 after the first quarter, Coach Jack Simpson put Howell on Pock to start the second. Unphased, Pock elevated Boliver to take a nine-point lead into halftime.
Howell willed his team within reach in the fourth quarter, capping off an impressive run with a game-tying layup with 40 seconds to play. After running down the clock, Bolivar rightly trusted Pock to hit what would be the go-ahead bucket on a smooth, two-point jumper. Catholic tried to find Howell for an answer but could not get a shot, sealing their fate.
Does Southwest Missouri have a new number one hooper?
In The Basketball Movement’s updated rankings, you will still see Zach Howell’s name at the top (though there are a few other changes from our last update). Rob Yanders maintains that Howell’s skill keeps him at number one, though this head-to-head matchup absolutely narrowed the gap in his professional opinion.
“Both guys are dominant against local talent,” Rob Yanders says. “Facing another top guy from your area is something that myself and others with scouting backgrounds can use to evaluate players to see what they can do at the next level. This was an exciting game, and I hope we get another between the two.”
Area basketball fans will be left hoping for a rematch between these young stars, which could happen in the state quarterfinals should both teams secure district wins.
For more player coverage from around Southwest Missouri, you are already in the right place. The Basketball Movement Exclusive aims to be your number one source for player-focused prep hoops content. Stay tuned!