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May 4, 2014

2014 All-Missourian Boys Basketball

Members of the 2013 All-Missourian boys basketball team. The players are chosen from the schools in the Southeast Missourian newspaper coverage area.

Lane Below Advance senior Stats: 27.3 ppg, 5.2 apg, 3.8 rpg, 2.8 apg Jersey number: 24 Plans after graduation: Playing college basketball and earning my degree to become a college basketball coach Height on rosters: 6-0 Actual height: 6-0 Twitter handle: @Lbelow24 Favorites: Team tradition: Listening to music and praying before every game Warmup song: "Show Out" (Juicy J) Pregame meal: Subway sandwiches Place to play: The Show-Me Center Basketball player: Kobe Bryant Finish the sentences: My favorite memory from the season is ... winning districts and making it to the Elite Eight. I think about it every day. My coach is always on me about ... being aggressive and believing in myself. The reason I chose my number is ... because my dad was #24. When I'm in a shooting slump, I ... shoot until I'm on. Basketball is ... a great game. I love playing and always will. The most difficult thing about facing LaRandis Banks was ... how crafty he is. He is an all-around player and can score from anywhere. I think of him like a brother. Photo by LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com

Jack Lake Saxony Lutheran senior Stats: 21.7 ppg, 13 rpg Jersey number: 45 Plans after graduation: Play basketball at a four-year university Height on rosters: 6-8 Actual height: 6-8 Twitter handle: @JackrLake Favorites: Team tradition: Eating at Wibb's in Jackson before every game Warmup song: "Won't Stop" (Meek Mill) Pregame meal: Wibb's combination sandwich and fries Shoes to wear while playing: Anatomix Spawns Place to play: Gerhard Birk Gymnasium Basketball player: Dirk Nowitzki Finish the sentences: My favorite memory from the season is ... beating Ste. Genevieve to win the Crystal City tournament championship after they had beaten us by one the night before. My coach is always on me about ... using the backboard more. The reason I chose my number is ... there wasn't a 41. When I'm in a shooting slump, I ... keep shooting. Basketball is ... life. The most difficult thing about facing Seth Ressel was ... when he was playing the point of their press, I had to inbound the ball and it seemed like he always knew where I was going to throw the ball. Photo by LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Jack Lake - Saxony Lutheran High School

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Jamal Cox - Cape Central High School

Blake Reynolds Jackson junior Stats: 14 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 3.7 apg Jersey number: 32 Height on rosters: 6-7 Actual height: 6-7 Twitter handle: @bREY_32 Favorites: Team tradition: Bus ride singalongs Warmup song: "Work (Remix)" (A$AP FERG) Pregame meal: Spaghetti Shoes to wear while playing: Lebron Nike Place to play: Jackson High School Basketball player: Kobe Bryant Finish the sentences: My favorite memory from the season is ... winning multiple tournaments for the first time in school history. My coach is always on me about ... improving myself everyday in basketball and in life. The reason I chose my number is ... I was given that number as a freshman and have been wearing it ever since. When I'm in a shooting slump, I ... get in the gym and fix it! Basketball is ... my favorite thing to do, no matter what kind of mood I am in. The most difficult thing about facing Andre Statam was ... the fact that he can score in so many different ways. Photo by LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Lane Below - Advance High School

Ryan Below Oak Ridge senior Stats: 23.5 ppg, 14.3 rpg, 5.2 spg Jersey number: 22 Plans after graduation: I plan on playing basketball in college and majoring in criminal justice Height on rosters: 6-4 Actual height: 6-4 Twitter handle: None Favorites: Team tradition: Dancing to "Talk Dirty To Me" in the locker room before the game Warmup song: "Turn Down For What" (DJ Snake & Lil' Jon) Pregame meal: Smoothies Shoes to wear while playing: LeBron Soldiers Place to play: Oak Ridge High School gymnasium Basketball player: LeBron James Finish the sentences: My favorite memory from the season is ... the first game of the season. My coach is always on me about ... talking too much. The reason I chose my number is ... all the great players have #22. When I'm in a shooting slump, I ... stop shooting. Basketball is ... the best sport in the world, much better than baseball. The most difficult thing about facing Jack Lake was ... Jake LeGrand got blocked by him a lot because he was a foot taller than him. Photo by LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Lane Below - Advance High School

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Blake Reynolds - Jackson High School

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Quinn Poythress - Notre Dame Regional High School

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Blake Reynolds - Jackson High School

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Quinn Poythress - Notre Dame Regional High School

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - LaRandis Banks - Scott County Central High School

ADAM VOGLER ~ avogler@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Seth Ressel - Oran High School

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Blake Reynolds - Jackson High School

ADAM VOGLER ~ avogler@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Seth Ressel - Oran High School

ADAM VOGLER ~ avogler@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Karson King - Jackson High School

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Blake Reynolds - Jackson High School

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Lane Below - Advance High School

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Blake Reynolds - Jackson High School

Jamal Cox Central senior Stats: 19.7 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 3.2 apg Jersey number: 22 Plans after graduation: Playing basketball in college. (undecided) Height on rosters: 6-7 Actual height: 6-5 1/2 Twitter handle: @JamalMartez Favorites: Team tradition: We have a prayer before games in the locker room Warmup song: U.O.E.N.O, LeBron James mix (Rocko) Pregame meal: None Shoes to wear while playing: My Under Armour ones Place to play: Show Me Center Basketball player: Kevin Durant Finish the sentences: My favorite memory from the season is ... how we improved from the beginning to the end of the season. My coach is always on me about ... how much I should work on my overall improvement more than anything to become a better player. The reason I chose my number is ... because my favorite player when I was in middle school wore 22. When I'm in a shooting slump, I ... look past it and keep playing. I try to let the game come to me. Basketball is ... life for me. I could live in the gym The most difficult thing about facing Blake Reynolds was ... his height and skill. Photo by LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Blake Reynolds - Jackson High School

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Ryan Below - Oak Ridge High School

Cameron Davis Leopold senior Stats: 17 ppg, 5.4 apg, 4 spg Jersey number: 23 Plans after graduation: Play college basketball then join the Marines Height on rosters: 6-1 Actual height: 6-1 Twitter handle: @ballarforlife23 Favorites: Team tradition: Pre game chant Warmup song: 300 violins Pregame meal: Snickers, Mt. Dew and Kit Kat Shoes to wear while playing: Jordans Place to play: Leopold's gym Basketball player: LeBron James Finish the sentences: My favorite memory from the season is ... playing St. Vincent sophomore year where I got my first dunk. My coach is always on me about ... my jump shot. The reason I chose my number is ... my best friend Darren VanGennip wore it so I wanted to. When I'm in a shooting slump, I ... keep on shooting. Basketball is ... a game that you have to love to play and all about fun. The most difficult thing about facing Garret Reynolds was ... guarding him because he was so fast and smart about what he was going to do. LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Ryan Below - Oak Ridge High School

Seth Ressel Oran senior Stats: 18.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.4 apg, 4.1 spg Jersey number: 23 Plans after graduation: Playing baseball at Three Rivers Community College and majoring in biology so I can become a physical therapist Height on rosters: 6-0 Actual height: 5-11 Twitter handle: @sethressel7 Favorites: Team tradition: Praying before every game Warmup song: "Respect That" (Derek Minor) Pregame meal: Any kind of pasta Shoes to wear while playing: Jordans or Nikes Place to play: My hometown Oran High School gymnasium Basketball player: Derrick Rose Finish the sentences: My favorite memory from the season is ... scoring 26 points in the first half of the semifinal game of districts. My coach is always on me about ... playing defense. The reason I chose my number is ... because 23 was Michael Jordan's number. When I'm in a shooting slump, I ... concentrate more on my mechanics until I get out of it. Basketball is ... one of the biggest things in my life. Without it, I'm not myself. The most difficult thing about facing Lane Below was ... stopping him. Photo by ADAM VOGLER ~ avogler@semissourian.com

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Ryan Below - Oak Ridge High School

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Cameron Davis - Leopold High School

Quinn Poythress Notre Dame junior Stats: 16.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.1 spg Jersey number: 24 Height on rosters: 6-6 Actual height: 6-6 Twitter handle: @QuinnFlight24 Favorites: Team tradition: Group pregame prayer chant Warmup song: "Trophies" (Drake) Pregame meal: Chick-fil-A Shoes to wear while playing: Nike Kobe 6 Place to play: Notre Dame Regional High School against Sikeston and Jackson Basketball player: Kevin Durant Finish the sentences: My favorite memory from the season is ... beating Charleston and Sikeston in overtime in the SEMO Conference Tournament. My coach is always on me about ... passing up open shots. The reason I chose my number is ... because I just like the number, and of course Kobe Bryant is #24. When I'm in a shooting slump, I ... continue to shoot through it until the shooting is back. Basketball is ... everything to some people and nothing to others. I'm the first kind of people. The most difficult thing about facing Karson King was ... his ability to draw attention to himself and then make the play for others. Photo by LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Cameron Davis - Leopold High School

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Garret Reynolds - Woodland High School

Karson King Jackson senior Stats: 14.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 4.8 apg Jersey number: 24 Plans after graduation: Attending Maryville University while playing basketball and studying sports business management and enjoying life Height on rosters: 6-5 Actual height: 6-5 Twitter handle: @karsonking14 Favorites: Team tradition: Pregame speech Warmup song: The Fray radio on Pandora Pregame meal: Two Arby's sandwiches and medium fries Shoes to wear while playing: Nike/Kobe Place to play: Notre Dame Regional High School Basketball player: Nick Young Finish the sentences: My favorite memory from the season is ... all the great times I got to spend with my best friends. My coach is always on me about ... going hard all the time and being the best player/teammate that I can be. The reason I chose my number is ... my brother Drew King and I both wear it. When I'm in a shooting slump, I ... get as many jumpers as I can up until they go in. Basketball is ... a beautiful game. The most difficult thing about facing Jamal Cox was ... dealing with how good he is on both defense and offense. Photo by ADAM VOGLER ~ avogler@semissourian.com

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Garret Reynolds - Woodland High School

Andre Statam Central junior Stats: 18.4 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2.1 apg Jersey number: 33 Height on rosters: 6-6 Actual height: 6-6 Twitter handle: @andrestatam2333 Favorites: Team tradition: Always nae nae before the game Warmup song: "We Made It" (Drake) Pregame meal: Subway Shoes to wear while playing: Orange and gray Hyperdunks Place to play: The Show Me Center Basketball player: LeBron James Finish the sentences: My favorite memory from the season is ... when we were down 14 points to Poplar Bluff and fought back as a team to win. It was the first time we ever came together as a brotherhood. My coach is always on me about ... not talking smack on the court. He hates that the worst. The reason I chose my number is ... because my aunt was my idol and she had #32, so I wanted to be right next to her with #33. When I'm in a shooting slump, I ... rebound and block shots and also assist the ball well. Basketball is ... my life, including school. Basketball is in my blood. The most difficult thing about facing Quinn Poythress was ... if he was hitting baskets, then it was hard to stop him. LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Garret Reynolds - Woodland High School

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com 2014 All-Missourian basketball - Andre Statam - Cape Central High School

Garret Reynolds Woodland junior Stats: 21.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.4 spg Jersey number: 14 Height on rosters: 5-10 Actual height: 5-10 Twitter handle: @MoneyReynolds14 Favorites: Team tradition: Praying before every game Warmup song: Sirius -- The Alan Parsons Project Pregame meal: Any kind of pasta Shoes to wear while playing: T-Mac 2 Place to play: Jackson High School Basketball player: Chase Budinger Finish the sentences: My favorite memory from the season is ... being able to play in the SCAA Conference Tournament championship game. My coach is always on me about ... my grades (he is my math teacher), trying to do too much on the court and not letting the game come to me. The reason I chose my number is ... because of the greatest to ever wear #14: Oscar Robertson. When I'm in a shooting slump, I ... put up even more shots after practice than usual. I also get in the gym before school to get more shots up. Basketball is ... my escape. Nothing else matters on the court. Basketball, other than running and baseball, is my passion. The most difficult thing about facing Cameron Davis was ... the fact that he has very good court vision and he has slick handles. Photo by LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com