A year ago, the Montgomery County boys basketball team played in its first state tournament in 50 years.

With many of its players returning from the 2023-24 season, the Wildcats are setting their sights on returning to Mizzou Arena this winter.

Seniors Clayton Parker, Isaiah Thomas, Jay Rodgers, Sean Rodgers, Tatum Wessel and Tyler Erwin and juniors Chase Queathem and Seth Walton are the returning players from last winter’s team that finished 25-7, captured its second straight Eastern Missouri Conference title, won its third district championship in four years and placed fourth in the Show-Me Showdown.

The Wildcats will begin their season on Nov. 26 with a road game against Fatima, a team that also won a district championship last year, but lost to Thayer to sectional play. Thayer knocked off the Wildcats 61-49 in the third-place game of the 2024 Class 3 Show-Me Showdown.

MCHS will look to win its second straight season-opening game. The Wildcats opened their season against Winfield in each of the last 10 years.

Parker, who plans to continue his basketball career at Morehead State University next year, will again be the Wildcats’ top offensive threat. He averaged 20 points per game last winter and earned many honors, including a second straight all-state award.

Thomas is back after missing the last six weeks of the 2023-24 season due a shoulder injury. He received an all-EMO award after averaging eight points per game and leading the Wildcats in assists with 83.

Erwin was also an all-conference performer last year. He averaged eight points per game to earn a spot on the all-league team.

The Wildcats finished with their fifth consecutive winning season last year and their sixth-20 win season in the last 10 years. They won all of their 10 EMO games by double digits to capture their eighth league championship.

MCHS finished with an undefeated February with a 9-0 record that included wins over Hermann in the district finals and Versailles in sectional play. Then, the Wildcats defeated Priory 42-40 in overtime in the state quarterfinals to clinch their fourth state tournament berth in program history.

The Wildcats will play at Mizzou Arena on Dec. 12 to compete in the Norm Stewart Classic, which is named after the legendary University of Missouri men’s basketball coach. They will play Columbia (Ill.) at 7:30 p.m.

Also, MCHS returns to the Midwest Showdown at Ritenour High School on Dec. 21 and will play University City at 2:30 p.m. The Wildcats will compete in the Great 8 Tournament in Jefferson City on Dec. 27-29 after playing in the Twelve Courts of Christmas in Kansas City the last two years. They will play Chadwick – last year’s Class 1 state champion – in the Tipton Lathem Bank Shootout on Jan. 3 and host Battle on Jan. 7.
Scott Kroeger is back for his eighth season as MCHS coach.