MCHS boys remain at No. 2 in state poll

By Theo Tate
Posted 1/23/25

The Montgomery County boys basketball team is off to a strong start this winter, winning 15 of its first 16 games.

So far, the Wildcats also are having a strong showing in the Missouri …

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MCHS boys remain at No. 2 in state poll

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The Montgomery County boys basketball team is off to a strong start this winter, winning 15 of its first 16 games.

So far, the Wildcats also are having a strong showing in the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Class 3 poll. They remained at No. 2 behind Principia when the poll was released on Jan. 13. MCHS has 72 points.

MBCA released its third boys basketball poll of the year and MCHS has been ranked No. 2 in all of the polls. The poll is released every two weeks. Its next release will be on Jan. 27.

The Wildcats improved to 15-1 with a win over Bowling Green on Jan. 21. They are one point shy from an undefeated season. Union of Tulsa, Okla., handed the Wildcats their only loss in the semifinals of the Great 8 Classic in Jefferson City on Dec. 28, when it won 63-62.

MCHS has cruised past most of its competition this season.  The Wildcats defeated 13 teams by 10 or more points. They won the Montgomery County Invitational Tournament in December, placed third in the Great 8 Classic and picked up victories in events such as the Norm Stewart Classic, the Ramey Shootout at Ritenour High and Tipton Lathem Bank Shootout.

With the win over Bowling Green, MCHS remained undefeated in Eastern Missouri Conference play at 5-0. 

Clayton Parker, a two-time all-state performer who plans to continue his basketball career at Morehead State University next year, is the Wildcats' leading scorer, averaging over 22 points per game.

Andrew Moore, a transfer from Troy Buchanan, has been a solid addition for the Wildcats after two months, averaging 18 per game.

The Wildcats also have been getting strong play from seniors Isaiah Thomas, Jay Rodgers, Sean Rodgers, Tatum Wessel and Tyler Erwin.

The Wildcats will have a home game against Battle at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 23. They will compete in the Hermann Tournament the following week.


MCHS is not the only EMO team in the state polls. Van-Far is at No. 10 in the Class 2 poll. The two teams will square off on Feb. 4 at Van-Far.

MCHS is looking to qualify for the Class 3 Show-Me Showdown for the second year in a row. Last year, the Wildcats finished fourth in the event, losing to Thayer in the third-place game. It was the first time in 50 years they participated in the state tournament. MCHS finished fourth in the final MBCA poll with 55 points.

Thayer is at No. 3 in the current poll. Greenwood, East Buchanan, Bishop Leblond, Monroe City, Scott City, Palmyra and Lafayette County round out the top 10.

Principia, which competed in Class 4 last year, is the top-ranked team with a 17-0 record. The St. Louis school was ranked No. 1 in every poll this season. Principia recently won the Rotating 8 Tournament with a 3-0 record.

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