Chase Queathem and Seth Walton will never forget 2024.

When they were sophomores at Montgomery County High School, Queathem and Walton were part of a boys basketball team that did something it has never done in 50 years – compete in the Class 3 State Final Four.

The Wildcats placed fourth in the Class 3 Show-Me Showdown. Later that year, Queathem and Walton’s names were placed in a banner at Ballew & Snell Court.

“They made practices and games so much better,” Queathem said. “They’re such a great group of guys. They’re fun to be around and they’re fun to hang out with.”

Now, Queathem and Walton are seeing their high school basketball careers come to an end. They’re part of a large senior class that also include Adrian Combs, Colby Ellis, Kenny Johnson, Cameron Knapp, Karter Reagan, Cooper Sellenriek and Wyatt March.

“I had a lot of fun this year,” Queathem said. “I’m playing basketball with my best friends. No matter what the score of the game is, getting to be around them is a blast. Getting to spend some of the best years of my life with my best friends means a lot to me.”

The seniors played their last home game on Feb. 17 against Elsberry. Unfortunately, they didn’t celebrate the victory as the Indians knocked off the Wildcats 55-51.

But the senior night game against Louisiana four days before was the one the seniors will always cherish. MCHS knocked off the Bulldogs 71-60 in double overtime, the Wildcats’ first double OT game since 2013.

Both Queathem and Walton finished in double figures in that contest. Queathem scored 13 points and Walton had 10.

“Senior night is probably going to be one of my favorite games ever,” Walton said. “It was really aggressive and down to the wire. There were a lot of things that went wrong, but we kept our head in the game and we managed to come out with the win. That’s because we kept our energy and effort up. For our senior night, we couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

All of the senior players – plus managers Kendrick Lewis, Katlyn Kolling and Ashton Johnson – were honored with their parents before the game against Louisiana. The girls basketball team didn’t have any seniors this season.

Out of the nine seniors, Queathem and Walton were the only ones who competed with the 2023-24 team that won 25 games. Both of them played with the MCHS program since they were freshmen.

“The past four years of my high school career playing with them were a blessing to be honest, getting to play with those guys and getting to see how they play,” Queathem said.
Walton said he’s thrilled to play for a program that has won four Eastern Missouri Conference titles and four district championships this decade.

“I really enjoyed playing with this program,” he said. “The coaches are really good. They’re there for us if we ever need anything. Teammates are there for us if we ever need anything. It’s like a big family.”

Last year, Walton received a $500 check from the Machens Great 8 Tournament for participating in the 30-seconds shot challenge that was held during the event in Jefferson City. Players will win money if they make a layup, a free throw, 3-pointer and a half-court shot within 30 seconds. Walton accomplished all of those tasks with just 11 seconds left on the clock.

“I was one of only two players to do it,” Walton said. “It shocked a lot of people because I’m on the end of the varsity bench and nobody expected me to do anything. It was a really nice moment.”

Walton bounced back nicely from an ankle injury he suffered last year.

“Basketball really helped me a lot getting back into shape and getting back the use of my ankle,” said Walton, who plans to attend Central Methodist University next year. “It took a lot of effort at first. There were a lot of bad moments at the start and a lot of pain. But once I worked my way back up into it, I started feeling normal again and it feels great now.”

Queathem grew up in a basketball family. His older sisters Ashley, Samantha and Maddy competed with the MCHS girls basketball team.

“I’ve grown up watching them play travel ball and school ball and going to all of their games,” Queathem said.

Queathem said he was pleased with the way his team played this season even though it finished its regular season at 13-14. The Wildcats won the South Callaway Tournament and placed second in their own tournament in December.

“I’m proud of my guys,” said Queathem, who plans to attend State Tech next year. “We go out and do what we can do and try to win.”

The seniors scored all of the Wildcats’ points in the loss to Elsberry. Combs scored 22 points and March finished with 16.