Over the course of the last three seasons, Festus High School, Hillsboro High and Windsor High have taken turns winning the Jefferson County Activities Association large-schools boys basketball championship.
The Tigers and Hawks split the title in 2023, Hillsboro won alone in 2024 and the Owls ran the table with an 8-0 record in conference games to win it last season. The Owls closed out their large-schools schedule with a 98-87 win over Perryville High.
Windsor has won 19 games in each of Brian Gilbert’s first two seasons as head coach, and he’s the reigning conference coach of the year. A 2025 Windsor graduate, Layton Hollis led the conference in scoring with 19.2 points per game and was selected large-schools MVP.
While the other county teams in the conference were put in Class 5 District 1, the Owls were in District 2 with Webster Groves High, Vianney High and St. Mary’s High, schools who regularly have some of the top college recruits in the St. Louis area. Despite shooting 45.5 percent from the field, Windsor lost in the first round to the Dragons by 27 points. The Statesmen won the district and the state crown.
It’s not a coincidence that before districts, the Owls won 11 of 12 games and shooting guard Owen Haegele scored in double figures in all but one game during that stretch. A senior this year, Haegele scored 46 points in the conference-sealing win over Perryville and was second on the team in scoring with 12.7 points per game and a team-high 54 3-point baskets. Windsor’s starting five this season is filled with all-conference players. Haegele and junior small forward Colby Blake were second-team all-JCAA picks. Junior shooting guard Sam Becker and senior center Xander Smith were honorable mention. It’s a wonder how senior point guard Ethan Shirk was left off the team, or all five starters would have been all-conference.
Sophomore shooting guard Jett Black and juniors Austin French (small forward) and Chase Kraus (shooting guard) are the Owls’ top players off the bench. Black was the starting quarterback this fall.
“We have a lot of athleticism and speed behind our top five,” Gilbert said. “We are excited to see who can step up and secure the sixth-man role. There are plenty of guys who have all the ability to come off the bench this year and be big for us.”
Gilbert said he expects Haegele to pick up where he left off.
“He is a great blend of size and athleticism. His ability to shoot the 3 is second to none but he can keep teams honest with his driving and finishing ability.”
Blake is probably Windsor’s most complete player, Gilbert said. Blake averaged right at 10 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
“He is strong and on balance in every situation and is a true glue guy who’s passing and whose poise makes everyone around him better,” Gilbert said. “Colby is a three-level scorer and we look for him to build off his impressive sophomore season.”
Smith is one of Windsor’s main post players after averaging 7.2 points and 6.2 boards. He can also step back and shoot the 3.
“He responds to every challenge head on,” Gilbert said. “There was never a doubt he was going to be a team captain. He is a physical defender who is accustomed to playing bigger guys. His ability to lead and score at the rim is going to be big for us.”
Becker is a great ball handler who burst onto the scene last year after he made six threes in multiple games and made 47 percent of his shots from behind the arc.
“He is a downhill guard who understands how to get hot from 3 while bringing others along with him.”
Gilbert called Shirk the heartbeat of the team who plays with a chip on his shoulder. Shirk averaged 4.7 points and 1.7 assists.
“He wants the other team’s top scorer every game. He was a unanimous captain vote from his peers for his ability to always be a team-first player, and his leadership on and off the court.”
Windsor’s first two games this season were against JCAA small-schools. The Owls were at Herculaneum High on Nov. 21 and hosted Jefferson High on Tuesday. The Missouri State High School Activities Association has not yet released class and district assignments.
“Our goal is the same each season, win conference, have a 20-win season and make a run in districts,” Gilbert said.
Tigers practice around numbers shortage
Dan Johnson finds himself in a familiar situation he faced at the start of last basketball season.
The Festus football team was on a run to the Class 4 state championship game in December, and several members of the team played basketball too.
Well, it’s late November again, and the Tigers – 16-11 overall, 4-4 in the conference last season – are still alive on the gridiron, having played at Sullivan in the Class 4 state quarterfinals on Nov. 22 after the early Leader holiday deadline. And Johnson, the school’s boys basketball head coach, had to prepare for the season without his entire varsity roster. Senior Aiden Clifton, juniors Braydon Wilkes and Gus Drinnen and sophomores Aiden Schirmer and Carter Rush can’t start practicing on the hardwood until football season ends.
“We’ve got small numbers at practice. Our regular season varsity practices by themselves, but right now everyone is practicing together,” said Johnson, who enters his third season and has a record of 31-23.
Not only does Johnson have the team’s top player in practice already, but he’s also his father. Senior Drew Johnson was a first-team all-conference pick after leading the Tigers with 13.2 points per game and 69 3-point baskets. Drew played much of the season at point guard, but Dan said junior Cooper Schilly is ready to assume that role. Drew (6-4) has gained 50 pounds since he was a sophomore and competed with some of the top players in the region on an AAU team. Drew is closing in on 1,000 career points and 200 3-pointers. He’s committed to play at Jefferson College next year.
“He’s gotten individual accolades and those (career records) will organically take care of themselves. His goal and role is to be a good leader and do what it takes to give us the best chance to win. With his size, we can get him in the post and off the ball and not run him.”
Schilly emerged as the point guard and in 17 games, he made 23 treys and had 29 assists. Since then he’s been going to shootouts and team camps.
A forward, Clifton will be a three-year starter, and he averaged 8.2 points and 6.9 boards last year. He’s been wearing a club on his hand during football season, and he won’t be evaluated until after it ends. His basketball status is uncertain until then.
“Being a No. 4, that suits his skills as a passer and he’ll clean up rebounds. His bread and butter is attacking the offensive glass,” Dan said.
Junior center Nate Womack (6-8, 270) showed flashes of being able to dominate the inside for the Tigers last year, blocking a team-high 36 shots and averaging eight points on 64.5 percent shooting from the field. If Womack can physically hold up to the demands of the position, he could become the best big man in the county.
“From a coaching standpoint, our goal is to get the ball inside,” Dan said. “(Wo-
mack) moves really well. He’s not going to play 32 minutes a night, but for as big as he is, he has good footwork and touch.”
Wilkes has the ability to lead Festus in scoring on any night. He poured in 28 points and made eight 3s against South Iron, but he was scoreless in two of the three games prior to that. Johnson said Rush is a “knock-down shooter”, Schirmer is a power guard and Drinen is a leaper and incredible athlete. Seniors Izik Stafford and Jackson Smith have considerable varsity experience and can add scoring touch.
Festus tips off its season at home against Charleston on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. The Blue Jays are from southeast Missouri and were in Class 2 last season. Dan said don’t let the disparity in classes fool you. But if the Festus football team makes it back to the state final, Johnson said the game might be rescheduled.
“They have three juniors who were all district,” he said. “Our goal is to play those Bootheel type teams to compete with teams in our district like Cape (Girardeau Central) and Sikeston.”
Johnson likes the Tigers chances in the conference.
“We bring the most players back. Everybody lost their leading scorer or rebounder. But we haven’t finished up there the last couple of years. I do like our roster, but we haven’t proven anything yet.”
Hawks have size, but can they replenish offense?
Graduation stripped Hillsboro (14-12, 6-2) of 31 points and 17 rebounds per game when first-teamers Greg Robinson and Gunner Sutton walked last spring.
But the Hawks might possess the most size in the conference with sophomore forwards Colton Hicks (6-8) and Matthew Moore (6-7) and senior Karson Campbell (6-3).
Add senior guards Brendan Poyner and Cooper McGrath (honorable mention) and sophomore guard Tyson Sutton, and Hillsboro just might be able to overcome the scoring drain. McGrath averaged 9.5 points, 2.2 assists and 2.4 steals last year. Poyner scored 8.5 points and led the team with 3.4 assists per game.
“Our offense will be fast-paced and will be able to morph from different formations throughout a play,” said head coach DJ Hardy, who enters his second season. “We will have solid guard play, with three guys that can handle the ball well and are serious scoring threats getting to the rim and shooting the 3.”
Poyner returns for his final year after missing most of last season with a broken wrist.
“Brendan is at full strength and has improved his decision-making this year and will look to be the leading point guard for our team, being able to score and create for others, while being solid on the defensive end,” Hardy said.
After January this past season, the game really seemed to slow down for McGrath, Hardy said. After that mark, he averaged around 12 points per game, while shooting closer to 37 percent from 3.
“He was one of the best on ball defenders in the conference, consistently holding teams stars well below their averages. Cooper is set to have a big year,” Hardy said.
Campbell is an extremely well-rounded player, who Hardy said is the team’s “glue guy.” With the absence of Robinson, Campbell will be looked to score inside and rebound at a higher level, which he is more than capable of.
“We expect big things from Karson this season.”
Tyson Sutton, Gunner’s brother, enters his sophomore year prepared to be a starter.
“Tyson presents a very similar skill set to his brother, being able to shoot the ball well and play with excellent basketball IQ.”
Hicks has gained strength and mass to make him a formidable threat on both ends of the floor.
“He keeps improving every day and fits well into our offensive scheme. He plays with high IQ and has a smooth touch around the rim and from the perimeter.”
Hardy called senior Jackson Marks a “true sixth man.”
“We have fair depth this year,” Hardy said. “Our depth has variety that we can utilize based on game needs. Our depth is made up of mostly specialist type players, rather than all around contributors.”
Hillsboro begins the season at home against North County on Dec. 5 before hosting the 70th Gene Steighorst Tournament Dec. 8-13. Seckman beat the Hawks in last year’s tournament final.
“Our goal this season is to compete for the conference title again, after finishing second last year and losing in a close double-overtime game to Windsor. We also aim to compete in the Steighorst and (Bob Sechrest Christmas Tournament in Park Hills) championships.”
Casey takes over De Soto point
Junior Casey takes over as De Soto point guard Peyson Casey gets the point.
After losing their two all-conference players – Aidyn Mitchell and Elijah Phipps – to the cap and gown, the Dragons were in need of someone who can handle and distribute the ball.
“Peyson is a great athlete and playmaker,” said De Soto head coach Brendon Hardy in his second season. DJ Hardy is his brother.
Senior forwards Austin Horton and Grayson Presnell and juniors Dylan Hendricks (guard), Andy Roland (center), Mason Martin (forward) and Talon Jarvis (forward) are all vying to make the starting five.
Horton is a returning starter whose season was cut short due to a broken wrist.
“Austin can score at all three levels and is a solid defender,” Hardy said.
Roland started almost every game last year, and Hardy said he has great touch around the rim and is starting to showcase more of his skills.
“Hendricks made a couple starts, and is looking to take on a big role this year as a three-level scorer,” Hardy said.
Presnell has an underrated skill set that Hardy believes he will showcase this year.
De Soto’s sixth man could change depending on the scout, as well as foul trouble.
“Our bench will be filled with a few juniors, sophomores and potentially some freshmen.”
On offense, Hardy would like to see the Dragons play fast and in transition, and on defense, he wants them to hold true to the team’s principles, while trying to cause quick turnovers.
De Soto hosts the annual Fountain City Classic Dec. 1-6. Pairings were unavailable at the time of deadline.