> Blue Springs South schedule

While Blue Springs South likes the talent ahead this season, the Jaguars will need to get it going on the court.

The Jaguars bring back a cast heavy on underclassmen, including forward Jaylon McDaniel. The 6-foot-6 sophomore has made some national recruiting rankings list, and for good reason in averaging 9.4 ppg, 6.8 rebounds and 48 blocks as just a freshman. After a full varsity year and playing with MoKan Elite during the summer, McDaniel should make a big step ahead in 2018-19. McDaniel earned honorable mention all-Suburban Gold last year.

Junior 6-foot-2 guard Khayden Hooks (5.1 ppg) also will be needed to take a step up, after connecting from 43% behind the three-point arc.

“We don't have a ton of guys with significant varsity experience, so the "established" guys like Hooks and McDaniel will need to perform at a high level and we'll need a few newcomers to play well and become significant contributors,” said second-year head coach Josh Smith. “If we can get stops consistently, I think we've got a chance to be really good in transition.”

Joining the duo will be senior guard Caleb Israelite (5-foot-11) and junior guard Cade Berg (6-foot-6). Newcomers to the varsity level will be junior guards Johnny George (5-foot-11) and Ovi Johnson (5-foot-11) in the backcourt, and senior forward Alex Brandt (6-foot-3) and sophomore forward Devin Tomlinson (6-foot-3) up front.

“We’ve got the potential to be pretty versatile offensively with a good mix of guys that can knock down shots and create opportunities off the dribble,” Smith said. “Plus a pair of big guys that can do some damage around the rim.”

The Jaguars face some tough out-of-area competition with the opening tourney at Blue Springs, with the likes of Rockhurst, Fort Smith Northside (Ark.), Bentonville (Ark.) and SLUH, and facing No. 1 in the 810 Varsity Top 25, Blue Valley Northwest, in the 810 Varsity Showcase, Session I in January.