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Basketball

Our inclusive basketball program is open to all Middle and Upper school boys and girls—regardless of ability and experience.

Attend a Game

Teaching Life Skills on the Court

By playing basketball in Middle and Upper School at Thomas Jefferson, students develop fundamental skills in the sport as well as skills that transcend the basketball court, such as the value of hard work, teamwork, goal setting, and overcoming adversity.

Through winning and losing, students learn good sportsmanship and develop patience, self-discipline, and the ability to be humble when winning and calm when losing. Students also learn how a competitive edge can be advantageous in achieving goals in areas outside of athletics.

Students do not need to have playing experience to participate. Our inclusive program allows all students to test new capacities and discover new talents without being cut from the team.

Our basketball program is also highly competitive, offering your gifted and experienced basketball player the opportunity to build on skills and grow into an even more competitive player.

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Program Details

Basketball is played in the winter with practices on the TJ campus. Girls and boys in grades 6-8 participate on the Middle School team, and students in grades 9-12 participate on the Upper School team.

If you have questions or need more information, please e-mail TJ Athletic Director Chris Myers or call (417) 781-5124.

MSHSAA & Ozark 7 Conference

Thomas Jefferson is a member of the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) at the Upper School level and a MSHSAA Affiliate school at the Middle School level.

At the Middle and Upper School levels, TJ is a member of the Ozark 7 Conference, which includes College Heights, Exeter, Golden City, McAuley, Thomas Jefferson, Verona, and Wheaton.

Upper School Head Coach Chris Myers has coached the TJ Upper School Boys Basketball team since 2012. Coach Myers has more than 18 years basketball coaching experience, including 12 as a head varsity coach. In addition to coaching basketball, he also serves as Athletic Director and Buildings and Grounds Coordinator. Coach Myers is assisted by Jerome Eldridge.

Middle SchoolJamarion Eldridge is the TJ Middle School Boys Basketball team’s head coach.

Upper School Head Coach: Lindsey Showalter, Assistant Coach: Brooke Villarreal.

Middle School: Abby Boggess is the Middle School Girls Basketball coach.