It is bittersweet news for the Ozarks hoops community, but a massive step forward for one of our brightest local stars. This morning on The Starting Lineup, we caught up with former Logan-Rogersville High School basketball standout and Indiana Hoosiers commit, Chase Branham. Over the weekend, Chase shook up the local landscape by announcing he will play his senior season at national powerhouse La Lumiere in La Porte, Indiana. While it means he won’t be finishing his high school career in southwest Missouri, we are incredibly excited to see him take his elite game to the absolute highest level.

Chasing the Best: The Decision to Leave Rogersville

Leaving a community you’ve grown up in since kindergarten is never easy. Chase walked us through a grueling decision process that lasted until the end of June, heavily weighing the pros and cons alongside his family. Ultimately, after capturing a state championship during his junior season and putting up eye-popping scoring numbers, the drive to consistently face the nation’s best talent won out. Chase wants to test his limits in the NIBC/EYBL Scholastic League and push for a national championship.

Gearing Up for Big 10 Physicality

We asked Chase what specific areas he expects to refine before heading to Bloomington to play under the bright lights of the Big 10. For him, it’s all about adjusting to the speed and extreme physicality of the next level. At La Lumiere, he’ll be banging bodies daily against top-tier high school athletes who mirror the size and athleticism of grown men. Sharing a backcourt with fellow top-30 recruit Devin Cleveland under Coach Pat Holmes will provide the perfect trial-by-fire preparation.

A Forever Thank You to Wildcat Nation

Even as he prepares for a life on a lake-style campus in Indiana, Chase remains fiercely proud of his local roots. He took time to issue an incredibly classy thank you to Logan-Rogersville coaches Collins, Spud, and Hart, and gave a special shoutout to Head Coach Shafer, who trusted him as a freshman and believed in him before anyone else did. From packed student sections to massive state tournament turnouts, Chase credits the local fans for making his time as a Wildcat unforgettable. No matter where his basketball journey leads—even if he ends up as a professional Laker one day—he will always be a Wildcat at heart.