EVENT PREVIEW: Best of the Midwest Showcase
EVENT PREVIEW: Best of the Midwest Showcase
The second round of games as part of the Best of the Midwest Showcase series will continue in early January and feature several of the top teams and players on the Missouri side of Kansas City.
In addition to a showcase game between Kansas powers St. Thomas Aquinas and Topeka Hayden, the event will feature four of the top teams in Missouri in KC.
Here, we take a look at the top players from Missouri in the event. You can read about the top Kansas players at the event here.
Best of the Midwest Showcase
Date: Saturday, January 6, 2018
Location: St. Thomas Aquinas
St. James Academy vs. Hogan Prep, 1 p.m.
Basehor-Linwood vs. Liberty North, 2:30 p.m.
Blue Valley North vs. Liberty, 4 p.m.
Blue Valley Northwest vs. Park Hill South, 5:30 p.m.
St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Topeka Hayden, 8:30 p.m.
Missouri Players to Watch
Tyson Cathy, 6’5, PF/C, 2018, Liberty North (Mo.)
A strong post presence, Cathy is a terrific rebounder and shot blocker and an improving offensive weapon. He can knock down shots out to 15 feet and is a good finisher around the basket.
Damien Daniels, 5’8, PG. 2018, Hogan Prep (Mo.)
One of several KC players who have committed early this fall, Daniels is also one of several players in the region who has committed to Abeline Christian, an NCAA Division I program in Texas. Daniels is a spark plug point guard with a smooth left handed shooting stroke and terrific leadership qualities.
Robbie Hanson, 6’2, SG, 2018, Liberty North (Mo.)
One of the KC area’s most underrated players, Hanson is a smooth shooting guard who has a terrific outside shooting stroke and a good mid-range game. He has a good feel for scoring the ball and is a good all-around player.
Rodvon Jennings, 6’0, SG, 2019, Hogan Prep (Mo.)
Jennongs and Daniels formed a terrific 1-2 punch in the Hogan Prep backcourt a year ago. Capable of getting buckets from all over the court, Jennings averaged a little more than 10 points per game as a sophomore last season and shot better than 50 percent from the field.
Jalen Lewis, 5’10, PG, 2018, Liberty (Mo.)
Lewis recently committed to Division II Washburn and enters the upcoming season as one of the KC area’s premier 3-point shooters. He can handle the point guard duties, but is also a threat to shoot and score from anywhere on the court.
Saadique Perkins, 6’3, G/F, 2018, Park Hill South (Mo.)
Perkins is a natural shooting guard with good size and the ability create off the bounce, but will likely be asked to do a lot of work in the paint defensively and on the boards for an otherwise undersized Park Hill South team. He is a good athlete who has the ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
Lamel Robinson, 5’11, PG, 2019, Park Hill South (Mo.)
Robinson is a terrific scoring point guard, able to create off the bounce and score at all three levels. He is a terrific ball handler and is a knock down shooter. Robinson has already drawn significant interest from multiple Division I programs.
Logan Steenstra, 6’4, F, 2018, Liberty (Mo.)
An athletic wing player with a versatile skill set, Steenstra will be counted on for added production this season alongside Lewis in the backcourt as well as provide rebounding and a presence in the paint.
Desi Williams, 5’9, PG, 2019, Park Hill South (Mo.)
A solid ball handler and defender, Williams has the ability to control a game at the PG position, plays under control and is a terrific competitor. He and Robinson form a terrific 1-2 punch at the point as either can handle the duties.