Cape Girardeau Winter Shootout

<p>The <strong>Cape Girardeau Winter Shootout</strong> was held recently in Missouri.  The event featured a ton of quality talent from southern Illinois.  Prep Hoops Illinois dives into the top performers from the event here!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="821774" first="Noah" last="Franklin"] (Cobden – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Franklin is a 6’7” small forward that almost operates as a point forward with how well he passes the rock.  Pushes in the open floor always having his head up looking to make a play.  He is crafty on his takes and finishes well on post ups.  Seems to have gotten thicker since the summer.  Most impressive play was when he crashed the glass for an offensive rebound and put it in with a reverse layup.  Holds several D1 and D2 offers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="652797" first="Joe" last="Melton"] (Norris City Omaha Enfield – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Melton is a 6’8” post that has a thin frame.  He is a quality rebounder on both ends of the floor going after rebounds in traffic and high pointing them.  Got on the offensive boards for several put backs.  Rim runs and can knock down threes at a high clip.  Brings athleticism on the defensive end being able to move his feet on the perimeter along with protecting at the hoop.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="652790" first="AJ" last="Smith"] (Metro East Lutheran – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Smith is a big and physical shooting guard that has an extremely strong frame.  He was most effective getting out in transition for finishes.  Ran the floor hard getting outlets thrown his way for points.  Cut a passing lane and took it the other way for a dunk.  Looked smooth hitting a three ball behind a ball screen.  Clean stroke on the shot with height off the floor.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Peyton Edwards (Carmi – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Edwards is a well built five man who rebounds well in his area.  He is a defensive presence with his positioning and shot blocking.  Also hit a mid-range shot.  Would be worth investing some time here for a small college looking for a post.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863605" first="Justin" last="King"] (Mascoutah – 2022)</strong></p> <p>King was the top prospect at the event.  In the game we saw he showed why he is a top 15 prospect.  The motor runs up and down for King, but he brought it in this game.  Long and rangy point guard is uber smooth with the rock in his hands weaving in and out of the defense getting in the mid-range for pull ups, floaters, and can take it all the way to the cup for nifty euro step buckets.  Works well around ball screens as both a distributor and scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Garrett Gunter (Sesser Valier – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Gunter is a thick bodied guard that played bully ball getting to the rim.  He is a tough glue guy that does the little things well.  Threw long outlets, contributed on the glass, and made a few nice dishes in the paint.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Elliot Lowndes (Cobden – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Lowndes is a prospect that has impressed us over the last few months.  Long and thin big man that runs the floor with ease, works well in the pick/roll, can stretch the floor with his shooting, and even handle some in the open floor.  Fluid athlete with upside.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Caden Bee (Salem – 2022)</strong></p> <p>The Salem multi-sport star is a 5’11” big bodied guard.  He was a tough cover getting downhill in transition for several physical and athletic finishes at the cup.  Got to the rim pretty consistently where he converted layups and scoop shots in traffic.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="989278" first="Ty" last="Lenhardt"] (Waterloo – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Lenhardt is a skilled guard from Waterloo.  Looked good putting it on the deck where he got in the lane for floaters.  Had a nice shot fake and blow by for a finish.  Fundamentally sound guard that has a clean looking shot as well.  Can play both on and off the ball.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="989273" first="Grant" last="Fridley"] (Trenton Wesclin – 2023)</strong></p> <p>Fridley shined as a passer.  The Trenton Wesclin lead guard hit his teammates several times with dishes using his off hand on a live dribble.  Handles it with ease changing gears getting to the cup.  As a scorer he was good letting it fly from beyond the arc drilling a pair of threes showing fluid mechanics.</p>