Midwest Showdown: Opening Night Notebook
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APPLETON — News, notes, and thoughts from Friday night’s action at the 2023 Prep Hoops Midwest Showdown… LOADED 16U MATCHUP KICKS THINGS OFF In what was maybe the most anticipated game of the tournament, Wisconsin Playmakers and Wisconsin Playground Club…
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Continue ReadingAPPLETON — News, notes, and thoughts from Friday night’s action at the 2023 Prep Hoops Midwest Showdown…
LOADED 16U MATCHUP KICKS THINGS OFF
In what was maybe the most anticipated game of the tournament, Wisconsin Playmakers and Wisconsin Playground Club opened up the action on Friday. While it felt like a blowout most of the game for PGC, the Playmakers just never said ‘die.’ PGC would end up hanging on for a 64-58 victory, but things got a little dicey down the stretch.
Thought heading into the weekend that Kai Rogers Kai Rogers 6'10" | C Wauwatosa West | 2025 State #41 Nation WI (Wauwatosa West) would have a big weekend against this field. Safe to say, he’s off to an even better start than expected. The 6-foot-10 center posted 21 points, eight rebounds, and six blocks. Rogers was simply a highlight reel throughout the game and got PGC off to a dominating start with four early dunks.
Also give credit to Will Garlock Will Garlock 6'11" | C Middleton | 2025 State #204 Nation WI (Middleton), who did a great job of finding Rogers in the high-low game. The 6-foot-10 center did an outstanding job of passing the ball at the top of the key and putting it where only Rogers could get it.
Despite the loss, came away very impressed with point guard Brooks Hinson Brooks Hinson 6'1" | PG Marshfield | 2025 State #251 Nation WI (Marshfield) once again. The sophomore floor general scored a game-high 23 points. As he often does, Hinson puts the Playmakers on his back as a scorer when needed. He scored 18 of his 23 points in the second half alone. In a high-level matchup, Hinson just remained poised, steady, and didn’t get rattled despite facing pressure and PGC throwing athletes at him and trying to trap.
COUPLE OF 2026’S TO WATCH
The 8:05 window showcased a few of the top prospects in the 2026 class.
It’s a little early, but think Ethan Joling Ethan Joling 6'6" | PG Hortonville | 2026 State WI (Hortonville) ends up in the initial class of 2026 rankings. He’s got a long way to go, but Jolling has terrific upside and is very unique. At 6-foot-5, Jolling plays a lot of point guard for All-Wisconsin. He’s a terrific facilitator, has some burst on the ball, can get coast-to-coast, and shows some impressive flashes with his ability to play low to the ground off the bounce. Jolling is a long, athletic prospect that can guard various positions as well.
Also saw point guard Rashaad Davis Rashaad Davis 5'10" | PG Nicolet | 2026 State WI (Nicolet) just take over against Chapman North. With Wisconsin Playground Club down at the half, Davis went to work. If you blinked, you missed a giant run by PGC, spurned by Davis’s explosive scoring ability. While he was mainly a long distance shooter as a freshman for Nicolet, Davis showed he can put it on the deck and attack. A fast and electrifying guard, Davis blew by people and finished off-balance with ease.