Midwest Basketball Showcase Saturday Observations

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri was in the house on Saturday for the first day of the Midwest Basketball Showcase, which is being held at the HyVee Arena in Kansas City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The event is presented by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association. There are 92 high school teams from five states with a third of them being from Missouri. Here are a few observations from the first day of action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2023742,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3128.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3128.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2023742" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AIDAN BURNS SHOWED UP AND SHOWED OUT</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'3 2024 guard from Thayer was impressive in his opening game against Maryville. The young man is a serious bucket who can score from all three levels. He was pulling up from 3-point range and knocking down mid-range jumpers. He is also a potent offensive player in the low post. He has a smooth turnaround jumper with a feathery shooting touch. He makes it look fairly easy at times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2023755,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3235.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3235.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2023755" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>KC AREA TEAMS WIN CLOSE ONES EARLY</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a pair of early afternoon games, Oak Park defeated Waukee, IA 49-48 and Staley defeated Shawnee Mission Northwest (KS) 45-44 in a pair of of thrilling games that I watched at the same time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oak Park is a talented team with a lot of answers on the perimeter, led by 6'4 do-it-all 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1419869' first='Corbin' last='Allen']. He's a big point guard who also dominates the boards and scores in a variety of ways. Fellow 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1422720' first='Caleb' last='Estes'] was getting smooth buckets from all three levels. The Northmen should enjoy a big year in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Staley is re-tooling after graduating several top players from its Class 6 state championship team. 6'7 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1419871' first='Xavier' last='Wilson'] will step into a much bigger role. He is a very good all purpose player who will add more scoring. KV Stone is a stocky 6'2 guard who scored six big points in the closing seconds as they Falcons rallied from a double digit deficit to win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>**********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2023756,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3192.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3192.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2023756" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NIXA DEFEATS DESMET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a SWMO vs St. Louis battle, Nixa defeated DeSmet 39-32. Nixa has a dynamic 2024 wing duo in 6'3 [player_tooltip player_id='2092256' first='Josh' last='Peters'] and 6'4 [player_tooltip player_id='2092251' first='Garrett' last='Hines']. Both of them can really shoot it from deep. They are also very solid players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeSmet will be depending a host of young players. [player_tooltip player_id='1715259' first='Riley' last='Massey'] is a 6'3 2025 wing with good athleticism and shooting ability. [player_tooltip player_id='1850530' first='Ian' last='Thomas'] is a physically strong 6'3 2026 southpaw guard who can initiate offense at the point and bulldoze his way in the lane with his strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2023761,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3262.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3262.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2023761" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LUTHERAN NORTH VS PEMBROKE HILL IN BATTLE OF FINAL FOUR TEAMS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watched the first three quarters of Lutheran North vs KC Pembroke Hill. North was the Class 3 state runner up while Pembroke Hill finished fourth in Class 4. Both teams displayed some perimeter firepower.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lutheran North's 6'4 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1571730' first='Bryce' last='Spiller'] is a three-level scorer who can drain 3-pointers and power his way into the lane. Felllow 6'3 2024 guard Jai Smith was also very impressive as a scorer. He was revelation to me on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pembroke Hill's 6'2 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1850449' first='Mav' last='Hawkins'] was excellent. He was shooting the deep ball well, but he is now the primary ball handler and he was spreading the ball out nicely to fellow shooters [player_tooltip player_id='1579229' first='Max' last='Sprott'] (2024) and 6'2 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2090517' first='Jack' last='Grant'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>********<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A FEW OTHER WHO CAUGHT MY EYE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2023782,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3363.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3363.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2023782" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trey Williams (Vashon): The 6'1 2025 guard has a beautiful shooting stroke from 3-point range. He's just as dangerous off the catch and off the dribble. He's also playing some point guard as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*****</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1973583,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/IMG_1214.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/IMG_1214.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1973583" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1160827' first='Nelson' last='Shinkle'] (Jefferson City): The 6'8 2024 forward was very assertive, which leads to a lot of good things. He was snatching rebounds above the rim, throwing down impressive dunks and hitting the perimeter shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2023783,"width":444,"height":333,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3201.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3201.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2023783" width="444" height="333" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1662908' first='Amare' last='Witham'] (Glendale): The 2026 is one of the most impressive offensive players that I watched on the day. His shooting range is deep and he has those swaggy handles that enable him to create his own shot at any time. He goes at his own pace, but he gets by defenders before they realize they have been beaten.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2023788,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3387.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3387.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2023788" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cameron Barnes (Lee's Summit West): Have seen the 6'8 2027 on the stream many times, but this was my first time seeing him in person. The youngster is put together. And he's very skilled with the ability to drive it and shoot it from the perimeter. Very highly touted and I can see why.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->