Midwest Showcase: Players Ready to Make a Move

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at a group of players who look ready to move up the basketball food chain after watching them perform at the Midwest Showcase in Kansas City last weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2025584,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3476.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3476.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2025584" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1425357' first='Blake' last='Pingeton'] (Father Tolton): A 6'6" 2025 wing player who displayed his versatile skill set throughout the weekend. He is a capable ball handler and passer who can also stretch the floor with his excellent 3-point shooting. He also can also make things happen in the lane with his size. He was solid on the drive and he moves well to score with his off-ball movement. He is also a very active rebounder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2025593,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3566.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3566.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2025593" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ke-Yion Cross (Battle): A 6'2" 2025 combo guard who is a up and coming talent in the Mid-Mo area. He has good athleticism with smooth handles the ability to touch the paint on a regular basis and make things happen in the lane. He's an excellent slasher and finisher in the paint who can also drop nice dimes while on the move. He can stop and elevate for the mid-range jumper over defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2025598,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3214.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3214.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2025598" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1850444' first='Josh' last='Kori'] (Oak Park): A 6'3" 2026 guard who has a strong body and plenty of athleticism. He is an emerging young prospect who saw a lot of varsity minutes as a freshman last season and he's continued to get bigger and stronger. He slashes to the basket well and he can also knock down the perimeter jumper. He is also an active defender who can also be disruptive with his length and anticipation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2025603,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3131.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3131.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2025603" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1557434' first='Devin' last='Herrington'] (Thayer): A 6'6" 2025 forward who is very bouncy prospect in the SWMO area. He is an excellent rebounder who has quick jumping ability and will get out of his area. He had a 22-rebound game in the Class 3 semifinals in March. He had an impressive two-hand tip dunk during the weekend that caught a lot of folk's attention. He is a skilled offensive player around the basket who can also venture out to the high post to make a move off the dribble or hit the mid-range jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1969855,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/IMG_1023.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/IMG_1023.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1969855" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2092244' first='Tyson' last='Williams'] (Cape Girardeau Central): A 6'2" 2024 guard who has continued his impressive play from the spring into June with his high school team with the Tigers. He's strong and athletic and he was tough to stop when he was getting downhill to the basket. He is a strong finisher at the rim who didn't mind going through contact with his physical body. He was also a threat to go coast to coast whenever he gets the ball in the open court. He can also knock down the mid-range jumper with good elevation over defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2026198,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Jason-Stokes.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Jason-Stokes.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2026198" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2090481' first='Jason' last='Stokes'] (MICDS): A 6'3" 2026 combo guard who is ready to step forward and make a name for himself as a strong young prospect. He has the length and athleticism and a nice feel for the game to excel as a playmaker and facilitator. He can deliver the pass on the money with either hand. When he played off the ball, he displayed a nice slashing game and a smooth shooting stroke from 3-point range. He can also be an excellent defender with his height and length.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2026203,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Herb-Bass.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Herb-Bass.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2026203" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Herb Bass (North Kansas City): A 6'0" 2024 guard who was very impressive in the final game of the event that I watched against Webster Groves. He is a physically strong guard who was constantly attacking the basket and finishing well on his strong takes. He didn't mind the contact as he was always putting pressure on the defense with his probing drives. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->