WIBCA Basketball Showcase Standouts

WIBCA Showcase Standouts   I had the pleasure of attending the 21st annual WIBCA Basketball Showcase hosted by Watt's Basketball. Located at Bellevue College, high school basketball players from all different areas of Washington were in attendance, along with some players being from Idaho, the neighboring state. Below are individuals who caught my attention throughout the weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='1450981' first='Josiah' last='Lee'] - Glacier Peak    [player_tooltip player_id='1450981' first='Josiah' last='Lee'] is a quick lefty guard that displayed good IQ throughout the whole weekend. I watched Josiah get the ball in transition, handle the ball under pressure and in the open court. Lee has the ability to set up his teammates for open looks, I also watched Josiah get down hill, create for himself and convert when getting to the middle. Josiah can also shoot the ball fairly well, hitting multiple corner threes in the game that I watched him play. Another upside to Josiah's game is his length as a guard, standing at 6'2.    [player_tooltip player_id='1587970' first='Gannon' last='Dykstra']- Lynden Christian    The Lynden Christian guard continues to show why he may be on of the top guards in the state. 2025's Dykstra did not shy away from contact when getting into the paint, displaying good finishing skills. Dykstra's ability to shoot the ball and overall IQ for the game is a great asset when he's on the floor. Dyystra can handle the ball in open court and under pressure.    Mason St. Louis - Kentwood    The 2025 lefty combo guard, Mason St. Louis was able to get downhill on multiple possessions. When getting to the middle of the key, St. Louis was able to convert multiple lay ups with his good touch inside the key, and creating second chance points for his team. In transition St, Louis displayed good IQ, knowing when to push the ball or when to slow it down and create offense in the half court. St Louis has the ability to hit mid range jumpers, and hit multiple three pointers.   [player_tooltip player_id='2375362' first='Marcelino' last='Armendariz'] - Grandview    Marcelino was a big sleeper during the WIBCA showcase. The Grandview guard distributed the ball, tallying multiple assists. When in transition, Armendariz pushed the pace and went coast to coast on a couple of possessions, ending in layups. When Armendariz gets middle, the strong guard does not shy away from contact, but absorbing it and creating what he can out of it if it's a layup or kicking out to an open teammate. Armendariz's quick decision making is a great upside to his game.    [player_tooltip player_id='1863246' first='Carson' last='Morningstar'] - Praire    Standing at 6'6, [player_tooltip player_id='1863246' first='Carson' last='Morningstar'] proved through the whole weekend that he got game. The Praire forward displayed good footwork, along with a nice/soft touch near the rim when getting the ball in the post. Morningstar's long wingspan is a great perk to his game. I watched Morningstar battle for loose balls all weekend, giving his teams extra possessions. In addition, there were possessions where Morning star is contributing multiple offensive rebounds, leading to second chance points.   [player_tooltip player_id='1451024' first='Mateen' last='Usui'] - Archbishop Murphy    A lengthy 6'5 wing, [player_tooltip player_id='1451024' first='Mateen' last='Usui'], was a big contributor to his team's success all weekend. The Archbishop Murphy wing showed his ability to create his own shot, taking his defender downhill and converting inside the key whether it was from the middle of the perimeter or on the wing. On defense, Usui is quick to box out when a shot goes up to give his team another possession, along with blocking the ball when opposing players come through the lane.   [player_tooltip player_id='1601813' first='Michael' last='Masini'] - Gig Harbor   [player_tooltip player_id='1601813' first='Michael' last='Masini'] is starting to put the state on notice as one of the top forwards in the state of Washington.  At 6'7 the footwork Masini displayed was very impressive all weekend, showing opponents that he can post up, and convert inside the key, showcasing really good touch. I watched Masini snag multiple offensive rebounds and turning them into second chance points, along with tallying multiple on the defensive end. What makes Masini stand out is his ability to score outside the key. Masini's multiple mid range jumpers were falling along with shots beyond the arc. What really catches my eye about Masini's game is his ball handling ability with the size he possesses, and his overall feel for the game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1612215' first='Darius' last='Wilcher'] - Rainier Beach    A strong wing that can get busy on offense, class of 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1612215' first='Darius' last='Wilcher']'s scoring abilities caused opposing team's problems over the weekend. Wilcher displayed the ability to shoot hit shots, being able to set his defender up to get to middle into a pull up, to not shying away from contact when driving to the rim. I also watched Wilcher play good defense throughout the weekend, whether it was on ball or chasing down an opposing defender, stopping the transition layup with a block that sent the ball to the wall.

WIBCA Showcase Standouts