Midwest Showcase Standout Little Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at some of the top little guards that we watched at the Midwest Showcase. We're looking at those players that were listed at 5'9 and under in the program, with the exception of one player. These little guys made a big impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2472588,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_4841.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_4841.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2472588" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1424414' first='Vernell' last='Holt Jr.'] (Battle): A 5'9" 2025 point guard who plays much bigger than his height with his electric athleticism and great speed. He was a one-man press break with his speed in the open court as he could go coast to coast. It's very difficult to defenders to stay in front as he can get into the lane and finish at the rim. His pull up jumper also makes him a touch cover. He is a college prospect in basketball and track as he is a 24-foot long jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2472593,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_5289.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_5289.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2472593" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1887579' first='Easton' last='Pitts'] (Thayer): A 5'9" 2025 point guard who is one of the best little men in the SWMO area. He is fearless on the drive as he attacks the basket and doesn't mind the contact. He gets knocked down, but he's coming back every time. He also has a knack at hanging in the air on his jumper enough to evade the defender to make the bucket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2472895,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_0949.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_0949.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2472895" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1850445' first='Adam' last='Tanner'] (Oak Park): A 5'10" 2026 point guard who has been starting for a strong Oak Park team since he was a freshman. He's a consummate floor general who distributes the ball well and gets it too his teammates where they can operate. He can knock down the open 3-pointer and also hit the pull up jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2472600,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_5445.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_5445.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2472600" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2536464' first='Tricy' last='Collins'] (Chaminade): A 5'9" 2025 point guard who comes off the bench and immediately makes things happen. He can change the flow of the game with his speed and quickness. He's a good on-ball defender who gets after opposing ball handlers with zeal. He is good in transition and he uses his quickness on penetrating drives in the lane.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2472608,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_4871.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_4871.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2472608" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2544920' first='Carlitos' last='Sanchez'] (Parkview): A 5'6" point guard who has excellent quickness and who plays with a lot of confidence and a whole lot of intensity. He runs the show well and he distributes the ball well with pinpoint passes. He will also knock down the open perimeter jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2472621,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_5068.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_5068.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2472621" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryce Ott (Harrisburg): A 5'7" 2026 point guard who used his quickness to be very disruptive on the defensive end. He has quick hands and good toughness on defense to create steals. He is also a capable shooter from 3-point range. He moves well and comes off screens to shoot it from distance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2472747,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_5133.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_5133.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2472747" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owen Hames (Grain Valley): A 5'5" 2027 point guard who came off the bench and displayed some good poise and savvy in the game that I watched him. He handled the ball well against defensive pressure and he made one play where he penetrated in the lane and made a beautiful no-look over the shoulder pass to a teammate for a layup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2456032,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_3164.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_3164.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2456032" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Braiden Alford (CBC): It was my second time seeing this 5'9" 2028 guard and I was impressed once again after watching him at the Hoops and Beyond Showcase at the beginning of the month. He was really shooting the ball well in the game I watched as he knocked down three triples. He showed a lot of poise for a player so young against some high level competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->