Midwest Showcase SWMO Spotlight

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at some of the top teams from the SWMO region that we watched at the Midwest Showcase in Olathe, KS. Here is a brief observation on players on the teams that we saw at this event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2050528,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3487.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3487.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2050528" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Springfield Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1422818' first='Keion' last='Epps']: The 6'0" 2025 point guard was calm and unflappable as a playmaker and scorer. He distributes the ball well while being able to score at all three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1562794' first='Devin' last='Sanford']: A 6'1" 2025 shooting guard who can knock down 3-pointers at a high rate, but he also showcased some good offense off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1425344' first='Bryce' last='Walker']: A 6'6" 2025 forward who provides the inside action for this perimeter oriented squad. He's strong around the basket as a scorer and rebounder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rue Wells: A 6'2" 2025 guard who is a strong two-way performer. He's stout defensively and he can also get into the paint and score with his strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2482729,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_5322.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_5322.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2482729" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kickapoo:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1424395' first='Jackson' last='Shorter']: The 6'7" 2025 forward was a horse in the low post. He was getting great position on seals and he was scoring on drop steps, spin moves and just good footwork inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1872262' first='Reese' last='Kimrey']: A 6'1" 2026 point guard who is strong and so effective at getting into the lane. He scores in traffic and his pull up game was on point. His basketball IQ is very high.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2114722' first='Elijah' last='Nabors']: A 6'1" 2027 guard who is very talented offensively. He can knock shots down and he plays well without the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1641833' first='Vincent' last='Mhire']: A 6'0" 2026 guard who can shoot it well from 3-point range. His floor game is also very solid as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1883051' first='Brayden' last='Rubidoux']: A 6'1" 2026 guard who provided some good perimeter shooting. He also scored on a nice acrobatic drive in the lane in the game I watched.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2027224,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3190.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_3190.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2027224" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nixa:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2194413' first='Adam' last='McKnight']: A 6'4" 2027 forward who does most of his business in the paint. He's strong and he has good footwork to score inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2544937' first='Keivon' last='Flint']: A 6'0" 2025 point guard who used his burst and a quick first step to blow by defenders for layups on straight line drives. Staying in front of him was a chore for opposing defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jaise Combs: A 6'3" 2025 guard who has a nice shooting stroke from 3-point range. He moves well without the ball to get to the open spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2468377,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_4940.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_4940.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2468377" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rolla</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1790000' first='Ethan' last='Brown']: The 6'4" 2026 guard put on a show in the game I watched as he scored 22 points in the first half. He was scoring from all three levels and dropping dimes to open teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>John Papadokos: A 6'0" 2025 guard who plays a solid all-around game. He keeps the ball moving, plays good defense and keeps things organized. He can also hit an open shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joe Foster: A 6'4" 2025 small forward who fits in well with his team with his ability to move without the ball and also to move the ball as a connector.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2468297,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_4866.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_4866.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2468297" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parkview</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1424917' first='Elias' last='Govan']: The 6'6" 2025 forward had a very productive weekend with his tremendous motor and activity. He was scoring on strong drives to the basket and he was a consistent force on the offensive boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2544920' first='Carlitos' last='Sanchez']: A 5'6" 2025 point guard who is tough and fearless along with being a good floor leader. He distributes the ball well while providing good on-ball defensive pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2126248' first='Dassiah' last='Green']: A 6'4" 2025 guard who is an ideal "3 and D" player. He has explosive athleticism to throw down dunks and he can also knock down the open 3-pointer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2576011' first='Christian' last='Cordova'] (Parkview): A 6'2" 2025 shooting guard who can really fill it up from long distance when he has it going. He is always locked and loaded from 3-point range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2469195,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_5117.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/IMG_5117.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2469195" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ozark</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kylan Pickren: The 6'4" 2027 wing is a smooth offensive player who was getting buckets at all three levels. He plays at his own pace and can get to where he wants to on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1425373' first='Cohen' last='George']: A 6'10" 2025 guard who has a nice shooting touch in the paint and he passes the ball very well from the high post.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manny Stover: A 6'3" 2025 guard who was very aggressive in attacking the basket on fearless drives. He was cutting hard off the ball to get layups and he was making a number of hustle plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2482730,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_5303.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_5303.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2482730" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marshfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1562692' first='Tegan' last='Curley']: The 6'7" 2025 Austin Peay commit displayed all of his offensive skills. He can shoot it from 3-point territory and beat defenders off the dribble. He can also score with a nice touch inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leighton Callaway: A 6'4" 2026 small forward who plays the all-purpose role for his team. He is a good secondary ball handler and passer who also rebounds the ball well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evan Coutchie: A 5'10" 2028 point guard who showed some very good poise for a youngster in the minutes that I watched him. He was handling pressure well and he delivered a few nifty passes while on the move.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***********************</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RIP [player_tooltip player_id='1662908' first='Amare' last='Witham']: SWMO's Shining Star</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2023783,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><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" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our spotlight on SWMO players is dedicated to the memory of [player_tooltip player_id='1662908' first='Amare' last='Witham'], the young star from Glendale High who passed away last week at the the age of 16. Amare was a shining light in SWMO hoops and one of the top players in the state. He was an incredible offensive player who brought excitement to the gym every time he stepped on the court. He was a dynamic scoring threat who loved the game and was constantly working harder to improve his craft. We watched Amare last weekend at the Midwest Showcase with his Glendale team and he was tremendous as always. We at Prep Hoops Missouri extend or prayers to Amare's family and friends, the Glendale community and all of the good folks in the SWMO area. We will all miss this special young talent in our state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->