Panther Showcase: Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a great day of basketball on Saturday at the Panther Showcase at Pinckneyville High School.&nbsp; PHI was there for all nine games of the event.&nbsp; We continue our examination of the event all week including here in <strong>Panther Showcase: Top Performers</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2761375' first='Matt' last='Pluff'] (Freeburg – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pluff got MVP of the opening game of the day after a strong performance scoring 15 points in Freeburg's win.&nbsp; He is a well built 6'4” two guard that excels in the transition game where he uses his strength and athleticism to finish in the paint.&nbsp; Also was active defensively turning steals into points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1766463' first='Alex' last='Stell'] (Waterloo – 2025 – Illinois-Springfield)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stell had one of the single most dominant performances I have seen this season.&nbsp; The Illinois-Springfield commit was a complete force scoring at will every time he touched the ball.&nbsp; He is a 6'10” post that wants to play like a big man.&nbsp; Elite touch around the hoop using the glass and either hand to finish with ease.&nbsp; Offensive rebound put backs, alley-oops, hook shots and power dribbles for finishes.&nbsp; Also was a game changer on the glass with his rebounding on both ends.&nbsp; Can really pass out of the post as well seeing shooters on the other side of the floor.&nbsp; As the game went along defensively he began to take over on that end swatting and altering shots.&nbsp; Went for 38 points, 15 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2 dimes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2217959' first='Dustyn' last='Collins'] (Centralia – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collins is one of the best uncommitted prospects in southern Illinois.&nbsp; The 6'6” power forward has a nice combination of athletic pop and power.&nbsp; Explosive athlete that is quick and assertive with the ball in his hands.&nbsp; Seals for dunks, rim runs, put backs, sweeping layups, and hit a face up three.&nbsp; Also scored the game winning bucket on a pick/roll with 3 seconds left finishing with 19 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552409' first='Gage' last='Peterson'] (Waltonville – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peterson is a junior that had one of the best games we have seen out of him during his career.&nbsp; He is a plus shooter from distance that can really stretch the defense with his shot as he drained a trio from deep along with some feathery mid-range shots.&nbsp; Really liked how well he rebounded in traffic in this game.&nbsp; Went for 17 points and 8 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1838836' first='Jayden' last='McCoo'] (Mascoutah – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCoo is a PHI favorite with the consistency he plays with.&nbsp; The combo guard looked like he got injured early, but came back with a flurry.&nbsp; Poured in the mid-range jump shots and a three along with using his speed to get downhill and go coast to coast in the open floor.&nbsp; He had 18 points.&nbsp; Very under recruited southern Illinois prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2376270' first='Semaj' last='Stampley'] (Alton – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stampley didn't have a huge scoring game, but the top 5 junior definitely left his imprint on the win against East Peoria.&nbsp; Scored the majority of his points in transition.&nbsp; Most impressive play was a shot fake where he then got accidently kicked in the face before draining a three.&nbsp; Big fan of how he defends when playing off the ball.&nbsp; Super effective at getting steals with his awareness.&nbsp; He had 9 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2385167' first='Riley' last='Bauersachs'] (Pinckneyville – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bauersachs is a Rend Lake commit that always brings it.&nbsp; He is a versatile small forward that stuffs the stat sheet.&nbsp; He is a plus shooter off the catch from three.&nbsp; Excellent passer that sees the floor.&nbsp; Scores in the lane on euro steps and hook shots posting up.&nbsp; Went for 18 points in a blowout win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Riley Massey (DeSmet – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Massey is a North Dakota State commit that always brings it!&nbsp; The athletic two guard from St. Louis is a really good shot maker that poured in threes and mid-range jumpers for days over Glenbrook South.&nbsp; Got to his spots with fluid handles also being able to finish at the cup on scoop shots for 17 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2823690' first='Jaxon' last='Marlow-Evans'] (Carbondale – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marlow-Evans kept his team in the nightcap with a big third quarter.&nbsp; He is a 5'11” point guard that was nifty off the bounce scoring in the paint and getting to the foul line.&nbsp; Flashes potential as a jump shooter.&nbsp; Finished with 18 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->