Panther Showcase: Underclassmen Standouts

<!-- 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: Underclassmen Standouts</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brody Kerr (Freeburg – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 6'1” combo guard can play on or off the ball.&nbsp; Good size for position and does a nice job of scoring with creativity in the lane and finishing through contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dathan Krauss (Freeburg – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Krauss is a 5'11” sophomore point guard that brings toughness being able to put his head down to draw a foul.&nbsp; Solid distributor and capable scorer in the mid-range.&nbsp; He had 9 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ryder Wettig (Trico – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wettig jumped off the floor to us in their morning contest.&nbsp; The 6'4” small forward has a strong frame, but still looks very young.&nbsp; He was more than adept at playing with the ball even initiating the offense at times.&nbsp; Reverse layups put backs, and showed a good passing feel.&nbsp; Very bright future for this southern Illinois wing who had 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyler DeVilder (Waterloo – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liked DeVilder when we saw him earlier in the season against Mounds Meridian and the same can be said on Saturday where he recorded 17 points more than looking like a prospect to monitor down the road.&nbsp; Plus shooter from three with a clean release from distance.&nbsp; Also mixed in some mid-range shots and was solid defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2751256' first='Archie' last='Goewey'] (Centralia – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goewey is quickly emerging as one of the premier two way athletes in the state's 2028 class with his play on the hardwood and gridiron.&nbsp; Strong and athletic build at 6'3” with a good overall skill set.&nbsp; Sound three point shot, cuts off the ball for buckets, and had the game winning dime on a pick/roll read.&nbsp; He went for 16 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2826261' first='Kenny' last='Bratton'] (Centralia – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bratton is another prospect who might have a future as a football prospect but he was an absolute force on the defensive end along with scoring on slashes in their win against Waltonville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2540188' first='Ryan' last='Howard'] (Alton – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howard has become a PHI favorite this season after seeing him multiple times.&nbsp; The he is a three and D wing that can flat out shoot the rock from the perimeter.&nbsp; Made three from distance although he was a bit streaky in this game.&nbsp; Love what he brings defensively as a perimeter lock down guy that creates turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2383971' first='Tyler' last='McConnell'] (Pinckneyville – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McConnell is an athletic power forward that has broad shoulders and plus athleticism.&nbsp; Liked the motor that he played with.&nbsp; Active around the rim as a rebounder, finisher out of the dunker spot, and explosive spin moves.&nbsp; He will be the next star at Pinckneyville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->