Panther Showcase: X-Factors

<!-- 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: X-Factors</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Robert Fritz (Freeburg – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This undersized post at 6'3” played with physicality on the interior for Freeburg in their win.&nbsp; He finished dump offs, posted up strong, had a spin move for and-1, and rebounded well in his area.&nbsp; Went for 9 points</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Larson Kozuszek (Trico – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 6'2” guard is tough as nails.&nbsp; Made key plays when they needed to be made for his team to get the win including scoring on a variety of crafty layups in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Max Oswald (Waterloo – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oswald was impactful in their win against Mounds Meridian.&nbsp; He had 11 points coring on an array of soft touch finishes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125643' first='Jaxson' last='Hancock'] (Centralia – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hancock didn't score a ton, but he did his job to perfection against Waltonville running the show.&nbsp; He got his wings and bigs involved with his passing.&nbsp; Much more confident as a ball handler and gets his teammates involved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AJ Boese (Murphysboro – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boese is a 6'5” senior power forward that is a tough gritty guy.&nbsp; He is a solid offensive rebounder that scored in the paint and can knock down a three on occasion.&nbsp; He had 13 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2375631' first='Kobe' last='Taylor'] (Alton – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor got MVP honors for their win over East Peoria in a 9 point outing.&nbsp; Long and rangy lefty wing that slashes in transition and the half court finishing well at the cup.&nbsp; Quickness and is a good defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2540086' first='Jamarion' last='Green'] (Alton – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green is a broad shouldered senior post that brings long arms and a great frame at 6'6”.&nbsp; Very good game against East Peoria where he impacted on the glass snatching rebounds, protected the rim, and played above the hoop catching lobs for 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125674' first='Quinton' last='Kitt'] (East Peoria – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It wasn't Kitt's best game, but you can see some of the tools in this game why he is a top 10 sophomore.&nbsp; Broad shoulders, emerging strength, and plus athleticism.&nbsp; He is a versatile wing that stuffs the stat sheet.&nbsp; Does a little bit of everything.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323278' first='Ty' last='Laur'] (Pinckneyville – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Laur is probably the most instinctual passers in the state among big men.&nbsp; He has such an advanced feel for hitting cutters and making quick passes for scores.&nbsp; Soft touch around the hoop and got on the offensive glass for 12 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598711' first='Hudson' last='Fuller'] (Glenbrook South – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fuller is a lefty small forward at 6'4” that can shoot the ball from the perimeter.&nbsp; Good small college prospect who had 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jordan Boyd (DeSmet – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boyd is a versatile wing that contributes as a slasher, rebounder, and defender.&nbsp; Went for 12 points in a win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552447' first='Tyler' last='Thompson'] (Triad – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson is a skilled 6'7” combo forward that showed improved handles making a key run for his team in the second half while scoring 9 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->