PHN Midwest Melee: Names To Know (11U & 12U)

The youth divisions at the Midwest Melee brought energy, toughness, and a glimpse of the future with a group of guards and playmakers who commanded the floor with poise well beyond their years. From lockdown defenders to high-IQ facilitators, these standouts made major impressions across the board.    Lake was a calming force for the Dream Academy Panthers, serving as the engine behind their half-court execution. His head was always on a swivel—tracking cutters, reading the help defense, and setting his teammates up for success. Lake's decision-making was polished and unselfish, consistently choosing the right play over the flashy one. His leadership and composure made him an on-court extension of his coach.     Elamin brought relentless energy to WI Playground Club, fueling their up-tempo, press-heavy style. His fearless approach on both ends of the floor ignited transition opportunities, while in the half-court he displayed a measured passing game. Elamin was the spark plug that set the tone for his team all weekend.     McWhorter showcased high-level versatility at the combo guard position. Comfortable with either hand, he brought steadiness and control to the Playground Club backcourt. His ball security and ability to dictate tempo were crucial to his team's success, especially in close-game situations.     Box emerged as one of the tournament's top lead guards. His court vision and ability to deliver crisp, on-time passes made him a constant threat as a facilitator for [program_tooltip program_id='2391400' first='Team' last='Herro']. He also scored efficiently, including a 15-point outing against a tough [program_tooltip program_id='2830289' first='Vikings' last='United'] team. Box's quick feet and command of the game stood out throughout the weekend.     Perry Jr. was a difference-maker on both ends for [program_tooltip program_id='2830289' first='Vikings' last='United']. His size made him a natural rim protector, but his skill set went well beyond the paint. He showed impressive ball-handling ability for his size and often initiated offense with sharp passing and floor vision. His presence in pressure situations—especially as a target in the middle of the press—was critical to his team's rhythm.     Ketterhagen embraced the gritty side of the game, standing out with his defensive instincts and effort. He was proactive in positioning, aggressive in pursuit, and always seemed to be in the right spot to disrupt or convert. In transition, he filled lanes with urgency and capitalized with easy buckets, bringing a toughness that elevated [program_tooltip program_id='2622592' first='Flight' last='Athletics'] all weekend.     Houston was a matchup nightmare throughout the event. With a rare combination of size and agility, he created constant problems for defenders trying to stay in front of him. His shiftiness and body control allowed him to get downhill and either finish or draw extra attention, opening the floor for teammates. Dream Academy repeatedly leaned on him to create offensive advantages—and he delivered every time.

The youth divisions at the Midwest Melee brought energy, toughness, and a glimpse of the future with a group of guards and playmakers who commanded the floor with poise well beyond their years. From lockdown defenders to high-IQ facilitators, these standouts made major impressions across the board.