Midwest Showcase Top Small Schools

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the favorite features of the recent Midwest Showcase was that the event showcased several smaller schools from the state on the big stage. Here is a look at those Class 1,2 and 3 schools who we got a chance to watch in Kansas City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2895015,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/IMG_3566.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/IMG_3566.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2895015" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mid-Buchanan: The Dragons have a strong crew back from a team that won 20 games and played for a Class 3 district championship last season. The top player back is 6'1 2026 guard Raife Smith, who was an All-State selection as a junior. He is a three-level scorer who can create off the dribble. [player_tooltip player_id='2701076' first='Ian' last='Campbell'] is a 6'3" 2027 wing player with length and athleticism and a skill set while 6'5" 2027 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2694546' first='Aiden' last='Admire'] can play physical inside and also hit 3-pointers on the perimeter. 6'1" 2027 guard Chris Kowalewcyz has a solid build and the ability to attack the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2895017,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/IMG_3576.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/IMG_3576.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2895017" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monroe City: The Panthers are a strong Class 3 team that won a share of the Clarence Cannon Conference last season. They have one of the top guards in the Northeast area in 5'9 2026 Quincy Mayfield. He is quick and strong and can create a shot from anywhere on the court. 6'4" 2027 wing Wyatt DeGrave had an excellent showing in Kansas City with his perimeter shooting and driving ability. Cole Hays is a 5'9" 2026 guard who can shoot it while 6'5" 2026 Blake Pfanner is a beefy post player who moves people around in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2886338,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3524.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3524.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2886338" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Platte: The Panthers have an excellent perimeter duo in 6'3" 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2090520' first='Brenden' last='Matt'] and 5'10" 2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2701071' first='Jase' last='Smith']. Matt is a smooth shooting guard with excellent range and the ability to create shots at his own pace. Smith is very quick and can make shots from well beyond the 3-point line. Maverick Estes is a 6'2" 2027 guard who can also shoot it from distance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2885718,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3348.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3348.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2885718" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stewartsville-Osborn: The WildCards are a solid Class 2 team that won 19 games last season and played in a loaded district. They have one of the top players in the NWMO area in 5'11" 2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2808484' first='Ian' last='Saunders'] who has a pretty big offensive bag. He creates offense and can shoot it from deep. Cooper Langley is another 2027 guard who can handle the ball and shoot it from distance. 6'1" 2028 Campbell Stuart and 5'7" 2029 Jordan Noel are a pair of young guards who add even more perimeter shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2895030,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/IMG_3727.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/IMG_3727.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2895030" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Paul Lutheran/Concordia: The Saints won 21 games and played for a district championship last season in Class 2. They have a strong inside-outside combination in 6'5" 2026 forward Easton Sheets and 5'10" 2026 point guard Tate Kreisel. I was also impressed with 6'4" 2028 forward Samuel Moenkhoff and 5'9" 2026 guard Gus Sayre.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2889122,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3461.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3461.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2889122" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Penney: The Class 2 Hornets have one of the top small-school bigs in the state in 6'8" 2026 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2090488' first='Jacob' last='Miller']. He is a force in the paint, but he has also expanded his game to where he handles the ball and shoots 3-pointers. A group of young guards looked pretty good as well in 6'0" 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2900424' first='Hudson' last='Creekmore'], 5'9" 2028 Mitch Grant along with a veteran in 5'11" 2026 Isac Bales-Rodriguez.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2895035,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/IMG_3355_a620fc.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/IMG_3355_a620fc.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2895035" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Andrew: The Cardinals are a Class 1 school that won a district championship last season. Their perimeter game will be solid with 6'0" 2026 guard Mason Nester, who was an All-Conference player. A pair of 2028 guards who caught my attention were 6'2" [player_tooltip player_id='2477740' first='Noeth' last='Cook'] and 5'10" Levi McAfee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->