Kansas City Metro Weekend Standouts: Who Dominated the Floor?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*Photo by Norm Stewart Classic</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was a full slate of basketball across the Kansas City metro this weekend, with teams from every corner of the area competing in high-energy matchups. From tightly contested battles to dominant team wins, the level of play was consistently impressive. Throughout the weekend, several players rose above the rest — taking control of games with efficient scoring, tough defensive stands, and all-around impact that showed up far beyond the stat sheet. Many of these athletes delivered performances that not only filled the box score, but also shifted momentum, steadied their teams during critical stretches, and set the tone on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the breakdown below, I highlight four players who truly distinguished themselves. Each brought a unique skill set, elevated their team's overall performance, and played a major role in their squad's success over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2209781' first='DJ' last='Jackson'] | 6'1" Guard | Senior | Piper (KS)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2209781' first='DJ' last='Jackson'] was the driving force behind Piper's offense all weekend, especially in the Tournament of Champions championship matchup against a strong Mill Valley squad. From the opening tip, Jackson controlled the tempo, orchestrating the Pirates' attack with poise and confidence. He moved effortlessly with the ball in his hands, navigating traffic, probing gaps, and constantly putting pressure on the defense.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Jackson excelled in ball-screen situations, showing an advanced understanding of how to create and sustain advantages. Whether snaking through the screen, forcing Mill Valley into difficult rotations, or manipulating defenders with pace changes, he consistently generated quality looks for himself and his teammates. His mid-range game was reliable, knocking down shots in rhythm, but he was even more impressive getting downhill — finishing through contact, absorbing bumps, and converting a variety of tough, off-balance attempts at the rim.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>What truly rounded out his performance was his two-way impact. Jackson dug in defensively, competing on every possession, while also showcasing his playmaking instincts on the other end — delivering timely passes that set up teammates in clear scoring positions. Jackson capped off the night with an impressive stat line of 27 points, five assists, and four steals, leading Piper to a well-earned victory.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>All signs point to Jackson being primed for a monster senior season. His confidence, poise, and skillset continue to grow, and this weekend's performance was another strong indicator that his game is on a steep upward trajectory.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Keyvonte Hudson | 5'10" Guard | Senior | Bishop Miege (KS)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of the weekend's most eye-opening performances came from Keyvonte Hudson of Bishop Miege, who put together a statement game against perennial powerhouse Father Tolton. From the opening minutes, Hudson established himself as the most versatile player on the floor, impacting the game in nearly every phase. His defensive instincts were sharp, jumping passing lanes, anticipating drives, and generating turnovers that immediately flowed into transition opportunities for Miege. Each steal or deflection seemed to tilt momentum in Miege's favor.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Offensively, Hudson showcased a complete scoring package. He knocked down shots from the perimeter with confidence, got to his mid-range spots off the bounce, and attacked downhill to finish at the rim. Even when he wasn't scoring, he remained active — relentlessly attacking the glass on both ends, extending possessions, and limiting second-chance opportunities for Father Tolton. His willingness to share the ball was equally impressive, consistently reading the defense and finding open teammates for easy baskets.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>By the end of the game, Hudson had compiled an exceptional stat line: 23 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals. But his impact extended far beyond the numbers. His energy, versatility, and competitive edge elevated the team around him, setting the tone and giving Bishop Miege a clear sense of identity.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>With Hudson's game continuing to grow and his ability to galvanize his teammates through effort and leadership, Bishop Miege looks primed to be a formidable force this season — one capable of competing with, and beating, some of the region's top programs.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2111114' first='Tre' last='Paulding'] | 6'5" Wing | Senior | Lee's Summit North (MO)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2111114' first='Tre' last='Paulding'] played a pivotal role in leading Lee's Summit North to the championship at the Phog Allen Invitational at William Chrisman over the weekend. Paulding finished with 20 points and six rebounds, showcasing an impressive blend of offensive versatility and defensive presence throughout the title game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Offensively, Paulding consistently created advantages off the bounce, attacking downhill with purpose and finishing at the rim with exceptional balance — comfortably using either hand to convert tough attempts in traffic. He also showed confidence operating in the mid-range, where he found his spots and knocked down contested jumpers, while stretching the floor with timely perimeter makes. In transition, Paulding was dynamic, filling lanes, running the floor hard, and finishing above the rim to energize his team and the crowd.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Defensively, he made his presence felt around the basket, blocking multiple shots and altering others with his length and timing. His ability to contribute on both ends of the floor made him one of the most impactful players of the weekend.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>While Paulding delivered a standout performance, he also benefitted from strong contributions from his teammates, whose collective effort helped lift Lee's Summit North to the tournament championship.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2114716' first='Blayne' last='Marshall'] | 6'0" Guard | Senior | Blue Springs South (MO)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Marshall has strung together several impressive performances over the past few days, but his strongest outing likely came against a tough Lincoln High School squad out of Nebraska. From start to finish, Blayne was everywhere — injecting energy into Blue Springs South and sparking multiple scoring runs that kept the Jaguars within striking distance. Defensively, he applied relentless ball pressure, disrupting Lincoln's rhythm and turning steals or deflections into immediate transition opportunities.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Offensively, Marshall was in total command. He attacked the rim with confidence, finishing through contact and consistently putting pressure on the defense. When defenders sagged or went under screens, he made them pay from the perimeter, showcasing deep range and knockdown accuracy. His scoring outburst was complemented by his ability to create for teammates, making the right reads and generating quality looks throughout the game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Marshall capped off the night with a complete and well-balanced stat line: 32 points, four rebounds, five assists, and four steals. It was the type of performance that highlights his versatility and competitive edge. If he continues to play at this level, both his own ceiling and Blue Springs South's prospects appear extremely high as the season progresses.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->