Game Spotlight: Vashon vs. DeSmet Top Five Stars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vashon and DeSmet represent two of the most storied high school basketball programs in the state of Missouri.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two programs have combined to win 22 state championships along with 41 trips to the Final Four of the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vashon and DeSmet met again on Thursday night in a big non-conference game. Vashon is currently ranked No. 1 in the MBCA Class 4 poll while DeSmet is ranked No. 2 in the Class 6 poll.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vashon opened the game with an 11-0 run and raced to a 74-57 victory. The Wolverines made 11 of their first 12 shots and scored 48 points in the first half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the Top Five Stars from Thursday's Vashon-DeSmet game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3456066,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/IMG_9164.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/IMG_9164.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3456066" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NO. 1 STAR: JIMMY MCKINNEY III (VASHON)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'2" 2027 guard scored a game-high 31 points as he put on a tremendous shooting display. He was on fire in the first half as he scored 25 points and made five 3-pointers. He was knocking down shots off the catch and off the dribble. He even converted a four-point play as he made five consecutive perimeter jumpers in the first quarter. He also excelled in other parts of the game as he handed out five assists and had three steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3456069,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/IMG_9198.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/IMG_9198.jpeg?w=736" alt="" class="wp-image-3456069" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NO. 2 STAR: CHRISTIAN POTTS (VASHON)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'8" 2026 forward had one of the best games of his high school career as he finished with a line of 15 points, seven rebounds and eight blocked shots. His rim protection was tremendous throughout the game he was challenging anything and everything around the rim without fouling. He was active and very bouncy around the basket. In the second half, he started to get things going on offense as his teammates fed him well for multiple slam dunks. The cherry on the top of a big night was when he knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the key in the fourth quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3456079,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/IMG_9167.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/IMG_9167.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3456079" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NO. 3 STAR: KAIN MCCASKILL (VASHON):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'3" 2026 guard scored 11 points and handed out eight assists as he showed a solid overall floor game with his usual flair for the spectacular. He was at his best when he was slashing to the basket and getting out in transition, where he threw down an impressive dunk. His ball handling and playmaking were also on point as he kept the ball moving and found the open man throughout the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3456080,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/IMG_9184.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/IMG_9184.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3456080" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NO. 4 STARS: WILL FOULK (DESMET)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'1" 2027 guard scored 15 points to lead the Spartans. He did an excellent job of attacking the basket with his dribble penetration and scoring at the rim from different angles. There were multiple times where he beat the full court pressure by himself and got all the way to the basket to score. He was tough for defenders to keep him in front when he wanted to get downhill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3456085,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/IMG_9150.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/IMG_9150.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3456085" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> LEON POWELL JR. (VASHON)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'6" 2027 small forward scored 12 points while playing with an active motor at both ends of the court. He was very effective in Vashon's explosive first quarter with his slashing moves to the basket and action in the transition game. He was also a problem on the defensive end with his length and athleticism as the Wolverines provided relentless pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3456089,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/IMG_9199.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/IMG_9199.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3456089" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NO. 5 STAR: BRADEN BUTLER</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'4" 2026 guard scored 14 points, which most of his offense coming in the second half. When the Spartans were trying to mount a rally, he was in the middle of it by either knocking down a 3-pointer from the corner or attacking the basket for a driving layup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->