MLK Showcase – Session 2 Recap - Standout Guards

[player_tooltip player_id='2131788' first='Kayleb' last='Kearse'] | 5'10 PG | 2026   [player_tooltip player_id='2131788' first='Kayleb' last='Kearse'] flat-out caught fire. He finished with 33 points, knocking down eight threes, and it honestly didn't matter how the shots came—off the catch, off the dribble, pump fake and reset, all of it was working. When a guard gets into that kind of rhythm, you just ride the wave and St. Pius did just that.   What made the performance even more impressive was how controlled it was. Kearse handled the ball, didn't turn it over, and still found ways to distribute when defenses sold out to stop him. His shooting gravity led to backdoor layups and easy assist opportunities for lay ups, forcing the defense to pick its poison.     Reese Morris | 6'1 PG | 2029   Reese Morris impacted the game in ways that don't always show up in the box score. He finished with just four points, but his influence late was clear. Morris did a great job getting his team quality looks down the stretch when Central Catholic cut the lead under 5, making the right reads and keeping the offense moving when it mattered most.   Defensively, the freshman was a disruptor. He picked up full court, applied constant pressure, and made life difficult for opposing guards. His energy, toughness, and willingness to be a pest on the ball stood out.     Bam Paschal | 6'1 PG | 2026   Bam Paschal delivered when it mattered most. He finished with 11 points, all coming in the second half, along with five assists, stepping up as the steady hand when the game tightened. St. Pius threw multiple fresh defenders at him in an effort to wear him down, but Paschal stayed composed and continued to break the press and trap after trap.   He plays like a natural quarterback. Paschal has a nice handle, sees the floor well, and consistently puts teammates in position to score. When defenses committed to stopping him, he made them pay by finding the open man and keeping the offense flowing.Beyond the playmaking, his athleticism showed up on the defensive end. Paschal went up high to secure defensive rebounds, helping initiate transition. His poise, leadership, and ability to control the game make him a reliable lead guard and a player you want with the ball late.     Isaac Bongen | 6'4 G | 2027   Isaac Bongen finished with 11 points, but his impact went beyond the scoring total. He opened the game with a quick four points, then stayed with it and eventually found his rhythm again in the fourth quarter. Even when the shots weren't falling early, you could still feel his shot-making ability on the floor.   Bongen is a strong, athletic guard with good lift on his jumper, allowing him to get clean looks even when closely guarded. He also contributed on the defensive end, competing and helping on the glass, showing his willingness to impact the game in multiple ways. His blend of strength, athleticism, and shooting touch continues to make him a guard worth tracking closely.     Malcolm Weatherspoon | 6'3 G | 2027   Malcolm Witherspoon continues to show flashes of his upside. He finished with nine points while impacting the game in multiple areas. For a guard his size, he rebounds the ball well, extending possessions and creating second-chance opportunities through effort and athleticism.   Defensively, Weatherspoon competes and stays active, using his athletic tools to disrupt plays. Offensively, he chipped in by knocking down a couple of threes, showing his touch from the perimeter. With his athleticism, willingness to defend, and growing offensive game, Malcolm Witherspoon is a guard with real potential as his role continues to expand.     [player_tooltip player_id='1956462' first='Julius' last='Price'] | 6'3 G | 2026   [player_tooltip player_id='1956462' first='Julius' last='Price'] put together a strong all-around performance, finishing with 14 points and five assists while making his presence felt in every phase of the game. He opened the night by knocking down tough, contested mid-range jumpers, showing confidence and the ability to score from his spots early.   Price showed good vision and awareness as a playmaker, highlighted by a cross-court assist to his brother for a three and another clean look created for Gunner an open three. He was active defensively as well, digging down on bigs to force steals and ignite transition opportunities. One of the highlights came off a steal where he finished with a double-clutch, two-hand jam in the open floor.   Even after briefly exiting with an injury in the third quarter, Price returned and continued to impact the game. He has a knack for getting to his spots with just two or three dribbles, staying efficient and under control. With his scoring touch, playmaking instincts, and defensive activity, [player_tooltip player_id='1956462' first='Julius' last='Price'] continues to show why he's a top 15 player in the state.     [player_tooltip player_id='2436278' first='Malcolm' last='Price'] | 6'1 PG | 2027   [player_tooltip player_id='2436278' first='Malcolm' last='Price'] was electric, finishing with a team leading 20 points while setting the tone with his aggressiveness. He consistently got out and attacked in transition, putting pressure on the defense before it could get set. When he got out in space, he made it count.   His step-back mid-range jumper was next level, a go-to weapon he seems to have perfected. Price also knocked down two threes, showing confidence and range from the perimeter. The highlight of the night came when he jumped a pass at midcourt and finished with an explosive one-handed jam, a play that summed up his speed, instincts, and athleticism.   With his ability to score at all three levels and create momentum-changing plays, [player_tooltip player_id='2436278' first='Malcolm' last='Price'] continues to stand out as a dynamic guard in the 2027 class.     [player_tooltip player_id='2622347' first='Gunnar' last='Morinini'] | 6'1 G | 2026   [player_tooltip player_id='2622347' first='Gunnar' last='Morinini'] delivered an efficient scoring night, finishing with 15 points while knocking down three threes. His shooting presence was felt all game, as he did a great job relocating along the arc to find clean looks and stay in rhythm.   Defensively, Morinini played scrappy, competing on the ball and making things difficult for opposing guards. Offensively, defenders had to respect his jumper, which opened up driving lanes. He took advantage of that respect by decisively attacking the rim. Gunner's ability to space the floor, defend with effort, and punish closeouts makes him a the perfect fit in the backcourt with the Price brothers.     [player_tooltip player_id='1711480' first='Ibrahim' last='Monawar'] | 6'3 PG | 2026   [player_tooltip player_id='1711480' first='Ibrahim' last='Monawar'] put together a smooth, controlled performance, finishing with 13 points and four assists. He did a really good job probing out of the pick and roll, keeping defenders on his hip and letting the game come to him.   Offensively, Monawar showed good touch and feel, mixing in a variety of floaters and knocking down a couple threes when the defense went under. He played with patience, understanding when to score and when to create for others. On the defensive end, his activity stood out as well, forcing a key tie-up with a strong on-the-ball effort. Monawar's pace, decision-making, and comfort running offense continue to stand out      Judah Van Ewijk | 6'1 PG | 2029   Judah Van Ewijk made the most of his opportunity, earning the start with Andrew Hillman out. He finished with nine points along with a handful of assists, looking comfortable running the team.   He opened the game with a smooth left-hand finish, setting the tone, and continued to make plays for others. One of the standout moments came on a crafty jump wrap-around pass to #4 for the two-hand finish, a play that highlighted his vision and creativity. In the fourth quarter, Van Ewijk attacked off a left-hand drive and finished through contact for an and-one, showing poise in a key moment.     [player_tooltip player_id='2932601' first='Ty' last='Schalk'] | 6'2 G | 2027   [player_tooltip player_id='2932601' first='Ty' last='Schalk'] made his shooting presence known, finishing with 12 points and knocking down three threes. Defenses had to locate him the moment he crossed half court, as his range and confidence shooting stretched the defense well beyond the arc.   Schalk showed his versatility as a scorer, drilling a catch-and-shoot three from the left corner and later creating his own look with a left-hand crossover into a behind-the-back move that set up a step-back three from the left side. His ability to score both off the catch and off the bounce makes him a constant threat and a guard defenders can't afford to lose track of.