Seniors Shine at Pinckneyville Panthers Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription***</em></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We were at the Pinckneyville Panthers Showcase over the weekend and it was a fun day of hoops!&nbsp; Time to dive into the players that caught our attention today looking at the 2026 prospects!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2352805' first='Quentin' last='Coleman'] (Principia – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Huge fans of Coleman as the top player in Missouri should be a McDonald's All-American.&nbsp; Such a smooth operator who has an outstanding feel for the game.&nbsp; Cross getting to the rim on a secondary break where he blew past his man like they were frozen.&nbsp; Can create with ease on the offensive end with his jumper and setting others up.&nbsp; Passing was very impressive off live dribbles finding teammates on the move as he was getting downhill and they were cutting.&nbsp; Works incredibly well in pick/roll situations.&nbsp; Active hands on the defensive end which led to points on the other end.&nbsp; He had 21 points and a handful of dimes in the victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323278' first='Ty' last='Laur'] (Pinckneyville – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best games I have seen out of the SIU commit in his high school career.&nbsp; He pretty much carried his team against Columbia.&nbsp; The big man has long arms and a good frame that he will fill out when he gets to the Salukis.&nbsp; Impressive footwork and instincts scoring on the low block.&nbsp; Seals well, hook shot, and has touch around the hoop.&nbsp; Can put it on the deck from the mid-post area along with knocking in a 15 foot jumper along with a three ball.&nbsp; His passing is outstanding as the premier post passer in the class.&nbsp; Does it out of the post, facing up, outlets, etc.&nbsp; His shooters and guys on the move.&nbsp; Works well in the high/low and passing in ball screens.&nbsp; He had 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1790001' first='Eddie' last='Smajic'] (Columbia – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was not Eddie's best outing in this one, but the strong bodied guard came up clutch when it was needed most.&nbsp; In a furious comeback Columbia won late with it being capped off with a three by Smajic from the top of the key as the dagger to win the game.&nbsp; He finished with 6 points.&nbsp; Coming off a knee injury he plans on playing with Gateway this spring to elevate his stock in front of college coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2376280' first='Brody' last='Landgraf'] (Columbia – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Landgraf is a Creighton baseball commit who was the anchor for their squad in the win.&nbsp; Well built low post that scored with physicality around the basket, sweeping layups, and strong baseline takes for 12 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2334401' first='Cale' last='Maurer'] (Mt. Vernon – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maurer is a small forward that played with grit against Principia.&nbsp; The wing was active throughout the game posting up, taking his man on straight line takes, hit a thee, and scrappy on the defensive end.&nbsp; Finished with 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2823657' first='Kemmeon' last='Hale'] (Murphysboro – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wide bodied five man that at 6'7” posted a double double of 18 points and 13 rebounds.&nbsp; Bright future at the small college or JUCO level as he really knows how to use his body to his advantage.&nbsp; Finishes out of the dunker spot, turnaround short jumpers, and pounded the offensive glass.&nbsp; Better passer than I had seen previously.&nbsp; Also cut some passing lanes showing he could get out in open floor for dunks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2831779' first='Myles' last='Guthman'] (Murphysboro – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guthman is a 6'4” wing that has been known more as a shooter, but his ability to play with grit and tight handles on slashes opened our eyes against Meridian.&nbsp; Was confident and aggressive with the ball in his hands scoring all his points at the rim for 21 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552447' first='Tyler' last='Thompson'] (Triad – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It wasn't his best game, but Thompson did showcase he can impact the game when his shot isn't falling.&nbsp; The wing with excellent positional size proved to be a good rebounder, connective passer, and versatile defender.&nbsp; Scored on rim runs and hook shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2823684' first='Nolan' last='Keller'] (Triad – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keller is a 6'3” shooting guard who had a big game for Knights in their win.&nbsp; He scored 16 points shooting it well off the catch, step throughs, transition buckets, strong baseline takes, and got on the glass.&nbsp; Worth a look at the small college level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2499794' first='Oren' last='Byman'] (Freeburg – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Byman is a legit sized five who rebounds well in his area.  Worked effectively in the pick/roll as a screener and roller.  Right handed hook shots, put it on the deck from mid-post, and rebounded in his area for 10 points and 8 rebounds.  Legit small college post!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552409' first='Gage' last='Peterson'] (Waltonville – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peterson is among the best senior forwards still uncommitted in southern Illinois.&nbsp; He has broad shoulders and a strong frame.&nbsp; Usually an above average shooter that part of his game wasn't working so he stepped in to knock in several mid-range shots, nd use his toughness to get buckets in the post as he notched 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2894776' first='Devin' last=''] Meier (Centralia – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meier is fighting through a shoulder injury and it has impacted his usual lethal shot as he didn't really even attempt many from deep, but still made a major impact with his toughness around the hoop.&nbsp; The shooting guard was a monster on the offensive glass and playing with grit around the cup for 8 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jake Easton (Fairfield – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'9” point guard for the Mules is a thick bodied guard that was aggressive throughout the game hunting his shot.&nbsp; It was from both three draining a trio of them along with strong straight line takes in an 18 point effort.&nbsp; Worth a look for a D3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2823690' first='Jaxon' last='Marlow-Evans'] (Carbondale – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marlow-Evans had a strong showing at the Panther Showcase once again.&nbsp; Like what the 5'10” lead guard brought with his quickness off the dribble consistently living with two feet in the paint all game long.&nbsp; Despite his lack of size he threw his body around with good body control taking the hit and finishing through contact.&nbsp; Array of scoop shots and reverse layups.&nbsp; Active defender with pesky hands.&nbsp; He had 22 points.&nbsp; Small college target!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mikaden Greene (Carbondale – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green is a 6'2” undersized post that used his wide body and crafty moves around the hoop racking up 15 points in a loss.&nbsp; Carves out space tremendously well and the lefty has touch inside 10 feet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->