Weekend in Review: Which Kansas City Area Players Led the Way?

As we slide across the state line to the Missouri side, this past weekend featured a number of players who put together impressive performances. Some of those efforts powered convincing victories, while others served as the spark behind statement upsets. Let's take a closer look at five of those standouts and break down exactly what allowed them to generate that success on the court.    Hands down, the top player of the weekend was Benton's [player_tooltip player_id='2344220' first='Lincoln' last='Goodwin'], who led his team to back-to-back wins over Maryville on Friday night and Mid-Buchanan on Saturday afternoon. Goodwin was impossible to miss on the floor, dominating play on both ends with a combination of skill, athleticism, and commanding leadership.   Both games highlighted just how much he can influence a contest offensively. From the perimeter, his shooting continued to show up, regardless of range or the variety of defenders he faced, while his ability to slash to the rim would also prove vital at times. Off the ball, he exceled as a secondary cutter, finding openings and finishing around the rim — whether with emphatic throwdowns or controlled finesse through contact. In transition, he consistently creates opportunities in the open floor, using his long strides to put defenses in tough situations. Add in his recent uptick in offensive rebounding, and there's really very little else you could ask of him during this stretch of games.   Much of his aggressiveness rubs off on his teammates, allowing them to play off his energy and passion. Goodwin isn't just putting up numbers — he's driving the Benton attack and continuing to raise the bar.     Rivalry games often bring out the best in players, especially those who embrace the intensity and emotion that come with them. Marshall led Blue Springs South to a hard-fought victory over Blue Springs on Friday, delivering yet another offensive outburst we've seen multiple times this season. He made the critical plays down the stretch that propelled the Jaguars to a narrow win.   As a driver, Blayne attacked the rim early and often, slicing through the defense and using his strength and finishing ability to great effect. He played consistently through contact, staying balanced and strong at the point of attack. In transition, he frequently changed speeds, keeping defenders off balance and creating opportunities for himself and teammates. Late in the game, his outside shooting came through when it mattered most, helping to seal the outcome.   What separates Marshall from many other guards in the area is his impact beyond just scoring. His defensive presence and ability to rebound from the guard spot give the Jaguars flexibility with their lineups and schemes, allowing them to execute in a variety of ways on both ends of the floor.     [player_tooltip player_id='2966429' first='Kameron' last='Johns'] is one of the top players on one of the state's top teams, and he's on a roll right now — one that looks like it won't be slowing down anytime soon. In what turned out to be a hard-fought matchup, Lee's Summit pulled off a road win over rival Lee's Summit North on Friday.   Johns continued to build on his strong shooting this season, knocking down multiple three-pointers both off the dribble and off the catch where he would exploit situations that gave him space. His confidence on offense is clear — he operates smoothly and always seems in control of the game and comfortable operating at his pace.   Beyond scoring, Johns was a decisive passer and active defender. He forced turnovers, using his length and lateral quickness to pressure Lee's Summit North's ball handlers. While Lee's Summit has several players capable of making big plays, Johns may be the most impactful of them all, serving as the engine that drives the Tigers.     In what turned out to be Friday night's biggest upset, Liberty North handled Staley in convincing fashion. The Eagles continue to embrace an uptempo style, using pace to their advantage on both ends of the floor. Their ability to play freely while applying consistent pressure has been a key factor in their recent success.   Williams was at the heart of the Eagles' offense Friday night, especially putting the ball in the basket. His shooting proved pivotal, knocking down multiple deep triples while maintaining strong spacing and a knack for finding openings beyond the arc. He continued to gain confidence as the game moved on, playing best in crucial moments.   Aedyn also showed suddenness and aggression with the ball in his hands, driving downhill at times to create scoring chances at the rim or reading and reacting to the defense effectively. The ball seemed to gravitate toward him all night, highlighting his central role in the attack.   He really appears to be hitting his stride, playing some of his best basketball against the toughest teams on Liberty North's schedule.     Mason is leading one of the better 5A teams in the state right now, and he has the Warriors playing their best basketball at exactly the right time. The way they've been trending, this group looks like it has a legitimate shot to make a deep postseason run. Their dominant performance over Winnetonka on Friday was just the latest example of how well they're clicking.   You don't have to look much further than Mason to understand Smithville's success. He had Winnetonka off balance all night. Operating almost exclusively out of ball screens, he showed a strong feel for reading different coverages and exploiting whatever the defense gave him. As a scorer, he consistently got to his spots in the mid-range, using his pull-up and floater effectively while elevating over defenders. His deep-range shooting has also become a reliable weapon, stretching the floor and forcing defenses to extend.   What may stand out the most, though, is AJ's passing ability. He carved up Winnetonka's defense with his vision, delivering timely passes and putting teammates in prime scoring positions. He also pushed the pace in transition, playing with noticeable acceleration and keeping defenders on their heels.   If the Warriors are going to make a deep push in March, it will start with Mason continuing to lead the way and playing this same confident, controlled brand of basketball.

As we slide across the state line to the Missouri side, this past weekend featured a number of players who put together impressive performances. Some of those efforts powered convincing victories, while others served as the spark behind statement upsets. Let's take a closer look at five of those standouts and break down exactly what allowed them to generate that success on the court.