Midwest Mania: Friday Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Midwest Mania ran by Made Hoops got underway on Friday and I was able to catch three 17 U games. In this article I'll spotlight one standout from each team I saw on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jadyn Hairston","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cincinnati Northwest","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Cincinnati Phenom","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69d9ca29b9fc6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There are a lot of unsigned 2026 prospects playing this weekend and Hairston falls into that category. A bit of an under the radar player coming from Northwest High School, Hairston has some very intriguing physical tools. With long arms and a solid frame, Hairston has the body type to continue to add muscle and become a force in the paint. Showing some skill by catching and finishing on the block, Hairston will need to get stronger with his lower body to handle contact in the paint. If a post grad or JUCO program is patient with Hairston, he could be an impactful guy down the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3587407"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69d9ca29ba032"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">CLP Elite has a scrappy bunch that made a nice second half comeback to remain competitive for the duration of the opening game of the weekend. Wright was active on both ends of the court, causing havoc defensively and forcing the defense to rotate when he was on the ball. A creative ball handler, Wright was able to get to the paint off the dribble and had a quick 5-0 run off a wing 3-pointer and a bank shot early in the second half. Lima Shawnee should have high expectations this season with a deep 2027 class that got quality experience at the varsity level last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2796622"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69d9ca29ba07d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A class above the competition in the game he played, Brooks operated exceptionally in all aspects of the game to lead Ohio Future to a nice win over [program_tooltip program_id='2078657' first='Shining' last='Star'] Price. Brooks is an impressive perimeter shooter and defender who flashed ball handling ability with some sweet finishes including a righty scoop layup on the left side of the rim for an and-1. Far from a sleeper, Brooks is coming off an excellent season for Newark and is playing with a good group of teammates all from the Licking and Muskingum county area. I was also impressed with a couple of his teammates, who should expect to be added to the watchlist or official rankings during our next 2027 update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2463294"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69d9ca29ba0c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A new name for myself, Fuersich had a nice junior season for Hamilton Ross where he finished ninth in the conference in scoring and second in rebounding. With a wide frame, Fuersich can move opponents for rebounds and also can seal his man for easy lob catch and finishes. Whenever Fuersich runs the floor and beats the opposing big to the rim, expect it to end in two points for his team. While I didn't see much perimeter action, Fuersich did connect on 16 3-pointers as a junior, a skill he'll want to keep developing this summer as he shows solid natural touch at the foul line at 73.9% during the winter. New name to add to our 2027 list!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2122607"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69d9ca29ba103"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stars Basketball Club looked dominant in the first half before holding on to a nice win over a talented MHC team to end the night. Coffman was the most physical player I watched all night long as he corralled some rebounds with strong hands over two or three defenders at a time. Coffman also lowered his shoulder to either score or get to the foul line when he was able to attack going to his preferred right hand. Between Coffman and [player_tooltip player_id='1737528' first='Hayden' last='Shouse'], the two Kentucky members of Stars Basketball Club 17 U certainly stood out on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2399047"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69d9ca29ba143"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bilton really impressed me with his explosive athleticism and pop to his game. One of the bounciest players I saw on Friday, Bilton was flying around and had a baseline drive and layup that I thought he might try to punch on the defender standing under the rim. Bilton also found success just being aggressive getting to the rim either in the half-court or transition settings. Also able to knock down an open perimeter shot, the ball handling and overall skill level is what will be most important for Bilton to prove he can process the game at a college level. Talented 2027 wing guard prospect from northern Kentucky who is on an upward trajectory, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a lot of inquiries over April and May about his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->