Midwest Mania: Saturday Morning 17 U Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I attended Made Hoops Midwest Mania this weekend and in this article I'll break down my 17 U standouts from Saturday morning's action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3588059"],"_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-69dd26454c555"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My first game on Saturday morning saw [program_tooltip program_id='2075761' first='Ohio' last='Buckets'] White get a nice win over a Midwest Basketball Club squad that saw Clay high school teammates [player_tooltip player_id='2972163' first='Aiden' last='Berryman'] and Cody provided strong impact alongside Whitmer wing [player_tooltip player_id='2476471' first='Cj' last='Johnson']. Cody is an athletic forward who threw down a dunk off a nice BLOB set and used his length and explosiveness around the rim to grab rebounds, contest shots and finish layups. Overall, I was impressed by the ball movement and hustle [program_tooltip program_id='2075761' first='Ohio' last='Buckets'] White showed, working together to come away with a well-earned victory en route to an unbeaten weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2479749"],"_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-69dd26454c693"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bishop Ready has been one of the most consistent small school programs in central Ohio the past decade with top talent year in and year out. Ross should be a nice addition to the Silver Knights roster as he provides athleticism and shot making on the wing. Ross found his rhythm on Saturday morning from the mid-range area, getting to his spots from 12-15 feet and knocking it down over smaller defenders. In the second half, Ross made some clutch buckets including one to tie the game with under two minutes to play. I'd imagine small college programs from across Ohio will come check out this Midwest Pumas Select team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1745583"],"_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-69dd26454c790"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='2478682' first='Kentucky' last='Ambition'] are a new MHC program this season and the addition of Keathley puts them under the spotlight of the circuit this season. One of the top scorers in Kentucky, Keathley does an excellent job playing with pace and using his strong frame to create contact first with his defender and playing off of his defenders movements. A skilled driver and finisher with either hand, you cannot shade Keathley to one side or the other as a driver because he will score through contact with either hand and plays on balance. The key for Keathley will be to score these buckets at the rim against serious rim protectors and making shots off the dribble that he creates in isolation or pick and roll situations. Expect Division I programs to be aggressive in recruiting Keathley this summer from the MHC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2404136"],"_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-69dd26454c858"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There were a lot of unsigned 2026 prospects playing this weekend and Stephens was one of the best I saw. A traditional big who scored around the rim with reverse layups, step throughs and post-ups, Stephens was using his physicality to his advantage. I also liked that he looked to pass when catching the ball at the high post area and scanned the court. The best sequence of the game I saw of Stephens came when he blocked a jumper and ran the floor to receive an easy pass for a slam dunk in transition. Talented available 2026 prospect who is starting to emerge after being a sleeper throughout his high school career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2963477"],"_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-69dd26454c91b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An explosive athlete on the wing, Groves played above the rim and used his explosiveness to score through defenders in the paint. Being able to explode off two feet is crucial and Groves did that for a slam dunk and some left-handed finishes against rim contests. Also knocking down a set 3-pointer from the corner and showing the ability to attack closeouts, Groves was efficient from the field in the game I saw. A clear stock riser from this weekend, look for Groves to make a big jump up our 2027 rankings during the next update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2466252"],"_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-69dd26454ca14"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most athletic players I saw all weekend, Tolliver was playing above the rim early and often, throwing down dunks attacking off the baseline, on alley-oops, off cuts and in transition off steals. Whenever Tolliver had a clear launch area to the rim, he was throwing it down with authority. Another available 2026 prospect, I'd be focusing on how well rounded his offensive game is with the Indiana Jammers the next time I get to see Tolliver this spring. Lots of athletic upside with Tolliver and I also was impressed by his motor as well. Could be an interesting developmental swing for up-tempo programs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->