PH Midwest Showdown: Mark's Saturday standouts

Back at it Saturday watching games at the annual Prep Hoops Midwest Showdown at the Champions Center in Appleton. Here are some players who performed well in the 17U and 16U brackets of the event.        A smooth, skilled wing prospect who is from Milwaukee and attends Phoenix Prep in Arizona, Young was outstanding for Bradley Elite in its win over [program_tooltip program_id='2494181' first='Wisconsin' last='Dynasty']. With good size and a nice shooting stroke, Young drilled five three-point shots on the way to scoring a game-best 21 points. He also was very unselfish on drives to the basket, looking to drop the ball off to his frontcourt teammates. Young moves well defensively and was able to stay in front of his opposing guards while helping his team garner a convincing victory.     An emerging player in the Big Eight Conference, Foy is playing well thus far this spring for the [program_tooltip program_id='2494181' first='Wisconsin' last='Dynasty'] program and looms as a key performer for Sun Prairie West in 2026-27. Foy has good size, a versatile skill set and the ability to attack the basket and finish through contact. He can also step outside and make shots from beyond the three-point arc. Foy had 12 points for Dynasty in its loss to Bradley Elite while also more than holding own on the glass.     Kuepper had it going from deep and from the mid range for [program_tooltip program_id='2517147' first='Wisconsin' last='Breakaway'] in its 70-58 win over [program_tooltip program_id='2852049' first='Foundation' last='Athletics'] South. Kuepper finished the game with 21 points and buried three triples with each of the long-range bombs helping to stem a rally by [program_tooltip program_id='2852049' first='Foundation' last='Athletics']. His quick release and shot-making ability were huge for [program_tooltip program_id='2517147' first='Wisconsin' last='Breakaway']. So, too, are his toughness and physicality while playing on defense.     One of the better backcourt prospects in the state's deep and talented 2027 class, Geiger shrugged off a rather ordinary showing Friday in a loss to [program_tooltip program_id='2078394' first='Team' last='1848'] with an outstanding showing in the win over [program_tooltip program_id='2852049' first='Foundation' last='Athletics'] South. Geiger got to the basket and was able to finish through contact while also making some foul shots and hitting a big three-point basket late for Breakaway. Geiger finished the game with 16 points.     Players with size and an accurate shooting stroke usually attract attention. And that was definitely the case with Wickersham on Saturday at the Prep Hoops Midwest Showdown as the Evansville star scored 19 points and swished five three-point shots in a loss to [program_tooltip program_id='2517147' first='Wisconsin' last='Breakaway']. Wickersham, a second-team all-Rock Valley Conference performer as a junior, was a consistent scoring threat for [program_tooltip program_id='2852049' first='Foundation' last='Athletics'] and his presence on the floor was cause for concern for defenders all afternoon.     Productive, smart and relentless are three accurate words to describe how Jones played for [program_tooltip program_id='2506415' first='Elite' last='Legacy'] in its 73-67 overtime loss to All-In Wisconsin Saturday. Jones, fresh from a strong junior season for La Crosse Central, scored 23 points to lead all scorers in the game. He also applied some intense defensive pressure on the opposing backcourt players. Jones plays with good basketball instincts and utilizes his competitiveness and physical strength to positively impact the game.     The Richland Center guard put together a string of stellar possessions for [program_tooltip program_id='2076031' first='Wisconsin' last='Hoops Select'] when his team needed it the most on Saturday. Stoltz made one huge basket after another during the home stretch of his squad's 69-52 victory over the [program_tooltip program_id='2076027' first='Wisconsin' last='Blizzard'] in a game that was much closer than the final score might indicate. Stoltz finished the contest with 20 points, putting points on the board in transition, off of drives in the half court and from three-point range.     Yet another highly skilled backcourt player from the powerhouse program at De Pere, Ough had 14 points for the [program_tooltip program_id='2076027' first='Wisconsin' last='Blizzard'] in its loss to [program_tooltip program_id='2076031' first='Wisconsin' last='Hoops Select']. Ough showed a quick release on his outside jump shot and was able to connect on a pair of triples while also making all four of his foul shots and getting to the basket for two additional scores.     Freeman used his big body, swift footwork and good feel for the game to create havoc for Dftp Elite NXTPRO in a 16U game Saturday morning. The 6-foot-4 forward scored 13 points, had several assists and number rebounds to help his team post a 59-56 victory. Already a two-year varsity performer for Belmont, Freeman is difficult to stop once he gets the ball near the basket because of his good footwork and soft shooting touch.     The third member of the Belmont High School squad on [program_tooltip program_id='3502082' first='Team' last='Compete'], Havens joined Freeman and Temperly in turning in a strong showing in the win over Dftp Elite. He was particularly hot from outside the arc in the third half, drilling three triples before intermission to help his squad take a 40-29 lead at the break. The combination guard finished with 18 points and did some stellar work handling the ball against pressure in the final minute of the contest.     A very good young player on a talented squad at Belmont High School, Temperly put up an impressive showing for [program_tooltip program_id='3502082' first='Team' last='Compete'] in its win over Nftp Elite. A skilled wing prospect with a soft shooting touch and the ability to use his size and bounce to score in the lane, Temperly had 19 points and three triples for [program_tooltip program_id='3502082' first='Team' last='Compete']. He made some big foul shots late to help secure the victory, and showed the ability to play both guard positions.     Mohamed teammed with Ibrahim to form a dynamic backcourt tandem for CRCTB, which used pressure defense on the perimeter to cruise past Rise Above in a 17U game Saturday. Like his guard teammate, Mohamed scored in transition, off the dribble and from deep on the way to scoring 22 points. Able to play either guard spot, Mohamed's versatility on both ends were big pluses for CRCTB.     Long, quick and a strong desire to put the ball in the basket, Ibrahim was stellar for CRCTB in its win over Rise Above. He scored in transition, off the dribble and from outside the arc while also creating issues for opposing backcourt players with his lateral quickness and length. Helped Minneapolis South to a 20-8 record and a spot in the Class AAA Minnesota State High School League State Tournament.     Big, powerful and explosive, Steward showed off his tenacity, dunking ability and rebounding prowess in Bradley Elite's win over [program_tooltip program_id='2494181' first='Wisconsin' last='Dynasty']. Steward finished 18 points and several high-flying dunks, but he also made some nice passes and score off of offensive rebounds for his team, which posted an 82-61 victory. Averaged 12.3 points and 6.2 rebounds as a junior while helping Fuller Collegiate Academy to the Lake City Conference title.     A feisty combination guard with endless energy, Edwards competes with the best of them and his tireless work paid positive dividends for Dftp Elite in its close loss to [program_tooltip program_id='3502082' first='Team' last='Compete']. Edwards was a key part of some pressure defense in the second half that helped his team turn a double-digit deficit into a one possession game. He scored 17 points and made three shots from deep while playing solid defense and sharing the ball with his teammates.

Back at it Saturday watching games at the annual Prep Hoops Midwest Showdown at the Champions Center in Appleton. Here are some players who performed well in the 17U and 16U brackets of the event.