The Mighty Mites from the Midwest Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at a group of little guys who showed up big during last weekend's Midwest Showcase in Columbia. These are players who are listed at 5'9" and under, but their impact on their respective teams are very big.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3674706,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2420.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2420.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3674706" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2737058' first='Grady' last='Ellerman'] (Summit Christian Academy): A 5'9" point guard who is very quick and who has a very nice feel for the game. He is an excellent 3-point shooter who can pull up and create his shot off the dribble with the quickness. He also gets in the open court to finish on the break with the pass or by calling his own number. He was also stout defensively as he kept his man in front of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3674707,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2464.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2464.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3674707" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deandre Stewart (Vashon): A 5'8" 2028 guard who is a transfer from Whitfield. He is pound for pound one of the toughest players you are going to see. He plays the game as if he was a 6'6" guard as he attacks the basket in a fearless manner, where he can shoot over defenders or look to get the contact. He also gets inside and grabs his share of rebounds. He provided a big spark off the bench</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3674710,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2371.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2371.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3674710" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aaron McIntosh (Lee's Summit North): A 5'7" 2027 point guard who is usually the smallest player on the court, but he is unbothered by that if you watch him play. He has electric speed and quickness and he can also change directions to keep defenders off balance. He has a nice offensive game as well with his ability to touch the paint on dribble penetration and hit the pull up jumper off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3671697,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2238.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2238.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3671697" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dallas Collins (Barstow): It was our first time watching this 5'8" 2027 point guard and we were very impressed with the speed and pace that he played while also keeping his team organized. He distributed the ball well and he was a blur in the open court, where he could finish with a layup or a runner in the lane. He was also an excellent on-ball defender who could really harass opposing ball handlers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3643154,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/IMG_1451.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/IMG_1451.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3643154" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3652852' first='Devin' last='Rice'] (Cardinal Ritter): A 5'8" 2027 guard who can play the point with his ability to distribute the ball but he can also play off the ball comfortably with his ability to score and create his own offense. He has quick moves and the ability to break down defenders to cut loose with a high-arching 3-pointer that touches all nets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3656797,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/IMG_1792.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/IMG_1792.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3656797" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Calvin Nelson (Miller Career Academy): A 5'8" 2027 point guard who has been running the show for the Phoenix since he was a freshman. He has speed and quickness and he plays with a lot of confidence on the offensive end. He can shoot it from 3-point range and he can also break down defenders with his excellent handles. He was a big factor in his team's run to the Class 3 state championship game last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->