Who Cooked on Saturday at the Midwest Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at some of standout performers from Saturday's second day of action at the Midwest Showcase in Columbia. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3670068,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2506.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2506.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3670068" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2334930' first='Brandon' last='Rooks'] (Battle): The 6'1" 2027 guard has been on a heater throughout the spring and summer season and it has continued during this weekend in Columbia. He put up another 30+ in the Spartans overtime victory during the afternoon session. He started off the game with four consecutive 3-pointers, which looked effortless when he leaves his hands. He also attacks the basket and scores on creative finishes in traffic. He has an old-school feel to his game as he uses his strength to keep defenders on his hip when he attacks the basket. He always move as fast as he wants to go and he doesn't get sped up when he is one the move.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3670074,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2405.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2405.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3670074" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2918995' first='Jacob' last='Schlutow'] (Blue Springs): A very talented 2029 forward from the Kansas City area who is listed at 6'5" but looks to be closer to 6'6 or 6'7. He is one of the best players in the 2029 class with his size and impressive offensive skill set. He has an impressive set of offensive fundamentals. He started off from the high post and was knocking down free-throw line jumpers. He then extended out to the 3-point line where he continued to make shots. As the game went on, he was creating shots off the dribble to make shots while also scoring in the paint. He also had an impressive dunk in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3670078,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2422.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2422.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3670078" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mike Thomas Ill (Summit Christian): The 6'7" 2027 forward has been a standout throughout his entire four-year career at SCA, but watching him on Saturday shows how his entire game has evolved over the course of time. In the first four minutes of the game we watched, he put his personal footprint on it in a big way. He threw down an alley-oop dunk on the first play of the game.. He then blocked a shot at the other end. He converted a steal for a transition dunk and then blocked another shot. He also knocked down a pair of 3-pointers off the catch. The big lefty plays with a strong motor, but he is also very smooth on the offensive end. He is capable of dominating the action in a variety of ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3670080,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2393.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2393.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3670080" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2334926' first='Kyrese' last='Simpson'] (Hillcrest): We opened our morning by watching the 5'10" 2027 point guard work his offensive magic. He is getting buckets at all three levels while also creating off the dribble by playing at a variety of speeds. He was beating defenders on the straight-line drive and he could be shifty and change speeds and keep them off balance. He has a nice mid-range jumper as well as the step-back 3-pointer. If he draws a second defender, he was dishing it off to the open teammate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3670151,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2472.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2472.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3670151" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leon Powell Jr (Vashon): The 6'6' 2027 small forward had a big performance in the Wolverines' victory over Jonesboro (AR) in their debut game of the event. He was impacting play at both ends of the court with his length, athleticism and high level of activity. He was slashing in the lane for buckets and knocking down jumpers off the catch. He was attacking the boards and really being disruptive on the defensive end with multiple steals and deflections. He is also excellent in the open court when he gets out in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3670154,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2528.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_2528.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3670154" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2607456' first='Titus' last='Moore'] (Logan Rogersville): The 6'6" 230-pound 2028 forward showcased his unique skill set in leading the Wildcats to a pair of victories. He showed the strength and power of a power forward with his ability to score in the paint and rebound with force at both ends of the floor. He also excelled on the perimeter with his ability to play the point-forward role. He facilitated offense to keep his teammates involved and he could get downhill to score on power drives and short jumpers. He created so many matchup problems for all he could do with his size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->