Players that showed me something more than I thought before
PHMidwestShowdown It has been written and said that this event was totally stacked and it’s true that there were players that showed out during the weekend. When you are a scout, at least for me, I know who the ranked…
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It has been written and said that this event was totally stacked and it’s true that there were players that showed out during the weekend. When you are a scout, at least for me, I know who the ranked players are, and I am looking for those players or a prospect not so well known that show us something new from when we last saw them play. With this article and prospect shoutout I thought I would mention those that gave me a new wrinkle to their games.
Amari Allen | 6’6″ | G | 2025 | IMG | Wisconsin Playground
We know that Allen is a premier player and if he was still playing his high school ball in the state of Wisconsin there would be a great chance of him being the number one ranked player in the class. We also can say that without not too much argument, that for this event he might have been the top player regardless of age division. Here is what I saw in regard to improvement and change to his game. IMG must concentrate on fundamentals in their training practices because the one area that jumped out was Allen’s passing ability. He can now deliver the ball on point, which means, that the ball is delivered, where and when a teammate can handle it, then do something with it. The improvement here was remarkable. Next, was his poise, some would say its maturity, but what I know is that he was the lead guard for his team mostly. and he did not get rattled when under pressure.
Brooks Hinson Brooks Hinson 6'1" | PG Marshfield | 2025 State #251 Nation WI | 6’2″ | PG | 2025 | Marshfield, WI | Playmakers
I have been on this prospect for a few years now and call me a huge fan. I first saw him at Just A Game Fieldhouse playing a year up for his summer team and the first word that came into my mind was ‘moxy’. This kid has it. He is now my idea of what a PG should be. I believe a PG should not crack under pressure, get the ball to his teammates where they can handle it, and then, while not being a score first player, nock down that outside shot. This kid has all of it.
What I saw new that popped out at me was his frame, whether it is just natural filling out, or he has been in the weight room it looked to me that he has gain weight. That is the biggest thing to me for high school players to college player is to get the body right for the next level. Next, was his poise, this might be where you are thinking I have already talked about ‘moxy’ but there is poise when playing and then there is total confidence in one’s ability against the state’s best competition. The first night his club played against PGC who had Amari Allen, Kai Rogers Kai Rogers 6'10" | C Wauwatosa West | 2025 State #41 Nation WI , Will Garlock Will Garlock 6'11" | C Middleton | 2025 State #204 Nation WI , and Jake Hansen Jake Hansen 6'1" | SG Wauwatosa West | 2025 State #331 Nation WI and there was not one moment where he did not look like he didn’t belong. I made the call in a previous article and tweet that Hinson has ascended to the number one-point guard is a loaded class and, in my opinion, should come in as the #10/11 player in that class. Now should be on the radar for D1 level consideration.
Evan Anderson | 6’5″ | W | 2024 | Onalaska, WI | Playmakers
Over the last six months there might not be a more improved player in the state than Mr. Anderson. We knew he could play but since a holiday tournament this past high school season Anderson has been on our radar even more. His hops have gone crazy where he plays above the rim. He is starting to handle the ball more within games. He has been able to hit a three now and then. The new thing that jumped out at me, well that is he now has the ability to be the man on his team. Call it his skill improvement, call it his confidence, call it what you will, but for me it just felt different for this prospect. I enjoyed it because the kid still seems to be a humble kid but yet can just go out and torch an opponent. Case in point, his Playmakers club was playing a solid Playground club, who has three top ten talents on its roster, and Evan comes away with a 26pt effort, to lead all scorers, and his team a 3-point victory. He holds multiple D2 offers and that is probably a solid range for him now but if he continues his current rise that will certainly continue, plus low major D1s will certainly be sniffing around. Areas of improvement: ball handling & knock down 3-point shooting.
Tamarrion Henderson | 6’4″ | G | 2024 | West Salem HS, WI | Playmakers
Before this event I had not been able to see Henderson as much as other prospects in the field, maybe only a couple of times live. Looks to me like he has grown into the 6’4″ / 6’5″ range and his confidence, in his own abilities, is coming through with his play. In one game, against a tough squad, he got to the hoop for and1 a couple of occasions, then he hit some timely 3s in the 2nd half to finish with a solid 16pts. Liked his immergence onto the scene and look forward to the next time I get to see him play. Currently ranked at #22 in the state for his class.