Midwest Showcase: Friday’s Standouts
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Prep Hoops Missouri is in Kansas City this weekend to watch the action at the Midwest Showcase, which is being held at Staley High. The event features players from Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and Oklahoma. There are nine teams consisting…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Missouri is in Kansas City this weekend to watch the action at the Midwest Showcase, which is being held at Staley High. The event features players from Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and Oklahoma. There are nine teams consisting of kids from Missouri at the Showcase. We had a chance to watch seven of them during the first day. Here is a look at some of the top standout performers from Missouri on Friday.
Brayden Shorter
Brayden
Shorter
6'5" | SF
Springfield Kickapoo | 2023
State
MO
(Kickapoo): The 6’5″ 2023 forward was the best perimeter shooter that I saw on Saturday. He knocked down five 3-pointers in the game I witnessed and each one was well beyond the 3-point line. He hit four of them in the first five or six minutes of the game and he had several of the coaches sitting courtside scurrying to their programs to find out who he was. It was quite impressive. He also complimented his shooting with a few nice drives to the basket and a turnaround jumper in the low post.
Marqueas Bell
Marqueas
Bell
6'2" | SG
Park Hill | 2023
State
MO
(Park Hill): The 6’3″ shooting guard showcased his impressive bucket-getting ability as he scored 16 points in his first game of the afternoon. The slender lefty is a three-level scorer who attacks the basket hard and has a smooth pull-up jumper. He’s very shifty as he can maneuver his way through traffic in the lane or he can score on a straight-line drive. He was one of the more impressive offensive players that I watched during the day.
Darin Conley
Darin
Conley
6'5" | PF
Pembroke Hill | 2023
State
MO
(Pembroke Hill): The 6’5″ 2023 forward scored 12 points and he also did what he does best, which is rebound, rebound and rebound some more. He is a high energy player who gets out of his area in the pursuit for rebounds. He got putback and got extra possessions for his team. He also ran the court and scored on some impressive rim-runs.
Kyle Pock
Kyle
Pock
6'7" | SF
Bolivar | 2023
State
#286
Nation
MO
(Bolivar): The 6’7 2023 forward started the game off by knocking down a pair of 22 footers that barely rippled the net. He is just as comfortable going into the post and scoring over smaller defenders. He can also facilitate offense with his passing and playmaking skills.
Kael Combs
Kael
Combs
6'4" | SG
Nixa | 2023
State
MO
(Nixa): The 6’4″ 2023 guard scored 14 points in the opening game of the event and he did his work in a variety of ways. He scored a couple of nice cuts off the ball to open spots in the lane for easy buckets. He knocked down a pair of 3-pointers off the catch and he also scored in the transition game. He is very explosive, but he plays under control and in a smooth manner.
BJ Ward (Chaminade): The 6’0″ point guard played the role of the consummate floor leader, even in a showcase setting. He expertly ran the pick and roll as he turned the corner for a layup and hit a 3-pointer over the top. He always stays under control and he doesn’t let himself get sped up. He’s strong enough to hold pressure at bay and he can drop off defenders with a few escape moves.
Isaia Howard
Isaia
Howard
6'5" | SG
Plattsburg | 2024
State
MO
(Plattsburg): It was my first time watching the 6’5″ 2024 guard play in person and I wasn’t disappointed with what I saw. He was impressive in attacking the basket and scoring around the rim and a variety of different angles. He can get a bucket from all three levels and he will also deliver a nice pass to an open teammate while on the move.
Avian Webb
Avian
Webb
6'0" | PG
Staley | 2025
State
MO
(North Kansas City): A 5’10″ 2025 point guard who really knows how to score. He’s very quick, yet he’s very good at changing speeds while still advancing to the basket. When he gets into the lane, he’s good at playing off two feet and using fakes to get his shots off. If his man has his hand down on the perimeter, he will knock down the 3-pointer from long distance.