This past weekend, KBC Hoops hosted their first event since March of this year in Erlanger, KY. The 2020 KBC Middle School Showcase featured 50 of the top middle school players from Kentucky and Ohio. The 2025 class was loaded from top to bottom and proved that it could be a class with several future division one student-athletes! All-in-all, each middle school class showed a variety of talented players. Here is a breakdown of the top performers from the showcase.
Most Outstanding Player - Overall
Jayden Johnson - 6’3” F 2026 - Barret Traditional Middle School (KY)
Only a seventh grader, Louisville’s Jayden Johnson proved that he was head and shoulders above the rest of the competition all day-- and he played like he knew it. The 6’3” forward showed his full arsenal of skills on both sides of the floor. He displayed his offensive skills by scoring at all three levels with efficiency. His biggest strength proved to be his ability to do whatever his team needed. He has great vision and handles in the open court to go along with a high arching jump shot that seemed to find the bottom of the net all day. However, his best offense was his defense. Blocking shots and corralling defensive rebounds proved to be one of his biggest strengths to convert them to easy baskets on the other end.
Most Outstanding Player - 8th Grade
Saxton Howard - 5’6” PG 2025 - Lexington Christian Academy (KY)
The scrappy point guard from Lexington played with a chip on his shoulder most of the day. Dohn Prep Head Coach, Sammy Villegas, coached Howard throughout the showcase and challenged him with the task of running a pro-style offense. Howard met the challenge head on and thrived in every ball screen scenario. Whether getting to the basket or stepping back for the 3-pointer, he did an excellent job of getting downhill and creating space to finish. His passing ability was also on full display once he got out in transition.
Most Outstanding Player - 7th Grade
Anthony Thompson - 5’8” SG 2026 - Lebanon Junior High School (OH)
One of the purest shooters on the day, the lefty from Lebanon, OH showed off his quick release all camp. Thompson won the 3pt shootout before lunch and carried the hot streak all day. Although he’s only 5’8”, Thompson was able to use his long frame to be disruptive on the defensive end with multiple deflections. He also showed his finishing ability by getting to the paint and finishing with floaters and reverse layups.
Most Outstanding Player - 6th Grade
Kameron Mercer - 5’7” SG 2027 - Princeton Middle School (OH)
The youngster from Cincinnati did not back down competing with the older kids. Another lefty shooter, Kameron Mercer, proved to be teammate, Saxton Howard’s, favorite target. Mercer’s shooting ability allowed Howard to have space to operate on the pick and roll and knocked down big shot after big shot from the wings and corners. Kam showed toughness and resilience and even came away with some huge rebounds over much bigger and stronger opponents.
2025 Top Performers (No order)
58 Kieren Britten - 6’7” C 2025 - Hughes
Although Britten is just scratching the surface, the 6’7” big man is going to be a force to be reckoned with for years to come! He showed his shot blocking ability and soft hands with a nice touch around the rim.
21 Myles Baker - G 2025 - Kings Middle School
The silky smooth lefty showed his craftiness with a variety of finishes around the basket. Baker also displayed his shot making ability and is very shifty with the ball in the open court.
36 Christian Wilkins - F 2025 - Plains Junior High School
One of the most skilled players in all of camp, Wilkins showed his full offensive ability with a versatile mid-post game. He also showed his range on the perimeter attacking closeouts from bigger, slower defenders and knocked down shots consistently.
8 Nate Wilson - PG 2025 - Eastside Middle School
The crafty guard displayed his leadership skills at camp from the point guard position. Wilson proved that he has a high basketball IQ and was excellent in ball screen situations.
44 Andersen Green - F 2025 - Lexington Christian Academy
With a game beyond his years, Green showed his offensive skill set with a variety of tough buckets at every level. He did an excellent job of playing at his own pace and getting to his spots to make the right basketball play.
39 Trace Jallick - F 2025 - Turpin Middle School
The wiry lefty showed to be one of the most disruptive players on the defensive end of the floor. Jallick did an excellent job of using his length to get steals and off in transition where he finishes well.
47 Jerome White - F 2025 - Springboro Middle School
Willis is a long forward with a high motor and a lot of athleticism. He did an excellent job of finishing in transition and scoring in the mid post area.
18 Anderson Johnson - PG 2025 - Camp Ernst Middle School
One of the most dynamic point guards in the camp, Johnson played with a lot of speed and showed his control by stopping on a dime with a series of dribble snatches. He flourished against defensive pressure and always played at his own pace.
19 Carter Bresser - G/F 2025 - Twenhofel Middle School
With making over four 3-pointers in two of the three games on the day, Bresser proved to be the most pure shooter in the camp. Bresser repeatedly spaced the floor and made the defense pay every time the ball left his hands.
27 Caden Reed - G 2025 - Bracken County Middle School
One of the top guards at camp, Reed showed his unselfishness and amazing passing ability all day. Reed showed and proved that he is capable of being one of the top point guards in all of Kentucky and Ohio for years to come.
30 Broedy Dunaway - F 2025 - South Laurel Middle School
Boxing out, grabbing loose balls and knocking down shots, Dunaway put in the dirty work all day! He proved that he can make big shots.
43 Cam Jackson - F 2025 - Lincoln County Middle School
One of the strongest players at camp, Jackson used his strength and athleticism to score around the basket repeatedly.
17 Chase Archibald - G 2025 - Augusta Middle School
Archibald is one of the best scorers in all of Kentucky and Ohio from the wing. He showed his full arsenal of skills by scoring in the mid range and knocking down tough shots all day.
25 Dorian Brew - F 2025 - Middletown Middle School
By far the best athlete in all of camp! Brew showed off his hops with a few dunks and fantastic finishes in transition. He’s raw right now but has a lot of potential as he adds more skills to his tool belt.
23 Hagen Preston - G/F 2025 - Lexington Christian Academy
Preston proved to be a glue guy all of camp making the right plays on both sides of the floor. His best ability is being able to do a little bit of everything on the court.
35 Jaunte Jenkins - G 2025 - Leestown Middle School
Jenkins proved to be one of the best rebounders from the guard position all day. Along with his rebounding ability, he showed his ability to knock down shots with efficiency. When his feet are set, he’s a sniper!
24 Jalin Morris - G 2025 - Hamilton Middle School
The strong and quick guard used his energy and instincts to create his offensive game. Morris did an excellent job playing the passing lanes on the defensive side and knocked down shots consistently.
2026 Top Performers (No order)
11 Malachi Ashford - PG 2026 - Paris Middle School
One of the most creative point guards in camp, Ashford is a true artist when the ball is in his hands. He showed great vision and passing ability as well as a natural ability to finish over bigger defenders with either hand.
2027 Top Performers (No order)
28 Kai Russell - G 2027 - North Avondale Middle School
Russell competed well with the eight graders. He showed great ability to make open shots and finished around the basket well against bigger opponents.
6 James Hughes - G 2027 - Dillsboro Middle School
Hughes showed an incredible understanding of the game all day! His ability to always be in the right spot on both sides of the floor allowed him to contribute at a high level against older competition.
1 Donald Chandis - G 2028 - School for Creative & Performing Arts
Although he’s only a fifth grader and was the smallest player out there, the young guard showed resilience and battled all day. Chandis never backed down and made some big shots throughout the day. His attitude and willingness to compete will make him a tough PG in a few years.