Heyden Jeremie, West Michigan Premier 15U
Saturday at the 2026 Midwest Warmup delivered a strong opening statement, with teams bringing pace, physicality, and purpose from the first tip. With limited time to ease into the weekend, players who could produce early and adjust on the fly quickly stood out. Guards dictated tempo and created advantages, wings made plays in space and impacted both ends, and bigs controlled key stretches inside.
From breakout performances to tightly contested matchups, the day set a competitive tone across divisions. These are the defining Saturday storylines—along with the superlatives earned by the players and teams who made the biggest impact.
Saturday Storylines
Midwest Pumas CC Edges Team 1848 UA Rise in 17U Showcase Thriller
Midwest Pumas CC came through in a tight finish to defeat Team 1848 UA Rise, 61–58, in a highly competitive 17U Showcase matchup on Saturday.
The game featured strong intensity throughout, with both teams battling possession by possession and neither side able to create much separation. Team 1848 UA Rise kept constant pressure on the scoreboard with a tough, determined effort, but Midwest Pumas CC answered with timely plays and steady execution in key moments.
As the matchup moved into the closing stretch, Midwest Pumas CC stayed poised and made enough plays on both ends of the floor to protect a narrow lead. Team 1848 UA Rise continued to push late, but Midwest Pumas CC held firm and came up with the stops and baskets needed to close out the three-point win.
In the end, Midwest Pumas CC’s composure and late-game execution proved to be the difference in a 61–58 victory.
Next Level Performance Academy 17U Holds Off Chicago Hoops for 55–52 Win
Next Level Performance Academy earned a hard-fought victory over Chicago Hoops in a tightly contested 17U Showcase matchup.
Both teams battled throughout the game, with neither side giving much ground in a competitive back-and-forth contest. Chicago Hoops stayed within striking distance the entire way and continued to apply pressure, but Next Level Performance Academy answered with timely baskets and key defensive stops in crucial moments.
As the game moved into the final stretch, Next Level Performance Academy stayed composed and executed when it mattered most. Their ability to make plays down the stretch helped them protect the narrow lead and finish off the three-point win.
In the end, Next Level Performance Academy’s poise and late-game execution proved to be the difference in a 55–52 win.
Mac Irvin Fire EYBL Holds Off West Michigan Premier MHC in 15U Showcase
Mac Irvin Fire EYBL earned a hard-fought 59–53 victory over West Michigan Premier MHC in a competitive matchup.
Both teams played with great energy throughout, battling possession by possession in a game that stayed close for much of the way. West Michigan Premier MHC continued to apply pressure and kept the contest within reach, but the Fire squad responded with timely scoring and key defensive stops in crucial moments.
As the game moved into the closing stretch, Mac Irvin Fire EYBL stayed composed and made enough plays to maintain its edge. West Michigan Premier MHC fought to make a late push, but Mac Irvin Fire EYBL’s execution on both ends helped seal the six-point win.
In the end, Mac Irvin Fire EYBL’s poise and consistency proved to be the difference in a 59–53 victory.
Midwest Elite Cincy 15U Defeats Lead Academy CC
Midwest Elite Cincy put together a strong offensive performance to earn a 71–61 win over Lead Academy CC in 15U Showcase action.
Both teams competed with energy throughout the matchup, but Midwest Elite Cincy was able to take control with timely scoring and steady execution on the offensive end. Lead Academy CC continued to battle and kept the game competitive, but Midwest Elite Cincy answered key moments with baskets and defensive stops to maintain the advantage.
As the game moved into the second half, Midwest Elite Cincy did a strong job of controlling possessions and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Lead Academy CC kept applying pressure, but Midwest Elite Cincy stayed composed and made enough plays down the stretch to secure the 10-point victory.
In the end, Midwest Elite Cincy’s balanced effort and consistent play proved to be the difference in a 71–61 win.
Saturday Superlatives
Controlled Scorer – Braydon Browning, 2029 Guard, Midwest Elite Cincy MHC
Browning delivered a poised and productive Saturday performance, showing a strong blend of control and scoring ability from the guard position. As a 2029 prospect, he consistently created opportunities off the dribble, using a tight handle and change of pace to navigate defenders and get into effective scoring areas.
Once he gained an advantage, Browning played with composure. He finished through contact when lanes opened and showed the ability to pull up in rhythm when defenders sagged to contain his drive. His balance and shot selection helped keep his production efficient throughout the day.
What stood out was his ability to read the floor. He didn’t force action, instead letting plays develop and making smart decisions that kept his team in rhythm. When help defenders stepped in, he made the right pass, showing a developing feel for playmaking alongside his scoring.
Defensively, he competed with energy at the point of attack, staying active and creating disruptive moments that led to transition chances. Saturday’s performance highlighted his ability to impact the game with both patience and assertiveness when needed.
Versatile Forward – Heyden Jeremie, 2029 Forward, West Michigan Premier MHC
Jeremie showed a versatile forward skill set that translated across multiple areas of the game. Jeremie impacted possessions both inside and on the wing, blending physical play with the ability to move effectively in space.
Offensively, he attacked from the perimeter when opportunities opened, putting the ball on the floor and finishing through contact. He also contributed around the basket, using strength and positioning to convert in traffic and extend plays with offensive rebounds.
Defensively, his awareness and effort stood out. Heyden rotated into help situations with good timing, contested shots at the rim, and stayed active on the glass. His ability to guard space and still impact the paint added value to his team’s defensive versatility.
In transition, he ran the floor well, filling lanes and creating early scoring opportunities. His energy showed up consistently, especially in hustle plays that shifted momentum.
What stood out most was his ability to contribute in multiple roles, making plays without needing the offense to run through him.
Floor Stabilizer – Noah Bruns, 2027 Guard, Midwest Pumas CC
Bruns delivered a composed and efficient performance from the guard position, showing the ability to control pace while still creating offense when needed. Bruns played with a steady approach, using his handle and awareness to get into spots without forcing the action.
Offensively, he balanced scoring and playmaking effectively. Noah attacked when opportunities opened, finishing through contact or pulling up in rhythm, while also making smart reads when defenses collapsed. His decision-making helped keep possessions clean and productive.
His perimeter game added another layer, as he looked comfortable stepping into jumpers and keeping defenders honest. That versatility made it difficult for opponents to key in on one aspect of his game.
Defensively, he stayed engaged at the point of attack, using positioning and effort to disrupt opposing guards and help generate transition opportunities.
What stood out most was his control. He didn’t speed up unnecessarily and consistently made the right play at the right time.
Confident Scorer – AJ Hendricks, 2027 Guard, Team 1848 UA Rise
Hendricks brought an aggressive, confident scoring presence to the guard position, consistently putting pressure on defenders with his ability to create off the dribble. Hendricks used a quick first step and effective change of pace to break down matchups and get into the lane.
Once downhill, Hendricks showed control and balance, finishing through contact or pulling up when defenders adjusted. His ability to score at multiple levels made him a constant threat, forcing defenses to stay engaged on every possession. He also showed flashes of playmaking, making the right reads when help defense stepped in and keeping the offense connected rather than forcing difficult shots.
Defensively, AJ competed with energy, applying pressure at the point of attack and creating disruptive moments that led to transition opportunities.
Hendricks embraced scoring opportunities, played assertively, and consistently looked to make an impact.
