The Montgomery County boys basketball team went back to Kansas City in late June to compete in the Midwest Showcase, a tournament that had 136 teams from six states.

It turned out to be an outstanding trip for the Wildcats as they finished 4-0 in the tournament, defeating two teams from Iowa, one from Kansas and one from Oklahoma. All games were played at Homefield Kansas City, which is a new athletic facility.

“It was good competition for the most part up there,” MCHS coach Scott Kroeger said. “Even more importantly, it gave all of the guys a chance to play in a high impact environment. We were suddenly going up there wanting to treat it like a four-game playoff run. We had a chance to play in that environment against competitive teams. It was a really cool atmosphere. We got a chance to bond and, most importantly, a chance for the kids who want to play at the next level.”

The Wildcats defeated Aplington-Parkersburg (Iowa) and North Scott (Iowa) on the first day of competition on June 21. Aplington-Parkersburg finished 17-6 last year. North Scott was 18-7 in the 2023-24 season.

The following day, MCHS beat Olathe (Kan.) South and Lincoln Christian (Okla.). Kroeger said the matchup against Lincoln Christian was very competitive.

“It was a close game back and forth,” Kroeger said. “We were playing on tired legs, so we had to grip that one out. They were a very well coached team and were extremely physical. They definitely had some football players on their teams. They’re a good solid team.”

Several players from last year’s MCHS team that finished 25-7 and placed fourth in the Class 3A Show-Me Showdown competed in the tournament, including seniors Clayton Parker, Tyler Erwin, Tatum Wessel, Jay Rodgers and Sean Rodgers and juniors Noah Beck, Chase Queathem and Seth Walton. Jackson Benney, who will be a freshman this fall, also played for the Wildcats. Senior Isaiah Thomas, who missed the final six weeks of the 2023-24 season due to a shoulder injury, was cleared to play on July 3.

Last year, the Wildcats competed in the Midwest Showcase at Hy-Vee Arena, but didn’t get a win. MCHS participated in the Twelve Days of Christmas Shootout in Kansas City in each of the last two winters.
Also this summer, the Wildcats played in tournaments at Monroe City, Holt High School in Wentzville, St. Charles and Harrisburg and competed against Lindbergh at home. They finished with a 20-4 record.

“The cool thing about being on a team with a bunch of kids who love being around each other is everybody is excited to play all of the time,” Kroeger said. “They can’t wait for practices and they can’t wait for the season to start. It’s not anything that we’re dreading. As a coach, I cherish this time. Obviously, the team is really competitive and that’s a super fun aspect. Far beyond that, they’re just really fun to be around because they compete so hard and they just love being around each other, pushing each other and encouraging each other.”

Kroeger said the team is striving to make another run to the Show-Me Showdown next year. The Wildcats ended a 50-year drought with their appearance in this year’s Show-Me Showdown at Columbia in March.

“These kids really love the process of getting better and love the process of practicing hard,” Kroeger said. “I think that’s going to give them the best opportunity possible to accomplish some of those goals they certainly have, which is getting back to where our season ended and hopefully taking it a step further.”