Grit Region Kick-Off: Ramsey’s Notebook
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Now that the Prep Hoops Grit Region Kick-Off is in the book it is time to empty out the notebook with some remaining thoughts. Let’s dive on in and take a look at some games and individual performances that stood…
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Continue ReadingNow that the Prep Hoops Grit Region Kick-Off is in the book it is time to empty out the notebook with some remaining thoughts. Let’s dive on in and take a look at some games and individual performances that stood out over the course of Saturday and Sunday down in Louisville, Kentucky.
Indiana Guards Take Center Stage
Over at Prep Hoops Indiana we talk a lot about how the Class of 2023 is one of the deepest we have had in a long time. A lot of that is due to the strength in the backcourt. However, over the weekend, guards of all age levels were showing out at the Grit Region Kick-Off. Guys like Cam Freeman (Brebeuf Jesuit 2023/JH1 IndyElite 2023), Dhani Flannigan Dhani Flannigan 5'10" | PG Ben Davis | 2024 State IN (Franklin Central H.S. 2024/D1 Indiana 2024), Devon Woods Devon Woods 5'10" | PG Pike | 2023 State IN (Pike H.S. 2023/EG10 2023), Clay Butler Clay Butler 6'1" | PG Ben Davis | 2023 State IN (Ben Davis H.S. 2023/D1 Indiana 2023), Kamari Jones Kamari Jones 6'4" | SG Lawrence Centra (IN) / Hilcrest Prep (AZ) | 2023 IN (Lawrence Central H.S. 2023/D1 Indiana 2023), Eric Hopson Eric Hopson 6'0" | SG Decatur Central | 2025 IN (Decatur Central H.S. 2025/EG10 2025), Caleb Wright Caleb Wright 6'2" | PG Sheridan | 2025 State IN (Sheridan H.S. 2025/EG10 2025), and Mason Lewis Mason Lewis 5'9" | PG Crispus Attucks | 2024 State IN (North Central H.S. 2024/EG10 2024) all played well at different times over the weekend.
Griffin Elite Features Impressive Size
For the Griffin Elite 2023 team, 6’5″ wing Teagan Moore Teagan Moore 6'4" | SF Owen County | 2023 State KY (Owen County H.S. 2023), 6’7″ forward Robby Todd Robby Todd 6'7" | PF Madison Central | 2022 State KY (Madison County H.S. 2022), and 7’3″ Gabriel Dynes Gabriel Dynes 7'3" | C Simon Kenton | 2023 State KY (Simon-Kenton H.S. 2023) all showed flashes of excellence. Moore has great size on the wing with guard skill and plus length. Todd, an uncommitted senior, was one of the best back to the basket scorers from the weekend in Louisville. He showed great patience, would crab dribble to the mid-line on every catch, and finished with a variety of ways. Then, there is the 7’3″ (yes, 7’3″) Dynes. He was a difference-maker on the defensive end blocking several shots and altering even more.
Hoops 4 Health Has a Bunch of Talent
6’10″ forward Tyler Van Gorp Tyler Van Gorp 6'10" | C New Trier | 2023 State IL (New Trier H.S. 2023) was very good on both ends of the floor all weekend. He moves very well at his size, has good footwork on the block, and rebounds in his area. Definitely a scholarship level big man that will be attracting plenty of attention on the Prep Hoops Circuit this spring and summer. Fellow big man Keon Alexander Keon Alexander 6'6" | PF Bolingbrook | 2023 State IL (Bolingbrook H.S. 2023) is a 6’7″ physical presence that scores it well inside. He guards his position well on the block as well.
Out on the perimeter, Xavier Sulaiman Xavier Sulaiman 6'3" | SG Oak Lawn | 2023 State IL (Marist H.S. 2023) was consistently one of the better guards at the Grit Region Kick-Off. His explosiveness was second-to-none. Speaking of backcourt talent, Hoops 4 Health also featured Jeremiah Fears Jeremiah Fears 6'1" | PG AZ Compass Prep | 2025 State #31 Nation AZ (Joliet West H.S. 2025) showed why he is one of the top young prospects in Illinois.
Other Notes
- Ian Stephens Ian Stephens 6'5" | PF New Palestine | 2023 State IN (New Palestine H.S. 2023/JH1 IndyElite 2023) was super active around the basket on Saturday. 6’5″ forward that is crafty in the paint and rebounds really well on both the offensive and defensive glass.
- Kirk Lemons Kirk Lemons 6'0" | SG CAL | 2023 State KY (Christian Academy of Louisville 2023/Kentucky Vision Elite 2023) shot the ball well both days from what I saw. Can make them from deep.
- Reph Stevenson Reph Stevenson 6'7" | PF Hamilton Southeastern | 2023 State IN (Hamilton Southeastern H.S. 2023/D1 Indiana 2023 is a very intriguing prospect. Super high-upside for the 6’7″ forward. Rebounded outside of his area on Sunday morning, finished a couple of times on the roll, and defends his positions.
- Cam Reich Cam Reich 6'1" | SG Speedway | 2024 State IN (Brownsburg H.S. 2024/EG10 2024) had it going out on the perimeter Sunday morning. The strong 6’0″ guard creates his own shot off the dribble both from three-point range and getting to the rim.