Grit Memorial Classic: Saturday Superlatives
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The last event of the spring season on the Grit region commenced in Columbus on Saturday. A deep talented field is going to make choosing all tournament teams difficult. For now I’ll just settle on top Saturday performers broken down…
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Continue ReadingThe last event of the spring season on the Grit region commenced in Columbus on Saturday. A deep talented field is going to make choosing all tournament teams difficult. For now I’ll just settle on top Saturday performers broken down by skill sets.
Best Scorer- Austin Cripe Austin Cripe 6'3" | SG West Noble | 2023 State IN 6-3 2023 West Noble (IN) This Northern Indiana wing has been filling it up for two years on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Continued to do that Saturday. Scored 27 points in a loss to DC area squad Man 2 Man Soldiers. But it was the way he did it that earned the scoring moniker. Scored at all three levels. Has always been a good shooter and that was definitely present. Gets his shots with above average off ball movement. Is in constant motion and cuts well to find open spots. Also has a quick release. But I was I most impressed with the strength he showed. Was able to finish through contact. Had three straight and 1 finishes in the second half. Somewhat unexpected as he does not have the thickest frame. 27 points did not represent his highest output of the day. Dropped 28 in a earlier victory over a good R4L squad out of Ohio. A top 40 player in the state of Indiana. Has set himself up for a big senior season with his play this spring.
Best Slasher- Jujuan Ray Jujuan Ray 6'6" | SF Westerville South | 2023 State OH 6-6 2033 Westerville South (OH) Checks all the boxes to be considered a slasher. Has the prerequisite physical attributes. A tall, long, and lanky wing. In addition to the physical attributes is a long strider. Makes him very explosive in the open court. Plays straight up which allows him to accentuate his physical advantages. Not just a threat going to the basket. Has a nice shot from the perimeter. Even nailed a three near the end of Nova Village’s win over Kentucky Storm. Finished with an even 20 points in that contest. Also played well at the Run N Slam against some excellent competition. If he adds some bulk to his frame. He is setting himself to be an under the radar recruit in the Buckeye state.
Best Matchup- Wes Enis Wes Enis 6'2" | SG Miami East | 2024 OH 6-2 2024 Miami East (OH) vs Braylon Isom Braylon Isom 6'1" | SG Saginaw Heritage | 2024 State MI 6-3 2024 Saginaw Heritage (MI) A replay of classic double overtime matchup for a tournament in Fort Wayne. This contest “only” went into single OT. It was “mirror on the wall” matchup. As these two physical guards play very similar games. Enis is more of a traditional two guard. While Isom is a little bigger and more explosive in the open court. Both players competed throughout the contest. Often directly matching up on each other. Both players finished with an eye opening 28 points. Enis fouled in the extra period but finished with the victory this time around. I hope there is a round three somewhere down the road.
Best Athlete- Davion Goins 6-5 2023 Cassopolis (MI) While Cripe was filling it up from the outside for 5 Star. This Michigan forward was showing the attributes that make him one of the better overall athletes in the field. Has a thick frame with long arms and broad shoulders. If he was a few inches taller we would be looking at a prototypical college power forward. Is an explosive and powerful leaper. Easily makes plays well above the rim. Is a freight train out in transition. It takes some courage to draw a charge against him. Plays at a very small school in southwestern Michigan. If he can continue his spring momentum into a big summer. Then follow that up with a big statistical senior season. Goins could find his way onto some small college recruiting boards.
Best Rim Protection- Cameron Regnerus Cameron Regnerus 6'7" | PF Grandville | 2024 State MI 6-7 Grandville (MI) Honestly I could have placed this West Michigan post in an assortment of categories. His play has simply been that good in the last three weeks. I’m going to go with the skill that will probably carry him to the next level. Elite rim protection. Has everything you need to be a big time shot blocker. Has a huge wing span that makes him play larger than his listed height. Light on his feet and has above average lateral quickness. So he is difficult to get around. Has good timing as well. But the icing on the cake is the ability to play with verticality. Doesn’t lunge into players like a lot of young shot blockers. Along with fellow West Michigan big 2023 Hutch Ward Hutch Ward 6'8" | PF Kalamazoo Central | 2023 State MI . Is having an absolutely huge AAU season on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Like Ward could eventually parlay his play into some college offers.