Grit Region Memorial Classic-Saturday Superlatives

<p>The Grit Region Memorial Classic featured a lot of good talent from a multi state region. I’m going to get right to it. For the sake of organization I’m going to break the players up into superlative skill set categories. <br /> <br /> <b>Best Scorer- Louis Semona 6-8 2022 Cincinnati St Xavier (OH) (pictured at top of article) </b>Couldn’t really give to anybody else. Put on a scoring masterpiece in a 29 point output against DV45. A true three level scorer which you don’t say often for a 6-8 prospect at any level. Has a smooth and effortless shot from deep. Good enough ball handler to complete drives from the wings. Rises up quickly both in the mid range and at the rim. The only thing really missing is elite athleticism. Put simply if he had that, he would be a nationally known name. Getting some Division 1 looks and his recruitment could pick up with big senior season. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/98-Tyson-Barrett.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1070600" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/98-Tyson-Barrett-300x249.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="249" /></a></p> <p><b>Best Post (Duo)- [player_tooltip player_id="801613" first="Tyson" last="Barrett"] 6-8 2022 Fredrick Douglass (KY) (pictured) </b><i>and </i><b>Shyhiem Drew 6-6 2022 Paul Lawrence Dunbar (KY) </b>I cheated here and included both halves of this dynamic bluegrass state duo. After evaluating them I felt like I had to. Their differing games simply complemented each other I though it was best to be a tandem. The slender and long Barrett operated in the high post. While Drew did the dirty work on the block. Barrett is an explosive athlete who is also a good ball handler for his size. With his length had some of the longest Euro steps you will see in transition. This also allowed him to be intimidating presence defensively. Completed the package with some highlight reel dunks. Drew sports a deceptively quick spin move in the post. Used it effectively over both shoulders. Has a soft touch around the basket. Wide and strong frame that is not going to be moved once he establishes position. A tough duo to stop for Cave Gym Elite. </p> <p><b>Honorable Mention- Isiah Page Saginaw (MI), Jake Cherry Eastern-Pekin (IN) </b></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Noah-Rich1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1197049" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Noah-Rich1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p> <p><b>Best Shooter- Noah Rich 6-5 Franklin (OH) </b>The nets were scorching on Saturday so I could almost pick a name out of hat. But I’m going with Rich. I guess the tiebreaker he might have over other shooters would be vertical size. Uses his height to get his shot off easily. Especially in the mid range where he can rise over his defender. Absolutely caught fire against Team Future Saturday night. I think I counted four in a row from beyond the arc. Quite a scoring duo with Louis Semona for Midwest Basketball Club. </p> <p><b>Honorable Mention- Ryan Chew Archbishop Alter (OH), Evan Sunderman East Lansing (MI), Cameron Brillantes Okemos (MI), Brady Hardewig Turpin (KY), </b></p> <p><b><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1203766" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/E3017FCF-5F98-4679-9B2C-BBA788B258F4-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1622345161-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> </b></p> <p><b>Best Ball Handler/Passer [player_tooltip player_id="863965" first="Scott" last="Sims"] 5-11 2022 Kalamazoo Central (MI) </b>A point guard prototype. Has the ball on a string and can be flashy. But is also very efficient without much wasted motion. Is an explosive athlete capable of finishing above the rim. However is very smooth and never appears to be in a hurry. Has excellent passing touch. Can follow up a soft pocket pass with a heater of a kick out to an open shooter. As far as point guard is pretty close to a complete package. A consistent three point shot would make him extremely difficult to guard. </p> <p><b>Honorable Mention- Andre Simmons Purcell Marian (OH), [player_tooltip player_id="1051082" first="Alonzo" last="Fears"] Detroit Cristo Rey (MI), Daquis Brown Great Crossing (KY) </b></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Elijah-Mattingly.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1196798" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Elijah-Mattingly-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p> <p><b>Most Versatile- [player_tooltip player_id="1168168" first="Elijah" last="Mattingly"] 6-6 2022/Central Christian Academy (IN) </b>Let’s not overthink this one. This tall wing’s game is the definition of versatility. When you can snag a rebound, go coast-to-coast, and finish a play there is not much else to do. When I say finish a play. I also mean in multiple ways. Was just as good finding open teammates as he was scoring. While a little skinny was presence on the boards and did not get pushed around. Standout play was skying for an offensive rebound, followed by two bounding dribbles for a quick corner three. Honestly I don’t know if I’ve seen a similar play. Scored 21 points in a close loss to Team Strength. </p> <p><b>Honorable Mention- Atticus Schuler Columbus DeSales (OH), Kellen Leake Sylvania Southview (OH) </b></p>