Midwest Grind Session Day One Impressions – 17U

<p>31 talented 17U clubs from across the plains region converged on Wichita for the Midwest Grind Session. There were some spirited battles and some standout talents on the floor for the first set of games Saturday.</p> <p>Here are a handful of impressions from Day One 17U action:</p> <p>KC Spurs Black puts on a show:</p> <p>Several talented guards threw ally-oop passes to athletic monster [player_tooltip player_id="889456" first="Antwaun" last="Massey"]. Listed as a Minnesota Prep player, Massey was a 2021 Olathe East product. He runs to the rim like a locomotive, knowing someone will feed him a dunkable pass. But Massey isn’t alone on the KC Spurs Black. <strong>Cortez Stephenson</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="889464" first="Will" last="Townsend"]</strong> are both huge, agile bigs who give the team an unfair advantage inside. <strong>Jaylen Peeler</strong> is a really skilled point guard who keeps all his teammates happy with artful passes.</p> <p>Victory Ministry boasts Twin Towers:</p> <p>Victory Ministry from Joplin has a lot of talented players from the corner of the state, but what stands out first is the height it can run out. 6-foot-10 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1150476" first="Teddy" last="Reedybacon"]</strong> is agile and has soft hands for scores around the bucket. He works hard on the boards intimidates shooters. But when you talk about intimidation, you have to talk about 6-foot-8 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1195604" first="Jordan" last="Fudge"]</strong>. The Frontenac, Kansas forward is a filled out and scary 6-foot-8 beast. He has quick feet and quick hands and can handle the ball on the perimeter. In the lane, he can battle the crowd for rebounds and thwart drivers with his size and power.</p> <p>Players who made impressions:</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958390" first="Anthony" last="Allen"]</strong>, 2022, 6-foot-5 forward, Tulsa Hawks, Broken Arrow HS (pictured):</p> <p>Allen may have more hops than anyone else in Wichita. The man nearly bumps his head on the rim when he throws down his impressive dunks. He isn’t just a highlight machine. He rebounds and blocks shots and chases down misses. But his vertical is the thing that blows you away.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1049318" first="Graham" last="Tawwater"]</strong>, 2022, 6-foot-6 forward, Bishop Next Level Oklahoma, McGuinness HS:</p> <p>The big man led his club to a win over Intensity (also of Oklahoma) with 23 points. He was dominant in the lane, but also floated on the perimeter and demonstrated some distance. He’s a well-built big with soft hands and the ability to put the all on the floor and shoot runners and pull-up jumpers.</p> <p><strong>Asa Hardyway</strong>, 2022, 6-foot guard, Midwest Magic Resa, Hunter’s Lane (Tenn.) HS:</p> <p>Before leaving with an injury, Hardyway was a dynamic leader for the central Kansas club. He is a dynamite ball handler and penetrator who can get his own shot, but more often than not sets up another shooter. He can drill 3-pointers when he stays on the perimeter. Hardyway showed good patience and vision, getting the ball to the right person at the right time.</p>