Grit Region Finals: Friday Night Futures

The Grit Region Finals tipped off Friday evening in Indianapolis. The 2024 class represented well from a geographically diverse swath of the Midwest. Speaking to the strength of this region <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Jordan-Lomax7.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1210005" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Jordan-Lomax7-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1172872" first="Jordan" last="Lomax"] Avon (IN) Lomax has been scorching nets through the duration of the Grit Region circuit. This was my first time catching him in person. Did not disappoint. In a close loss to Tipping Point (IN) showed off the long range marksmanship. But when a bucket was needed he was not afraid to go against Tipping Point's tall frontline featuring 6-7 Wyatt Zepp. Finished the contest with a game high 25 points. Has a somewhat unorthodox release on the perimeter but it sure goes in. Also needs to add some weight to a very skinny frame. But this is a very young prospect finishing up an absolutely huge summer. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/87E59C9D-7882-438D-A2A7-E4717405CE22-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1627710282.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1254217" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/87E59C9D-7882-438D-A2A7-E4717405CE22-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1627710282-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1157239" first="Luke" last="Williams"] 6-0 Naperville North (IL) We try hard but scouts always have their slight biases. If you follow me you know I love physical point guards. Enter Luke Williams. As a 2024 has a well put together frame and is very athletic in the open court. But more than just athlete. Good outside shooter who you couldn't give an inch to. Competed hard defensively with good positioning and footwork. Doesn't show up in the box score butI liked the way his teammates responded to him. Appears to be a good leader which you like to see at the point guard position. Finished with a team high 16 points over a good B3 Athletics (MI) squad (see below) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/F739F796-A5A4-44F9-B4A9-CF0B3A6CE909-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1627710427.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1254220" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/F739F796-A5A4-44F9-B4A9-CF0B3A6CE909-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1627710427-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Liam Taylor 6-5 Lyons Township (IL) Although he didn't put up eye popping stats. I really liked this forward's all around game. Very long and very skinny but showed wiry strength in the post. Wasn't going to get pushed around. Used said length to be a huge factor on the defensive end. Looked comfortable hitting a first half three which were his only points of the first half. Came alive offensively I'm the second half to finish with 14 points. Has an unusual looking outside shot. But with its high point release it will be tough to block. Good passer out the high post and even in transition. Which is rare for player his size. The Breakaway program has had some breakout performers on the summer circuit this year. Taylor has the template of physical skills to be next in line. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/F55D5202-7AD5-4F30-9B49-BAC539B3A17B-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1627710517.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1254222" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/F55D5202-7AD5-4F30-9B49-BAC539B3A17B-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1627710517-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Ru Mills 6-2 Cincinnati Woodward (OH) and Jay'Quan Bostic 6-2 Cincinnati Woodward (OH) (pictured at top of article) I normally don't like to list players together. But I think you'll agree the synergy of their Friday night performances left me no choice. Let's call them the “flash” brothers. Because these two bouncy wings put on a show Friday night. They play at the same high school. They both scored 26 points. And they both played well above the rim for the Cincinnati Royals. If you want differences. Mills is a little more explosive in the open court and appeared to be a slightly better athlete. Bostic appeared to be a little more refined as point guard prospect with a tighter handle and passing ability. But honestly we're splitting hairs a bit here. They are both really good and I look forward to catching more of them this weekend. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/15990D0C-92B1-4841-AA6F-133322C19CE7-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1627710605.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1254224" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/15990D0C-92B1-4841-AA6F-133322C19CE7-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1627710605-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="593930" first="Nate" last="Johnson"] 6-4 Grand Rapids Christian (MI) Normally runs with UTS Elite. Johnson fit in well with B3 Athletics in their sole contest Friday night. Came off the bench and impacted the game quickly. However did this in a way I was not expecting. Did it defensively. Placed at the top of a diamond press. Used active hands and long arms to wreak havoc in passing lanes. Once he got the ball he knew what do with it. Quick elevation to the rim. Length isn't limited to wing span. Uses long legs to bound and glide around the court at a different speed than everyone else. Also showed good ball handling ability. I had been given a heads up by another scout that he was one of the top players statewide in the 2024 class. I definitely see the potential for that to be the case.