Grit Region Kick-Off: Ramsey’s Notebook

<p>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 out over the course of Saturday and Sunday down in Louisville, Kentucky.</p> <h2>Indiana Guards Take Center Stage</h2> <p>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), [player_tooltip player_id="1158226" first="Dhani" last="Flannigan"] (Franklin Central H.S. 2024/D1 Indiana 2024), [player_tooltip player_id="1049176" first="Devon" last="Woods"] (Pike H.S. 2023/EG10 2023), [player_tooltip player_id="1160716" first="Clay" last="Butler"] (Ben Davis H.S. 2023/D1 Indiana 2023), [player_tooltip player_id="1379216" first="Kamari" last="Jones"] (Lawrence Central H.S. 2023/D1 Indiana 2023), [player_tooltip player_id="1297023" first="Eric" last="Hopson"] (Decatur Central H.S. 2025/EG10 2025), [player_tooltip player_id="1139221" first="Caleb" last="Wright"] (Sheridan H.S. 2025/EG10 2025), and [player_tooltip player_id="1158227" first="Mason" last="Lewis"] (North Central H.S. 2024/EG10 2024) all played well at different times over the weekend.</p> <h2>Griffin Elite Features Impressive Size</h2> <p>For the Griffin Elite 2023 team, 6’5" wing [player_tooltip player_id="1116655" first="Teagan" last="Moore"] (Owen County H.S. 2023), 6’7" forward [player_tooltip player_id="926900" first="Robby" last="Todd"] (Madison County H.S. 2022), and 7’3" [player_tooltip player_id="1364720" first="Gabriel" last="Dynes"] (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.</p> <h2>Hoops 4 Health Has a Bunch of Talent</h2> <p>6’10" forward [player_tooltip player_id="1048311" first="Tyler" last="Van Gorp"] (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 [player_tooltip player_id="939048" first="Keon" last="Alexander"] (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.</p> <p>Out on the perimeter, [player_tooltip player_id="939076" first="Xavier" last="Sulaiman"] (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 [player_tooltip player_id="1385291" first="Jeremiah" last="Fears"] (Joliet West H.S. 2025) showed why he is one of the top young prospects in Illinois.</p> <h2>Other Notes</h2> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1295323" first="Ian" last="Stephens"] (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.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1201522" first="Kirk" last="Lemons"] (Christian Academy of Louisville 2023/Kentucky Vision Elite 2023) shot the ball well both days from what I saw. Can make them from deep.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1273712" first="Reph" last="Stevenson"] (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.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1158219" first="Cam" last="Reich"] (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.</li> </ul>