Grit Region Kickoff: Scotty B’s Sunday Notebook

<p>What a day of hoops on Sunday to close out the Grit Region Kickoff in Louisville!  We recap the day here in <strong>Grit Region Kickoff: Scotty B’s Sunday Notebook</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Carson Drops 45 in In-State Win for EG10 17U over D1 Indiana</strong></p> <p>What a way to open the morning!  EG10 star [player_tooltip player_id="1391283" first="Ahmere" last="Carson"] dropped 45 points in a stellar performance!  The strong and stocky guard had it all working including draining six triples and using his strong upper body to punish opponents on drives.  The best single performance of the weekend from the Indiana standout.  He had help from strong and athletic wing [player_tooltip player_id="868242" first="Anthony" last="Ball"].  Bouncy wing that gets on the glass and plays power basketball.  Active defender.  [player_tooltip player_id="1273740" first="Shaun" last="Arnold"] was a great intangible guy for EG10 in the win.  Finished dump offs, got on the glass, and brought energy.</p> <p>Liked what we saw out of [player_tooltip player_id="1379216" first="Kamari" last="Jones"] from D1 Indiana.  The shooting guard has good size on the wing and a really nice shot that he can create or hit off the bounce.  Drained four of them along with several inside the arc for 24 points.  Combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="1160716" first="Clay" last="Butler"] has quite the burst with the ball in his hands going coast to coast excelling in transition.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Flee Club 17U Goes 4-0 On Weekend with Win Over Spartan Sports</strong></p> <p>Flee Club had a successful opening weekend as they went undefeated and had several prospects make names for themselves including in this 66-63 win.  Once again unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id="1210383" first="Javon" last="Johnson"] did his thing especially in the open floor scoring on euro steps and playing off his defense.  Michelle Clark point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1215314" first="Cordy" last="Johnson"] is a 2023 point guard that when he gets hot can rack up points with his shifty handles breaking down defenders along with hitting several three bombs in this one.</p> <p>Joey Pantazis put himself on our radar with a strong performance in this one.  The Niles West 6’1” shooting guard drained a plethora of mid-range jumpers creating and off movement in addition to several threes.  Fun scoring two guard to track in 2024.  Adrian Pelszyski from Taft is another unsigned senior that should find a home at the small college level.  The 6’4” combo forward moves well without the ball, crashes the glass, and can handle it from the mid-range.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Hoops 4 Health Shows Out Ahead of Live Period</strong></p> <p>It was a show on Sunday as Hoops 4 Health won by over 40 against fellow Illinois squad Chicago Demons.  Marist combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="939076" first="Xavier" last="Sulaiman"] was outstanding in this one.  He didn’t settle for shots instead attacking with smooth handles and force.  That including another couple of big dunks.  He had 12 points.  Leo point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1371072" first="Jakeem" last="Cole"] had it rolling in the first half getting out in the open floor for an array of athletic scores en route to 15 points.  Yet another productive outing for Lake Forest Academy small forward [player_tooltip player_id="1140553" first="Simon" last="Weisserman"] as he dropped 16 points in the win doing most of his damage in the paint as opposed to the day before where he was bombing in threes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Buckner Elite 16U Perimeter Attack Too Much for ET21 Buckeyes</strong></p> <p>Buckner Elite out of Kentucky had a great weekend going 5-0 winning their pool.  Their perimeter duo led the way in a win against ET21 Buckeyes.  Ace Buckner is one to watch in the 2024 class.  Athletic two guard that is smooth with the rock in his hands creating off the bounce getting to the rim for finishes, can hit open threes, and was a solid passer.  Went for 21 points.  [player_tooltip player_id="939119" first="Gavin" last="Grubbs"] brings a physicality at the combo guard spot.  Tough kid that is skilled as a passer and loved to find holes in the D to exploit for scores in the paint.  Dropped 19 points in the win.</p> <p>Liked what we saw from Mt. Carmel shooting guard Ryan Runaas in this one.  The 6’0” 2024 shooting guard was letting it fly early giving himself and his team a ton of confidence.  Cale Cosme from Brother Rice set the tone with his on the money passing, scrappy defense, and shot making.  Sneaky scoop shot maker!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Da House Complete Dominant Weekend in 17U</strong></p> <p>The team from down south made a statement in Louisville winning by an average of 15 per game including a huge win in their last game.  London Fields led the way with 25 points as the two guard brings good size and projectability on the perimeter along with a sweet looking jumper and the ability to create his own shot.  He got help inside from broad shouldered four man Elijah Causley.  Rim runner, dive threat, and can hit a three if left open.  He had 12 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Two of Top Prospects at Event Square Off in Indy Nets vs D1 Indiana 16U</strong></p> <p>It was fitting the final game we saw featured a pair of the top long term prospects we saw all weekend.  Indy Nets 16U 2024 wing [player_tooltip player_id="1275802" first="Reis" last="Butcher"] has a great frame with broad shoulders, long arms, and smooth athleticism.  He struggled a bit early in this one to get his shot to fall around the hoop.  As the game went on he got the three ball to fall along with making regular trips to the line.</p> <p>On the other side long and lanky 2025 power forward Dominique Murphy jumped off the floor again for D1 Indiana.  Rim runs, finishing dump offs, taking it from the mid-post, and toward the end of the game he was banging in threes.  He screams upside as a impactful two way front court player in the 2025 class.</p>