Grit Region Spring Superlatives – Class of 2023
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Believe it or not, the spring AAU season has officially come to a close. The months of April and May were jam-packed with excellent Prep Hoops Circuit events spanning between Indianapolis, Chicago, Kansas City, Louisville, Grand Rapids, Columbus, and other…
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Continue ReadingBelieve it or not, the spring AAU season has officially come to a close. The months of April and May were jam-packed with excellent Prep Hoops Circuit events spanning between Indianapolis, Chicago, Kansas City, Louisville, Grand Rapids, Columbus, and other locations in between. Between Jonathon Gilbert and myself, your two Prep Hoops Regional Scouts for the Grit Region, we’ve had boots on the ground across all events taking in the action and evaluating as many prospects as possible.
Over the next several days we will be handing out plenty of “awards” recapping the spring portion of the Prep Hoops Circuit calendar. All-Grit Region teams will be announced, stock-risers will be highlighted, new names will be brought to your attention, and much more. Today, I’m beginning with some old fashioned superlatives. Here are some of the top players in the Grit Region that I’ve seen in the spring across several different categories.
Best Prospect: Mason Jones Mason Jones 6'7" | PF Valparaiso | 2023 State IN (Team GRIII Elite 2023)
After playing in EYBL Session I with Meanstreets, Jones came over to the Prep Hoops Circuit and played the rest of the spring with Team GRIII Elite. The 6’7″ forward has elite versatility as a prospect with guard level skill but the size to play a stretch-four position. Jones is a good shooter when open on the perimeter, but at his best playing in transition and attacking closeouts off of the dribble in the half court. Holds an offer from Purdue Fort Wayne. Low/mid-major programs have a lot of reasons to like this prospect out of Valparaiso High High school in northwestern Indiana.
Best Shooter: Jake Fiegen Jake Fiegen 6'3" | SG New Trier | 2023 State IL (Full Package Black 2023)
There have been several sharpshooters on the Prep Hoops Circuit this spring, but at the end of the day this was a pretty easy decision. Fiegen has been a mainstay on Grit Region First Team All-Tournament selections at several events thanks to his elite shooting ability. Full Package Black has been one of the most successful teams on the circuit and his perimeter scoring prowess has been a primary reason why. Fiegen, a New Trier High School product, is a bigger guard which helps him get his shot off on the perimeter. Several weekends where he has been over 50% from beyond the arc.
Best Big Man: Matthew Moore Matthew Moore 6'7" | PF Hillcrest | 2023 State IL (Chicago Lockdown 2023)
Moore has earned himself a couple of Division I offers after strong performances on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Both New Orleans and Radford both pulled the trigger after the 6’9″ forward had a great first live period in Indianapolis. He is really bouncy around the basket with the ability to get up and finish above the rim offensively while also protecting the rim defensively. Moore has the ability to go get rebounds outside of his area and can rim-run with the best of them in transition. Attends Hillcrest High School.
Best Playmaker: Ahmere Carson Ahmere Carson 6'2" | PG Anderson | 2023 State IN (EG10 2023)
This 6’2″ left-handed guard has really made a name for himself after a great junior season at Anderson High School followed by a very strong spring with EG10 on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Carson is an elite scorer who simply finds ways to get the ball in the basket. He is a very good shooter, plays with great pace, and is super strong which allows him to play through contact. He never gets sped up when he has the ball despite the amount of defensive attention he attracts. It has been a great spring for this big-time scorer.
Top Stock-Riser: Hutch Ward Hutch Ward 6'8" | PF Kalamazoo Central | 2023 State MI (Michigan Cagers 2023)
Ward has strung together three different Grit Region First Team All-Tournament selections on the Prep Hoops Circuit. The 6’8″ highly skilled forward scores the ball at a really high level for his size. He is an excellent shooter, making three-pointers both off the dribble and the catch, scores with his back to the basket, and can attack off of the bounce. Ward has started to pick up a good amount of small college offers, but likely could see some bigger programs get more interested heading into the month of July. Talented offensive prospect.