Grit Region Finals – Seven Quick Takeaways
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The Prep Hoops Circuit crowned three champions in the late afternoon on Sunday at Fishers High School. Although there is technically still one more big event to come with next weekend’s “Last Dance” in the Chicago area, Sunday night put…
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Continue ReadingThe Prep Hoops Circuit crowned three champions in the late afternoon on Sunday at Fishers High School. Although there is technically still one more big event to come with next weekend’s “Last Dance” in the Chicago area, Sunday night put a bow on the 2022 circuit. Over the next few days we will crown All Tournament teams, highlight several more top performers and stock-risers, and dump out the notebook a bit more. However, for now, let’s just quickly dive into 10 takeaways that are at the top of my mind after returning home from another great, long weekend of basketball.
- Tip of the hat to Full Package Black 17u. I’d have to go back and look at all of the results to get the exact win-loss, but as someone who was at most of the events, I feel comfortable saying that this group didn’t do much losing this spring and summer. They are more than worthy of wearing the 17u crown as the capped off their Prep Hoops Circuit experience with a Grit Region Championship. Jake Fiegen Jake Fiegen 6'3" | SG New Trier | 2023 State IL (New Trier H.S. 2023) proved himself as a Division I guard. There simply aren’t many guys who can shoot it the way he does. Additionally, 6’7″ Mark Nikolich-Wilson Mark Nikolich-Wilson 6'7" | C Rolling Meadows | 2023 State IL (Rolling Meadows H.S. 2023) continues to impress with his extreme versatility. Those are two names you’ve heard a ton throughout the circuit and rightfully so.
- You can’t help but be intriguing by the skills of 6’8″ forward Hutch Ward Hutch Ward 6'8" | PF Kalamazoo Central | 2023 State MI (Kalamazoo Central H.S. 2023). He is an outstanding pick-and-pop threat for the Michigan Cagers and played great on Sunday morning when I was watching. He has the physical build to play on the block as well, has proven himself as a solid rebounder, and then obviously has the catch-and-shoot ability to go along with it all.
- How about Devon Woods Devon Woods 5'10" | PG Pike | 2023 State IN (Pike H.S. 2023)? The 5’10″ point guard was the talk of the day on Sunday at Fishers High School. Woods put up 30 points in EG10’s quarterfinal win and ultimately led them to the Grit Region championship game against Full Package Black. He had 15 in the championship game as well. Woods shot it well from beyond the arc and relentlessly attacked the basket where he finished in a variety of ways. This guard should have your attention by now.
- JH1 IndyElite is a really fun group to watch. Ian Stephens Ian Stephens 6'5" | PF New Palestine | 2023 State IN (New Palestine H.S. 2023) gets a lot of the headlines, and rightfully so, but they have a host of solid small college prospects who deserve some shine. Earlier in the weekend it was 6’5″ forward Robert Davidson Robert Davidson 6'4" | SF Bishop Chatard | 2023 State IN (Bishop Chatard 2023) who I thought stood out, but then on Sunday 6’2″ sharp-shooter A.J. Dunn A.J. Dunn 6'1" | SG Yorktown | 2023 State IN (Yorktown H.S. 2023) got hot and commanded attention. He is a pure scorer that should attract some more college interest as the summer winds down.
- It is hard to describe just how good Team Teague 15u is until you actually see them play in person. As someone who has watched them numerous times over the last few months I still find new appreciate with each viewing. Mark Zackery Mark Zackery 6'0" | PG Ben Davis | 2025 State #398 Nation IN IV (Ben Davis H.S. 2025) remains the engine of the group and is one of the best two-way guards in the class. This weekend, it was 6’0″ guard Michael Cooper Michael Cooper 6'2" | PG Jeffersonville | 2025 State IN (Jeffersonville H.S. 2025) who really took center stage. He is true three-level scorer with a feathery outside touch. Other prospects like Cedric Horton Cedric Horton 6'4" | SG Richmond | 2025 State #321 Nation IN (Richmond H.S. 2025), Shane Sims Shane Sims 6'3" | PG Evansville Harrison | 2025 State IN Jr. (Evansville Harrison H.S. 2025), and Kelin Mark Kelin Mark 6'2" | SG Park Tudor | 2025 State IN (Park Tudor 2025) all had fantastic performances over the weekend as well.
- When thinking about stock-risers, it is hard to get much passed Grgur Brcic (Williston Northampton 2023) in terms of who impressed the most. The 6’10″ center was dominant around the basket for D1 Indiana each time I saw him over the weekend. Brcic runs the floor well, is mobile on the interior, and has excellent hands. Finished with a lot of two-hand slams. Low-major programs need to watch him closely during the final live period.
- Welcome to the Xavier Sulaiman Xavier Sulaiman 6'3" | SG Oak Lawn | 2023 State IL (Oak Lawn H.S. 2023) show! The super athletic guard went off for 38 points in a game on Saturday afternoon that really got the Grit Region Finals buzzing. Sulaiman is a super athletic guard that showed his ability to score it from all over the floor this weekend. He can knock down three-pointers, create his own shot in the mid-range, or explode to the rim off the bounce. Really impressive prospect in the backcourt for Hoops 4 Health.