Grit Region Kick-Off: Eight Prospects to Watch
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Just as one season ends the next one begins. Most states have only just concluded their high school seasons in the last week or two, but the Prep Hoops Circuit is jumping right into the grassroots season. Several teams from…
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Continue ReadingJust as one season ends the next one begins. Most states have only just concluded their high school seasons in the last week or two, but the Prep Hoops Circuit is jumping right into the grassroots season. Several teams from within the “Grit Region” consisting of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia will get their spring seasons started with the Grit Region Kick-Off in Louisville, Kentucky. I’ll have boots on the ground in the Bluegrass state covering all of this weekend’s action. To help prepare you for Saturday and Sunday’s games here are eight of the top Grit Region prospects you’ll want to follow in Louisville.
Mason Arthur Mason Arthur 6'2" | PG New Washington | 2025 State IN (New Washington H.S. (IN) 2025/Southern Indiana Blaze 2025): After a big-time sophomore season for Sectional championship New Washington, Arthur will take his talents to down to Louisville for the Grit Region Kick-Off with the Southern Indiana Blaze. The 6’2″ guard is an elite shooting threat from anywhere on the floor and can fill it up in a hurry from beyond the arc. Look for him to emerge as one of the better Class of 2025 prospects in Southern Indiana this spring and summer.
Derek Fairley Derek Fairley 6'1" | CG Lutheran West | 2024 State OH (Lutheran West H.S. (OH) 2024/MAC Boys Basketball 2024): After a trip to the Division II state championship game with Lutheran west, Fairley will play alongside his teammate Jayson Levis Jayson Levis 6'1" | CG Lutheran West | 2024 State OH for the MAC Boys. The 6’2″ guard averaged 10.0 points per game for the state runner-up and was recently named to the Division II All-Ohio Second Team.
Logan Golle Logan Golle 6'1" | PG Taylor Allderdice | 2024 State PA (Taylor Allderdice H.S. (PA) 2024/Pittsburgh Pioneer Elite 2024): Golle used the Grit Region Kick-Off as a springboard into an outstanding spring and summer last year. Now, he will look to do the same heading into his final go-around on the Prep Hoops Circuit. The 6’2″ guard averaged 14.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game this season for the 21-4 Taylor Allderdice Dragons. He is an all-around shot-maker who can create for himself off of the dribble and has the athleticism necessary to finish at the end of his drives. Good prospect for college coaches to jump on this spring.
Jayson Levis Jayson Levis 6'1" | CG Lutheran West | 2024 State OH (Lutheran West H.S. (OH) 2024/MAC Boys Basketball 2024): Levis averaged 18.1 points per game for his Lutheran West team that advanced to the Ohio Division II state championship game. Like his teammate Derek Fairley Derek Fairley 6'1" | CG Lutheran West | 2024 State OH , the talented 6’0″ playmaker was recently named to the Division II All-Ohio Second Team. College coaches will want to watch this dynamic backcourt play together this spring beginning with the Grit Region Kick-Off in Louisville. Levis already holds an offer from Walsh University.
Mike Loftis Mike Loftis 5'10" | PG Holy Cross (Louisville) | 2024 State KY (Holy Cross H.S. (KY) 2024/Kentucky Supreme 2024): This talented 5’10” point guard was one of the most complete players in Kentucky’s 6th Region this past high school season. Loftis averaged 15.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.4 steals per game on impressive efficiency. He shot 52.6% from two, 41.2% from three, and 83.9% from the free throw line. North American University, a new member of the NAIA in Houston, Texas, recently extended a scholarship offer to Loftis.
Mahdee McNair (Timber Creek H.S. (NJ) 2024/NEBC 2024): McNair is a 6’3″ guard with good all-around ball skills. He is shifty in the open floor, a creative finisher at the end of his drives, and showcases a smooth outside shooting stroke. His length on the perimeter allows him to be very disruptive in the passing lanes as well. This prospect is coming off of a very productive junior season for Timber Creek Regional out of Erial, New Jersey.
Jesiah Sloss (Evansville Harrison H.S. (IN) 2025/Indiana Ambition 2025): A long, athletic 6’5″ with a very versatile skill set, this prospect will definitely be one to watch throughout the spring and summer. Sloss turned in a good sophomore season averaging 7.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game for 16-7 Evansville Harrison. He handles the ball like a guard, penetrates the defense consistently, and is very disruptive on the defensive end of the floor.
Tizhaun Tomlinson (Evansville Bosse H.S. (IN) 2025/Indiana Ambition 2025): Tomlinson is an incredibly athletic 6’0″ guard that creates his own shot off of the bounce, has excellent speed in the open floor, and play either guard position in the backcourt. He is coming off of a very successful sophomore campaign where he averaged 8.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game for 13-11 Evansville Bosse. Very talented all-around playmaker that should have a great spring and summer on the Prep Hoops Circuit.