Grit Region Kick-Off ~ 15U Top Forwards
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Prep Hoops Grit Region Kick-Off was a loaded event with teams from Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. Grit Region Kick-Off was hosted at MidAmerica Sports Center in Louisville, Kentucky. 15U Top Forwards Michael Norton Michael Norton 6'1" |…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Grit Region Kick-Off was a loaded event with teams from Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. Grit Region Kick-Off was hosted at MidAmerica Sports Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
15U Top Forwards
Michael Norton Michael Norton 6'1" | CG Gamble Montessori | 2023 State OH | 6’6” | Circle City Shooters Elite 2026 | Ben Davis (Indiana)
Norton played as if he was out to prove he was one of the best big guys in the entire event. He plays with a high motor and uses his length extremely effectively. Norton erases multiple shots including several chase-down or come-from-behind swats that deter future attempts. He routinely showcased his ability to crash the glass for rebounds on both ends and has the quick, athletic second jump that coaches rave about.
Bryson Chapman Bryson Chapman 6'4" | PF Evansville North | 2026 State IN | 6’5” | Indiana Ambition 2026 | Evansville North (Indiana)
Indiana Ambition wasn’t the tallest team at the event. They used that to their advantage by playing with space and forcing defenders to chase the ball. Even though Chapman is one of the taller players on the roster, he was a constant mismatch on the perimeter. He has the uncanny ability to take long, athletic glides to the basket that leaves his defender out of position to contest. Chapman lived in the paint and his touch around the rim gave him easy baskets all weekend.
Tj Williams Jr | 6’3” | Circle City Shooters Elite 2026 | Purdue Poly Tech (Indiana)
Circle City was one of the few teams that could throw two, athletic bigs on the court to wreak havoc. Williams was another impressive, springy athlete that made a living rebounding. Rebounding is an art that has many layers and Williams was constantly out-hustling other players for rebounds which led to more opportunities for his teammates. Williams is a big-time talent and a force to be reckoned with.
Jarrett Simpson | 6’6” | Vision Select 2026 | Southwestern (Kentucky)
Simpson has the perfect fame to be a “position-less” forward. Standing at a lean 6’6’”, Simpson can be productive anywhere on the court. Defensively, he can deter guards from driving the paint and he can move out of his area to block shots. Offensively, he can pop out the perimeter to knock down the deep 3-pointer, and he can crash the offensive glass for put-back lay-ups.
Timmy Lovejoy | 6’8″ | Midwest Basketball Club Southwest 2026 Williams | Nitro (West Virginia)
Lovejoy is a tall, southpaw that competes and battles all game long. He is a slashing forward that showcased his ability to catch tough passes on the move as he cut through the paint. He has a great mid-game pull-up jump shot that is unguardable with his size. Lovejoy really excelled at snatching a rebound and pushing the ball downhill.
Sully Murray | 6’4” | Mac Boys Basketball 2026 | Olmsted Falls (Ohio)
Murray was a force inside all weekend. He seemed to never stop moving and found fortune being around the ball. He displayed great awareness when rim-running and sealing for inside position. He found a few easy baskets by beating his opponent on offensive rebounds; even on the free-throw line. Don’t sleep on his outside shot either. He knocked down a few from distance to keep the defense honest.
Kenneth Lampley Kenneth Lampley 6'6" | SF Tindley | 2027 State IN (2027) | 6’4” | Team F.E.E.D. Sports Inc. 2026 | Belzer Middle School (Indiana)
Although still raw and developing, Lampley was impressive by his energy and hustle. He set solid screens and moved hard away from the ball for a roll lay-up or a pop jump shot. If Lampley can continue his high-motor effort, he’ll be hard to take off the court.
Kaeden Post | 6’4” | Midwest Basketball Club Southwest 2026 Wallace | Wayne (Ohio)
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