Grit Region Kick-Off: Ramsey’s Saturday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Circuit is officially underway. On Saturday down in Louisville, Kentucky at the MidAmerica Sports Center the Grit Region Kick-Off began the grassroots season. With a bunch of area talent playing in front of a handful of college coaches looking to jumpstart their spring recruiting efforts there was plenty to see throughout the day. I've had boots on the ground all day long providing coverage that you can find on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/BRamseyKSR">@BRamseyKSR</a>. Now, let's begin to empty out the notebook with some of the action that I saw on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">KY Hoops 2024 Outlasts NEBC 2024</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first game of the day on Court 1 at the MidAmerica Sports Center we had two very talented teams facing off. KY Hoops 2024, consisting primarily of players from Clay County High School, held on down the stretch against a furious comeback attempt from NEBC 2024. It was [player_tooltip player_id='1587713' first='Jerrod' last='Roark'] (Oneida Baptist Institute (KY) 2025) who led the way for KY Hoops 2024 scoring 25 points while playing up an age group. Similarly, [player_tooltip player_id='1403228' first='Jaiden' last='Holloman'] (Cocoran (NY) H.S. 2025) played up a year and was among the leaders for NEBC finishing with 19 points. Unsigned senior John Clemmons led all scorers in the game with 27 points for NEBC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Along with the obvious guard play from the talented Class of 2025 prospects on each team, it was 6'4” forward [player_tooltip player_id='1585500' first='Elijah' last='Bundy'] (Clay County (KY) H.S. 2024) who shined for KY Hoops 2024. The strong, physical forward crashed the glass relentlessly and finished consistently on his way to 24 points. His motor really stood out in the early morning game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Vision 2025 Elite Takes Down NEBC 2025</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Immediately following his 19-point performance for NEBC 2024, 5'8" point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1403228' first='Jaiden' last='Holloman'] (Cocoran (NY) H.S. 2025) suited up for the 2025 squad and poured in 37 points. It was incredibly impressive watching the dynamic playmaker in back-to-back games score it seemingly at will against strong competition. However, the depth of Vision 2025 Elite was enough to hold on in the end for a hard fought 71-68 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6'2" sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1288979' first='Tydus' last='Summers'] (Jackson County (KY) H.S. 2025) went off in the first half connecting on five three-pointers on his way to a team-leading 18 points. Shifty point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1302983' first='Chance' last='Dillingham'] (St. Xavier (KY) 2025) added 17 points for Vision Elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Team 4:13 Defeats Kentucky Supreme 2024 in Overtime</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It took an extra two minute overtime period after a late three-pointer tied the game for Kentucky Supreme 2024, but Team 4:13 came away with a 72-68 victory in this matchup. Both teams were impressive with their discipline and overall skill level. For Team 4:13, it was 6'2" forward Koterrion Owens (Charleston (MO) H.S. 2024) who stood out the most with his unique skill set. He is a big body, strong prospect that looks like an undersized post guy but handles the ball like a guard. Owens used his strength consistently off of the dribble where he played through defenders around the basket. He, alongside teammate Isaac Hosman (Massac County (IL) H.S. 2024) led Team 4:13 with 16 points a piece.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1865542' first='Kellen' last='Dossett'] (Gallatin County (KY) H.S. 2024) and [player_tooltip player_id='1412705' first='Cameron' last='Edwards'] (Kentucky Country Day 2024) led Kentucky Supreme with 13 points each.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pittsburgh Pioneer Elite 2024 Shows Up and Shows Out</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After making the trip to Louisville from Pittsburgh, this group hit the floor and immediately dominated KY Hoops 2024. Pittsburgh Pioneer Elite 2024 is loaded with fun players to watch. Skilled 6'1” guard [player_tooltip player_id='1518798' first='Logan' last='Golle'] (Taylor Allderdice (PA) H.S. 2024) burst onto the scene last spring and summer on the Prep Hoops Circuit and is back for more in his final go-around. His shot-making ability paired with elite passing makes him a must-have name on any small college recruiting list. Then, there is 6'7” freak athlete Will Evans Jr. (Nazareth Prep (PA) 2025) who plays up a year. He is insanely long and athletic which allows him to block shots as well as anyone in the event this weekend. Offensively he plays above the rim and has developing skill. Has a chance to really blow up this spring and summer. Pittsburgh Pioneer Elite 2024 went on to win 78-54.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2026 Prospects Shine</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the afternoon I had the opportunity to take in some Class of 2026 action to get eyes on some up-and-coming talent. The young prospects certainly did not disappoint. First, it was Aalijah Lissade (Pike (IN) H.S. 2026) and Jayden Wood (Pike (IN) H.S. 2026) who stood out for DNA Basketball INDY 2026. Lissade was relentless off of the dribble using his strength and quickness to score inside. Wood is a 6'2" wing with a really smooth outside stroke and a quick release.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sticking in the Hoosier state, Indiana Ambition 2026's Bryson Chapman (Evansville North (IN) H.S. 2026) was really impressive in their 61-31 win over MAC Boys Basketball 2026. Chapman is a 6'4" forward who displayed a high motor, excellent open floor agility, and impressive ball handling skills for his size. Really intriguing long-term prospect. Finally, Roosevelt Franklin (Indiana Math &amp; Science Academy 2026) played well for All in Sports Academy 2026. He was very aggressive off of the dribble consistently beating his man and getting a piece of the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moving a little further south to the state of Tennessee, Peyton Applegate (Franklin Road Christian (TN) 2026) and Camden Cain (Eagleville (TN) H.S. 2026) were excellent in the time I spent watching their game with TN Brigade 2026. Applegate is 6'4" with solid post moves and really good rebounding ability in his area. As for Cain, he is a more skilled 6'2" wing that can score it in a variety of ways. Both are names that worth keeping an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Leftover Thoughts</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1412705' first='Cameron' last='Edwards'] (Kentucky Country Day 2024) was consistently very good in both of his games today with Kentucky Supreme 2024 scoring 13 and 12 points. He has elite physical tools as a 6'5" wing with high-level length and athleticism.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1585500' first='Elijah' last='Bundy'] (Clay County (KY) H.S. 2024) deserves a shoutout for his performance to help lead KY Hoops 2024 over NEBC 2024 early Saturday morning. He scored 27 points and was relentless on the boards at both ends of the court.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>MAC Boys Basketball will likely be tested a little more tomorrow, but on Saturday they absolutely dominated the competition winning 75-38 and 96-34. The backcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1352458' first='Derek' last='Fairley'] (Luteran West (OH) H.S. 2024) and [player_tooltip player_id='1477054' first='Jayson' last='Levis'] (Lutheran West (OH) H.S. 2024) is really, really fun to watch.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>If you are in search of unsigned seniors, there were a few good ones on display Saturday at the Grit Region Kick-Off. 6'6" forward John Clemmons (Caravel (PA) H.S. 2023) averaged 26.5 points and 10.0 rebounds in his two games today for NEBC 2024. Meanwhile, his teammate 6'7" forward Rayquan Cochrane (Mastery (NJ) H.S. 2023) averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds per game. For Vision 2024 Elite, 7'0" center [player_tooltip player_id='1043604' first='Sam' last='Gibson'] (Holy Cross (KY) H.S. 2023) is still looking for a college home. The big man is clearly very tall and long, but also has a soft touch around the basket. Could be a nice late addition to a Division II or low-major Division I roster.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->