Grit Region Memorial Classic: 16U All Tournament Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The spring leg of the Prep Hoops Circuit concluded with its only Ohio stop over the holiday weekend. The event a deep and talented Buckeye centric field. Following are the first and second teams from 16 and under division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">First Team </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432011' first='Kruz' last='McClure'] 6-4 Westerville South (OH) </strong>McClure was the focal point of an impressive performance in every way for a Ohio United squad that went undefeated and untested on the weekend. Tall and lanky wing did much more than just scoring. Initiated offense as an excellent and purposeful passer. Also was a menace at the top of an aggressive zone. Turned defense into offense quickly off of steals. Good shooter who gets to his spots easily on the perimeter. Type of athlete that passes the eye test in a big way at first glance. Then has the game to back it up. Top 20 prospect in the state of Ohio and it's easy to see why. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1503915' first='Nehemiah' last='McMorris'] Columbus Northland (OH) </strong>In a literal and figurative way. McMorris was big on the block for a Nova Village UA Rise squad thar went undefeated. Has a sturdy but very explosive frame. Was excellent in what was possibly the game of the weekend. A come behind victory against OBC. Engaged in a big time post battle with [player_tooltip player_id='1691977' first='John' last='Whorton']. Finished with both hands easily around the rim. Not as big as Whorton but held his ground on the defensive end. Ran the court with both speed and fluidity. Might have saved his best for last. As Nova Village held off a Michigan team thar had been undefeated up until that point. Came alive in the second half with multiple dunks that staved off a big run. Finished with team high 16 points. Honestly it felt like more due to timeliness of the baskets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1691977' first='John' last='Whorton'] 6-7 Akron St Vincent St Mary (OH) </strong>Wide bodied lefty was big on the block all weekend for OBC. Was a bucket anytime he was able to get it near the basket. Established deep post position with ease. Sealed off defenders well in [program_tooltip program_id='2076445' first='The' last='Process']. Displayed a soft touch around the basket. Has thick upper body and did not appear to mind contact. Despite the frame was light on his feet and showed well schooled footwork. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1438244' first='Drew' last='Blanton'] 6-2 Chelsea (MI) </strong>Ann Arbor area combo guard had a big weekend for [program_tooltip program_id='2076445' first='The' last='Process']. Pulled off the delicate dance of scoring and ball distribution. Is an excellent shooter from all over the court. However especially lethal from beyond the arc. Created space on the perimeter with a clever in and out dribble. Matched McMorris (see above) with 16 points in a duel to wrap up the weekend. High water mark was a 17 point outing against a Gem City Basketball squad thar featured a good backcourt. Comes from a good regular season program and basketball bloodlines. Older brother will be playing for the new staff at Wisconsin-Green Bay next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amir Moye 5-11 2026 Health Sciences (NY) </strong>I don't often put players playing up a division on all tournament teams. It's a difficult hurdle to clear. Moye accomplished it with his outstanding play for Buffalo based [program_tooltip program_id='2077011' first='Corey' last='Graham Elite']. As a 2026 prospect not very big. However makes up for it with an extreme level of bounce in his legs. Had a “ball on string” skill set. Might have been the best ball handler I saw all weekend. Regardless of class. Put up 19 points in a victory against one of the many Midwest Basketball Clubs on Saturday night. Showed off the next level elevation with a dunk late in that contest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Second Team </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1827243' first='Jayden' last='Jones'] 6-3 Toledo Central Catholic (OH) </strong>Jones was a do it all forward for [program_tooltip program_id='2075517' first='Hopson' last='Elite']. Standout contest that I caught was a 16 point contest against a very good Ohio United squad (see above and below) The Toledo area product explosively put pressure on the rim. Absorbed and finished through contact. Hard nosed player on the defensive end as well. Which is always nice to see. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1480850' first='Tai' last='Perkins'] 5-10 Westerville North (OH) </strong>While McMorris was holding down the post for Nova Village UA Rise. Perkins was running the show at the point with next level speed. Was particularly apparent in a dramatic come from behind victory against OBC. Set up teammates well and as McMorris' production shows. Was good at getting the ball down to the block. Also set him up for a few nice lobs in transition. Perkins' speed made him a huge asset on the defensive end as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1875366' first='Maxwell' last='Bollin'] 6-3 Holy Name (OH) </strong>Long athletic forward was OBC's perimeter complement to Whorton down low. Length allowed him to appear and play larger than his listed height. Put up 13 in a loss to fellow Under Circuit entrant Nova Village. Best game was an 18 point outing against DG Warriors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1701047' first='Pharez' last='Nicholas'] 6-5 Bishop Hartley (OH) </strong>The second half of a outstanding Ohio United duo with [player_tooltip player_id='1432011' first='Kruz' last='McClure']. Nicholas was a presence at the rim all weekend. Set the tone early with big dunk out transition on Friday night. However much more than just an athletic dunker. Also showed a smooth and easy release from beyond the arc. Length and leaping ability also made him a deterrent at the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wyatt Gillard</strong> <strong>6-5 Siegel (TN) </strong>The Tennessee combo forward brought a little rocky top to the Buckeye state. Had an excellent weekend for Tennessee Edge. Averaged a double double on the weekend. Has been on a bit of hot streak of late. Has six doubles doubles in the last two weekends. Heads into June and July with some serious momentum. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->