Grit Region Memorial Classic: Friday Night Trios
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The Prep Hoops Circuit began its only Ohio stop Friday evening in Columbus. The Grit Region Memorial Classic kicked off with an action packed three game session. In an odd bit of numerical symmetry. I was impressed by three sets…
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Continue ReadingThe Prep Hoops Circuit began its only Ohio stop Friday evening in Columbus. The Grit Region Memorial Classic kicked off with an action packed three game session. In an odd bit of numerical symmetry. I was impressed by three sets of trios in opening night action.
Ohio United is a impressive group
A deep and balanced Ohio United 2025 McClure got things started in dominating fashion. They defeated a Nova Village-Legron squad that went undefeated a few weeks ago in Indianapolis at the Havoc in the Heartland event
They were led by guard Kruz McClure Kruz McClure 6'6" | SG Westerville South | 2025 State #183 Nation OH . At 6-4 with a study frame. The Westerville South product has excellent size for a backcourt prospect. Was explosive in going to the basket. However I was taken with his passing ability. Kept the ball moving around the perimeter with velocity and purpose. Also made plays on the defense end including a steal in transition when faced with a two on one situation.
McClure was not alone in standing out. I was also impressed with the athleticism and shown by 6-5 Bishop Hartley forward
Pharez Nicholas
Pharez
Nicholas
6'5" | PF
Bishop Hartley | 2025
State
OH
. Nicholas was constantly around the rim with his length. Also displayed a quick second jump and a smooth and confident release from beyond the arc. The post was capably manned by 6-7 Westerville South big man
Tyler Kielmeyer
Tyler
Kielmeyer
6'6" | PF
Westerville South | 2025
State
OH
. While on the skinny side. Kielmeyer played with strength and is very projectable as either a long term post or stretch four prospect.
Grassroots Elite shows growth
One of the first teams I covered on the Prep Hoops Circuit this spring was Cleveland based Grassroots Elite 2025. Did this way back at the beginning of April at the Rumble in the Rapids in Michigan. The squad had an up and down performance that weekend.
Fast forward to the end of May and now playing a little closer to home. The team appears to be showimg growth. They were led early by the shooting of 6-3 Mayfield guard Xavier Vickerstaff Xavier Vickerstaff 6'5" | PF Mayfield | 2025 State OH (pictured) The lefty simply couldn’t miss a shot from deep. Displayed a trigger quick release. Got open by moving well off the ball.
I don’t remember if Vickerstaff was with the squad in Grand Rapids. However two players were featured prominently in my April notebook. Also returned with the squad in Columbus. With Vickerstaff’s outstanding shooting. Villa Angela St Joseph’s Ari Jones slid into the point guard slot. The 6-1 prospect appeared comfortable in that role after taking on more of a scoring load in Michigan. Had several nice kick out passes off of drives. On the scoring front displayed a nice float game and the ability to shoot beyond the arc.
While Vickerstaff and Jones werenmanning the perimeter. 6-7 Glenville post Lorenzo Staley was owning the paint. Protected the rim with several huge rejections. Aided by the extreme length on his skinny frame. Allows him to play bigger than his already impressive listed height. A little raw offensively but scored on put backs with quick explosion to the rim. Also showed toughness and grit by appearing to play through a slight leg injury.
Corey Graham Elite UA Rise rolls in a mismatch
The Buffalo based squad drew a little bit of a tough straw on Friday. With an opponent dropping out. They took on a much younger and overmatched team to kick off their weekend. That did not affect their intensity in the slightest.
The headliner is Jaiden Harrison Jaiden Harrison 6'3" | PG Bishop Timon | 2024 State #287 Nation NY . A 6-3 lead guard from Bishop Timon with impressive physical tools. Last year I caught him playing up with 2023 squad that featured Division 1 recruits such as Seth Joba (Holy Cross) Even among that talented bunch he was probably their best scorer. On Friday night began the game aggressive defensively and seemed intent on getting teammates involved instead of scoring.
This season he is able to play off the ball due the presence of Nick Moore Nick Moore 6'0" | PG Amherst | 2023 State NY . The Amherst product has excellent size for a point guard at 6-2. Also has a strong athletic frame. Shot the ball well from beyond the arc. While getting to his spots easily off the dribble.
The post was manned by Tamar Roundtree. A physical and bouncy 6-5 homeschooled prospect. Kicked things off with a dunk. Was also a constant presence around the rim on both ends of ends court. However this was once again against a much smaller opponent. Accordingly I will be sure to catch this group again this weekend.