Run N Slam: Bluegrass Brilliance
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The Bill Hensley Memorial is generally considered to be the top grassroots event in the Midwest region. While I’m a proud midwesterner. I was born and raised in Nashville Tennessee. So I know a little bit about the South. We…
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Continue ReadingThe Bill Hensley Memorial is generally considered to be the top grassroots event in the Midwest region. While I’m a proud midwesterner. I was born and raised in Nashville Tennessee. So I know a little bit about the South. We can debate geography until you stop reading— but to me Kentucky is squarely in the South.
Consequently my southern pride started to rise as a group of players came up on put on a show. Doing it on Derby weekend was an added bonus. Following are five standouts from this state with such a rich basketball history.
Travis Perry Travis Perry 6'2" | PG Lyon County | 2024 State #115 Nation KY 6-2 2024 Lyon County If I was picking a overall tournament MVP. This would be my choice. No other to way to say it. Just a masterclass in point guard excellence. Led Indiana Elite to perfect a record and a Platinum Bracket championship. However that only tells part of the story. Was businesslike and even surgical in his approach. Expression never seemed to change all weekend. Fell into a pretty sizable hole to open pool play on Friday evening. Systematically dug out of it to win it going away against a good Ohio Buckets squad. However it was his play on Sunday that really stood out. In a quarterfinal against Chicago based Young and Reckless the was game essentially over. Y&R behind break out spring prospect Darrion Sutton delivered an outstanding performance and just about had it sowed up. Then Perry simply took over. Two man action with top five national recruit Flory Bidunga was unstoppable. Sentnthe game into OT by finding Peoria pick and pop wizard Cooper Koch (Iowa) in the corner for a three. Such a stirring and dramatic comeback usually elicits some pretty strong emotion. Not in this case. Perry kept his composure and played like he expected it to happen. No drama needed in both the semi and final contests. Came out attacking offensively and controlled both contests from the jump. Is a consummate point guard at the grassroots level. However you can’t forget about the scoring. Has accumulated a staggering 4,000 career points after playing at the varsity level since middle school. Very few weaknesses in his game. Maybe top shelf athleticism. However I don’t write that with much conviction. Whatever program gets this young man’s commitment is going to win a lot of games. I do feel strongly about that statement.
Trent Noah Trent Noah 6'7" | SF Harlan County | 2024 State #139 Nation KY 6-7 2024 Harlan County (pictured) Template for the modern three and D prospect. However that only tells part of the story. The three part is pretty simple. Can really shoot it. Has one the quicker releases I have viewed on any prospect this spring/summer. Was able to catch and release without a gather dribble or step. Plays with balance and his momentum always seemed to be going towards the basket. Moved with purpose off the ball and relocated well to open spots. Seemed very comfortable in the short corner. The D part is aided by his thick broad shouldered frame. Isn’t going to get pushed around on that end of the court. Also has the foot speed to capably stay in front of players. Helped Midwest Basketball Club advance to the Platinum Bracket championship game where they fell to Indiana Elite (see above). Has been rapidly accumulating Division 1 offers. It is easy to see why.
Malachi Moreno Malachi Moreno 6'11" | C Great Crossing | 2025 State #21 Nation KY 6-11 2025 Great Crossing The Indiana Elite program won the Platinum Bracket championship in both 17U and 16U divisions. While Perry was the catalyst at the 17U level. Moreno’s play in the post charged the attack for the 16U group. Essentially established a “no fly zone” defensively at the rim. Did this with his extreme length and good lateral quickness. Not a finished product. However frankly that is a good thing. It is rare to see a prospect pushing seven feet that you could say is still growing into his body. That appears to be the case with Moreno. Has good hands and a “soft” touch around the basket. The soft is in quotes due to fact that he does not need to use it often. Is powerful finisher at the rim with numerous dunks on the weekend. Strong rim rummer in pick and roll situations. Definitely knows how to find the “dunker spot.”Moreno was not the only Warhawk doing damage on the weekend. Fellow Great Crossing teammate Vincent Dawson III Vincent Dawson III 6'5" | SG Great Crossing | 2025 State #327 Nation KY played well for the same Indiana Elite squad. Continues to trend towards being a top 100 national recruit and one of the best big men in the 2025 class.
Jayden Miles 6-8 2025 Louisville Western In the 16U championship mentioned above. Miles was Moreno’s main deterrent at the rim. Playing with Mac Irvin Fire. Miles provided steady post play down low. Allowing their litany of perimeter weapons to flourish. Miles seemed to have a knack for collecting loose balls. Good finisher at the rim with quick and easy elevation. Competed hard defensively and seemed to relish contact. Will probably need to develop a little more offensively to take the next step as a prospect. However the top level physical tools are already present.
Gavin Lightning Gavin Lightning 6'5" | PF Hilliard Bradley | 2026 State OH 6-6 2026 Bowling Green Thanks to a Michigan bred backcourt. The Midwest Basketball Club 15U squad is off to a perfect start on the Adidas 3SSB circuit. However this versatile forward has also played a large role in that start. Against Wisconsin based Power 5 showed the ability to play inside and out. Athletically slashed to the basket. While also flashing the ability to shoot from the perimeter. Similar in game and frame (a little taller though) to teammate and Michigan power guard Julius Wilson. It is not difficult to spot the immense long term upside in this prospect.