Grit Region Finals: Saturday Top Shooters
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The Grit Region Finals brought out some top teams from the prep hoops circuit and some top independent teams. In this article we’ll look at the top shooters from Saturday at the Pacers Athletic Center. Kellen Solomon HEIGHT 6'2" POS…
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Continue ReadingThe Grit Region Finals brought out some top teams from the prep hoops circuit and some top independent teams. In this article we’ll look at the top shooters from Saturday at the Pacers Athletic Center.
Kellen Solomon
Kellen Solomon
Gem City Basketball Club got a blowout victory on Saturday morning and it was Solomon making three straight 3-pointers to help his team continue to pull away. With the quick ball movement, Solomon moved without the basketball to make himself available to fire away from 3-point range. He also almost threw down a breakaway dunk that would’ve capped off his impressive outing.
Saturday was the best I’ve ever seen Smith play at multiple phases of the game. Shooting it well from the outside off the catch and also playing hard and grabbing numerous offensive rebounds, Smith tried his best to lead his team to an elite 8 berth. Falling just short at the end, Smith was efficient scoring from 3-point range and the free throw line on Saturday.
Highlights
One of the shiftiest guards on the prep hoops circuit, Bartchak can create space off the bounce and fire away with his quick pull-up game. With range that extends out to 25+ feet, Bartchak is a shooter you must keep track of where he’s at during all times he’s on the court. A couple acrobatic layups including a tough righty finish to put his team up two possessions late helped Next Level Basketball get the win on Saturday afternoon.
Mid Mo Elite was making it rain from 3-point range with Williams, Gardner Casey Gardner Casey 5’10” | CG Bolivar | 2025 State MO and Tayber Gray all hitting multiple 3-pointers in their Tuesday afternoon victory. I was most impressed with Williams who is the top athlete on his team with explosive athleticism that allows him to score on the fast break at the rim. Defensively, Williams was also using his quick feet and aggressiveness to force turnovers and allow either himself or one of his teammates to get easy layups in transition.
The first half was an absolute clinic from Kentucky Future Elite as they built up a 20+ point lead to advance to the final four of the 17 U championship bracket. The 3-point shooting of Whitaker and Brayden Mirus Brayden Mirus 6’1″ | PG Rowan County | 2024 State KY were the difference early as they were letting it fly and connecting from long distance. Whitaker was running off screens and getting his feet set quickly to connect from three. His most impressive 3-pointer came in transition when all his momentum was going forward and he pulled up and swished the shot from the top of the key. This team is certainly capable of winning the whole thing when championship Sunday tips off tomorrow.