Prep Hoops Circuit Grit Region Finals – Ramsey’s Friday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After another great year on the Prep Ho[program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last=''] Circuit, it all culminates this weekend with our Region Finals taking place across the country this weekend. For the Grit Region, featuring the best teams and prospects from around the Midwest, action is taking place between the Pacers Athletic Center, Fishers High School, and Noblesville High School before crowning some champions on Sunday. As we always say, nobody does content and event coverage like Prep Ho[program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last=''] and that will be on full display this weekend. We at Prep Ho[program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last=''] Indiana will have boots on the ground coverage from tip-off until the final buzzer. Let's dive on in and recap what we saw in the gym on Friday to jumpstart a great weekend of ho[program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last='']!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">H[program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last='']on Elite Outlasts [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Black</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two strong programs had the misfortune of facing off in the first round of the Prep Ho[program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last=''] Circuit Grit Region Finals on Friday forcing one of the two out of the main bracket immediately. Despite a late comeback attempt led by [player_tooltip player_id='2104963' first='JP' last='Hubbard'] (Glenbrook South H.S. 2024) for [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Black 2024, H[program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last='']on Elite 2024 held on for a 75-68 victory. Hubbard was slicing his way to the basket time after time and scoring with a variety of creative finishes, but it was never enough to fully get over the hump.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hubbard would end up leading all scorers with 25 points. On the winning side, Jaylen Murphy (St. John's Jesuit 2024) scored a team-high 19 points while Micah Bayes (Sylvania Southview H.S. 2024) added 12 points in a balanced effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Strong Showing for All Indy Platinum Elite</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A pair of wins on Friday afternoon catapulted All Indy Platinum Elite into the Prep Ho[program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last=''] Grit Region Finals Sweet 16. Their second win was especially impressive as it came against one of the top seeds in Next Level Basketball. On the back of 32 points from [player_tooltip player_id='2089909' first='Robert' last='Walker'] (Warren Central H.S. 2024), Platinum Elite pulled the upset by a score of 78-72.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walker was excellent in both games on Friday impressing in their earlier win over DTM Elite Chicago 2024 as well. The 6'4" wing has excellent length that he uses to be disruptive in the passing lanes defensively. On the offensive end, Walker can get to the basket off of the dribble where he uses his size to finish around the rim. Caught the attention of some college programs on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Homeschool Sharp-Shooters Standout</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both [player_tooltip player_id='1952643' first='Joey' last='Heaston'] (Homeschool 2024 - Northwest Christian) and Logan Karnes (Homeschool 2025) each had big shooting performances on Friday for their respective teams. Heaston helped lead INB Elite 2024 to an opening round win over the Macomb County Cougars. They came up short in the second round against a very good KY Future Elite squad, but Heaston still showed off his excellent catch-and-shoot ability from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Karnes had it cooking from deep in [program_tooltip program_id='2082760' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2082760' first='Reps317' last='']' last=''] blowout win over Spartan Sports Basketball earlier in the afternoon. Both of these under-the-radar prospects can flat out shoot the basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='2075524' first='IBA' last='Illinois Stars'] Johnson Rolls into Sweet 16</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group picked up two wins on Friday to earn their spot in the Prep Ho[program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last=''] Grit Region Finals Sweet 16 on Saturday. Led by 6'4" sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1507492' first='Alex' last='Miller'] (Downers Grove North H.S. 2024), [program_tooltip program_id='2075524' first='IBA' last='Illinois Stars'] Johnson took down Acclivus Sports 2024 in their second game of the day. Miller got hot from beyond the arc in the second half to help secure the victory. This will be a team to watch going forward with a depth of talent across all different classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Indiana Guards Dominant the Evening</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1578417' first='Jevon' last='Lewis'] (Fort Wayne Wayne H.S. 2024) got off to a hot start as [program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last=''] Black 2024 jumped out to a 16-2 lead over Midwest Basketball Club Southwest Creamer 2024. However, the game would turn in Midwest Basketball's favor as they pulled out a 64-57 victory. Elsewhere in the evening, Indiana's guards not only dominated the game but also came out on the winning side of the scoreboard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1297034' first='Hudson' last='Horvath'] (Park Tudor 2025) was excellent while playing up a year for [program_tooltip program_id='2076924' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076924' first='EG10' last='']' last=''] 2024. He is so skilled with the ball, can really shoot it from beyond the arc, and is sneaky quick when getting downhill to the rim. Another rising junior playing up a year, Luke Ellsperman (Evansville Memorial H.S. 2025) was a big part of Pocket City 2024's blowout victory on Friday evening as well. Finally, Kyle Guy Elite Black 2024 were led by a pair of guards in [player_tooltip player_id='1384422' first='Eli' last='Ellis'] (Plainfield H.S. 2024) and [player_tooltip player_id='1386181' first='Jack' last='Cherry'] (Guerin Catholic 2024). Both guys shot it well from deep while also making some nice plays off of the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->