Grit Region Kickoff: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Circuit began on Friday night in Louisville with the first night of the Grit Region Kickoff!&nbsp; It was a fun set of games with a couple of big performances!&nbsp; I dive into it here in <strong>Grit Region Kickoff: Scotty B's Friday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quality Sports Academy Tops Ballers Elite in Opener Behind Balanced Effort</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a dominant performance by Quality Sports Academy 17U in their opening 62-46 victory over Ballers Elite.&nbsp; The top scorer on the evening for the squad from Ohio was Groveport Madison (OH) wing Josh Moore.&nbsp; The 6'4” wing has a long and lanky body with a smooth game.&nbsp; He hit from mid-range, three, and was slick off the bounce racking up 16 points in the win.&nbsp; His high school teammate Jaquan Ingram was effective especially in the first half as an undersized big that was effective with his toughness, skill, and efficiency around the hoop.&nbsp; In the backcourt Elida (OH) point guard Zori Island is a 5'10” floor general that zipped the ball all around the floor distributing the rock getting in the lane with his shifty handle.&nbsp; Reynoldsburg (OH) 5'9” point guard Damon Griffin took control in the second half with his ability to get downhill racking up the buckets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Ballers Elite out of Michigan they got a wow moment early on from Rico McFadden throwing down a massive dunk.&nbsp; Bouncy athlete that got on the glass.&nbsp; Also had some production early from 2026 point guard Mehki Radford.&nbsp; The strong and stocky guard is crafty off the bounce and can finish with touch.&nbsp; Garrett James was their top performer with 13 points.&nbsp; Plus shot maker hitting several threes and mid-range shots along with mixing in a few slashes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>615 Basketball Puts on Show in Victory Against Kentucky Future Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We came away very impressed with 615 Basketball 17U out of Tennessee in their opening 70-44 win against Kentucky Future Elite.&nbsp; Big man Jack Morris came off the bench for 615 and was an absolute monster!&nbsp; He is a thick bodied post that gets on the offensive glass and is crafty around the hoop finishing.&nbsp; Very efficient 21 points.&nbsp; They got really good production out of their backcourt as well.&nbsp; Dawsyn Miller is a plus shooter that is a slick ball handler working well around ball screens.&nbsp; Jacob Duryea also hit a couple threes and displayed acrobatics around the hoop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Kentucky Future Elite White their top prospect is 6'4” face up four man Riley Mollette of Model (KY).&nbsp; The big man has broad shoulders and a nice skill set.&nbsp; Can stretch with his shooting and deck it a little.&nbsp; Also got solid contributions in the backcourt from Braden Fugate and Chase Pace who brought toughness and shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>All In Sports Academy 16U Flips Script in Second Half on Mavericks Basketball Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a game of two halves.&nbsp; In the first Mavericks Basketball had it all working as the Missouri squad was hitting shots and spreading the wealth.&nbsp; That all changed in the second half as All In Sports Academy ramped it up defensively and their star Mar Nicholson took over to win 75-62.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nicholson is a 6'4” 2026 wing from Shelbyville (IN).&nbsp; He has good strength and plus athleticism.&nbsp; Showed it off on both ends.&nbsp; Defensively he blocked an array of shots.&nbsp; On offense it was all downhill.&nbsp; He attacked over and over again using his creative handles and size to get to the rim and foul line racking up 25 points.&nbsp; Big time future for this kid!&nbsp; He got help in the first half from Paire Loving as the power combo guard made plays for himself and others.&nbsp; George Washington (IN) 6'1” guard Roosevelt Franklin really got it going in the second half with his quickness off the dribble getting to the rim.&nbsp; Also major contributions from Caden Claxton, Fletcher Depaima, and Brody Runnebohm in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mavericks Basketball Elite got a really good first half out of Will Wolf.&nbsp; The Orchard Farm product is a 5'10” guard that brings plus shot making from three and slick ball handling as he had 16 points.&nbsp; CJ Large out of St. Charles West has some projectability on the wing at 6'4” with his shooting and fluidity.&nbsp; Drew Heishmidt is a scrappy all-around player.&nbsp; Charlie Ries of Duchesne is an upside play to watch down the line.&nbsp; The 6'5” post is a bit raw, but moves very well.&nbsp; Athletic, had a nice hook shot, and looks like he could grow more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->