Grit Region Finals: Gilbert’s Championship Notebook

<p>The Prep Hoops Grit Region held its championship outside of Indianapolis this past weekend. Following are some observations from a Sunday filled with competitive high level basketball. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2105287' first='Braylon' last='Gray'] is a “scene stealer”….</h2>   <p>I fashion myself an amateur cinephile. Within that world they often talk about “scene stealers”. Lesser known actors who step on a stage with established stars and chew up up scenes with flashy but sometimes brief performances. </p>   <p>Sunday's 17U final was loaded with plenty of star power. A top 40 national recruit, a 7 footer playing up an age group, EYBL players, and the younger brother of a recent NBA lottery pick</p>   <p>Into that scene stepped [player_tooltip player_id='2105287' first='Braylon' last='Gray'] The high academic point guard showed the quickness and burst to be a factor in the star studded contest. Attacked basket without hesitation and showed the ability to score at the rim. Got his [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] squad into its sets efficiently and quickly. Didn't stagnate when he was moved off the ball. Stayed in motion and showed the ability to get open off of cuts and picks. Showed good touch in the mid range. I really liked his play all weekend. As an out of state scout. I wonder how far he could rise if continues this play into his senior season. <br></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2140324' first='Bles'sed' last='Thomas'] makes his case…</h2>   <p>As an out of state scout I have still been fortunate to see a lot of Indiana's deep and still emerging 2027 class. It appears to be loaded with serous point guard talent. Of course I like the kid from Fishers and the two point guards out of South Bend.</p>   <p>On Sunday Shortridge's [player_tooltip player_id='2140324' first='Bles'sed' last='Thomas'] made a case to be included in that group. While the final will always draw attention. I was particularly impressed by his play in a nip and tuck semifinal victory over Cincinnati area All Heart. The last time All Heart was in Indy they won the Havoc in the Heartland in dominant fashion. Featuring a quick and dynamic backcourt. </p>   <p>In the second half Thomas really stepped up defensively. Negating the speed advantage that All Heart has over most teams. Offensively he was a steady point guard who showed bursts of dynamism. Has good height already at 5-11. With long arms that help him play closer to the 6-2 range. Used the length to his advantage against the smaller Ohio backcourt. Also used it to elevate easily at the rim. Was a good passer who found [player_tooltip player_id='2140420' first='Nash' last='Sigmund'] on a few of his game changing late threes.</p>   <p>Once again a 1,000 mile observation as a Michigan scout. But the player I saw on Sunday can compete with those players in that top grouping</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Indiana Ambition has a nice duo…</h2>   <p>In three point centric 21st century basketball, a simple truth seems to get lost at times. The simplest way to score is by attacking the basket. The Evansville area Indiana Ambition squad has two plays who apply constant pressure to the rim. </p>   <p>With his stocky build [player_tooltip player_id='1297123' first='Jay' last='Summitt'] does not pass the initial eye test of a high flyer. However get the him near the rim and the Evansville North product shows a burst that both impressive and surprising. Brownsburg's [player_tooltip player_id='1539507' first='Jesiah' last='Sloss'] (pictured) does not have the “eye test” problem. Sloss has a long and athletic 6-6 frame that he knows how to use. Keeps the ball high in the post and showed nice drop step footwork.</p>   <p>Both played well in Sunday afternoon victories over the Illinois Mavericks and Grassroots Elite (OH). Particularly notable as the Ohio squad featured some serious length along their frontline and a rim protector in <strong>Lorenzo Staley</strong>. Summitt is just a winner loaded with intangibles. Can play inside and out and is a good passer for his size. At high school level can play and guard nearly every position on the court. Could be a really pop at the next level if he finds the right spot due to his versatility.</p>   <p>Sloss showed improvement as a ball handler and passer to go along with eye opening physical gifts. Was able to drive from the three point to the cup and finish. I did not see that from his last year. Still a little mechanical at times. But the developmental curve is pointed way up.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Don't forget about [player_tooltip player_id='2323265' first='Aamir' last='Shannon']…</h2>   <p>The reconfigured [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] unit attracted a lot of attention on the weekend. Understandable with a recent high profile national player who has reopened his recruitment, and a EYBL player moving in from outside the region.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2323265' first='Aamir' last='Shannon'] who slid over from the [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] made a case to not get lost in that hype shuffle. Playing up an age level Shannon showed excellent lead guard skills all weekend. Balanced penetration with finding his new teammates. Couldn't sag off him on the perimeter as he showed a touch from the outside. With still having two years to develop. Could go either way. If he keeps growing could become a skilled wing. If stays where he's at, could be a primary playmaker with good size. I would lean towards the latter. Either way the Joliet West prospect has a bright future.</p>

The Prep Hoops Grit Region held its championship outside of Indianapolis this past weekend. Following are some observations from a Sunday filled with competitive high level basketball.