New Balance Prelude League: Upper Midwest

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NCAA Live Period is over for now, but the New Balance Prelude League is still in session. Prep Hoops took in a few days of action in North Augusta, SC and Augusta, GA this week. Starting on Friday bracket play will start leading into the Sunday Championships.<strong><em> Read more inside after you SUBSCRIBE to the site today. Use the passcode "Swanny30" at checkout to save 30% on your first billing cycle.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Where do we start from the New Balance Prelude League? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defy the Odds Trio Leads the Way: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2496369,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_7885_8e94a8.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_7885_8e94a8.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2496369" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defy the Odds 2025 made a strong impression here this week down at the New Balance Prelude League. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2494006' first='Christopher' last='Morgan']</strong> a rangy wing player showed to have a good MOTOR with his game. He was able to connect on some dribble pullup jumpers off the bounce here today. Morgan who attends Warren Lincoln HS does a nice job of defending out on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2494300,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_7887.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_7887.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2494300" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1437581' first='Tory' last='James']</strong> is a SHOOTER and defenses need to know where he's on the floor at all times. James has a quick release from behind the arc. Tory connected on 6 three-pointers in a win over the Creators (CA) here today while scoring 22 points. James attends school at Grosse Point South HS. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616011' first='Dimaunye' last='Smith-Powe']</strong> really knows how to run the show from out top with his play. Smith-Powe had strong takes to the rack all day when he wasn't penetrating and kicking to teammates for open looks. He constantly made the right reads and really surveyed the floor at a high level. Dimaunye used his body well to fight off defenders and play as a pass first point guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops had him for unofficially 11 assists in the win today. He really plays well as a vocal leader on the floor. Smith-Powe was able to drop some nice mid-range jumpers in transition. He plays at Detroit University Prep. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Land of Lincoln Players: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We were able to see both the Midwest Renegade 2025 and 2026 team play here at the New Balance Prelude. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2496367,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/eZy-Watermark_18-07-2024_05-51-22-1930AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/eZy-Watermark_18-07-2024_05-51-22-1930AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2496367" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1385302' first='Damion' last='Porter']</strong> is a strong guard who really likes to get downhill with the ball. Porter who attends Romeoville HS brings a blue-collar mindset to the hardwood. Damion showed no hesitation at all when it came to jumping on the deck for a loose ball. The tough-minded Porter was able to drop a few three-pointers from downtown today. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2496361,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/eZy-Watermark_18-07-2024_05-53-41-2430AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/eZy-Watermark_18-07-2024_05-53-41-2430AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2496361" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Midwest Renegade 2026 cruised to an easy victory here today behind the strong play from juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1845356' first='Jaali' last='Love'] </strong>and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2323270' first='Jordan' last='Williams']</strong>. Love was able to connect on some short turnaround jumpers when he wasn't finishing in transition at the bucket. The bouncy Love scored an unofficial 25 points in the win. Love attends Waukegan HS. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2496362,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/eZy-Watermark_18-07-2024_05-53-24-1980AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/eZy-Watermark_18-07-2024_05-53-24-1980AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2496362" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams a left-handed forward was able to play around the paint and protect the block area for the Midwest Renegade 2026 squad. Jordan is a bit of a tweener on the floor at times showed to bring the rock up the floor. Williams has a nice set of shoulders to add strength and muscle down the road. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite'] Among the Top:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Minnesota based [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite'] program is playing some good basketball. Currently ranked #2 in the 17U bracket heading into the weekend Finals at the New Balance Prelude League. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2496366,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/eZy-Watermark_17-07-2024_12-14-40-4180AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/eZy-Watermark_17-07-2024_12-14-40-4180AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2496366" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite'] 2025 defeated Arizona Grind in the game we watched here at the Prelude League. Guard <strong>Josiah</strong> <strong>Coleman</strong> a member of the 2024 class told Prep Hoops he will attend Golden State Prep in California next year for a postgrad year. Coleman who attended Edina HS has a very well-rounded game from the backcourt. He has a strong build and the ability to knockdown shots out on the perimeter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2496365,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/eZy-Watermark_18-07-2024_05-52-25-6510AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/eZy-Watermark_18-07-2024_05-52-25-6510AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2496365" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2103394' first='Dorian' last='Pruitt'],</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595734' first='JJ' last='Semanko']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2175446' first='Daveion' last='Hart']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1617786' first='Nigel' last='Caldwell']</strong> rounded out this solid starting 5 here for [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite'] 2025. Pruitt an active wing player was able to finish at the rim all day long. Semanko has a good feel from his position and shows to be a very efficient shooter when called upon. Hart an athletic and rangy guard was able to push the rock up the floor quickly and get o his spots on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2496368,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_8001.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_8001.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2496368" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2359041' first='Josiah' last='Smith'] </strong>was a shining spot on the [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite'] 2026 roster. Harris who attends Park Center HS was able to play inside-out at times and showed to have a nice 1-2 dribble pull-game at times. Josiah has a good motor and willingness to compete to the fullest at all times. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The New Balance Prelude League Finals finish up this weekend in Augusta, GA. Who will take home the crown? Stay tune right here to Prep Hoops for more coverage from the New Balance Prelude League action that we were able to see this past week. <strong><em>SUBSCRIBE</em></strong> today.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em> </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->