Grind Session STL: Friday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grind Session was back in St. Louis for another year this time the stop coming at my alma mater Missouri Baptist University.&nbsp; There was super high level talent in the building including the nation's top guard [player_tooltip player_id='1432004' first='Darryn' last='Peterson'] who played in front of his future head coach Bill Self.&nbsp; Here we examine the three games and prospects in <strong>Grind Session STL: Friday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Virginia Commit Proves Real Deal in Huntington Expressions Prep Victory</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First up was Huntington Expression Prep's win over Chi-Prep 102-63.&nbsp; Huntington Expressions Prep out of West Virginia is led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1573155' first='Braydon' last='Hawthorne']</strong> who is headed to West Virginia and is one of the biggest stock risers nationally right now.&nbsp; He physically looks a lot like Brandon Ingram at the same age with a baby face and arms that are go go gadget!&nbsp; The 6'8” small forward has a silky-smooth offensive game.&nbsp; Long strides taking it to the rim off the bounce and covers a lot of ground in transition.&nbsp; Shot maker knocking in a trio from deep with a feathery touch.&nbsp; Despite his lack of strength finished a couple times in traffic on the glass.&nbsp; Really liked his passing instincts as a secondary playmaker.&nbsp; He had 23 points in the win.&nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1801877' first='Cedric' last='Taylor']</strong> who is a 6'10” uncommitted senior big man from Sweden jumped off the floor to us.&nbsp; High-motor big man with strength that was a force on the glass, explosive spin moves, and rim ran.&nbsp; Even handled it going coast to coast for a dunk.&nbsp; He had 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks.&nbsp; Legit mid-major big man!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the 2027 class <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2623927' first='Koang' last='Bol Kuany']</strong> is a 7'2” five man that blocked absolutely everything that came near him.  Offensively he is a rim runner and finisher out of the dunker spot.  [player_tooltip player_id='2691786' first='<strong>Anthony' last='Smith</strong>'] is a 6'0” point guard that got it rolling as the game went along.  Plus, shooter from three that pushed the pace en route to 13 points.  <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2691774' first='Cam' last='McDaniels']</strong> is a Louisville native that brings strength on the perimeter at 6'5” as a bully ball three man that can knock down spot up threes as well.  Can play with or without the ball.  He had 13 points.  Lastly for Huntington is their star 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2194651' first='<strong>Kameron' last='Mercer'</strong>] who holds offers already from Cincinnati, Missouri, Ohio State, and Xavier.  He is a strong bodied wing that doesn't physically look like a freshman.  The lefty is crafty with the rock in his hands winning on slashes, throwing down dunks, and hitting a pair of threes in a 18-point outing.  Bright future for him!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Chi-Prep their star [player_tooltip player_id='1285486' first='<strong>Tristian' last='Ford</strong>'] had a big game.&nbsp; The Murray State commit and top 10 Illinois prospect was feeling it from deep hitting three of his four in the first quarter.&nbsp; Very good pull up game and is shifty off the bounce with the ball in his hands.&nbsp; Brings athleticism and a soft touch game at the rim.&nbsp; Likes to work on the baseline.&nbsp; The combo guard had 21 points in the loss.&nbsp; Their other star senior [player_tooltip player_id='1157224' first='<strong>Mike' last='Jones</strong>'] struggled a bit scoring against the length of Huntington Prep.&nbsp; High-motor undersized post did flash a pick and pop mid-range jumper and as always he had his fair share of rebounds.&nbsp; Dwayne Flowers Jr is a shooting guard that won on straight line takes and hit a couple threes for 10 points.&nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2724331' first='Ethan' last='Samuels']</strong> was the surprise of the night for Chi-Prep as the 6'1” shooting guard was on fire from three draining five of them in the loss along with getting to the line a few times for 25 points.&nbsp; Good small college prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Arkansas State Commit Leads Way in OT Victory for Ft. Erie International</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up was Ft. Erie International (CAN) against West Oaks (FL).&nbsp; This game went to OT on a controversial call, but Ft. Erie International capitalized on it winning 72-67 in the extra session.&nbsp; Arkansas State commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2375418' first='Tristan' last=''] Beckford</strong> was magnificent in the win as he had 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 dimes.&nbsp; Well-built 6'6” small forward that is a bucket getter.&nbsp; Plays with strength downhill on drives and can really shoot it both pulling up and off the catch.&nbsp; <strong>Deng Ngor</strong> is a 6'8” sophomore four man that we liked for the Canada squad.&nbsp; He is a good rim runner that plays with a motor.&nbsp; Handles it well with his off hand and was active around the cup for 13 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Oaks junior shooting guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2134664' first='Willie' last='Burnett']</strong> is a high-volume scorer that took a lot of shots but made a lot including some really tough jumpers.&nbsp; The 6'4” junior two guard hit an array of three point and mid-range shots throughout the game along with mixing in some scoop shots and playing off his defense in transition.&nbsp; He had 26 points.&nbsp; Up front was two very different big men for West Oaks starting with senior <strong>Marcos Paulo Semedo</strong>.&nbsp; The 7'1” senior five man is a long and lanky post that runs the floor well, was active on the glass, and when they threw him the ball he did damage with a baseline jumper along with a nice hook shot for 11 points.&nbsp; Mid-majors should be on him late in process.&nbsp; Then there is 7'0” 2026 five-man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1633067' first='Marcis' last='Ponder'] </strong>who physically looks like Kofi Cockburn or Udoka Azibuke.&nbsp; He is a massive human that plays with great energy and physicality on the boards.&nbsp; Mauled on the glass all night long on both ends getting put backs.&nbsp; Showed a couple nice moves early on a right-handed hook shot and carving out space.&nbsp; Did drop a few passes in traffic as the game went along.&nbsp; His defense was outstanding as he clogged up the lane and blocked shots finishing with 12 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 blocks.&nbsp; High-major big man.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Peterson Stuffs Stat Sheet in Prolific Prep OT Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last game of the night was the absolutely stacked Prolific Prep squad out of California against St. John's DME in Wisconsin.&nbsp; It looked like it was going to be a comfortable win for Prolific, but DME slowly and steadily made a run at them closing in the final minutes of regulation to send it to OT.&nbsp; Prolific Prep would dominate the OT period however winning 73-65.&nbsp; We were super impressed with the nation's top guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432004' first='Darryn' last='Peterson']</strong>.&nbsp; It was my first time seeing the 6'6” combo guard in person.&nbsp; His competitiveness and attention to detail each possession really stood out.&nbsp; Can play both on and off the ball, but is probably best with it in his hand at this stage.&nbsp; Works great out of ball screen actions manipulating the defense to get whatever he wants.&nbsp; Found his big men on dives throughout the night.&nbsp; Can really pass off a live dribble with either hand at a high rate.&nbsp; Crisp pull up game with his jumper along with a nice soft touch finishing game.&nbsp; Like what he brought defensively with his awareness and overall physicality on the perimeter.&nbsp; Got his hands on a few steals.&nbsp; The Kansas commit went for 22 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals.&nbsp; </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washington commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432035' first='Nikola' last='Bundalo']</strong> checks in as a 6'11” stretch five that can play inside and out with mobility.&nbsp; Sealed in the post, pick/roll finish, and decked from the mid-post en route to 14 points.&nbsp; Michigan commit [player_tooltip player_id='1276627' first='<strong>Winters' last='Grady</strong>'] is a shooter that only hit a pair of threes in this one, but is going to be a plus shooter for the [program_tooltip program_id='2076046' first='Wolverines' last=''] at the next level.&nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1779014' first='Seven' last='Spurlock']</strong> is a 6'3” strong bodied utility guard that knocked in threes spotting up in the corners early, scored in transition, and did a little bit of everything while notching 12 points.&nbsp; Chicago native [player_tooltip player_id='1845363' first='<strong>Rajan' last='Roberts</strong>'] pushed the pace while playing both on and off the ball.&nbsp; Strong and stocky guard that hit a three, slashed finishing with his off hand, and was a solid passer while scoring 7 points.&nbsp; Top 10 sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2703014' first='Obinna' last='Ekezie Jr'] </strong>is a highly coveted 7'0” 2027 prospect.&nbsp; The five man has broad shoulders and athleticism around the hoop.&nbsp; Finished on slip passes, pick and roll finds, and out of the dunker spot.&nbsp; Good rim runner that can also protect it on the other end as a shot blocker.&nbsp; He had 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The story for St. John's DME was DePaul bound <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432011' first='Kruz' last='McClure']</strong> who absolutely went off in their game against the star-studded California squad.&nbsp; He ripped off 8 points early in the game setting the tone.&nbsp; Legit three level scorer at 6'6” with a long and rangy frame.&nbsp; Smooth shooter that can also really create off the dribble with athleticism finishing through and around contact at the rim.&nbsp; He had 26 points and 7 rebounds.&nbsp; Might need to add some strength to play in the Big East, but the tools are for sure there.&nbsp; Wisconsin 2026 commit <strong>Latrevion Fenderson</strong> took a while to get going but was a big part of their comeback in this game.&nbsp; He is a strong bodied 6'4” shooting guard that likes to get down hill for scores in the paint on and-1s along with floaters.&nbsp; Did hit a big three late while scoring 12 points and grabbing 7 boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->