Bluff City Blues: Early Birds (Sunday)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bluff City Blues AAU Tournament finished up with more early solid performances from Sunday morning. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the prospects that stood out:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2465764' first='Kealan' last='Polk']</strong>, Rise Above Basketball Club 16U: This is my first time seeing Polk in person, and I must say this: He has all of the tools to be a standout player in the 2026 class. Polk was sharp in the team's 68-66 win over Players with Purpose 16U. He had 23 points in the win and made things look easy. The 6-foot-4 guard was getting into the lane. Polk likes to dunk everything at the rim. He can make shots from the perimeter. Polk also plays wide receiver for Bolivar Central's Football team. I'm not sure which sport he wants to play at the next level, but at least, he has options.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2816303' first='Jayden' last='Gray']</strong>, Hoop City 16U: Gray is a tough guard at 5-9. He was solid all weekend, especially in the team's 72-45 win over Illinois Orange 16U. Gray finished with 13 points. He was finishing at the rim and making shots from the perimeter. Gray is a pest on the defensive end. He plays with an edge. Gray is a scrappy player. A program can win with a prospect like him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2624485' first='RJ' last='Tate']</strong>, Hoop City 16U: Tate had only 8 points against Illinois Orange 16U. He took quality shots throughout the contest. Tate moved the basketball. He played solid defense. It was a solid showing for the Arlington High product.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2291144' first='Cassius' last='Vaughn']</strong>, Hoop City 16U: Vaughn is one of the toughest small guards in the 2027 class. He was a pest on defense all weekend. Vaughn isn't afraid to guard guys bigger than him. He runs towards the rim to try to get a rebound. Vaughn plays with a high motor. He doesn't take plays off. Vaughn scored when he needed to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chris</strong> <strong>Ransom</strong>, Rise Above Basketball Club 16U: Ransom wants to do two things: dunk every basketball and block every basketball. The 6-4 forward plays with high energy. Ransom plays with a joy. He seems happy to be on the court to compete. This was Ransom all weekend at the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->