17 Fantastic on Friday: The Stage

Lebanon, IN - The Stage is officially underway, and Friday delivered in a big way. With exciting matchups tipping off across the Pacers Athletic Center and The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse, the energy was high and the talent was on full display from the jump.   <a href="https://x.com/DaksHoops" id="https://x.com/DaksHoops">@DaksHoops</a> was in the gym at Farmers Bank Fieldhouse getting eyes on 15U and 16U action, and it was impressive to see how hard everyone was competing. The intensity, effort, and passion stood out all night, with players leaving it all on the floor and making the most of the opportunity.   From standout individual performances to teams making early statements, the first day of action gave us plenty to talk about. Players from multiple states and age groups showed why this event is one of the premier stops on the Prep Hoops Circuit.   In this edition of 17 Fantastic on Friday: The Stage, we highlight the players who caught our eye, stood out, and competed with intensity.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/TheStage_Flyer-crop-951x625-1681917189-crop-640x421-1776342432.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/TheStage_Flyer-crop-951x625-1681917189-crop-640x421-1776342432.jpg?w=639" alt="" class="wp-image-3592684" style="width:334px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Below, you'll find player notes on the ballers who were truly fantastic on Friday night.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PlayerNotes-crop-823x540-1774382521.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PlayerNotes-crop-823x540-1774382521.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3567063" style="width:364px;height:auto" /></a></figure>    -24 points, 2 triples, 10/11 FT's   -Leading scorer, but did everything else   -He runs with Mac Elite and was the top player in the nightcap   -Impressive size for a '29, athletic, aggressive, long arms, explosive   -Lead guard, made some nice moves with the ball   -Could not be contained off the dribble   -GREAT at drawing fouls and getting to the FT-line   -He was too & fast, got to the rim at will   -Hit triples in each half   -Threw a beautiful no-look dime   -Stole the ball & dished an assist shortly after   -Covers a ton of ground in transition, looked good pushing tempo   -BLOB dime, sharp pass   -AND1 score over the D, finger-roll finish off the middle of the square   -Multiple steals, quick hands for TO's   -Impressive transition assists   -Fluid catch & shoot 3 late to extend the lead   -Rebounded well   -This kid deserves more attention     -17 points, 3 triples   -Slim player but does not back down from bigger opponents   -He will be a scary player when he starts to fill out and add muscle   -One of my favorite shooters from day 1   -Spots up, does the work b4 he gets the ball, catches ready to fire   -Fluid stroke, makes it look easy   -Drive & dish, underhand shovel pass   -AND1 runner score   -Coordinated & body control finish   -Sneaky drive, in-traffic score   -Impressive young shooter     -He runs with [program_tooltip program_id='2414167' first='502' last='Elite'] 15U   -10 points   -He first caught my eye with a perfect middy pull-up   -I appreciate how he changes speeds, creates space & keeps the D off balance   -Quick & twitchy   -Looked good finding shooters   -Drilled another silky smooth mid-range J   -Fast on the hardwood, I like his potential   -Cut, catch, cashed the short jump-shot     -11 points, 1/2 FT's   -Southpaw and I like the looks of his game   -Caught at the high post, reverse pivot, attacked, drew help, dished a dime   -Sees the floor well, knows when to attack/shoot/pass   -Impressive jab-step   -Makes the extra pass, knows when to move the ball   -TOOK A CHARGE! It is rare to see that in club basketball   -Hit a mid-paint pull-up, shooters touch roll   -Slashes effectively left & right   -Drove & finished at the iron, also produced in transition     -6 points and a boatload of rebounds   -He hoops with [program_tooltip program_id='2559412' first='Marlin' last='Academy']   -Nice length, long wingspan   -Plays very hard, high NRG, blue-collar hustler   -Works hard on the glass, crashed the O-boards   -Rebounds with an aggressive greedy nature   -Multiple O-boards on a single possession   -Catch & score on the block, sticky hands   -He is up to 6'6"     -11 points, three triples   -Seemed like he scored more than that, intriguing player   -Nice length, tough matchup as he can stroke the 3-ball   -Impressive hang-time finish at the cup   -Hot from the corner pocket   -Lanky wingspan   -Gifted in the catch & shoot game, easy & smooth release     -7 points, 3/4 FT's   -He runs with [program_tooltip program_id='2076451' first='D1' last='Indiana']   -Looked tough in the first half   -Plays hard & with heart, great effort, intense   -Strong & think, powerful   -Goes to the rim hard, I would not want to step in front for a charge   -Anticipates & picked off passes   -Rebounded well   -Transition score w/ a hand in his face   -Baseline attack & score   -Hustled for O-boards     -4 points   -He hoops with [program_tooltip program_id='2559412' first='Marlin' last='Academy']   -The best athlete on his team   -Fast, quick, noteworthy athlete   -On-ball steal, frustrating defender   -Excellent transition score   -Sprinter speed   -Sprinted back on D, poke-out steal, dove on the floor, made the pass to a teammate all in one motion   -Very real potential     -10 points, 1 triple, 1/1 FT   -Thick/strong player, not built like a frosh   -Showed his 3-point shooting ability   -Cashed his triple on a BLOB catch & shoot situation, great feet   -Beautiful tear-drop score from the paint   -Tough drive & score, contested score     -11 points, 3/4 FT's   -Youngster playing up an age group   -Well-put-together, very strong for his age   -Athlete, moves well, could not tell he was a 2030   -Set effective ball screens for the guards   -Physical inside score   -Slashed & created for others   -Transition score late to help build the lead     -11 points, 1 triple, 6/6 FT's   -He runs with [program_tooltip program_id='2076451' first='D1' last='Indiana']   -One of my favorite guards from Day 1   -Lights out from the FT-line   -Shifty & skilled with the rock   -Persistent, always around the ball, hustles all over the place   -Aggressive and clever about drawing fouls   -Slippery slasher, weaves through traffic with ease   -Catch & cash 3-ball in the second half   -Smart & heady player, plays with a high IQ   -Looked great driving & kicking   -Pushed the tempo, made many plays in transition   -Backdoor dime, fit the ball into tight places, but also made the easy pass   -Keep track of Kingston, he got game     -19 points, 2 triples, 5/6 FT's   -There is a typo on his height; it should be 6'2"   -He runs with [program_tooltip program_id='3587267' first='Indiana' last='Impact'] 15U   -Score 13 in the 2nd half   -Good at drawing fouls, good body control, knows when to attack   -Battled all game   -Skilled, scrappy, crafty     -15 points, 1 triple   -Hoops with [program_tooltip program_id='2076451' first='D1' last='Indiana']   -Looked very good early in the 2nd half   -Looks bigger than 5'8", height likely needs to be adjusted   -Drive & score, nice floater bucket   -I like how he absorbed contact & finished with a soft touch   -Set play in the 2nd half, executed, backdoor cut, tough catch, contested score   -Blocked a shot, good timing   -Quality jump-shooter   -Ran the court hard, transition score at the rack   -Body control is impressive, multiple contested scores     -19 points, 3 triples, 2/3 FT's   -He runs with [program_tooltip program_id='2076451' first='D1' last='Indiana']   -Definitely longer than 6'1", changed the game with his length   -Rangy athlete, 2-way playmaker   -Did damage in & out   -Hit 3-balls in both the 1st & 2nd half   -Changed shots on defense with his length & timing   -Finished well around the basket   -Versatile & talented     -17 points, 3 triples   -Compelling inside-out move, also has a sick spin-move   -Hard baseline drive, lefty score, great take & finish   -Another left-handed score   -Transition finish, another hustler for [program_tooltip program_id='2559412' first='Marlin' last='Academy']   -Clutch buckets in 2nd half, scored 10 points & hit 2 3's     -16 points, 1 triple, 3/3 FT's   -Hoops with [program_tooltip program_id='2559412' first='Marlin' last='Academy']   -Big 2nd half, 11 points, timely scores, big part of the win   -Plays bigger than his height/size   -Fiery/scrappy, fearless   -Good feel for the game, natural instincts     -17 points, 4 triples   -Noteworthy length   -Matchup problem with his shooting ability & size   -Effortless in the catch & shoot game   -Finds the open window, spots up & cashes in   -Has a soft touch, got a shooters roll multiple times   -Made some nice plays in PNR action   -Good hands, moves well   -Potential for sure, keep track of Kostbade    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/circuit-logo_b3ebdf80-crop-2021x1327-1773331424.webp"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/circuit-logo_b3ebdf80-crop-2021x1327-1773331424.webp?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3554001" /></a></figure>

Lebanon, IN - The Stage is officially underway, and Friday delivered in a big way. With exciting matchups tipping off across the Pacers Athletic Center and The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse, the energy was high and the talent was on full display from the jump.