GRBA National Championship - Friday Standouts

The overall talent tool of this year's GRBA National Championship isn't quite what it used to be. With back-to-back live periods the last two weekends in July, many teams have called it quits on the grassroots season. We at Prep Ho <a href="https://prepho[program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last=''].com/program/[program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last='']/">[program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last='']</a> Indiana believe that decision is shortsighted as there are only 23 Class of 2025 prospects at IHSAA schools that hold Division I scholarship offers. Therefore, the “live period” is meaningless to the overwhelming vast majority of teams and players. Events like the GRBA National Championship used to feature ALL of the best teams from across the Midwest and was a premier recruiting event for small college programs. It is still going to be very good and small college coaches should absolutely make the trip to Fort Wayne, but those of us that have been around for over a decade long for a return to how grassroots basketball used to be. That is a deeper conversation for a different day though. Thanks for reading the quick rant, but now let's highlight some of the standouts from Friday night's action at the GRBA National Championship.    One of the top Class of 2027 prospects in the state of Indiana, Craig led [program_tooltip program_id='2400000' first='Indiana' last='Elite Team Indiana'] 15u to an impressive come-from-behind overtime victory against Wisconsin Swing – Bredesen 82-79. He finished with a team-leading 19 points dominating opposing defenders off of the dribble with his strength. Craig is a true downhill playmaker from the perimeter with excellent finishing ability and a willingness to play through contact. He is also a very good on-ball perimeter defender. The Warren Central High School product has had a really good spring and summer.     Crane is consistently one of the best rebounders in the gym no matter the setting. He showcased that high-level skill once again on Friday night at the GRBA Nationals leading [program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last=''] – Ervin 17u to a dominant 71-39 win over 5Star – Solarek. The 6'7” forward scored a team-leading 15 points while controlling the glass and consistently getting the break started with his on-point outlet passes. He will continue to be one of the more sought after small college big men in the state.     Fresh off a morning visit to Manchester that resulted in an offer, King played very well for Indiana Attack Basketball Club on Friday evening as they knocked off H[program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last='']on Elite. King is a talented, 6'6” forward with an impressive skill set for his size. He can attack the basket off of the bounce going right, makes face-up jump shots, and is an excellent shot blocker. The unofficial final stats had him with 18 points, but those in attendance thought it was likely 20+. Coach Conley and Coach Ervin from Manchester, along with a handful of other small college coaches, were in attendance to watch King play.     Ledbetter is a really unique player. He is a consistently productive force around the basket despite not having the typical size of a interior presence. Whether he was scoring out of the post or driving to the basket from the perimeter, Ledbetter finished at a high-level in the paint for [program_tooltip program_id='2383637' first='Summit' last='City Elite'] – Black 15u on Friday evening in a win over [program_tooltip program_id='2485832' first='Ty' last='Harris Elite']. The consistent, high-level motor stood out for him as well.     Another standout for [program_tooltip program_id='2400000' first='Indiana' last='Elite Team Indiana'] in their 82-79 comeback, overtime win against Wisconsin Swing – Bredesen. Peterson showed off a versatile offensive skill set scoring it in all kinds of different ways. The 6'4” forward from Cathedral High School has a big, strong frame but moves around very well and has impressive ball skills. He finished offensive rebound putbacks at the rim, scored inside using his size when attacking closeouts, and stepped into a couple catch-and-shoot three-point shots. He played very well on Friday evening.     [program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last=''] Black came up just short, losing 64-62 to TNBA – Ohio, but this dynamic point guard from Leo High School really stood out. Sampson is very shifty with the ball in his hands demonstrating the ability to consistently get two feet in the paint and score with a variety of finishes both at the rim and in the intermediate range. His ball handling, change of pace, and downhill burst make him a very effective scorer off the bounce. Sampson finished with a team-leading 21 points in the game.     [program_tooltip program_id='2383637' first='Summit' last='City Elite'] – Black 15u ran away with a 70-56 win over [program_tooltip program_id='2485832' first='Ty' last='Harris Elite'] 15u on Friday evening at the GRBA National Championship. The talented, versatile guard scored a game-high 25 points showcasing his ability to shoot from the perimeter, create off of the dribble, and finish at the rim. Also, Schlabach plays incredibly hard at all times which stands out in these grassroots settings. Really intriguing guard to follow from Westview High School.

The overall talent tool of this year's GRBA National Championship isn't quite what it used to be. With back-to-back live periods the last two weekends in July, many teams have called it quits on the grassroots season. We at Prep Ho OPS Indiana believe that decision is shortsighted as there are only 23 Class of 2025 prospects at IHSAA schools that hold Division I scholarship offers. Therefore, the “live period” is meaningless to the overwhelming vast majority of teams and players. Events like the GRBA National Championship used to feature ALL of the best teams from across the Midwest and was a premier recruiting event for small college programs. It is still going to be very good and small college coaches should absolutely make the trip to Fort Wayne, but those of us that have been around for over a decade long for a return to how grassroots basketball used to be. That is a deeper conversation for a different day though. Thanks for reading the quick rant, but now let's highlight some of the standouts from Friday night's action at the GRBA National Championship.