Grit Region Finals: Steve’s Friday Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the top players I saw from Friday Night's 17U games at the Grit Region Finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bryce Poe Academy Blue 6'5 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Poe was a force in the paint. He worked to get a deep post position and made his opponent pay for it. Bryce took his time on catches and usually scored when the ball came his way. He led his team in scoring with 19 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2409122' first='Gavin' last='Whitaker'] [program_tooltip program_id='2524117' first='219' last='Elite'] 6'3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitaker started the day hot hitting multiple shots from mid-range and behind the arc. He moved well off the ball using pin-down screens to get free of the defense to make shots. Gavin has good size and a quick release on the shot. He finished with 21 points.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zerry Rue Academy Blue 2025 6'2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I like Rue as a shifty guard who can score and pass. He plays in control and is very smooth around the rim. Zerry can finish with either hand while seeking contact off the bounce. His length on defense also played a huge part in the game.&nbsp;Rue swiped a couple of steals in the air and turned them into points. His 14 points were exciting to watch.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Braylon Johnson Academy Blue 2025 6'3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson is a strong wing who can also play reps at the guard position. He plays with an aggressive style and is very physical when driving to the bucket. Braylon's handle was strong and he made some good moves when looking to score. He finished with 14 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bradyn Harrington Academy Blue 2026 6'1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid is an intense defender who caused several turnovers with activity and on-ball pressure. As a ball handler he scored in tight spaces and also distributed the ball well to teammates.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1465903' first='Alex' last='Granville'] IL Force 5'9 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Granville is a jittery guard who handles the ball like a yo-yo. He was very crafty with his handle and managed to find players cutting to the rim. When looking to score Alex hit some shots from three but also mixed in a couple of floaters and layups.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1617823' first='Angelo' last='Newman'] B-Rod Select 6'3 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big guard who didn't score a lot but was really good at making plays for others. Newman attacks the basket often with the intent to dish the rock. Also for a guard, he's very good on the glass and can make plays on fast breaks once the ball hits his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2802881' first='Noah' last='Blue'] B-Rod Select 6'3 2026&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blue is an energetic wing player who does a lot of his scoring off fastbreaks and offensive glass. He led everyone in scoring with 15 points.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->