#GrindSZNKickoff: Friday Notebook

<p>The #GrindSZNKickoff began on Friday night in Oklahoma City.   How did the first night play out?  Here is what we saw in our <strong>#GrindSZNKickoff: Friday Notebook</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>St. Louis Blazers 16U Tops STAT Elite Black 16U in Tight Game 61-57</strong></p> <p>Rico Singleton was great for the St. Louis Blazers!  The 6’1” point guard was outstanding scoring off the bounce and getting to the foul line.  Scrappy defender as well.  Other guards that contributed were Demarcus Sanford, Baracus Jackson, Marcus Pepper, and Willie Davis.  Inside they got rebounding and rim protection from Aaron Hendricks and Joe Ware.  Adonijah Collier plays with a ton of energy and length for STAT Elite Black.  Because of this he plays bigger than his 6’3” height getting on the glass and to the foul line at a regular basis.  Physical in the paint.  Tyler Stephenson is a center that finished well around the hoop.  Point guard Emilio Herrera was an impact player for STAT as the tiny point guard banked in a three, hit a scoop shot, and regularly got to the foul line.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Team Buddy Buckets Rolls 71-41 Over Gateway in 16U Action<br /> </strong><br /> Team Buddy Buckets 16U put on a show to open the tournament in their home state.  They got contributions across board, but the star of the night was Sean Pedulla.  This 6’1” point guard displayed a complete game running the show with an excellent passing feel finding his teammates in the half court.  Plus shooter with a clean looking shot out to three.  Crisp setting it up as well on one dribble pull ups.  Gets to the rim in transition where he made difficult shots.  His backcourt mate Ethan Scott can also go!  Big time shooting threat.  Another guard that impressed was Delante Shannon.  The 6’2” guard is a slick passer and scores in the lane.  Sean Franklin brought a ton of energy for Team Buddy Buckets.  The 6’3” forward was a high energy player with a never ending motor both on the offensive glass and slashing.  Their 6’5” post Adam Nakvinda displayed touch and mobility around the hoop.  Despite the loss there were a couple standouts for Gateway 16U.  Jack Pronger (son of former NHL star Chris Pronger) shot the ball well early in the game from his small forward spot drilling a pair of threes.  Their 6’5” forward Jalen Hampton high pointed rebounds on the offensive end and the angular forward had a big alley-oop slam.  Best long term prospect is Nick Kern.  The 6’6” lanky shooting guard is silky smooth attacking off the bounce.  Once he refines some areas of his game he has high-major ability.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Texas Impact 4:13 17U Gets Win Over Alabama Celtics<br /> <br /> </strong>Texas Impact is an impressive group at the 17U level.  They have size across their front line which is led by 6’10” center Jonathan Aku.  The five man is a dominant rebounder that snatches them out of the air.  Length bothers opposing guards on the defensive end coming in the paint.  Slammed home a sweet pick and roll jam.  Rim runner in transition.  Preston Aymond compliments him well at the power forward position with his mobility, passing, touch, and toughness.  On the wings Jeffery Mills and Drake Muller made impacts.  Muller moves without the ball and is a scrappy player.  Mills is a shooter with size that locks down on the defensive end.  2021 point guard Zhuric Phelps was playing up a year and really impressed with his aggression slashing to the rim.  For the Alabama Celtics James Burgess was outstanding with his slashing ability from the point.  Consistently scored at the rim throughout.  Shannon Grant was a big bodied post inside that rebounds in his area.  Ryshad Keith has a feathery touch on his jumper and a projectable game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Gateway 17U Defeats Texas Mel Elite 60-55 to Close Out Night</strong></p> <p>This was a good game!  These two evenly matched squads tangled in the last contest of the evening.  Gateway was pushed by Tahj Patterson at the point.  Did a nice job of scoring with threes, mid-range jumpers, and getting to the line.  JJ Schwepker knocked down some key shots from the perimeter.  Sam Richardson, Harrison Vickers, and Sergio McClain brought athleticism and toughness on both ends of the floor.  Their top two prospects 2021 post duo Yaya Keita and Sekou Gassama only scored six points combined, but they were a presence on the boards and as rim protectors.  Texas Mel Elite has a big man of their own in Stephen Faramede who rebounds well in traffic at 6’10”.  They have several tough guards in their backcourt as well.</p>