#GrindSZNKickoff: Saturday Morning Notebook

The #GrindSZNKickoff continued from Oklahoma City on Saturday. Check out our #GrindSZNKickoff: Saturday Morning Notebook to see what stood out!   Boykins Basketball Academy Narrowly Defeats Victory Ministry. We started the morning off with a couple fun teams at the 15U level as Victory Ministry and Boykins Baskebtall Academy tangled. Boykins Basketball Academy led the majority of the game and got the close win. They have a nice interior presence in Mason Hart. The 6’5” power forward has mobility and plays with a high activity level on the offensive glass. Their guards shined as well. Point guard Tyler Nettles is a skilled guard that can get in the lane for floaters and has range on a pull up three. Collin Naughton is a crisp shooter that knocked down dribble pull ups and threes. For Victory Ministry they had a couple guards shine in Kaden Turner and Hunter Schallenburger who showed well.   Gateway 16U Bounces Back in Blowout Win It was a tough opener for the talented Gateway 16U squad out of St. Louis on Friday night, but they proved the kind of team they are on Saturday morning with a dominant effort against Kingdom Performance winning 77-23. It was a well-rounded effort. The best prospect on the floor was without question Gateway’s 2021 shooting guard Nick Kern. At 6’6” the Vashon product has excellent size for position along with a fluid offensive skill set. Consistently got out in transition for scores. Finished above the rim on a few slams and connected from three. Force defensively as well. Jalen Hampton plays with so much energy inside. He gets on the offensive glass and converts pick/rolls. Aahmod Scarbrough also brings toughness. Jack Pronger was the leader of the second unit as the jumbo wing can flat out shoot it from deep with consistent accuracy!   Dallas Showtyme Elite Gets Win over High Plains Storm Dallas Showtyme Elite 17U put on a SHOW against High Plains Storm on Saturday. They really impressed with their overall depth, athleticism, and defense. Sadadriene Hall and Wallace Onditi are a pair of uber athletes at the forward spots. They lived above the rim all game long with tip slams, flying in for rebounds, and thunderous slams. Damarcus Jackson is a broad shouldered 6’7” post that rebounds in his area and had a sweet up and under move. Also 6’6” Cam Pruitt is a strong finisher around the hoop that gets on the offensive boards. From the guard spot Dorian Goodman had a solid outing knocking down an array of threes along with a tough and-1. Dquarious Burton is a lengthy guard that put pressure on the ball and drilled a three. For High Plains Storm it was a rough outing, but a couple of guards did put their name on the map. Cason Mclemore is a crisp shooter that has range on his pull up jumper out to three. Donavan Kearney can also drill jumpers at 6’2”. Team Griffin 16U IS LOADED The Oklahoma based Nike EYBL team has D1 prospects all over the floor and they flexed their muscle against the Tulsa Hawks on Saturday. Most impressive aspect of this team might be just how well built they are. Across the board they have size, strength, athleticism, and length. Trey Alexander has the looks of a high-major prospect. The 6’5” combo guard can play both on and off the ball. Powerful slasher getting to the hoop with a burst. Also makes others better with his passing when he draws defenders and kicks to them. Lock down perimeter defender! Bijan Cortes stands at 6’4” and this shooting guard has an advanced skill set. Plus shooter that knocked down several threes. Also was excellent in transition as a finisher. Up front Team Griffin has KJ Adams as a combo forward listed at 6’6”. Powerful athlete that almost ripped down the rim on one dunk. Physical finisher and rebounder along with being an active defender. Jaxson Robinson is all upside with a long and lanky frame. Lots of athletic finishes at the cup along with a three. Daimain Collins at 6’9” and DJ Freeman at 6’6” provide quickness and rim protection on the defensive end of the floor! Quite an impressive group!