Jr Prelude Day 2 notebook

Jr Prelude Day 2 notebook

Cordova, TN – The action was electric on the second day of the Jr. Prelude. All the teams were fresh off the road and ready to play.

There were lopsided games and some nailbiters. Some teams acted like they had been playing together for years, while others just met each other for the first time. Regardless, some teams and players made an impact on the hardwood. Here are a few names you will want to know before it is all said and done.

Team Grind’s roster is loaded with talent

Team Grind dominated in every game it played and rightfully so. The Alabama-based organization has a roster full of talented and highly skilled players. These class of 2028 prospects will not only emerge as names to know in the Southeast but possibly on the national stage.

Leading the way is Lee Steele. The 6-foot-6 combo guard sees the floor and has a high IQ. He has a comfortable feel for the game. This lefty can get down the floor and into the lane regularly. His court vision is room service deliveries to teammates.

One of those teammates is Leartist Williams. The 6-foot-7 post is physically imposing. He is long, strong, and a man among boys against opponents. His ability to play through contact while displaying a soft touch around the rim made him an unstoppable force. He also showed the ability to handle the ball on the perimeter.

The athletic freak of the group is Trent Crenshaw. This two-sport athlete has his nose on the ball defensively. There aren’t too many players who are going to get around him. The highlight of the day came in the morning session. Crenshaw picked a player’s pocket at the top of the three-point line and took two strides to the rim for a one-handed dunk. This sent everyone into a frenzy. Look for Crenshaw’s name to be heard on hardwood and the gridiron for the next few years.

Max Levels reaching high stratosphere

Max Levels Elite basketball program had a solid showing on Saturday, especially its class of 2028 team. Playing this team is difficult since there are matchup problems on the floor for opponents to fathom.

They have three players over 6-foot-6 Teron Allen, DJ Daniel, and Zay McGowan. This frontline overwhelms opponents with their length and tenacious rebounding. They alter shots at a high rate and finish around the basket through contact.

A team of this size needs some quality guard play, which the Texas-based organization has on the roster. Dylan Steffe, Sutter Weschler, and Justice Williams are the ones who kept things flowing with ease all day. Steffe is a tenacious defender with a knack for scoring. Weschler is the floor general who is always directing traffic but is a flame thrower from beyond the three-point line. He nailed seven triples in one of the games. Williams is like the “get things done guy.” He can guard multiple positions, helps with the press, and can get to the basket at will.

There are levels to this team and they’re striving to be the best.

Saturday’s Top Performers/Standouts

King Johnson | 2028 | Elev8 Elite Basketball was on one in the final game of the night. The 6-foot-1 guard was masterful from the perimeter knocking down shots from all over the floor. He was so locked in two defenders closed out on him and his shot sliced through the net like a nice cool breeze off the Pacific Coast Highway.

Trey Newton | 2028 | PA Coalition is a name people in the Northeast will soon about regularly. The lefty combo guard who plays with poise. His demeanor doesn’t change much considering the way he handles pressure. This was evident when in the closing seconds against Darius Garland Elite, the Pennsylvania team was down their points. Newton was fouled on a three-point attempt. He nailed all three free throws and helped secure the victory.

Dallas Loftin | 2028 | Balloon Elite put on a tremendous display on how to handle pressure. This floor general was constantly being pressured all over the floor. Instead of panicking or giving the ball up, Loftin two-stepped his way through double teams. He then found himself in the lane for easy baskets or found open teammates. His poise and control helped the Omaha, Nebraska program immensely.

Messiah Harris | 2028 | REACH is a knockdown shooter. Period! The shifty Detroit guard knows how to get shots off in traffic but also has a quick release from the perimeter. When he gets to rolling there is really no stopping his confidence. Harris will make sure to get others involved but when a basket is needed, his team can count on him to find the bottom of the net.

Micheal Sweet Jr. | 2028 | Balloon Elite watched his first shot cut through the net and never looked back. The forward hit jumpers from the perimeter and in the lane. His confidence grew with every shot made. This helped ignite his teammates throughout the game. They even made sure to look for him on every other trip down the floor. His performance helped secure a win for the Omaha, Nebraska program.