The Grind Session Atlanta notebook
By Robert Alfonso Jr.
Lawrenceville, GA – The high school basketball season is beginning its region tournament and teams are preparing for the Georgia state tournament. This is the time the Grind Session brought its brand of basketball to Atlanta this past weekend.
Boys and girls teams ascended into the city and had some hot matchups at Meadowcreek High School. The two marquee names on the schedule were AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. Dybansta, who is committed to BYU, is ranked No. 1 by many recruiting websites. Peterson, a Kansas commit, is No 2. These two guys gave basketball fans a lot to discuss after Saturday’s matchup.
These two top-ranked five star players did not disappoint the fans. Prolific Prep beat Utah Prep 88-86 with record setting performances. Both players combined for 107 points.
Peterson gave all in attendance a record-setting performance. The Ohio-native set a Grind Session record for points going for 61 points(after reviewing film), which included the game winner in the final seconds of the game. He was poised in the waning seconds made his way to the right corner for a three-pointer. His ball fake and patience got a defender off his feet before drilling the shot. This is the Grind Session single game scoring record.
His recording setting performance, which included seven rebounds and five assists, followed his near triple-double Friday night game. Peterson had 31 points, 10 assists, nine assists, and two blocks. He combined for 89 points in his Peach State stop.
Some basketball fans propelled Peterson to the top of the player rankings in public opinion. If you missed the game fans can see the game on YouTube.
Dybansta had a stellar performance of his own. He scored a team-high 49 points. His ability to dominate both ends of the floor over the weekend allowed fans to see in person what they seen on highlights and social media.
He registered a double-double (44 points, 13 rebounds) in a 96-90 loss to Dream City. Utah Prep picked up a win in its final win over Iowa United, 69-61, where Dybansta scored 38 points. The Boston native averaged 44 points a game on the weekend. Many of the Brigham Young University fans, who attended the games this weekend, left excited about the future and Dybantsa being in a Cougars uniform.
Grind Session notables
Anthony Felesi – Utah Prep: scored a double-double (13 points, 11 rebounds) against Prolific Prep. He is a versatile wing who plays both ends of the floor with a tremendous motor. The junior, from Hawaii, was finish at the rim and also meeting opponents above the rim contesting shots. College programs will continue to pursue this high energy prospect as he develops under the tutelage of head coach Keith Smart.
Ikenna Alozie – Dream City Christian – had himself a standout performance over the weekend. The five-star junior guard filled out the stat sheet against Winston Salem Christian on Saturday with 18 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, four steals, and two blocks. In the Arizona-based programs first win of the weekend, against Utah Prep, Alozie finished with 24 points, four rebounds, eight assists, and two steals in a win over Utah Prep. The junior guard has has heard consistently from seven schools – Alabama, Arizona, Houston, Louisville, Kansas, Rutgers, and Washington – since January.
LaTrevion Fenderson – St. John’s DME – was impressive handling the ball and getting into the lane. The Wisconsin native is committed to the Badgers He is a physical guard who plays downhill. This junior guard gives the Wisconsin-based program a chance to challenge opponents on both ends of the floor.
Cedric Taylor – Huntington Expression Prep – was productive in his return to the Peach State. The 6-foot-10 forward, who played at Creekside Christian, He has offers from Georgia State, Florida International, Old Dominion, Pepperdine, Northern Illinois, and Radford. Recruiting will pick up as other programs get the opportunity to see the Sweden native.
Brennan Peterson – Dream City Christian – had one of the best shooting efforts of the weekend. The unsigned Arizona native shot the ball well going for 19 points in a win over Utah Prep. Every time his team needed a timely jumper Peterson delivered. He also handled pressure well despite defenders looking to double team him. Peterson shot the ball in a way some college program can use on their roster.
Kennedy Okpara – Wilson Academy – is a wiry 6-foot-7 forward with a strong frame who plays above the rim. He plays well in the open floor. He currently holds offers from Florida Gulf Coast, Georgia Southern, NJIT, Trevecca Nazarene, Barry, Lee University, and Mars Hill.
Kruz McClure – St. John’s DME – had a big performance Saturday. The Ohio native, who is a DePaul commit, went for 34 points and six steals in an overtime win over Wilson Academy. His performance down the stretch was led by clutch free throws.
Cullen Browne – Wilson Academy – was one of the more impressive Warriors on the floor. The freshman guard is capable of playing on and off the ball. He uses angles well to get around defenders and scored through traffic and contact. The Georgia native has a tremendous upside.
Arafan Diane – Iowa United – was easily the biggest human being in gym over the weekend. The Guinea native is 7-foot-1, 280 pound center who moved extremely well running the floor and manning the middle. He never backed down from anyone coming down the lane. This four star class of 2026 prospect has offers from Arizona State, BYU, Cincinnati, Creighton, Florida, Houston, Illinois, Louisville, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Stanford, Texas, Texas Tech, Central Florida, Tennessee, Tennessee State, Utah State, VCU, Washington, and West Virginia.
About the Author
Alfonso
Robert Alfonso Jr. is a graduate of Mount Sait Mary College. He has more than 20 years of journalism experience. Alfonso has helped build a basketball web brand in Georgia and has covered high school through college sports for publications in New York, North Carolina, and Georgia. His mission has always been to uplift the athletes who play sports providing them the exposure needed in this new media platform.