The Grind Session event in Louisville showcased thrilling matchups filled with intense competition and standout performances. Here’s a summary of the final day’s exciting action.
DME Academy (*FL) 94 – Huntington Prep (WV) 87
Mikel Brown Jr., the recent Louisville Cardinal commit, shone brightly for DME Academy, leading his team with an impressive 27 points and 7 rebounds. Huntington Prep fought valiantly in a back-and-forth contest, with Cameron McDaniels dazzling in defeat, scoring 34 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. The game remained competitive until the final quarter when DME established dominance with their solid defense. DME’s victory marks their second win of the weekend, having defeated West Oaks the previous day, with Brown notching 25 points in that matchup. Jacob Lanier contributed significantly with 21 points and 9 rebounds, just shy of a double-double, while Chrinovic Kitenge added 17 points. For Huntington Prep, Braydon Hawthorne scored 20 points, supported by Anthony Smith’s 10.
Winston-Salem Christian (NC) 90 – West Oaks (FL) 68
In another high-energy clash, Winston-Salem Christian triumphed over West Oaks with a score of 90-68. The first quarter saw both teams engaged in a close battle, but Winston-Salem took control thereafter. Bradley Floyd led Winston-Salem with 22 points, while Tyson Thompson, Josiah Johnson-Freeman, and Adriel Nyorha contributed 17, 13, and 13 points, respectively. Despite both teams attempting a total of 51 three-pointers, they could only convert 11. The game was marked by competitive spirit, leading referees to intervene regarding the intense trash talk from players.
Mt. Zion Prep (MD) 74 – The Rock Academy (FL) 69
In a nail-biter, Mt. Zion Prep edged out The Rock Academy 74-69. Francis Folefac delivered a standout performance, notching a double-double with 30 points and 11 rebounds, while teammate Kameryn Wylie matched that effort with 23 points and 11 rebounds. The Rock’s Evan Sterck had a notable game as well, scoring 22 points and securing 7 rebounds, with Joseph Hartman adding 19 points. With this win, Mt. Zion improved to an impressive 15-1 on the season, maintaining their #15 rank in the ESPN Top 25.
Huntington Prep (WV) 87 – PDI Prep (OH) 85
Ending the day with a thrilling contest, Huntington Prep narrowly defeated PDI Prep 87-85. In their second game of the day, Huntington Prep faced fatigue but managed to pull through in the final seconds. Cedric Taylor shone with a double-double, scoring 27 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Braydon Hawthorne also made an impact, adding 16 points and 9 rebounds. PDI Prep’s Nigel Moore led his team with 25 points and 8 rebounds, while Hans Dorleus contributed a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. This exciting matchup concluded the weather-shortened Grind Session event, as severe snow and ice in the Louisville area prompted the cancellation of Sunday’s games.
The palpable energy in the packed stands, especially from local Louisville Cardinal fans, created an electric atmosphere throughout the event. Fans left eager for the next opportunity to catch these rising stars in action.
