This past weekend, Paducah, Kentucky, played host to a thrilling series of Grind Session basketball games that showcased some of the finest young talent in the country. The competition unfolded over three days, featuring multiple matchups that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Iowa United Tops DME Academy
In the opening Power Conference game of the night, Iowa United faced DME Academy, who were without their star point guard, Mikel Brown Jr. Despite their loss of firepower, DME Academy fought hard, but ultimately succumbed to Iowa United’s 71-49 victory. Arafan Diane led Iowa with an impressive 21-point, 14-rebound performance, and JJ Sullivan provided strong support with 18 points of his own.
Prolific Prep Edges Out Dream City Christian
In the highly anticipated game, an exhilarating matchup between two Power Conference heavyweights saw Prolific Prep narrowly defeat Dream City Christian 65-63. The game was characterized by tight scores and intense play, with Kansas commit Daryn Peterson stealing the spotlight. He delivered an explosive performance, scoring 38 points and grabbing 12 rebounds for a stellar double-double, helping his team secure the critical win.
Supporting Peterson was Winters Grady, a Michigan commit, who contributed 13 points and 8 rebounds. Dream City’s Ikenna Alozie put up a valiant effort with a remarkable double-double of his own, scoring 30 points and pulling down 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to clinch the victory.
Winston-Salem Christian Overpowers Ft Erie
In the third Power Conference game on Saturday night, Winston-Salem Christian emerged victorious against Ft Erie with a commanding score of 78-64, marking the final Power Conference game of the day. Led by head coach Antonio Lowe, Winston-Salem displayed remarkable control from the opening tip-off, never relinquishing their lead throughout the game.
Bradley Floyd was the standout performer for Winston-Salem, contributing a team-high 17 points and 9 rebounds. He was excellently supported by Josiah Johnson-Freeman, who added 15 points. Ft Erie fought valiantly, with Eli Jolin and Adam Elaheebucas each scoring 15 points, but their efforts fell short as Winston-Salem maintained their advantage.
Winston-Salem Christian Continues Dominance
Sunday morning offered another thrilling contest as Winston-Salem Christian met Iowa United, continuing their strong form with a 74-67 victory. Nayte Spargo stepped up as the game’s leading scorer with 17 points, while teammate Darnerion Gibson complemented Spargo’s effort with 15 points and 4 rebounds. This game showcased a back-and-forth battle, but Winston-Salem’s tenacity allowed them to pull away in the final moments.
Ibrahim Basima led Iowa United in scoring with 14 points, while Arafan Diane once again showcased his rebounding prowess with 14 boards, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to stop Winston-Salem’s momentum.
Ft Erie Against Hamilton Heights
In an exciting women’s matchup, Ft Erie faced off against Hamilton Heights in the Revolution Conference. Ft Erie proved a formidable opponent, walking away with an 88-63 victory. Nyadieng Yiech starred for Ft Erie with 20 points, while Portia Reisen aided the effort with 18 points. On the other side, Hamilton Heights’ Aisse Coulibaly shined with 22 points, and Noa Woodruff contributed 20 points, but their team struggled to keep pace. Ft Erie’s dominance on the boards, securing 41 rebounds to Hamilton’s 33, played a crucial role in the outcome.
Conclusion
This next stop for the Grind Session is Charlotte North Carolina with games starting on Saturday January 18th and going through Monday January 20th. As always, the games will be televised on www.tanagersports.tv
