Salt Lake City, Utah – The final day of quarterfinals action in the Grind Session delivered amazing basketball as four teams punched their tickets to the Final Four in Lawrence, Kansas Ft. Erie, DME Academy, Prolific Prep and Utah Prep. Here’s a recap of the thrilling matchups that determined who will continue their championship pursuit.
Ft. Erie Rallies to Upset Dream City Christian
The opening game of the day saw No. 10 seed Ft. Erie battle No. 2 seed Dream City Christian in a hard-fought contest. Dream City built momentum with a dominant 15-1 run in the third quarter, seemingly taking control of the game. However, Ft. Erie refused to back down, surging back behind the stellar performance of Promis N’Landu. N’Landu led the way with 18 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists, pushing his team to a stunning 66-65 victory. Despite a strong showing from Ikenna Alozie, who tallied 15 points for Dream City Christian, Ft. Erie prevailed and secured their place in the Final Four. They will face Utah Prep on March 22nd at 8:00 PM.
DME Academy Edges Out Iowa United in Nail-Biter
The second quarterfinal matchup featured a thriller between DME Academy from Daytona Beach, Florida, and Iowa United. The game remained close throughout, with both teams exchanging leads. In the end, DME leaned on the scoring prowess of Nathan Kirk, who exploded for 29 points, securing a 78-75 victory. With this win, DME advances to face Prolific Prep in the Final Four on March 22nd at 6:15 PM.
Prolific Prep Dominates Academy of Central Florida
Looking to capture their third consecutive Grind Session Championship, Prolific Prep wasted no time asserting their dominance over the Academy of Central Florida. Naismith Award winner Darryn Peterson led the charge with an all-around performance, posting 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. Prolific Prep controlled the game from the opening tip and never let up, securing their spot in the Final Four. Peterson’s next matchup will be particularly meaningful, as the future Kansas Jayhawk will take the court in front of his future home crowd in Lawrence, Kansas.
Utah Prep Secures Final Spot Behind AJ Dybantsa’s Double-Double
The final game of the day saw Utah Prep lock in the last available spot in the Final Four with a commanding performance. ESPN’s No. 1 ranked player, AJ Dybantsa, showcased his elite talent, posting a dominant double-double with 31 points and 15 rebounds. Playing in front of a packed gym full of BYU fans, the BYU commit put on a show. Anthony Felesi provided strong support with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and an assist, helping Utah Prep advance. They will take on Ft. Erie on March 22nd at 8:00 PM at Haskell Indian Nations University.
With the Final Four matchups now set, the stage is primed for an electrifying weekend in Lawrence, Kansas. Will Prolific Prep continue their reign, or will a new champion emerge? Stay tuned for all the action from the Grind Session Final Four!
