In what might go down as one of the greatest high school basketball games of all time, Prolific Prep and Utah Prep delivered an unforgettable battle at the Grind Session event in Atlanta. The two powerhouse programs met for the second time this season, and the game came down to a final heroic shot, as Prolific Prep secured a dramatic 88-86 victory.
Senior point guard Darryn Peterson delivered the game-winning moment, sinking a clutch baseline three-pointer with defenders in his face as the clock dwindled to its final seconds. Peterson received the inbounds pass, rose up with confidence, and buried the shot, putting Prolific Prep ahead. Utah Prep’s JJ Mandaquit attempted a full-court pass with two seconds left, but time expired before a final shot could be made.
Reflecting on his team’s performance, Peterson remarked, “Pretty good night overall. Started off hot, and the team showed up when I needed them. When it came to the last shot, all that was in my mind was getting the win.”
Peterson, the No. 2 player in the ESPN Top 100 rankings, faced off against Utah Prep’s AJ Dybantsa, who holds the #1 spot on the ESPN list. When asked about the matchup, Peterson downplayed the individual battle, emphasizing the team’s mindset. “It was just another game for me. I just wanted to get the win tonight. You know it was a top-25 game, and we wanted to get the win—that was our mentality.”
Prolific Prep head coach Ryan Bernardi, now in his third year at the helm, praised the game’s intensity and his team’s resilience. “That will go down as one of the best high school games and one of the best high school performances of all time. Great win for us.”
With the victory, Prolific Prep remains undefeated in the Grind Session and holds first place in the Power Conference standings. The showdown between Peterson and Dybantsa, both projected as potential top picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, lived up to its billing. Dybantsa, committed to Brigham Young, and Peterson, pledged to Kansas and head coach Bill Self, are expected to be key figures at the next level. Dybantsa in the loss put up an amazing 49 points with 9 rebounds hitting 7 three-point shots.
Prolific Prep general manager Philippe Doherty heaped praise on Peterson’s electrifying performance, which saw him tally 58 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in the victory. “Darryn’s talent is undeniable, but the way he carries himself on and off the court—his humility, maturity, class, elegance, intelligence, leadership, calmness, and confidence—are second to none. Darryn just put on the single best performance in Prolific Prep history and possibly Grind Session history with his clutch play down the stretch.”
Both Prolific Prep and Utah Prep are in contention to meet again in the Grind Session Championships, set to take place in Dallas from March 21-24. Additionally, both teams are on the watchlist for the prestigious Chipotle Nationals, where they could compete for a national championship in Indianapolis from April 3-5. If this game was any indication, a potential rematch could be another instant classic.
