Contenders Conference

Grind Session Unveils Contenders Conference — First Event Set for November 7–9, 2025

St. Catharines, Ontario, will play host to history this November, as the newest addition to the Grind Session family—the Contenders Conference—kicks off its inaugural event at Ridley College from November 7 to 9, 2025.

Long considered a fixture in Arizona basketball circles, CJ Sells steps in as Commissioner of the Contenders Conference, bringing his deep roots in the region’s hoops community to invigorate this new division. He will be supported operationally by Assistant Commissioner Justin Peterson.

A New Chapter for Grind Session

With the launch of the Contenders Conference, the Grind Session now features three men’s conferences:

  • The Power Conference
  • The Elevation Conference
  • The brand-new Contenders Conference

This structure strengthens the platform’s capacity to host a wider array of teams and talent levels from across the U.S. and Canada. Meanwhile, on the women’s side, the Grind Session is expanding its reach as well, introducing a Women’s Power Conference alongside the return of the Women’s Revolution Conference.

What to Expect This Season

  • Multi-court facilities will be used at each showcase event, ensuring ample court space for simultaneous, high-level games.
  • Each team is guaranteed 4 games per weekend—a structure designed to maximize exposure and competitive opportunity.
  • Entry into any Contenders event is $600 per team.
  • Interested programs may reach out to CJ Sells at (928) 300-1349 or via email at cjsells21@gmail.com to register and receive further details.
Contenders

Championship in Phoenix, March 10–13, 2026

While the Grind Session as a whole continues under its established format, the Contenders Conference will close out its own season with a standalone Championship event, slated for March 10–13, 2026, at The Phhacility in Phoenix, Arizona. This four-day finale will crown the Contenders Conference champion.

As the first event draws near, teams and coaches across North America will turn their attention to St. Catharines. The November launch promises to set an energetic tone for a conference built to elevate emerging programs, foster cross-border competition, and showcase the next wave of talent in prep basketball.

Axis Academy (ASA)

Axis Academy

Axis Academy
Headlines: Contenders Conference
Contenders Conference Mesa AZ

Contenders Conference at AAG in Mesa, Arizona

Basketballs were buzzing during the second stop of the Grind Session Contenders Conference at AAG in Mesa, Arizona November 21-23, 2025. The three-day showcase featured 20 teams from Arizona, California, Utah and New Mexico all competing for a spot in the Contenders Conference championship in March.
Contenders Canada

Conference Focus: Grind Session Launches New Contenders Conference with High-Level Debut at Ridley College

The Grind Session officially ushered in a new era with the debut of the Contenders Conference, hosting its first session at the historic Ridley College campus in Ontario. Over the course of three days — November 7–9, 2025, teams from across North America competed in 45 high-intensity games, offering a deep look into the next wave of rising prep basketball talent.

Conference Focus

Conference Focus: Grind Session Power, Contenders, and Elevation Conferences Take Center Stage in Toronto and Ridley College Events

The Grind Session’s international momentum continues this week with two major events in Canada, featuring action across all men’s and women’s conferences — the Power, Contenders, Elevation, and Revolution. The premier Power Conference games will take place at the Pan American Centre in Toronto, while the Contenders Conference tips off its inaugural event at Ridley College, marking a massive weekend for prep basketball across North America.
Grind Session

Grind Session

Grind Session is the first-ever winter circuit of elite high school basketball events. In past seasons, our teams have played in some of the greatest and most unique cities across the U.S., as well as Canada, the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico. From November to March over 400 action-packed games will be played. Grind Session is more than just great games: it's an opportunity to prepare for the next chapter of your basketball career.

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