Spire Academy (Geneva, Ohio) – This past weekend, 15 teams participated in the final Grind Session Contenders Conference stop at Spire Academy in Ohio. As the snow cleared outside, five teams concluded the three-day showcase with undefeated records.
Five teams finished with flawless records: two from Canada (Polaris Prep National and Tall Pines), two from Ohio Spire Academy National and Spire Academy (PG), and one from Wisconsin (DME Wisconsin). Each posted a 2-0 mark.
Top Matchups
Game #1 – DME Wisconsin 82 vs. King Heights (CAN) 75 OT
DME Academy at St. John’s Northwestern secured an exciting overtime win against King Heights Academy from Canada, with three players reaching double-digit points in the 82-75 game.
DME (2-0) was led by LaTrevion Fenderson with a game high 23 points followed by Tref Rademaker with 19 points. Gactan Wafo finished with 16 points.
DME managed to outscore King Heights 22-16 in the final quarter, pushing the game into overtime. In the extra four minutes, Wisconsin added 13 points to clinch the comeback win.
Andre Thompson and Nicolas Logan led King Heights (1-1) with 19 points each.
Game #2 – Spire Academy National (OH) 64 vs. Orangeville Prep (CAN) 59
Cohen Hyatt scored a game high 30 points leading the host school to a 64-59 victory over Orangeville Prep.
Spire (2-0) jumped out to an early 15-12 first quarter lead and headed into the halftime locker room with a 32-26 lead. Cohen scored 15 points during the first 18 minutes.
Onari Hall led Orangeville (0-2) with 13 points followed by Rasheed Morrison with 12 points.
Game #3 –Tall Pines (CAN) 84 vs. Northstar (CAN) 76
David Bottomley put on a show as he scored a game high 40 points leading Tall Pines Academy to an 84-76 victory over Northstar Academy.
Tall Pines (2-0) raced out to a convincing, 49-33, halftime lead as Bottomley scored 29 of his 40 points.
Ajay Alleyne led Northstar Academy (0-3) with 20 points followed by Philip Ofime with 19 points.
Above the Rim: Top Single Game Performances
40 points / David Bottomley, Tall Pines Academy vs. Northstar Academy
36 points / David Bottomley, Tall Pines Academy vs. Cambridge International Academy
33 points / Janoy Walkes, Tall Pines Academy vs. Cambridge International Academy
30 points / Ezekiel Brenton, Excellence Prep vs. West United Prep Academy
30 points / Cohen Hyatt, Spire Academy vs. Orangeville Prep of Athlete Institute
29 points / Xander DeGordi, Excellence Prep vs. Chi-Prep Sports Academy
27 points / Nicolas Logan, King Heights vs. Excellence Prep
27 points / Yousaf Ahmad, King Heights vs. Excellence Prep
26 points / Cohen Hyatt, Spire Academy vs. DME Academy of Wisconsin
