Hopkinsville, Kentucky — December 9–14
The Grind Session Christian County stop wrapped up a full week of high-level prep basketball in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, as elite programs from across the United States and Canada competed from Tuesday, December 9, through Sunday, December 14. The event featured Power and Elevation Conference matchups, nationally ranked talent, and several statement performances that helped shape the Grind Session landscape heading into the holiday break.
Prolific Prep Makes a Statement Before Heading East
Prolific Prep entered Christian County with momentum and left no doubt why they currently sit atop the Grind Session Power Conference standings. Playing just two games during the event, Prolific delivered dominant, wire-to-wire performances before departing for their next stop in Washington, D.C.
On Tuesday, December 9, Prolific Prep overwhelmed Florida Coastal Prep 92–45, showcasing their depth, athleticism, and relentless defensive pressure. Five-star wing Caleb Holt set the tone with 26 points, controlling the game on both ends of the floor as Prolific jumped out early and never looked back.
MJ Madison with the dunk
They followed that effort on Thursday night, December 11, with another emphatic win, defeating Winston-Salem Christian 92–54. Prolific once again dictated the tempo from the opening tip, forcing turnovers and converting them into transition points.
Junior wing Bruce Branch III delivered one of the most complete performances of the week, posting a double-double with 10 points, 15 rebounds, and six steals. Nasir Anderson efficiently orchestrated the offense with 14 points and eight assists, while Alex Smith, the Ohio State commit, connected on three shots from beyond the arc on his way to 13 points. MJ Madison rounded out the double-figure scorers with 13 points.
With the two wins, Prolific Prep remains undefeated in Grind Session play this season and firmly in first place in the Power Conference.
Winston-Salem Christian Responds with Bounce-Back Win
After a tough loss to Prolific Prep, Winston-Salem Christian showed resilience on Friday night, earning a 98–89 victory over Ridley College.
Senior guard Kenyon St. Louis led the response, setting the tone with his perimeter shooting and ability to push the tempo. Nicholas McLean provided strong support with 27 points, giving Winston-Salem consistent offensive production throughout the night.
Kenyon St. Louis drives to the basket in HopTown
Ridley College stayed competitive behind a balanced scoring effort that saw four players reach double figures. Caleb Roberts led the Canadian squad with 23 points and eight rebounds, but Winston-Salem’s pace and shot-making proved to be the difference down the stretch.
The win allowed Winston-Salem Christian to close out its run in Hopkinsville on a positive note before heading home for the Christmas holiday.
Academy of Central Florida Closes Strong on Saturday Night
Saturday night action saw Academy of Central Florida deliver a convincing 94–57 victory over DNA Prep.
Martay Barnes move in for the blocked shot
Fallilou Mbengue anchored Central Florida with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Symon Ghai the Northwestern University commit added 17 points and five rebounds. Point guard Martay Barnes directed the offense with nine points and five assists, including a highlight-reel, no-look behind-the-back pass that energized the crowd and underscored Central Florida’s confidence and rhythm.
Sunday Finale: Statement Performances Close the Event
The final day of Grind Session Christian County featured three competitive matchups that brought the week to a strong close.
Academy of Central Florida 76, Ridley College 68
Academy of Central Florida opened Sunday with a hard-fought 76–68 win over Ridley College in a game that was decided early. Central Florida exploded out of the gate, dominating the first quarter and building a commanding 29–8 lead after the opening period.
Ridley responded with grit, winning each of the next three quarters, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
Ridley College under head coach Victor Raso are an up and coming Grind Session team from Canada.
Junior star guard Martay Barnes delivered a standout performance, pouring in 31 points while adding three rebounds and three steals to lead Central Florida. Dominique Fisher chipped in 13 points, and Felipe Minzer recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds in the win.
Ridley College was led by Caleb Roberts, who finished with 22 points and eight rebounds, while his brother CJ Roberts added 14 points and six boards in the loss.
Hamilton Heights 92, DNA Prep 85
The second game of the day saw Hamilton Heights pull away late to defeat DNA Prep 92–85. DNA Prep showed resilience after a lopsided loss Saturday night and stayed competitive into the fourth quarter, but Hamilton Heights closed strong by scoring 27 points in the final frame to seal the win.
Hamilton Heights featured a balanced offensive effort with five players scoring in double figures. Toms Briste led the way with 22 points, followed by Valliance Luke with 15 points. Cheick Coulibaly added 12 points, while BJ Bradfordand Jarron Talley each finished with 10 points. DNA Prep were led by 4 players in double figures with Shameek Casillas leading the way with 27 points and 8 boards. Dylan McGhee added 20 points and 8 boards with Jayden Robinson putting in 19 points and dishing out 5 assists. Niko Boch had 10 points in the loss with 7 assist and 4 rebounds.
Huntington Expression 80, Florida Coastal Prep 67
The final game of the event pitted Huntington Expression against Florida Coastal Prep, with Huntington closing out the week with an 80–67 victory. Huntington controlled the game down the stretch, using strong guard play and timely scoring to pull away and finish Grind Session Christian County with momentum.
Looking Ahead
Grind Session Christian County delivered a full week of elite competition, high-level execution, and standout individual performances. From Prolific Prep’s continued dominance early in the week to Sunday’s tightly contested finales, the Hopkinsville stop provided another strong showcase for the talent and depth across the Grind Session circuit as teams now head to Dallas next weekend and then into the holiday break and upcoming national events.
