The Owensboro Sportscenter is set to light up this weekend as the Grind Session circuit rolls into town for its highly anticipated December event, running from December 4 through December 7. Featuring powerhouse national programs, nationally ranked prospects, and a deep roster of next-level talent, Owensboro once again becomes a destination city for prep basketball excellence.
Grind Session Tips Off in Owensboro, Kentucky With National Spotlight on Elite Hoops Talent
This weekend’s loaded schedule brings together some of North America’s best developmental programs including Illinois-based Example Academy, Canadian title contender Ft. Erie International Academy, Virginia’s rising prep power Gillion Academy, Florida national power DME Academy and two of the most talent-rich basketball pipelines in the country — Prolific Prep and Florida-based Southeastern Prep Academy.
Nine ESPN Top 25 Ranked Prospects Set the Stage
The Futures are now — Nine ranked Top 25 prospects according to ESPN will take the floor this weekend in Owensboro — one of the deepest collections of nationally ranked young talent the circuit has hosted to date at a U.S. domestic stop this season. The marquee school among them is Prolific Prep, which brings four ranked stars to town, led by 5-star junior guard Bruce Branch III, dynamic point guard Nasir Anderson, high-IQ facilitator Alex Smith, who has committed to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes, and American phenom Caleb Holt — the No. 2 overall player nationally across all classes and currently one of the highest-ranked prospects in America.
Fellow Florida powerhouse Southeastern Prep Academy arrives with its own heavy hitting backcourt combo in point guard Beckham Black and high-motor wing CJ Rosser Jr.. Joining Black and Rosser is the newly acquired transfer Jaxon Richardson, son of former NBA star Jason Richardson, and Obinna Ekezie Jr. the junior 7' center. All of SEPA's stars are on the Top 25 by ESPN in their class.
Gillion Academy just cracked the ESPN top 25 list and will be in attendance this Weekend. Star center Marcis Ponder will be on display with his amazing shot blocking ability and Willie Burnett III will be running the break and hitting 3's for Gillion. ABC Prep will be playing with their senior star Brandon Mason Jr., Bradley Floyd will be on the court leading Winston-Salem Christian, and Central Florida will be playing with their stars Martay Barnes and Simon Gueye (Northwestern Commit).
The girls division also features ranked talent including Grind Prep Girls battling D1-caliber programs the same weekend the boys take center stage. Some top ladies at the event include Shania James, Example Academy, Tink Gary, Albuquerque Prep, Kamora Moore, Hamilton Heights Christian, and Porsche Reisen the star guard for Ft. Erie International from Canada.
Owensboro Weekend Schedule Brimming With Must-Watch Matchups
Thursday, December 4 opens with women’s varsity action and finishes under the lights with the nightcap showdown featuring two national top pipelines:
- 10:45 AM: Example Varsity (IL) vs. Huntington Expression Prep (WV) — Women
- 12:30 PM: Example Academy (IL) vs. Albuquerque Prep (NM) — Women
- 2:15 PM: Ft. Erie International (ON) vs. Hamilton Heights Christian (TN)
- 5:45 PM: DME Academy (FL) vs. Winston Salem Christian (NC)
- 7:15 PM: Prolific Prep (FL) vs. Southeastern Prep Academy (FL)
Friday, December 5 continues the action with packed slates in the morning and prime-time matchups to close the night:
- 9:00 AM: Albuquerque Prep (NM) vs. Ft. Erie International (ON) — Women
- 10:45 AM: Hamilton Heights Christian (TN) vs. Example Academy (IL) — Women
- 12:30 PM: Hamilton Heights Christian (TN) vs. Academy of Central Florida (FL)
- 4:00 PM: Hopkins County Central (KY) vs. Baircrest Christian (TN)
- 7:15 PM: Ft. Erie International (ON) vs. Example Academy (IL)
- 8:45 PM: iSchool (TX) vs. Prolific Prep (FL)
Saturday, December 6 shifts into the afternoon showcase of scrimmage intensity and ends with another Saturday night double-bill at the Sports Center:
- 10:30 AM: Henderson County (KY) vs. McCluer North (MO) — Women (Paducah)
- 12:00 PM: Baircrest Christian (TN) vs. Albuquerque Prep (NM) (Paducah)
- 7:00 PM: DME Academy (FL) vs. iSchool (TX)
- 8:45 PM: Ft. Erie International (ON) vs. Huntington Expression Prep (WV)
Sunday, December 7 delivers the final day crescendo — an afternoon cap off double-header of Kentucky rivals and women continuing to grow the brand:
- 10:30 AM: Huntington Expression Prep (WV) vs. DME Academy (FL)
- 12:00 PM: Hopkins County Central (KY) vs. Mayfield (KY)
Coverage, Broadcast, and Storytelling Delivered by Tanager Sports
As always, every game — mens and women's — will stream live on the Grind Session YouTube Channel, produced by Tanager Sports Media, and distributed on the circuit’s national broadcast home at YouTube. The presenting sponsor for media production across events is the basketball-driven storytelling initiative built around the new media platforms — Tanager Sports.
With international travel and visas no longer an issue for players crossing the border this week, coaches and fans can look forward to seeing all their top prospects available, present, and balling.
Big Futures Ahead — Owensboro Is Just the Start
This Owensboro event marks an important stepping stone for ranked players as they get deeper into their prep seasons. It also continues to fuel player storytelling for new digital properties including TanagerSports and GrindSession.com platforms, where athletes’ journeys and character arcs extend beyond the court.
