Grind Session Owensboro – Day 1 Recap
Owensboro, Kentucky — December 4, 2025
The opening day of Grind Session Owensboro delivered a full slate of high-level basketball, featuring elite women’s matchups in the afternoon and a trio of nationally ranked men’s games in the evening. From clutch fourth-quarter shot-making to breakout freshman performances, Day 1 set the tone for a massive four-day event filled with ESPN Top-25 talent and future college stars.
Below is a game-by-game breakdown of all the action.
Game 1 – Example Varsity 67, Example Select 56
Example Varsity opened the Owensboro event with a strong showing, controlling the pace behind disciplined guard play and timely scoring.
High Scorer: Nicole Pittman – 15 points
Her late-game shot-making helped secure the win as Example Varsity pulled away in the second half to claim a 67–56 victory.
Game 2 – Example Academy (Main Team) 93, Albuquerque Prep 63
Example Academy looked dominant early, taking full control in the first half — but Albuquerque Prepn refused to go away, trimming the gap to just 7 points in the third quarter.
Once the fourth quarter began, Example Academy exploded offensively, going on a massive run and pushing the lead to 30 points to seal the win.
Example Academy Leaders:
- Malika Jenkins – 19 points
- Marlee-Michelle Coleman – 19 points
Albuquerque Prep Leader:
- Freshman standout Tink Gary – 19 points, 11 rebounds (double-double)
Gary’s physicality and motor kept ABC competitive, but Example’s depth and pace were overwhelming in the final period.
Game 3 – Ft Erie — Victory Over Hamilton Heights
The final women’s game of Day 1 was a battle from start to finish. Ft Erie and Hamilton Heights traded buckets throughout three quarters, neither team able to create much separation.
That changed in the late stages of the fourth.
With under a minute left, Porsche Reisen drilled a clutch three, extending Ft Erie’s lead to seven points. Moments later, center Lexee Anderson sealed the win with a strong finish in the paint.
Ft Erie Leaders:
- Porsche Reisen – 19 points
- Lexee Anderson – 15 points, 10 rebounds (double-double)
Ft Erie’s ability to close the game defensively and rebound late was the deciding factor.
Game 4 – Gillion Academy 73, Hamilton Heights 65
The first men’s matchup of the night brought intensity, physical play inside, and two of the most dominant frontcourt players on the Grind Session circuit.
Hamilton Heights hung tough early, but Gillion Academy began to take control in the second half behind the punishing interior presence of Marcis Ponder and the scoring burst from Willie Burnett III.
Gillion Leaders:
- Willie Burnett – 18 points
- Marcis Ponder – 13 points, 17 rebounds (double-double)
- Christian Morrison Jr – 17 points
- Aaron McGee – 12 points
Ponder’s work on the glass changed the game, while Burnett delivered clutch buckets down the stretch.
Game 5 – Central Florida — Victory Over Winston-Salem Christian
Central Florida wasted no time imposing its style, jumping out to a quick lead and never letting Winston-Salem Christian find a rhythm. Their defensive pressure and transition scoring told the story as they controlled the game wire-to-wire.
Central Florida Leaders:
- Martay Barnes – 19 points
- Domonique Fisher – 14 points
- Simon Ghai – 12 points
Winston-Salem was led by Elton James, who produced a strong double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Game 6 – #4 Prolific Prep 75, #7 SEPA 64
The marquee matchup of Day 1 featured two ESPN Top-10 programs, and it lived up to the billing.
SEPA opened the night on fire, building a 10-point first-half lead behind sharp guard play and efficient scoring from their wings. But championship-level teams respond — and Prolific Prep did exactly that.
The Crew stormed back in the third quarter, seized the lead, and never relinquished momentum thanks to the unstoppable play of ESPN’s No. 2 player in America, Caleb Holt.
Prolific Prep Leaders:
- Caleb Holt – 26 points, 16 rebounds (dominant double-double)
- Nasir Anderson – 14 points
- Davion Adkins – 14 points
- Bruce Branch III – 11 points
SEPA Leaders:
- Beckham Black – 14 points
- CJ Rosser – 12 points
- Jaxon Richardson – 11 points
Prolific’s second-half defensive adjustments and rebounding edge proved too much for SEPA to overcome.
A Thrilling Start in Owensboro
Day 1 of Grind Session Owensboro delivered everything the circuit is known for — national prospects, ESPN-ranked blue-chips, high-scoring performances, and tight fourth-quarter finishes.
With three more days of elite action ahead, the Owensboro Sportscenter is officially buzzing, and fans watching live on the Grind Session YouTube Channel — produced by Tanager Sports — are in for a weekend packed with stars.
