Grind Session Miami Event Day 2 Recap: Thrilling Action and Stellar Performances
The second day of the Grind Session Miami event at Miami Senior High School brought exciting matchups, standout performances, and intense competition. Here’s how the day unfolded:
Academy of Central Florida defeated Royal Crown of Canada 66-56 in the first game of the Grind Session Miami event at Miami Senior high school. Martay Barnes was MVP of the game with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Justin Roman and Shane Cherry added 18 and 16 points respectively. It was a close game until the end when Central Florida pulled away for the victory. Xavier Istomin-Monroe had 12 points for Royal crown with 7 boards. Up next for Central Florida is West Oaks at 6:45 on Sunday.
In a rematch of last year’s overtime thriller in Miami, the Grind Session’s Prolific Prep will battle Columbus High School in an early season showdown of national heavyweights. Columbus is ranked No. 1 in SI’s national preseason boys rankings, while Prolific Prep sits just outside the Top 10 at No. 11.
The highly anticipated matchup – which will feature a slew of 5-star and 4-star recruits – will take place on Tuesday, November 19 on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 PM (Eastern).
GrindSession star and LSU commit Isabella (Bella) Hines has agreed to a multi-year NIL deal with Jordan Brand, becoming the only active high school player (boy or girl) to have such a deal with the iconic company.
The ABC Prep guard and 30th ranked women’s basketball player for the 2025 class (according to ESPN’s HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings) will receive cash, a regular merch allotment, and monthly Jordan packages.
She was in talks with other widely recognizable shoe companies, but ultimately chose Jordan because of the connection the brand has with her biggest role model.
Day two of The Grind Session’s Toronto showcase brought high-level performances, close contests, and standout efforts from some of North America’s top young basketball talents. Here’s a recap of all the action.
Orangeville Prep vs. DNA Prep
Orangeville Prep edged out DNA Prep with a close 72-71 victory in the first game of the day at the Pan American Center in Toronto, Canada. Noah D’Acre led Orangeville with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal. Isaac Kenney contributed 11 points, 6 rebounds, and a steal. For DNA Prep, Jayden Robinson was the standout performer with 27 points. Both teams are part of the Evolution Conference of the Grind Session.
In his highly anticipated return to Boston, AJ Dybantsa showcased his skills on a familiar court, leading Utah Prep to a thrilling 79-71 victory over Highland (VA) at Emmanuel College in the latest Grind Session event. The matchup brought out fans from all over Boston eager to see Dybantsa, now a senior and a prominent figure in high school basketball, take the floor in his hometown.
This past Sunday, Denver was the setting for an exhilarating day of high-stakes Grind Session basketball, where elite high school teams battled for dominance in multiple conferences. From nail-biting finishes to stellar individual performances, the action did not disappoint.
November 2, 2024 - Manual High School, Denver, Colorado
The Grind Session continued its Denver showcase with a full slate of high-intensity games that kept the crowd on their feet from start to finish. Held at Manual High School, the event features both men’s and women’s teams showcasing elite talent, with performances that reminded everyone why this circuit is the premier stage for up-and-coming basketball stars. Here’s a recap of all the action from Day 2.
AJ Dybantsa made a strong impression in his first Grind Session game after transferring from Prolific Prep to Utah Prep, contributing to a decisive 85-58 victory over Balboa at Manual High School in Denver. Known for his stellar play with Team USA, where he earned two gold medals alongside teammate JJ Mandaquit in the past two summers, AJ’s skill and court presence were evident from the start.
Dream City Christian, led by seasoned head coach Kyle Weaver, brings a high-powered roster to the Grind Session stage, set to face off against Balboa School on Saturday, November 2 at 5:00 PM, and Colorado Prep on Sunday, November 3 at 12:30 PM. Catch every play live on TanagerSports.tv.
Fresh off their victory in the Grind Session Play-In event, Iowa United has secured a coveted spot in the Grind Session Power Conference. Under the guidance of head coach Dean Oliver—former NBA player for the Golden State Warriors—this team is poised to make an impact in their upcoming matchups against Rosemary Anderson and Chi Prep on Saturday, November 2 at 1:30 PM and Sunday, November 3 at 9:00 AM.
Elite Prep’s women’s basketball team takes the spotlight in the Grind Session Women's Revolution Conference, boasting the nation's #1 player, Oliviyah Edwards (6’3 F, Class of 2026). Known for her unmatched athleticism and dynamic play, Edwards has been wowing crowds with her explosive dunks since seventh grade. She moves with remarkable speed and agility for her size, and her versatility is on full display as she attacks the paint or knocks down threes with ease.
