The Season Opener was a strong start to our Coast 2 Coast Preps National Circuit, bringing together some of the country’s traditional powerhouses along with several rising programs making their presence felt. The weekend delivered high-level competition from start to finish—close games, strong matchups, and a clear look at how teams stack up heading into the season. It also provided valuable insight as we prepare for our upcoming team and player rankings.
With that foundation set, here are some of the teams that stood out with their performances this weekend.
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2030 KC Run GMC Claims the 8th-Grade Championship
2030 KC Run GMC put together a strong weekend, playing at a high level from start to finish on their way to winning the 8th-grade championship bracket. Their balance stood out, but the strength of the team clearly came from their frontcourt.
Isaiah Vaughn and Hudson Hiem were major factors throughout the event, anchoring the interior, controlling the glass, and consistently impacting both ends of the floor. Well-constructed and well-coached, this group has the pieces and potential to put together a very impressive season.
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2031 Alabama Fusion Dominates Behind Balance and Depth
2031 Alabama Fusion showcased a dominant, well-balanced roster that excelled in every phase of the game. Their backcourt set the tone early, with Skylon Blijden providing strong guard play and Aran Chacon delivering consistent scoring and playmaking.
Around them, a talented group of versatile, athletic forwards created matchup problems all weekend long. This is a team built to keep climbing, and they’ll be fun to follow as they continue to develop throughout the year.
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2032 OKE Shows Toughness on the Way to the 6th-Grade Championship
2032 OKE established themselves as one of the toughest and grittiest teams in the building. Their ability to make key plays on both ends of the floor whenever needed powered their run to the 6th-grade championship.
They were led by Emory Howard and Tylin Stevenson, along with a relentless supporting cast that competes with anyone in the country. Their hard-nosed approach and discipline make them a team to watch moving forward.
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2033 Hoosier Phenoms Continue Their National Rise
2033 Hoosier Phenoms continued to solidify their status as one of the top teams in the country. Well-coached and extremely skilled, they do everything you want to see at this age level—strong guard play, toughness, high IQ, and consistency.
They were led this weekend by Juan Cardona and Kannan Harper, each delivering key contributions throughout their run. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see which programs have the firepower to challenge them.
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2034 Youth of a Nation Elite Secures the 4th-Grade Championship
2034 Youth of a Nation Elite picked up right where they left off last season, playing with dominance and consistently winning tough games in convincing fashion. Legend Gracey once again led the way, while Grayson Garcia provided timely plays that helped secure the 4th-grade championship.
Their combination of talent, chemistry, and toughness makes them one of the most exciting groups in their class.
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2035 DS@6 Captures the 3rd-Grade Championship
2035 DS@6 had a strong weekend, claiming the 3rd-grade championship behind a well-rounded team effort. Jace Fleming led the group with high-level shooting, while Kai Mickelson showcased consistent playmaking and versatility. Ty Davis added high energy and a strong defensive presence that elevated the entire team.
This is a cohesive, competitive group with the potential to match up with any team in the country in their division.