Event Preview - The Proving Ground
THE PROVING GROUND - SELECT EVENTS BASKETBALL
April 6-7, 2024 | Westfield, IN I Hoops Review Event Preview
What you need to know before the event:
The premier event in the Midwest this weekend is The Proving Ground by Select Events Basketball. Featuring 5 #GrassrootsPower25 17U teams and a handful of other elite programs, this will be a highly competitive environment from start to finish.
LIVE STREAM LINK
#GrassrootsPower25 in attendance:
Bringing back the core group from the 2022 GUAA championship team and 2023 Final Four team, this WV Thunder GUAA group is the clear #1 team heading into the season. ‘25 Dee Alexander and ‘25 ZaKiyah Johnson are both top-five players in the country and a force to be reckoned with. Adding ‘27 Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka gives this another weapon for opposing defenses to worry about. This loaded roster is being quarterbacked by the best coach in the country, and you can see why this team will be so difficult to beat all season.
Key Players
2025 - Dee Alexander
2025 - ZaKiyah Johnson
2027 - Ivanna Wilson - Manyacka
Putting FBC United at #4 was extremely difficult. I think the entire grassroots basketball community can agree that FBC has held down the #1 spot for the last 5 seasons. This season is a bit of a rebuild, but we would be unwise to bet against Mo Motton. FBC will be aided by a huge late addition in ‘25 Lara Somfai, who will shoot up everyone's rankings after a stellar season at IMG Academy. ‘26 Kelsi Andrews is back after suffering a season ending injury in 2023.
Key Players
2025 - Lara Somfai
2025 - Aubrey Beckham
2026 - Kelsi Andrews
Adding the #8 player in the 2025 Class in Leah Macy was a huge addition for the WV Thunder Riego squad. She will be one of the top players on the GUAA circuit this season after putting up huge numbers on the EYBL in 2023. Danny Riego will be coaching this highly regarded team and is ready to make his GUAA debut in 2024. We expect this team to be in the mix for a championship come July.
Key Players
2025 - Leah Macy
2025 - Maya Makalusky
2026 - Zaniyah Williams
This will be a far different roster than the one assembled in 2023 but we expect this group to be just as strong. Mac Irvin Fire teams will always rebound and play defense, no matter who is on the court. ‘25 Nikki Kerstein is a high major player and is expected to pick up the scoring load for the Fire this season. Keep an eye out for ‘26 Alyvia McCorkle who has a great winter season and will be a key contributor on this roster.
Key Players
2025 - Nikki Kerstein
2025 - Monique Mitchell
2026 - Alyvia McCorkle
The biggest winner of this off season might have been M-14, landing ‘26 Trinity Jones. Trinity is a game changer with her athleticism and ability to take over games. The supporting cast for M-14 is also very strong which gives them a legitimate shot to win Adidas Nationals this season.
Key Players
2025 - Nora Ezike
2025- Ariella Henigan
2026 - Trinity Jones
OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH:
Supreme Team GUAA, Wisconsin Flight Elite EYBL, Indiana Elite Thunder 3SSB, Illinois Lady Lightning P24, IGB GUAA
MARQUEE MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
SATURDAY
Indiana Elite Thunder 3SSB vs FBC United GUAA
Supreme Team GUAA vs Mac Irvin Fire P24
WV Thunder Johnson GUAA vs M14 Hoops 3SSB
Wisconsin Flight EYBL vs WV Thunder Riego GUAA
SUNDAY
FBC United GUAA vs M14 Hoops 3SSB
WV Thunder Riego GUAA vs Mac Irvin Fire P24
WV Thunder Johnson GUAA vs Supreme Team GUAA
Wisconsin Flight EYBL vs Indiana Elite Thunder 3SSB
Illinois Lady Lightning P24 vs IGB GUAA
