The Jr. Prelude League powered by New Balance gets underway

this weekend in Memphis, TN. One of the most exciting teams

that has had early success this spring and summer season is Team

Grind, which will be participating in the league.

Team Grind is based in Alabama and comprises some of the best

prospects in the state. They made their spring and summer debut

at the National Battle of The Magic City. They had a terrific

showing, making it to the semi-final game before losing to

eventual platinum champions All Ohio Red. They were the

surprise team of the tourney, and many took notice of the talented

roster Coach Jason Pratt had constructed.

Here is a look at some of the key players:

Leartist Williams (6'6/F/'28/Team Grind) 

IG: 5.star._lj

Leartist is the man in the middle for Team Grind. Most of the

interior production will be provided by Leartist, who is a force to

deal with on the low block, can face up and attack off the bounce,

and is a solid screener and very good roller out of the ball screen

action.

Lee Steele (6'4/SG/'28/Team Grind) 

IG: lee3steele

Lee is a lethal weapon from the perimeter. Whether in c&s

opportunities or off the bounce, he can really shoot the rock from

the outside. He is a heady ball-screen ball-handler who makes

good decisions with the rock coming off screens.  

Jordan Rollins (6'1/PG/'28/Team Grind)

IG: _.Jordann._2

Jordan is the guy who makes Team Grind go, and many project

him as the future #1 player in his class in the state. He is a lead

guard with a high PG IQ and all the floor general intangibles.

Treiy Crenshaw (6'3/SF/'28/Team Grind) 

IG: tco1.2

What I saw from Treiy at the Battle of The Magic City was simple:

he is the squad's muscle. He plays extremely hard, brings energy

and effort, and competes with all-out abandonment on both ends

of the floor.

Kobe Brothers (6'1/SG/'28/Team Grind) 

IG: kobebrothers2028

Kobe is a steady presence for Team Grind. I did not see a lot of

flash in his game, but he is a reliable secondary ball-handler and a

threat to score from the outside. He provides more size on the

perimeter, which makes Team Grind's starting five 6'1 and taller.

Team Grind is going to be a team that will catch many people's

eyes as The Jr. Prelude gets underway in Memphis.

Here is Team Grind's Schedule:

Saturday, March 23, 2004:

8:00am: vs Memphis War Eagles (P7 Sports Academy)

10:20am: vs Florida Vipers (P7 Sports Academy)

4:10pm: vs Arizona Grind (P7 Sports Academy)

Sunday, March 24, 2004:

10:20am: vs Reach Legends (P7 Sports Academy)

1:50pm: FOE Louisiana (P7 Sports Academy)