Kentucky recruiting target Malachi Moreno and Great Crossing would seem like a logical choice to play in the initial Bluegrass Signature Series. (Les Nicholson Photo)
The Grind Session not only is coming back to Kentucky but it is coming back in a big way for the 2024-25 high school basketball season.
The Grind Session is a winter circuit of elite high school basketball events across the country along with the Bahamas, Canada and Puerto Rico. It was a fixture in western Kentucky at the Marshall County Hoopfest and McCracken County Mustang Madness in past seasons but not this season.
However, Grind Session officials are bringing their elite teams/ players back to the Bluegrass for four events next season.
The first event of the Bluegrass Signature Series will be Dec. 5-8 at Calloway County High School in Murray followed by the second event Dec. 12-15 at Christian County High School in Hopkinsville.
The Grind Session will take a break from Kentucky before returning Jan. 2-5 at Male High School in Louisville. The fourth event will be back in western Kentucky Jan. 9-12 at McCracken County High School in Paducah.
The Grind Session events feature both boys and girls teams and will have some of the nation’s best players.
While no teams that might play in the events have been released yet, it would seem logical that four-time girls state champion Sacred Heart with top 10 national recruit Zakiyah Johnson could certainly be involved in at least one event against a big-time national opponent.
On the boys side, Great Crossing — a state tourney semifinalist eliminated by Lyon County — has four starters back off the team ranked No. 1 in Kentucky most of the season including 7-1 star Malachi Moreno, a definite UK recruiting target.
I’ve seen Devin Booker, Andrew and Aaron Harrison, Tyrese Maxey, Trey Lyles, P.J. Washington and numerous other former Kentucky players play in these events along with many, many other players now in the NBA.
More information will be available on specific teams playing at each location but put the dates on your calendar to see some big-time basketball next season.
