Artic Rush Upends #2 Ranked Lima Gators

2022 Arctic Rush 

Last week, the 8th ranked Artic Rush (2022) upended the 2^nd ranked Lima Gators 54-43 in the Gym Rat GRBA Nationals.  The Rush’s 4-2 run during the event included wins over Gym Rats 2022-Ramer (64-60), Club 1 Miller (77-29), Kalamazoo Legends (53-36) and Lima Gators (59-40).  Rush’s run ended in the semi-finals with a 54-43 loss to the Indy Heat NWA.  It should be noted that Indy Heat NWA went on to beat Team Teague in the championship game. Standout players for Artic Rush included Jared Frey, Trey Robertson and Doogie James.  Frey averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steal per game, while Robertson averaged 12 points and James added 10 points per game.

Other ranked teams (Ohio) in the event included #3 Ohio Basketball Club and #12 ranked Ohio Hoopsters.  For the season, Artic Rush finished an impressive 44-10 and either won or lost to the eventual tournament champion in bracket play in every tournament they entered. We saw them at our Buckeye Prep Summer Showdown where it became clear that they were extremely talented, well coached and more than deserving of a top 10 ranking.  With their performance in Fort Wayne last week, they will make a significant jump in our Power rankings.

In addition, Paul McMillan’s 2022 All-Ohio Red lost to Team Takeover in the Peach Invitational last week.  All-Ohio Red was powered by Paul McMillan IV and Jerry Saunders.  Other standout performers included Bowen Hardman (had 29 points ve Nike South Beach), Cameron Miles, Khalil Luster and Jordan Hale-Frater. McMillan finished with 32 points in the final game. Red’s run at the event included wins over Nike South Beach, the Bryce Griggs led Nike Pro Skills and AAU National Champions CP3. McMillan’s squad rapped up their 2017 season with a gaudy 45-6 overall record, which includes wins over several nationally ranked teams such as Minnesota Spartins, Nike Pro Skills, Indiana Elite, New Jersey Hill Toppers and CP3..

Also we have to give a shout out to Greg Jonson’s 2021 Cincinnati Royals who finished in 9th place at the AAU Nationals a week ago.  The Royals’ trek to the title included wins over Next Level Show (60-38), Riverside Hawks (61-51) and LA Blue Chip Academy (41-39). The Royals were bounced from title consideration with a 78-62 loss to Kessel Heat Black in the second round.