Hopkinsville will once again be the center of elite prep basketball when the Grind Session returns for its Power Conference play-in tournament, October 2–5.
Games will be held at Hopkinsville High School, Christian County High School, and the Planters Bank–Jennie Stuart Health Sportsplex.
Founded in 2014, the Grind Session is the nation’s first and longest-running winter circuit for top high school basketball programs. The league has helped produce more than 3,000 college players, around 100 NBA players, and over 20 first-round NBA draft picks. Alumni include NBA stars Jamal Murray, Jayson Tatum, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Power Conference is the Grind Session’s premier division, featuring the highest concentration of elite boys’ prep teams. Sixteen squads will make up this year’s conference, including more than 20 players ranked in the Top 100 of the 2026, 2027, and 2028 classes — with several projected NBA lottery picks.
Thirteen teams are already confirmed, among them Academy of Central Florida, DME Academy, Ft. Erie International (Canada), Huntington Expression Prep, Prolific Prep, Royal Crown (Canada), and Winston Salem Christian. The Hopkinsville event will determine the final three teams in the 2025–26 Power Conference.
A total of 33 teams from 13 states and Canada are set to compete, each guaranteed three games. Programs in the play-in field include:
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Balboa School (FL)
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Bella Vista Prep (AZ)
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CHI Prep (IL)
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Colorado Destination (CO)
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Inspire Academy (CAN)
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Orangeville Prep (CAN)
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Skyline Prep (AZ)
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Wesley Christian (KY)
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Zephyrhills Christian (FL)
More details are available at www.thegrindsession.com.
