With Session Four of the EYBL season concluded, the stage is set for Peach Jam in North Augusta, S.C.
Session Four, also held over the weekend in North Augusta, was filled with highlights and standout performances from key players. Jordan Smith Jr. of Paul VI (Chantilly. Va.) and Team Takeover finished the session with a perfect 4-0 record, securing the No. 1 seed heading into Peach Jam.
Tyran Stokes of Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) averaged 25.2 points, 12 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in Session 4, while Jason Crowe Jr. of Inglewood (Calif.) averaged 22.5 points, including a 37-point explosion against the Vegas Elite over the weekend. The duo led the Oakland Soldiers to an undefeated session and earned them the No. 3 seed. The New York Rens came into the weekend projected to challenge Team Takeover for the top seed, but faced significant challenges. The Rens lost twice, following a 89-82 loss to the Arizona Unity on day two, then lost 73-67 loss to Team Takeover in the final game of the session as a Ren’s victory would have handed Takeover (14-1) its second overall loss. As it stands, the Rens get the No. 2 seed with a 12-3 mark, including a head-to-head win over the Soldiers in Memphis in Stokes’ first game with the California-based team.
Take Takeover Enters As Peach Jam Favorites
The 17U category is particularly competitive, with the top three seeds all coming from the Merritt Division, and each is expected to make a strong run for the title. Team CP3 is the top team in the Raveling Division with an 12-3 record and the fourth overall seed, but the loss of Kohl Rosario (now at Kansas) due to reclassification may be a setback this week. Smith Jr. has been the MVP of the 2025 EYBL season, averaging 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, standing out as the top player on the top team. Team Takeover is favored to win, having already defeated both the New York Rens and the Oakland Soldiers this summer.
16U Rundown
The EYBL 16U division features five to six teams that can realistically contend for the championship, with several others capable of making deep runs. JL3, Team Herro, and the Indy Heat all come in with impressive 11-1 records. AB Elite has a strong chance of making a deep run at Peach Jam with a record of 10-2, while the Florida Rebels (9-2) and Team Why Not (9-2) have both performed well in Division B. Drive Nation is another contender led by 2027 five-star players Ryan Hampton and Marcus Spears Jr., both of Dynamic Prep (Dallas). The 16U bracket is likely to be the most exciting in North Augusta, as it showcases a wealth of talent spread across multiple teams, giving each a chance to claim the title.
Georgia Stars Lead 15U Pack
Similarly, the EYBL 15U division is brimming with young talent and multiple teams capable of winning it all. Two of the top teams in the 15U division entered the weekend undefeated, but both lost. Team United suffered their first loss of the summer in Game 3, falling to 11-1 after a 53-51 loss to Team Takeover, which has three players in double figures, including highly-regarded 2028 Xavier Skipworth of Bullis (Md.), who finished with 15 points on nine shot attempts. Meanwhile, the Georgia Stars lost their first game of the season, 68-58, to Team Melo on the final day.
The Georgia Stars are a top seed at 11-1, led by 2024-25 Ballislife National Freshman of the Year A.J. Williams of Dutchtown (Hampton, Ga.). A majority of this unit captured the eighth grade Peach Jam title. The 15U division also features the Oakland Soldiers (10-1) and Team Final (11-1). The Soldiers are led by 2028 forward Shalen Sheppard of Brentwood (Los Aneles) and Team Final is led by 2028 guard Rowan Phillips of Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.). Several teams with elite players, such as Team Melo, have the potential to win it all, as demonstrated on Sunday.
