Connecticut Recruiting, Georgetown Recruiting, Louisville Recruiting, Marquette Recruiting, Pittsburgh Recruiting, Ron Bailey, Rutgers Recruiting, Seton Hall Recruiting, St. John's Recruiting, Syracuse Recruiting, USF Recruiting, Villanova Recruiting, West Virginia Recruiting

NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL INVITATIONAL REVIEW (PART II)

by Ron Bailey

April 8, 2009 – The high school basketball world is still buzzing about last weekend’s National High School Invitational, an event that ended up pitting ESPN Rise’s first (Findlay Prep) and second (Oak Hill) ranked teams in championship battle. Players attending Findlay Prep (NV) – chock full of talent and the eventual winner – were featured here on NBE Basketball Report, along with those of three other schools in Part 1.

To this writer’s subsequent chagrin, the best player in the NHSI tourney was regrettably overlooked (my head needs to be examined). Maybe it had to do with a sense of envy, wishing Avery Bradley, a 6’3”, 185 pound guard was headed to the Big East. He’s not, as Texas will enroll the high school senior next year, to the entire Big 12’s consternation, as he can defend, shoot, drive and pass. Oh yeah, he can defend…really defend.

Oak Hill’s longtime coach, Steve Smith, labeled him “the best guard I’ve ever coached against”. That’s really ‘nuff said, though it stands to mention Bradley, a native of Seattle’s Rainer Beach neighborhood earned i95Ballerz.com NHSI MVP honors.

Speaking of Oak Hill (VA), a number of their players interested in the Big East or of the league’s caliber will be presented in Part 2 here; along with student athletes from Montrose Christian (MD), and St. Frances (MD), in addition to one player from Friend’s Central (PA). Be sure to access the links for more information; the all star teams were chosen impartially, with attention paid to position congruity.

Pe’Shon Howard (pictured on left) – A Pasadena, CA native, the 6’2” 200 pound guard listed “Marquette, St. John’s, Seton Hall, South Florida” in terms of Big East schools that are recruiting/have offered him, while “Arkansas, Maryland, USC and UCLA” constitute non-league schools similarly situated. It’s not surprising, as Howard can drive and shoot, while also exhibiting some toughness. His impact in college will be increased with more of a point guard focus. Made second team all-event.

Bryon Allen – Already committed to West Virginia, Allen, standing 6’3” and 215 pounds fits that program’s footprint, as he’s tough and fearless. Bryon, a swingman from Upper, Marlboro, MD must continue his ball handling and shooting work, which are paying dividends. Fourth team all-event.

Doron Lamb – Long known in Big East circles, this Queens, NY native’s list is impressive. According to the junior, 6’4”, 180 pound guard, he’s been offered by: Syracuse, Kansas, Pittsburgh, “Marquette, St. John’s, Rutgers, Kentucky, Memphis, Miami, Xavier. Named to the event’s second team.

Keith ‘Tiny’ Gallon – Headed to Oklahoma, the 6’9”, 320 pound Gallon is a forward that seemingly prefers to be away from the basket, attacking using his prodigious quickness for a young man his size. Named MOP, Gallon can shoot and rebound. Needs to stay in the paint more, thereby maximizing his impact.

Baye Moussa Keita – Only a junior, Keita has determined Syracuse will be his future college home. At 6’11” and 205 pounds, Keita is a shot blocker that must develop back to the basket skills and further increase his strength.

Lamont ‘Mo-Mo’ Jones – Having first de-committed from present Big East power Louisville, then later deciding Virginia Tech was a bad choice, Jones, a senior guard indicated “USC, UConn, “Marquette and Florida” were the suitors being considered. No time table was given for choosing. The offensively aggressive, Bronx, NY guy earned a position on the all-event first team.

Glenn Bryant – Arkansas, South Florida, Temple and his hometown’s University of Detroit are on Bryant, a raw 6’7”, 185 pound forward that battles, is athletic, and likes to block shots. With offensive skill development Bryant, a senior, can become one of those players that jumps on the national consciousness almost from nowhere. Second team all-NHSI.

St. Frances

Terrell Vinson – A senior, multi-faceted, half-court forward, Vinson does a little bit of everything. Named to the event’s first team, the 6’7”, 200 pound player is a match up problem waiting to happen: He can take bigger players outside, and smaller inside. Maryland and UMass are all over him, and if its roster takes a certain shape, Louisville plans to be as well. Named first team .

Dante Holmes – A third team selection, Holmes showed everyone what people in his native B’Mo know; the kid can get after it via defense, shooting, or slashing. Needs to improve his patting ability. Mid Majors are all over him.

Montrose Christian

Justin Anderson (pictured on left) – Only a freshman, Anderson may be ‘the next big thing’; he can rebound, shoot, and finish. Given his age, Anderson is excitable, and must bone up on his handle. That said, by summer’s end Justin will be likely one of the most highly recruited players in the Class of 2012. Garnered fourth team status.

Mouphtaou ‘Moph’ Yarou – As soon as he walks on the campus of Villanova this fall, Yarou will be load for anyone inside. The 6’9”, 250 pound native of Benin, West Africa must continue to develop his left hand inside, but rebounds, defends, runs the floor and can even hit midrange shots. Second team selection.

Terrence Ross – This smooth shooting junior from Portland, OR is also uber-athletic. Listed “Louisville, Memphis, Kentucky, Georgetown, Arizona State, Arizona, USC, Washington, Oregon State” and Kansas. Must continue to work on his patting (ball handling), particularly in the open floor, as well as get stronger. Stands 6’5” and 180 pounds.

Isaiah Armwood – Joining Yarou at Villanova next year, Armwood played one of his best games of the season in a semi-final loss to Findlay Prep; he has recovered his explosion and mobility, keys to the 6’8”, 195 pound forward’s effectiveness. Isaiah still needs to get stronger and shoot more consistently, as well as pat the rock with greater confidence, but will in short order prove himself worthy of a role similar to present Shane Clark, presently of Villanova. Tabbed fourth team all-event.

Friend’s Central

Dominic Morris – Mid-majors are all over Morris, who at 6’7”, 240 pounds rebounds and battles anyone. Providence has reportedly sniffed at him. The fourth team selection has to extend his skill set to the perimeter, thereby rounding out his game.