Connecticut Recruiting, DePaul Recruiting, Georgetown Recruiting, Jeff Borzello, Pittsburgh Recruiting, Providence Recruiting, Rutgers Recruiting, Seton Hall Recruiting, St. John's Recruiting, Syracuse Recruiting, Villanova Recruiting

HOOP GROUP HBC METRO SUMMER SHOWCASE (PART I)

Jeff Borzello is in Neptune (NJ) at The Hoop Group headquarters this weekend for the HBC Metro Summer Showcase where high school teams from New Jersey and some surrounding areas are competing on the court.

The marquee teams lined up for the event were Paterson NJ) Catholic, Neumann-Goretti oh Philadelphia, Abraham Lincoln of NYC and St. Patrick’s of Elizabeth (NJ). Each of those four teams, along with Lakewood (NJ), Christian Brothers Academy of Lincroft (NJ), Seton Hall Prep and Westtown (PA) have advanced to the quarterfinals of the winner’s bracket for Sunday’s action with 2-0 records on Saturday.

Last year’s Metro Summer Showcase featured Kyrie Irving making his debut with St. Pat’s and leading them to the championship with Michael Gilchrist and others. Irving and Gilchrist were not here on Saturday, but the next wave of Celtic stars carried the load, led by Derrick Gordon, a Western Kentucky for 2011.

A team to keep an eye on in the future is Eastside High School of Newark (NJ). While they did not make the final eight, class of 2012 prospects Aaron Bodie and Tariq Carey are going to be a pair to be reckoned with in New Jersey high school action the next three seasons. Carey, who impressed NBE at the Reebok Tryout Headliner Camp in Somerset (NJ) earlier this month where he earned an invite to the recent Reebok Underclass Breakout Camp, is already citing interest from SMU, St. Joseph’s and Siena and that will certainly grow in numbers and stature in the future.

Newark Eastside was bounced from the winner’s bracket in the second round by Lakewood (NJ) and their fine-looking 6-foot-6 small forward Jarrod Davis, who is a teammate of Irving’s with the NJ Roadrunners on the AAU circuit. Davis, a member of the class of 2011, told NBE that he has a college list at the moment of Kentucky, Virginia Tech (offer), St. Joe’s (offer), LaSalle, Rutgers, Penn State, Syracuse (offer), Villanova, Georgetown, Maryland, Houston, UAB, St. John’s, Marist and Rice (offer). He also added he is looking at Connecticut and Indiana.

Paterson Catholic brought a strong squad with newly-minted Seton Hall verbal commitment Fuquan Edwin, Myles Mack, Kyle Anderson, Jayon James and Derrick Randall headlining their team. Middletown South was hardly intimidated, though, taking them down to the wire before falling, 75-69. Edwin led PC with 31 points.

The 6-foot-9, class of 2011 Randall told NBE Saturday he has St. John’s, DePaul, Providence, Villanova and Miami on his college list early in the process.

Neumann-Goretti completely dominated an out-classed Amistad Academy. Under-appreciated Daniel Stewart, recently re-classed to 2010, was impressive again. Tyrek Duren also continues to build his resume this spring into summer. It will not be surprising to see his recruitment get even higher once the open period starts in July. At the Rumble in the Bronx two weeks ago Duren told NBE schools such as Virginia Tech and Baylor stood out over Miami, Temple, LaSalle, St. Bonaventure, Providence and Virginia. Derrick Stewart, a class of 2012 prospect, will be one to follow as well.

For Lincoln, the post-Lance Stephenson era is looking to be in the hands of Shaq Stokes and the 5-foot-10 point guard looked completely capable on Saturday of handling the role. Currently, Stokes lists Auburn, Florida, Villanova, Arizona and “a lot more” as currently showing interest in the 2011 prospect.

Sterling Gibbs (2011), fresh off a gold medal winning international experience with the U-16 USA team will be the straw that stirs the drink for Seton Hall Prep. Gibbs was not at his best on Saturday, but SHP has moved on and will face Lincoln on Sunday in a quarterfinal match-up. As far as recruiting, Gibbs did confirm that Villanova is his current favorite, but he was also sure to make the point he is wide open in the process and listed Indiana, Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, Rutgers, Oklahoma, St. John’s, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Penn State as other schools currently on his mind.

Check back tomorrow night, into Monday, for more coverage of the 2009 HBC Metro Summer Showcase presented by The Hoop Group as Jeff Borzello will be in Neptune for the action on Sunday as well.

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