Pat Stevens

EYBL – BOO WILLIAMS: PREP SCHOOL PROSPECTS SHINE ON AAU TRAIL

BY PAT STEVENS

HAMPTON, Va. – The first major national event of the travel hoops season took place this past weekend with the first session of Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League getting underway in it’s annual spot of long-time coach Boo Williams’ backyard.

Several prep school players were in action with their 17-under division teams, as BABC went 5-0 with Tilton (N.H.) teammates Georges Niang, Nerlens Noel, Goodluck Okonoboh and Wayne Selden (who mostly played 15U where they reached the championship game).

The Playaz also went undefeated with its backcourt shared by Myles Davis (Notre Dame Prep) and Darrick Wood (NIA Prep).

Albany City Rocks featured New Hampton (N.H.) teammates Zach Auguste and Olivier Hanlan along with Ricardo Ledo (Notre Dame Prep, MA), who averaged just under 24 points per game for the weekend.

Other prep school players included Mike Tobey (Hotchkiss/NY Gauchos/Virginia commit) and Sam Cassell Jr. (Notre Dame Prep/Baltimore Elite).

We managed to catch a pair of games in between session of the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament while in town last weekend…

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NATIONAL PREP CHAMPIONSHIP RECRUITING NOTES

by PAT STEVENS

Earlier this month, St. Thomas More (CT) won the fifth annual National Prep Championship tournament with Andre Drummond named MVP of the final, where they defeated Notre Dame Prep (MA) 90- 74. This culminated an exciting week of basketball in New England as just a few days earlier the NEPSAC championships concluded with Maine Central Institute taking home the AAA crown and the Tilton School winning the AA title. NBE was taking in the action throughout and here are some recruiting notes picked up on during the action:

-Notre Dame Prep has two players who have another year to go before college in Ricardo Ledo and Myles Davis. Expect Connecticut, Louisville and potentially Providence to be in the mix for Ledo, along with Kentucky. Pittsburgh could be considered a favorite for Davis, along with Xavier.

-NIA Prep has two unsigned players with Kelvin Amayo and Ryan Rhoomes. Oregon State and Seton Hall have long been options and depending on if they choose to recruit him, Providence (new staff) or DePaul (new interest) are also possible choices for Amayo. Seton Hall had Rhoomes on campus last week and TCU is scheduled to host him on an official visit this weekend.

-Westwind Prep’s Kiwi Gardner, a 5-foot-8 point guard from Oakland, visited Providence before heading to New Haven for the National Prep Championships. This was before the coaching change but it’s notable that Fairfield was recruiting him as well, whose coach Ed Cooley is now the new Friars coach. TCU, South Florida, Murray State and San Francisco have also shown interest. Gardner was originally a 2011 prospect but then planned to re-classify, however it now looks as if he’ll head to college next year.

-As we covered, St. Thomas More took home the National Prep Championship and Andre Drummond was named the event’s MVP. Connecticut, Kentucky, North Carolina and West Virginia remain the short list involved, but the Huskies are still the favorite for one of the nation’s top prospects.

-Tilton had a great run this season behind the play of their underclassmen, winning New England Class AA and an impressive showing at the National Prep Championship tournament. Sophomore big men Nerlens Noel and Goodluck Okonoboh have wide Big East interest (Noel also with ACC and Big Ten offers) while a href=”http://www.nbebasketball.com/w3/big-east-team-pages/connecticut/”>Connecticut and Providence had the two in to see games this year. 2012 power forward Georges Niang should see Big East interest this summer but to date has various A-10, CAA and NEC offers. Iowa and Iowa State have also offered and expect to have him in for visits. Wayne Selden, a 2014 prospect, will be nationally recruited over the next few years. The young guard made a big splash this season, finishing with 22 points in each of the NEPSAC Final and the NPC Opening Round vs. Notre Dame Prep.

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Pat Stevens has assisted with the National Prep School Invitational and has covered prep schools for Van Coleman’s Hoopmasters.com the past seven years. He has also contributed his knowledge to NBE often in the past. Be sure to visit PatStevensBasketball.com for more of his insights to the prep school game.
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ANDRE DRUMMOND LEADS ST. THOMAS MORE TO NATIONAL PREP CHAMPIONSHIP

by PAT STEVENS

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – St. Thomas More (CT) won the fifth annual National Prep Championship tournament with Andre Drummond named MVP of the final, where they defeated Notre Dame Prep (MA) 90- 74.

Drummond (MVP) scored 19 points and matched up throughout with Khem Birch (Pittsburgh), who had nine points. Drummond’s assignment in his matchup was to keep him off the offensive glass and to run the floor with him. The two traded post ups on each other as well as dunk attempts that had the crowd packed with St. Thomas More students up in arms – almost like a mini-Madison Square Garden on Big East title night.

Drummond got off to a good start with a baseline jumper to get him going and managed to stay out of foul trouble. He had his share of highlights including a big one-hand dunk off a backdoor lob and a pair of shot blocks sent out of bounds in the second half.

Notre Dame Prep’s Todd Mayo had 27 points and Ricardo Ledo (2012) had 14.

Also for T-More, Damion Lee had 25 and Adam Jones (Fairfield) had 17.

Connecticut assistant coach Kevin Ollie made the drive for the championship game.

Semi-Final Results:
St. Thomas More (CT) 90 – Hargrave Military Academy (VA) 76
Notre Dame Prep (MA) 76 – Brewster Academy (NH) 71

Player Notes:

Drummond had 14 points in the semi-final win and battled foul trouble that kept him sidelined most of the second half while his team stepped up and pulled away.

Notre Dame Prep’s Todd Mayo had 33 points and scored 12 straight to start the second half in a big lift for the team. Ricardo Ledo had 13 and late-game knocked down a key free throw after missing three straight just seconds earlier. Birch had three offensive rebounds that saved the game for Prep, including an and-one that he also converted at the free throw line.

Brewster Academy’s Markus Kennedy (Villanova) had 17 points and Mitch McGary (2012) had 12 as they both were dominant in the first half against a thin front-line but would soon face quick double-teams after halftime. Eli Carter had 13 and Durand Johnson (Pittsburgh) kept Brewster in it with two big-three pointers plus a drive to the hoop late in the game, eventually finishing with 12.

NEPSAC CHAMPIONS CROWNED; NATIONAL PREP CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

by PAT STEVENS

2011 NEPSAC CHAMPIONSHIPS:

SCOREBOARD – SUNDAY MARCH 6:

4-Maine Central Institute (ME) 73 d. 3-New Hampton (NH) 56 *CLASS AAA Title*
–MCI’s Khristian Smith (Indiana State) led all scorers with 28 points.

1-Tilton (NH) 72 d. 2-St. Mark’s (MA) 56 *CLASS AA Title*
–Tilton’s Georges Niang (2012) had 22 and Wayne Selden (2014) had 21. Niang averaged 26 points per game in the three-game event.
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SCOREBOARD – FRIDAY MARCH 4:

*CLASS AAA SEMI-FINALS*
4-Maine Central Institute (ME) 87 d. 1-Brewster Academy (NH) 68
3-New Hampton (NH) 59 d. 2-St. Thomas More (CT) 56

*CLASS AA SEMI-FINALS*
1-Tilton (NH) 66 d. 5-Marianapolis (CT) 54
2-St Mark’s (MA) 67 d. 3-St. Andrew’s (RI) 47

TOP PERFORMERS – SEMIFINALS:

For Maine Central Institute, Adrian Rogers led the way with 20 points, Daishon Knight had 16 and Khristian Smith (Indiana State) had 15. Brewster Academy’s JaKarr Sampson (St. John’s) had 19 points in the loss while Eli Carter had 12.

For New Hampton, Nick Paulos (UNC-Greensboro) had what would be the game-winner and finished with 16 points on four three-pointers along with seven rebounds while Jordan Laguerre (UMass) had a team-high 19 points. St. Thomas More’s Andre Drummond had 10 points, 15 rebounds and eight blocks, while Damion Lee had a team-high 20 points and Adam Jones (Fairfield) added 11 points in the loss.

For St. Mark’s, freshman point guard Kevin Zabo had 19 points and 10 assists. 2012 trio Nik Stauskas had 15 points while both Alex Murphy (Duke) and Kaleb Tarczewski each had 14 points and seven rebounds a piece. St. Andrew’s Michael Carter-Williams (Syracuse) had 17 points and seven rebounds in the loss.

For Tilton, Georges Niang (2012) had 26 points and Wayne Selden (2014) had 17. Marianapolis’ Zach Chionuma (Boston University) had a game-high 29 points while Ousmane Drame (Quinnipiac) had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
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National Prep Championship (Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT):

Opening Round – Tuesday, March 8th:
10am – #8 New Hampton (NH) vs. #9 Westwind Prep (AZ)
12pm – #7 NIA Prep (NJ) vs. #10 Northfield Mount Hermon (MA)

Quarterfinals – Tuesday, March 8th:
2pm – #4 St. Thomas More (CT) vs. #5 Princeton Day Academy (MD)
4pm – #1 Hargrave Military Academy (VA) vs. New Hampton/Westwind winner
6pm – #3 Notre Dame Prep (MA) vs. #6 Tilton School (NH)
8pm – #2 Brewster Academy (NH) vs. NIA Prep/Northfield Mount Hermon winner

Semifinals – Wednesday, March 9th:
11am – 2pm winner vs. 4pm winner
1pm – 6pm winner vs. 8pm winner

Finals – Wednesday, March 9th:
7:30pm – National Prep Championship Game

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The BIG EAST conference season has concluded and the 2011 Big East Tournament in Madison Square Garden begins tomorrow. You can visit the NBE 2011 Big East Tournament & Tickets page for the event schedule and links to purchase tickets to each and/or all sessions. NBE is uniquely partnered with TicketNetwork.com to bring our readers Tickets to All Sporting Events during ANY season. WE HAVE YOUR SEATS!!
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For travel deals and arrangements, click here: Book Air and/or hotel for NYC and 2011 BIG EAST Tournament

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NEPSAC PLAYOFFS GET UNDERWAY TODAY

by PAT STEVENS

State tournaments around the country are in full swing in high school hoops and the same can be said for the powerful New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) as their championships get underway tonight at sites across New England. Pat Stevens will be at many of the games this week as well as next week’s 2011 National Prep Championship and will provide NBE with updates on the action as well as the latest recruiting news and notes throughout the two-week run of top events in New England.

Here is the NEPSAC Playoff brief on the AAA and AA classifications:

*CLASS AAA OPENING ROUND (All games at Endicott College)*

1-Brewster Academy (NH) vs. 8-Winchendon (MA)
4-Maine Central Institute (ME) vs. 5-Northfield Mount Hermon (MA)
3-New Hampton (NH) vs. 6-Bridgton Academy (ME)
2-St. Thomas More (CT) vs. 7-South Kent (CT)

*CLASS AA OPENING ROUND (Games at higher seed’s sites)*

1-Tilton (NH) vs. 8-Holderness (NH)
4-Cushing Academy (MA) vs. 5-Marianapolis (CT)
3-St. Andrew’s (RI) vs. 6-Vermont Academy (VT)
2-St. Mark’s (MA) vs. 7-Hotchkiss (CT)

Semi-finals are Friday, Championships on Sunday

CLASS OF 2011 TOP 100s:
6-5 CG Michael Carter-Williams of St. Andrew’s (Syracuse)
6-7 WF Jakarr Sampson of Brewster Academy (St. John’s)
6-7 WF Maurice Harkless of South Kent (St. John’s)
6-0 PG Naadir Tharpe of Brewster Academy (Kansas)

CLASS OF 2012 Top Talents:
Andre Drummond – St. Thomas More
Kaleb Tarczewski – St. Mark’s
and Class of 2013 seven-footer Nerlens Noel of Tilton

CLASS OF 2011 COLLEGE SIGNEES:
6-9 PF Markus Kennedy – Villanova/Brewster Academy
6-9 C Vince Van Nes – Fairfield/Northfield Mount Hermon
6-8 PF Derrick Randall – Rutgers/South Kent
6-8 CF Donnie Hale – Purdue/Bridgton Academy
6-8 PF Rafael Maia – Brown/Maine Central Institute
6-7 F Ousmane Drame – Quinnipiac/Marianapolis
6-7 WF Nick Paulos – UNC Greensboro/New Hampton
6-7 PF James Kennedy – Boston University/Cushing Academy
6-7 PF Imoh Silas – Siena/Holderness
6-7 WF Armani Cotton – Yale/Northfield Mount Hermon
6-6 WF Durand Johnson – Pittsburgh/Brewster Academy
6-6 PF Adam Jones – Fairfield/St. Thomas More
6-6 WF Max Hooper – Harvard/Brewster Academy
6-5 SF Khristian Smith – Indiana State/Maine Central Institute
6-5 SG John Golden – Dartmouth/Northfield Mount Hermon
6-4 PG Joe Sharkey – Brown/Northfield Mount Hermon
6-3 SG Ge-Lawn Guyn – Cincinnati/South Kent
6-3 SG Zach Chionuma – Boston University/Marianopolis
6-2 SG Joey Ptasinski – Lafayette/New Hampton
6-2 PG Aaron Cosby – Seton Hall/Northfield Mount Hermon
6-1 CG Jordan Laguerre – UMASS/New Hampton

And several unsigned division one talents including…
Eli Carter – Brewster Academy
Xavier Pollard – Winchendon
Olivier Hanlan – New Hampton
Damion Lee – St. Thomas More
Nemanja Djurisic – South Kent
Will Davis – New Hampton
Ryan Martin – Bridgton Academy
Daishon Knight – Maine Central Institute
Omari Grier – Maine Central Institute
Kyle Callanan – Cushing Academy

Plus 2012 verbally committed prospects…
6-9 PF Mike Tobey – Virginia/Hotchkiss
6-8 WF Alex Murphy – Duke/St. Mark’s
6-3 SG Eli Lubick – Colgate/St. Mark’s
6-0 PG Dominique Bull – Rhode Island/Tilton

And other top underclassmen…
Zach Auguste – New Hampton
Kareem Canty – Bridgton Academy
Evan Cummins – Northfield Mount Hermon
Georges Niang – Tilton
Goodluck Okonoboh – Tilton
Wayne Selden (2014) – Tilton
Nik Stauskas – St. Mark’s
Kevin Zabo (2014) – St. Mark’s
Clyde Smith – Hotchkiss
Andrew Chrabascz – Cushing Academy

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The BIG EAST conference season has moved into the stretch run and the 2011 Big East Tournament in Madison Square Garden is just one week away. You can visit the NBE 2011 Big East Tournament & Tickets page for the event schedule and links to purchase tickets to each and/or all sessions. NBE is uniquely partnered with TicketNetwork.com to bring our readers Tickets to All Sporting Events during ANY season. WE HAVE YOUR SEATS!!
**********************************************************************************************

For travel deals and arrangements, click here: Book Air and/or hotel for NYC and 2011 BIG EAST Tournament

*********Follow NBE Sports on Twitter: http://twitter.com/NBESports*****

NATIONAL PREP SCHOOL INVITATIONAL RUNDOWN

by PAT STEVENS

Kingston, R.I. – It was a busy weekend starting Thursday and finishing up just before Superbowl XLV on Sunday last at Keaney Gymnasium on the campus of the University of Rhode Island as the 13th annual National Prep School Invitational took place. Featuring 33 games with programs spanning the United States and from Spain, including six televised contests, it was another successful run of the annual event.

Syracuse signee Michael Carter-Williams of St. Andrew’s was named Most Outstanding Player for the second straight year while other Big East signees Maurice Harkless (St. John’s/South Kent), Jakarr Sampson (St. John’s/Brewster Academy) and Shaquille Thomas (Cincinnati/NIA Prep) were named to the 12-man All-Tournament team for their performances over the weekend.

Pat Stevens, who is instrumental in running the event, took the time to break down the players who signed with BIG EAST programs this fall and their performances in the event. Also, staff members, including head coaches from Marquette, Providence and Seton Hall, and assistants from Louisville, Providence, Rutgers, St. John’s, South Florida and West Virginia stopped by during a busy weekend of action to check in on players already committed to their programs and targets they are currently chasing. Pat Stevens has all the details below in our subscriber section…

You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month with our annual membership to read Stevens complete coverage from the NPSI last weekend for NBE. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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JORDAN BRAND CLASSIC Q&A – 10 WITH DION WAITERS

by PAT STEVENS

NEW YORK, N.Y. – One of the earlier commits from the 2010 class giving Syracuse his word before his sophomore season, Philadelphia native Dion Waiters was deemed a top scorer since young. Throughout his career at Life Center (N.J.) and on the circuit with Team Final, he kept up that reputation to earn himself a spot in the annual Jordan Brand Classic. Waiters’ senior send-off took place this past weekend at Madison Square Garden and he sat down at practice earlier in the week for a quick Q&A with NBE.

-Earliest Memory of Jordan Brand Classic?

When Tyreke Evans played. I was in 10th grade.

-Memory of Getting Invited?

Just happy because I was supposed to make the McDonald’s game. It added more fuel to the fire.

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MCDONALD’S Q&A: 10 WITH JAYVAUGHN PINKSTON

by PAT STEVENS

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Tom Konchalski makes the Jamal Mashburn comparison, but Jayvaughn Pinkston never saw him play.

He doesn’t go as far back to the three amigos – ‘Dre, Omar and Taliek.

Not even Charlie V.

Jayvaughn Pinkston just hoops, and in just a few years of working on his game he’s gotten himself to the McDonald’s All-American game just like those five Big East New Yorkers before him.

The Villanova-bound forward took some time with NBE for some light quick-hitters at Tuesday’s media day before hitting the court for the annual senior send-off Wednesday night on ESPN.

-Earliest Memory of McDonald’s Game…

Pinkston: I didn’t start playing basketball until late so I don’t really have one. Just when I found out that this was the biggest game I knew I wanted to be in it someday. It’s a great honor.
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-Anybody You Would Add To The McDonald’s Game…

Pinkston: Nobody particular. I felt everyone was good here.
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NATIONAL PREP CHAMPIONSHIP RECRUITING NOTES

Lost in the shuffle of last week’s excitement with the Big East Tournament was the National Prep Championships that were held at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven (CT). Eight of the top prep schools in the country came together to battle it out over the course of two days last week and the action culminated with Brewster Academy taking the title with an overtime victory of Northfield Mount Hermon.

Big East coaching staffs were represented throughout as Villanova assistant Jason Donnelly was on hand Tuesday and Wednesday saw Rutgers’ Fred Hill and Darren Savino make the trip along with Connecticut’s Pat Sellers and Providence’s Pat Skerry.

2010 Big East commits in action included Isaiah Epps (Pittsburgh/Hargrave Military Academy), Gerard Coleman (Providence/Tilton), Ron Giplaye (Providence/Notre Dame Prep), CJ Fair (Syracuse/Brewster), Austin Carroll (Rutgers/Brewster) and Markus Kennedy (Villanova/Winchendon) and several potential spring targets of Big East schools in the class of 2010 were also in action. NBE has recruiting updates on Cleveland Melvin, Bryon Allen, Maurice Walker, who now has a list of six favorites out of the Big East and is looking to set up visits to three of them, and Majok Majok along with underclassman Naadir Tharpe.

To see the latest you can sign up for NBE Premium access and SUBSCRIBE (HERE) to read on below…

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NATIONAL PREP CHAMPIONSHIP – FINAL DAY RUNDOWN

by PAT STEVENS – A pair of Big East recruits capped off their seasons with a New England championship and now a national title as CJ Fair and Austin Carroll helped Brewster Academy defeated Northfield Mount Hermon in the finals of the National Prep Championships.

Brewster would rally from down 15 points in the first half and trade the lead in the second half before heading to overtime where they pulled away for the 79-76 win.

BIG EAST SIGNEES IN ACTION

CJ Fair (Syracuse/6-7 WF/Brewster Academy) – Fair saved his best for last as he scored a number of big baskets in key moments. He’s a zone-buster for the Brewster team with his ability to operate consistently in the gaps and finish around the rim. Often times he elevated over the defense for scores with his high, slingshot release that goes well with his lift and size. However, most impressive is his effort. Considering he’s fit to be a wing but with his skills to serve as an undersized-four man inside, he’s gone to work and gives the team what it needs consistently when we’ve seen him this year. He scored 13 and 11 in the prior two victories and finished with 19 in his last game with his family also on hand.

Austin Carroll (Rutgers/6-3 SG/Brewster Academy) – He had the chance to win the game when Will Barton couldn’t get enough space for a step-back jumper and got caught in the air, dropping it off to him nearby in the corner. It was a tough spot to make something happen and he nearly scored on a runner that would have been the game-winner. His first two games were tough outings from beyond the arc but he hit several in key stretches come the championship. He made a difference as a help defender and in team defense, showing both good anticipation and timing with a number of strips around the basket along with stepping in for several charges throughout the two days. Rutgers’ head coach Fred Hill and assistant Darren Savino watched him in the championship alongside his family.

Isaiah Epps (Pittsburgh/6-2 PG/Hargrave Military Academy) – Epps has a necessary weapon for the point guard package and it’s a reliable long ball, which he used for two big hoops in Hargrave’s second half rally that eventually fell short against NMH. His toughness shined through down the stretch with will to take and make those big shots. He was a tough cover for the slower guards and finished with a game-high 20 points along with some active defense in the press that forced a number of turnovers during their comeback attempt.

Ron Giplaye (Providence/6-7 PF/Notre Dame Prep) – Giplaye had an average outing in the opening round loss to NMH. A signature rebounder, getting back on defense was an issue for he and his teammates. Offensively, a bright spot was his ability to go to both hands in a crowd. Gerard Coleman stuck around to watch him. He had nine points in the opening round loss to Northfield Mount Hermon.

Gerard Coleman (Providence/6-4 SG/Tilton) – Coleman played within the flow of the offense in the first half but Hargrave jumped Tilton and took a big lead into the half of the opening round matchup. The second half he was more aggressive with the floor opening up and allowing for plenty of his typical scores in transition, but he got plenty of hoops taking his man off the dribble as well. While a majority of the second half both teams pushed the ball off both misses and makes, his drive game was superb when in the half court. Inside, he avoided contact with his ability to change direction on the bounce or adjust mid-air. A quick spin move into a leaner/push shot is in his repertoire. More often than not though, he would get himself all the way to the rim and either convert or head to the free throw line. His jump shot is still a work in progress. Several were short when the defender (quick guards of similar build Mardracus Wade and Lorenzo Brown) was able to get a hand up but he also knocked down a contested pair as well. Condition-wise he’s in great shape for a track meet like the game turned into but the mental of giving so much on offense and essentially trading baskets in a big comeback attempt probably took away from his active defense he’s capable of. He did his best to overcome a slow start as a team and finished with 43 points, 29 coming in the second half.

BIG EAST COACHES IN ATTENDANCE

Rutgers’ Fred Hill and Darren Savino were on hand along with Connecticut’s Pat Sellers and Providence’s Pat Skerry.

*Our premium section will have a few recruiting notes from the Prep Championship later tonight for subscribers…

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NATIONAL PREP CHAMPIONSHIP OPENING DAY

by PAT STEVENS

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Gerard Coleman (Tilton/Providence) had the day’s high of 43 points as the fourth annual National Prep Championships are underway, this year from Albertus Magnus College.

Big East signees Isaiah Epps (Pittsburgh), CJ Fair (Syracuse) and Austin Carroll (Rutgers) all helped their teams to victories that have them slated for Wednesday’s semifinals and potential championship game.

Epps and No. 1 seed Hargrave Military Academy meet No. 5 Northfield Mount Hermon and Fair and Carroll lead No. 2 seed Brewster Academy against No. 6 St. Thomas More, with the championship set for 7:30 p.m.

Read on for more on the opening day of the National Prep Championship, including recruiting updates on Cleveland Melvin, who has plenty of Big East interest and plans a Big East visit in the near future, and Bryon Allen, who is likely to take a Big East official visit this spring. Both were previously Big East verbal commitments and still might land in the conference next season. To see the latest you can sign up for NBE Premium access and SUBSCRIBE (HERE) to read on below…

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NEPSAC CHAMPIONSHIP NOTES

BY PAT STEVENS — C.J. Fair (Syracuse) helped Brewster Academy to a NEPSAC Class A Championship as they knocked off Winchendon School and Markus Kennedy (Villanova), 72-69 on Sunday’s season finale at Endicott College. Brewster’s Will Barton (Memphis) was named MVP with 28 points. Naadir Tharpe (2011) added 14 points. Winchendon’s Khem Birch (2012) had 11 points and several key blocks.
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Gerard Coleman (Providence) scored 20 points as Tilton School won its third straight Class B Championship beating Marianapolis, 69-61. Ryan Canty (2011) added 12 points.
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Shabazz Napier (2011) scored 23 points to go with six assists and several steals for Lawrence Academy, who finished the season undefeated at 23-0 with its Class C title win over St. Mark’s, 55-43. Nate Lubick (Georgetown) had 15 points and 13 rebounds for St. Mark’s. Alex Murphy (2012) scored 11.
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Georgetown head coach John Thompson III, Providence head coach Keno Davis, Connecticut assistant Pat Sellers and Rutgers assistants Craig Carter and Darren Savino all made the trip.

Alabama head coach Anthony Grant also watched Shabazz Napier.
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Next Up:

National Prep Championship 2010
March 9th & 10th, 2010
Albertus Magnus College – New Haven, Connecticut

Quarter-Finals – Tuesday, March 9th

2pm – #1 Hargrave Military Academy vs. #8 Tilton School
4pm – #4 Notre Dame Prep vs. #5 Northfield Mount Hermon School
6pm – #2 Brewster Academy vs. #7 Westwind Prep
8pm – #3 Winchendon School vs. #6 St. Thomas More School

Semi-Finals – Wednesday, March 10th

11am – 1/8 winner vs. 4/5 winner
1pm – 2/7 winner vs. 3/6 winner

Finals

7:30pm – Championship
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The Big East Tournament tips off this week and be sure to visit our 2010 Big East Tournament & Tickets page for the links needed for Big East basketball fans to purchase tickets to any or all of the 2010 Big East Tournament sessions. The Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden is an event Big East fans must experience when they have the opportunity and here is your chance to get your tickets early before they become harder, and more expensive, to find. Stub Hub and the Big East conference have teamed up to provide fans with quality tickets and you can get tickets to ANY Big East conference or non-league game by following this link: StubHub.com – The Safe Way to Buy & Sell Tickets Online

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NEPSAC PLAYOFF NOTES

by PAT STEVENS (patstevensbasketball.com)

It will be No. 1 vs. No. 2 as Brewster Academy faces Winchendon School with Big East signees C.J. Fair (Syracuse) and Markus Kennedy (Villanova) leading their teams into the NEPSAC Class A Championship on Sunday. Fair and Brewster beat St. Thomas More, 92-61, while Kennedy and Winchendon topped Northfield Mount Hermon, 91-77, on Friday in the semi-final match-ups.

In the Class B final, Gerard Coleman (Providence) leads top-seed Tilton in its championship defense when it faces Marianopolis. Coleman scored 32 points in Tilton’s semi-final win over Hotchkiss, 76-65. Marianopolis knocked off St. Andrew’s and Michael Carter-Williams (2011 Syracuse commit), who scored 23 points in the 58-48 loss.

In Class C, Nate Lubick (Georgetown) and St. Mark’s will meet Lawrence Academy and Shabazz Napier, one of the country’s top point guards in the junior class. Lawrence won the team’s lone head-to-head match-up back in mid-December, 76-72 at home.

The three championships take place at Endicott College in Beverly, Mass and begin at 2pm with Class C.

LOOKING BACK AT THE NPSI

By PAT STEVENS – The 12th annual National Prep School Invitational saw Big East signees Nate Lubick (Georgetown), CJ Fair (Syracuse) and J.J. Moore (Pittsburgh) deliver while underclassmen Michael Carter-Williams, Shabazz Napier and Alex Murphy brought it in a big way.

NBE was in Kingston, R.I., during all four days of action that featured over 30 of the nation’s top prep schools.

NPSI ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Michael Carter Williams (2011/6-5 PG/St. Andrew’s, R.I.) – Most Outstanding Player/Syracuse verbal

Patrik Auda (6-8 CF/Canarias Basketball Academy, Spain)

Bo Barnes (6-4 WF/Westwind Prep, Az.)

Bill Baron (6-0 CG/Worcester Academy, Mass.) – Rhode Island

CJ Fair (6-7 CF/Brewster Academy, N.H.) – Syracuse

Jamir Hanner (6-7 PF/NIA Prep, N.J.)

Nate Lubick (6-8 PF/St. Mark’s, Mass.) – Georgetown

Majok Majok (6-7 PF/Northfield Mount Hermon, Mass.)

J.J. Moore (6-6 WF/South Kent, Conn.) – Pittsburgh

Shabazz Napier (2011/6-0 PG/Lawrence Academy, Mass.)

Javarez Willis (6-0 PG/Christian Life Center, Tex.) – Texas Tech
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NPSI DAY FOUR RECAP

BY PAT STEVENS – Two of the Class of 2011’s best shined as Michael Carter-Williams of St. Andrew’s locked up the MVP award while Shabazz Napier of Lawrence Academy made a push at retaining it for the second straight year as the 12th annual National Prep School Invitational concluded on Sunday.

Big East assistant coaches on hand included Connecticut’s Pat Sellers and Providence’s Pat Skerry.

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NPSI DAY THREE RECAP

BY PAT STEVENS – J.J. Moore and Shabazz Napier were two of the top performers leading their teams to wins as the 12th annual National Prep School Invitational rolled along for a third day on Saturday at the University of Rhode Island. South Florida’s Eric Skeeters was the lone Big East assistant in attendance.

-South Kent’s J.J. Moore (6-6 WF/Pittsburgh) led all scorers on the day with 30 points in a 70-69 win over the Canarias Basketball Academy of Spain. Russ Smith (6-1 PG/Louisville) scored 11 points as the two teams’ traded baskets down the stretch with South Kent eventually pulling away.

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NPSI DAY TWO RECAP

BY PAT STEVENS – St. Mark’s Nate Lubick (Georgetown) and Alex Murphy had big days along with St. Andrew’s Michael Carter-Williams who went for 36 points on the second day of the 12th annual National Prep School Invitational.

Assistant coaches in attendance included Rodell Davis of Providence, Craig Carter of Rutgers, Scott Adubato of Seton Hall and Eric Skeeters of South Florida.

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NPSI DAY ONE RECAP

BY PAT STEVENS — A number of coaches made the trip to Rhode Island for the 12th annual National Prep School Invitational, with South Florida’s Stan Heath the lone Big East head coach and he was joined by conference assistants such as Connecticut’s Pat Sellers, Georgetown’s Mike Brennan, Louisville’s Ralph Willard, Providence’s Pat Skerry, Seton Hall’s Scott Adubato, and West Virginia’s Larry Harrison all taking in the first day of play.

The Big East-bound matchup of Waverly Austin (South Florida) of Heat Academy and David Nyarsuk (West Virginia) of Mountain State Academy went the way of the Sudan native. Nyarsuk scored 13 points and had eight rebounds with two blocks in 31 minutes. Austin had eight points, five rebounds and three blocks in 31 minutes as well. MSA went up 17 at the half, 37-20, and went on to win 75-47. PJ Lockridge, who visited Louisville last weekend, had six points and four rebounds in 28 minutes for Heat Academy.

CJ Fair (Syracuse) had 25 points and four blocks in 31 minutes as Brewster Academy ran away from Hotchkiss School in the second half, 95-64. Naadir Tharpe, who has interest from Providence and West Virginia, had 13 assists in the win. For Hotchkiss, its backcourt of Derrick Wilson (2011) had 26 points and Clyde Smith (2012) had 18 points in the loss. Both recently received Notre Dame offers according to their coach.

Ron Giplaye (Providence) scored 12 points and four rebounds in 24 minutes as Notre Dame Prep held off a comeback by the Canary Islands’ Basketball Academy, 63-51. Cleveland Melvin (Connecticut verbal) did not play but was with the team.

Calvin Newell (6-1 CG/Evelyn Mack Academy), one of the top five performers back at the National Prep Showcase in November, says he has interest from West Virginia and Connecticut to go with Baylor and Nebraska. Bob Huggins was in to see him last month and he said he hopes to visit later February. Newell scored 13 points with three assists in a 67-57 win over Progressive Christian.

Kelvin Amayo (6-4 SG/NIA Prep) is being tracked by Seton Hall and will be a 2011 prospect, according to his coach. Shaquille Thomas (6-8 WF), who has several Big East schools interested, had 25 points while Amayo scored 14 with eight rebounds to lead NIA in its second-half rout of Arizona’s Westwind Prep, 94-66.

Andre Drummond, one of the nation’s top prospects, scored 14 points and had 10 rebounds in St. Thomas More’s 88-55 win over Wilbraham & Monson of Massachusetts. The 6-foot-11 sophomore center played 25 minutes while one-time West Virginia commit Bryon Allen added four points and four assists in 17 minutes as St. Thomas More maintained its 20 point lead from before halftime.

Moses Abraham, who has interest from Georgetown and Connecticut, was not with Progressive Christian of Maryland as he plays with their high school team rather than their prep team.

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NBE PREP CORNER – UNDERCLASSMEN UPDATE (PART II)

BY PAT STEVENS — As mentioned in Part I of the Prep Corner’s Underclassman Updates, the group of young talent in the NEPSAC this season is pretty unprecedented when comparing to recent years.

The 2011 class has a pair of point guards who are among the best in the country at their position in Shabazz Napier (Lawrence Academy) and Naadir Tharpe (Brewster Academy). Two more have already given verbal commitments to Big East schools in Michael Carter-Williams (St. Andrew’s) to Syracuse and DaShaun Wiggins (Bridgton Academy) to Seton Hall.

Evaluating the 2012 class is still in the early stages but Andre Drummond (St. Thomas More) started at center to lead the USA U16 team to a Gold Medal this past summer at the FIBA Americas Games and Khem Birch (Winchendon School) will be one of the select few underclassmen who will play at this June’s annual NBA Players Association Top 100 Camp. Ricardo Ledo (St. Andrew’s) and Alex Murphy (St. Mark’s) have high-major offers from teams across the nation.

Expect the Big East to be in for another loaded year if the top talent elects to stay home.

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NBE PREP CORNER – UNDERCLASSMEN UPDATES (PART I)

BY PAT STEVENS — This year’s New England prep schools are especially loaded with talent among its underclassmen, more so than past years.

Still, a number of top Big East players spent not just their post-grad or senior years in the prep ranks but multiple years, most recently being the likes of Antonio Pena (Villanova/St. Thomas More), Jerome Dyson (Connecticut/Proctor Academy), Rob Thomas (St. John’s/South Kent and St. Thomas More), Gilbert Brown (Pittsburgh/South Kent), Lazar Hayward (Marquette/Notre Dame Prep) and Devin Ebanks (West Virginia/St. Thomas More), along with current freshmen James Southerland (Syracuse/Notre Dame Prep), Mike Marra (Louisville/Northfield Mount Herman), Alex Oriakhi (Connecticut/Tilton and Winchendon) and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel (Connecticut/Tilton and Winchendon).

In this first installment, four teams with a pair of future Division I players are highlighted…

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