Pat Stevens

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.

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

See the Big East stars of today on the big stage as our 2010 Big East Tournament & Tickets page has 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

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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HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT LOOK-BACK: CITY OF PALMS

BY PAT STEVENS — The top holiday tournament in terms of drawing the best field of teams from across the country has traditionally been the City of Palms in Fort Myers, Fla.

Current Big East standouts Lance Stephenson (Cincinnati/Lincoln, N.Y.) Maalik Wayns (Villanova/Roman Catholic, Pa.), Greg Monroe (Georgetown/Helen Cox, La.), Samardo Samuels (Louisville/St. Benedict, N.J.) and Taylor King (Villanova/Mater Dei, Calif.) all played in the event in recent years.

City of Palms alums that were recent Big East standouts and are now current pros include DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh/Schenley, Pa.), Jonny Flynn (Syracuse/Niagara Falls, N.Y.), Paul Harris (Syracuse/Niagara Falls, N.Y.) and Demetris Nichols (Syracuse/St. Andrew’s, R.I.).

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NBE PREP CORNER WITH PAT STEVENS (VOL 3.1)

BY PAT STEVENS

The early returns from the prep school ranks look to be another good season ahead with the Big East signing the most prep school players of any conference in the Fall Signing Period.

Originally there were 13 expected Big East signees for the Fall Signing Period, however that number fluctuated some during the eventful week in mid-November.

In total, 10 prep school players signed with Big East teams – Russ Smith (Louisville/South Kent), J.J. Moore (Pittsburgh/South Kent), Austin Carroll (Rutgers/Brewster Academy), CJ Fair (Syracuse/Brewster Academy), Ron Giplaye (Providence/Notre Dame Prep), Gerard Coleman (Providence/Tilton School), Markus Kennedy (Villanova/Winchendon School), Nate Lubick (Georgetown/St. Mark’s), Isaiah Epps (Pittsburgh/Hargrave Military Academy) and Waverly Austin (South Florida/Heat Academy, Va.).

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BIG EAST RECRUITING NOTEBOOK FROM WEEKEND

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

Here are several recruiting notes NBE has received over the last several days…

From Zach Smart at the opening weekend of the IS8 Fall League:

Russ Smith, 6-0 170 G South Kent Prep (CT) was in action at IS8 with the NY Panthers. Smith informed NBE he has a long list of schools offering and then included Auburn, Baylor, Arkansas, Houston, Virginia, UMass, La Salle, Temple, St. John’s, Louisville, Providence, Seton Hall, Rutgers, Stanford, George Mason and Fordham.
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Jabarie Hinds, 5-11 G Mount Vernon (NY) HS. The class of 2011 scoring point guard had one of the weekend’s top performances as he put on an offensive show. Hinds is currently looking at offers from Oklahoma State, UNLV, Wake Forest, St. John’s, Louisville, Seton Hall and James Madison.

Thus far, Hinds has taken one official visit, to St. John’s.
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Devon Collier, 6-8 Sr., St. Anthony: This versatile New Heights product can score the rock in a variety of ways. On Saturday, it was his strap-up style of defense that stood out. Collier recorded around 10 blocks and used his freakish athleticism to commit several thefts and instigate turnovers. He’s become more adept and handling the ball and passing. One area for improvement is shooting. If Collier wants to play the 3-spot in college, he needs to extend his range and shoot the three better. His jumper is starting to come along at the mid-range level, but he must be consistent as he’s got a number of schools pushing for him. St. John’s, Providence, Seton Hall, Rutgers, Oregon State and Maryland is currently Collier’s list.

“Of that group, all of them have offered,” said Berkowitz, Collier’s coach/advisor.

“You know, Maryland is the lone question mark, we’re still trying to gage how serious they are about him.”
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Jayvaughn Pinkston, 6-6 Sr., Bishop Laughlin: Residual effects of not playing as much with New Heights showed on Saturday. Pinkston was also negated as opponents trapped, pressed, and played zone on a smurf-sized court to keep Pinkston at bay. Still, the physical specimen boards up and plays with a brand of toughness that is foreign at this level. Pinkston, a versatile scorer who can float freely and go to work in the paint, has extended a feathery jumper that now ranges around 18-20 feet. Pinkston is slated for visits at Big East schools such as St. John’s, Seton Hall, Villanova and Marquette. Visits to Tennessee and possibly Arizona are also being considered. Kimani Young says the key for this big dripping with potential is to stay focused on academics. He’s right. More have been murked by the math midterms than by the machetes. Take it from me, a 23-year-old who still remembers his final exam grade in high school trigonometry. I’ll give you a hint, the test was out of 100 and I scored the same number that Patrick Ewing wore on his jersey!!!
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Lucious Jones, 6-4 Jr. St. Anthony’s: His identity is as a shooter. This guard can dial in from downtown and loves to give the ball to a big and have him kick it back out to him on the perimeter. Jones is also unselfish, he can pass the rock and get big men involved. The kid from Sports University All-Stars is receiving mid-level interest right now. If he continues to improve and his numbers spike at the New Jersey perennial power this season, Jones could be a solid pick-up for any of the local Big East programs.
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Jordan Allen 6-5, Jr.: Ready to step up his leadership role at Bayshore HS, where he’s the best player. Been living in the weight room and working out with Jerry Powell to up his stock. Combination wing can pass the ball, and slash to the cup with ease. Mid-range game is getting there, but consistency problems need to be rectified for next season. West Virginia, Clemson, Illinois, UMass, St. John’s, all in active pursuit. Redstorm coach Norm Roberts and assistant coach Glenn Braica are showing the most interest thus far. Former member of the Playaz Baskteball Club, Allen now plays with the Panthers under Gary Charles.
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Myles Davis, 6-1 St. Peter’s Prep: Shooter, slasher, and playmaker all rolled in one. Davis shows a propensity for shooting the ball, as he’s really been recognized as a shooter throughout his career. Still, Davis is proving that he’s more than just a one-trick pony with his increased slashing. He’s shooting less and going to the cup more.

Georgetown, Providence, Pittsburgh, George Mason, St. Joe’s, St. John’s, Wake Forest, Purdue, are all schools on his front list. Davis has offers from Fordham, Marist, Providence, Rutgers, Rice, and plenty more. Georgetown is in heavy pursuit.
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Pat Stevens has been taking a prep school tour of some of New England’s top programs. From Thursday’s visits to Winchendon (MA) and Northfield Mount Hermon (MA)…

Winchendon’s Markus Kennedy (6-9 C/Yeadon, Pa.) is supposed to come off crutches today and hopes to be back on the floor shortly. Staff from Villanova are expected in to visit him again this week.
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Winchendon’s Angel Nunez (2011/6-7 WF/Bronx, NY) made mention of Villanova, West Virginia and Rutgers all having been in to see him already. NBE will have more on Nunez from his time in NYC this past weekend for IS8 action by tomorrow.
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NMH’s Aaron Cosby (2011/6-2 CG/Louisville, Ky.) said he feels Pittsburgh, Oklahoma State and Stanford are coming at him the hardest.
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And one final update, NBE caught up with South Kent (CT) School point guard Danny Lawhorn last week. The 6-foot, 155-lb senior (class of 2010) previously played at Hartford Public High School, but decided on South Kent because “it’s not that far from home and plays a nice schedule.”

Nearly a year ago, Lawhorn committed to Boston College just before the start of his high school season. However, this past July he decided to re-open the process and de-commit from Al Skinner’s program.

“I was committed to BC until they started recruting other guards and [had] no more interest in me,” Lawhorn told NBE in an email last week.

Since he has opened his recruiting back up, Lawhorn says he has been in contact with St. John’s, St. Bonaventure, UMass, St. Peter’s, Auburn, Villanova, Texas A&M, Fordham, West Virginia, Baylor, Miami, Californa, DePaul, Houston, UAB, South Florida, Maryland, Rutgers and Kansas State.

‘VEGAS WEEK’ REVIEW: BIG EAST FOCUS (PART I)

by PAT STEVENS

Five players have new interest from Big East teams as a week of super tournaments in Las Vegas kicked off the second summer evaluation period with the Adidas Super64, Reebok Summer Championships, Center Stage, Nike Main Event and GBOA Challenge of Champions.

Here are five new names on the Big East recruiting radar that stood out while in Vegas…

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NBE PREP CORNER WITH PAT STEVENS (VOL 2.3)

By PAT STEVENS — For thoughts on the incoming Big East recruits from the prep school ranks, we checked in this week with the NEPSAC Class A’s four winningest coaches in recent years. Whit Lesure of Bridgton Academy (ME), Jere Quinn of St. Thomas More (CT), Mike Byrnes of Winchendon School (MA) and Jason Smith of Brewster Academy (NH) have seen all, or most, of the prep school standouts of New England heading to the Big East and they gave their thoughts on each so Big East fans have a preview of what to expect in the future.

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MEMORIAL WEEKEND LOOKBACK: TOC PLAYER NOTES

By PAT STEVENS — With Bob Gibbons’ Tournament of Champions in North Carolina and the Nike Memorial Day Classic in Georgia, this past weekend served as the third weekend of tournaments with truly national fields of competition during this two month old spring season.

Here’s a look back at the TOC on who’s establishing themselves as the nation’s top prospects and how the Big East is involved…

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