Zach Smart

JORDAN DICKERSON ONE TO WATCH IN 2012 CLASS

Big East Schools Expressing Interest In Lincoln’s 7-footer

By Zach Smart

Last season, Jordan Dickerson sported the tag of work-in-progress for Brooklyn’s famed Lincoln High.

A 7-footer who assumed man in the middle responsibilities since the Railsplitters’ James Padgett took his game to College Park, Md., has shown some glimpses this season.

A senior who will take the prep school route next year, Dickerson has developed better habits around the basket. He’s become sound on the glass and learned how to manipulate and change shots with his long and lean presence.

During Monday’s Big Apple Classic at Baruch College, the NYC hoop junkie chatter was still surrounding Patterson’s Aquille Carr.

Carr, who dropped 34 points and collected eight steals in a loss to longtime coach Ron Naclerio and Cardozo, dropped jaws with his explosiveness, athleticism, and ability to get his shot off in traffic.

Still, for a few moments on Monday, the upside on Dickerson was glaring.

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 more on Jordan Dickerson as the 7-footer from the traditional NYC PSAL power is getting some impressive attention from top programs on the recruiting trail. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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2011 TODD MAYO HEATING UP ON RECRUITING FRONT

Todd Mayo‘s rich basketball bloodline indicates that he’s a pure scorer who can erupt and score buckets by the bushels during phases.

While Mayo may contain some of the lethal spurtability but not quite the deft shooting touch of his older brother, famed NBA star O.J. Mayo, the Notre Dame Prep guard falls out of bed ready to rip off eight straight points. Mayo’s hyper-athleticism and ability to take the ball to the rack has earned plentiful interest from a bevy of high-major programs.

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 more on Aquille Carr, one of the elite players in the 2013 class, and see what schools are already involved in his recruitment. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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AQUILLE CARR’S STOCK GROWING, GROWING, GROWING…

Dimunitive 2013 prospect shines in Big Apple Basketball HS Invitational on Saturday

By Zach Smart

Aquille Carr is the little engine that could potentially propel Patterson to a memorable season in the hoops hotbed of Baltimore. Carr put his crowd-pleasing arsenal of moves on display before a jam-packed crowd at Baruch College Saturday, dropping a game-high 34 points and dishing out four assists, but it was not enough as his Patterson (MD) team came up short as Cardozo gutted out a dizzying 62-61 win.

His success on the hardwood has garnered interest from a plethora of high-caliber Division-I schools from the Big East and all over.

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 more on Aquille Carr, one of the elite players in the 2013 class, and see what schools are already involved in his recruitment. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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KEEP AN EYE ON IAN BAKER IN 2012 CLASS

Ian Baker Intro: Brother’s Keeper Getting Looks From All Over

By Zach Smart

Is Ian Baker his brothers’ keeper?

Baker, a rising junior at Arlington Country Day school in Jacksonville, Fla., is certainly keeping the Baker name alive and intact on the court. The cerebral combination guard, who averaged 10 points and four assists per game as a sophomore, has been actively pursued by a number of Division-I hardwood homes. One Big East school has been the front runner, with schools from the ACC and CAA looking to sell the kid from the rich basketball bloodline.

Two of Ian’s older brothers, Evann and Jeremy Baker, played for Quinnipiac in the Northeast Conference.

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ALL JACKED UP, KADEEM POWERS FRENJI

NYC big man bound for prep school will be a hot target for Big East schools and more in 2011 class

By Zach Smart

Kadeem Jack arrived two quarters late to the Frenji’s Frankie Williams Charity Classic in the village of Greenburgh, N.Y., though it didn’t take the 6-foot-9 senior much time to register his presence.

As soon as he checked into the into the game at the Theodore D. Young Community Center, Jack flushed home a two-handed alley-oop banger on a fast break. It instantly put a jam-packed gym, which included many familiar basketball faces (former NBA player Kenny Anderson and homegrown product Torey Thomas, who authored a stellar career at Holy Cross, to name a couple) on its feet. On the ensuing possessions, Jack knocked down a baby hook over Villanova-bound Jayvaughn Pinkston and flew in for a stickback.

Kadeem was all Jacked up, scoring his first 12 points in a span of under 10 minutes and using his length in the paint.

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 introductory membership to read about Jack his recruitment, as well as any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage.

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MIKE TAYLOR LIGHTS UP FRANKIE WILLIAMS CHARITY CLASSIC

2011 NYC guard displays full offensive arsenalin charity all-star contest in Greenburgh Thursday night

by ZACH SMART/NBE Staff

Mike Taylor had the hot hand, burying five three-pointers en route to a 33-point barrage as Team Frenji Blue pulled away thanks to two back-to-back fast break dunks by Devon Collier.

Taylor, a junior who is going to the basket and dishing more and shooting less, was bleeding confidence after the game.

“It’s a great feeling, coming out here and playing with kids from New Jersey, New York, the best of the best,” Taylor said. “They said I had 33. I guess it’s a good feeling, I’m one of the best in New York City.”

Taylor has been well known in New York City basketball circles for some time and this spring he has also shown well on a broader stage as his Metro Hawks AAU team competed well in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League. Taylor has continued to show a more diverse offensive game and is no longer just a long-range sniper. He is an excellent penetrator who has a quick dribble and can get by opponents with his speed. He is effective in the lane, whether finishing at the rim or finding a teammate for a basket. Of course, by burying five three-pointers on Thursday, he hasn’t lost the long-range touch, either.

Which potential hardwood homes have been in heaviest pursuit of one of Gotham’s top players in the Class of 2011?

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 introductory membership to read about Jack’s visit to RU and his recruiting situation as well as another NYC player looking closely towards the Scarlet Knights, as well as any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage.

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NEW RUTGERS STAFF MAKING STRONG MOVE IN NYC

by ZACH SMART/NBE STAFF

It has been one month since Mike Rice left Robert Morris and the NEC for the vacant head coaching position at Rutgers in the Big East. The RU job became open in April after Fred Hill was let go by RU after four dismal seasons and a bizarre off-the-court incident at an on-campus baseball game.

The move from a program in the NEC to the Big East is a large step, but the intense and determined Rice is showing he is not afraid to recruit with the big boys of the conference. As many media outlets have reported in the last day or so, Rutgers hosted highly coveted 2011 big man prospect Kadeem Jack for an unofficial visit yesterday.

Jack participated in the 3rd Annual Frankie Williams Charity Classic on Thursday evening in Greenburgh (NY) where he spoke with Zach Smart to give NBE his thoughts on the trip to RU and his recruiting, which has picked up once again. It was also learned that Jack is not the only highly regarded 2011 NYC prospect that Mike Rice and his staff have made a quick and strong move with recently as another is looking to take a visit very soon.

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 introductory membership to read about Jack’s visit to RU and his recruiting situation as well as another NYC player looking closely towards the Scarlet Knights, as well as any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage.

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NEW JERSEY GUARD PICKS CLEVELAND STATE

Gary Waters secures a late addition from DePaul Catholic guard Wally Sajimi

Wally Sajimi, a point guard who attended DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne (NJ) committed to Gary Waters and Cleveland State. Sajimi averaged 11.7 points and 8.4 assists a game in his senior season, despite playing with a partially torn rotator cuff, according to coach Bart Fazio.

Sajimi, a native of Teaneck (NJ) was attracted to the Cleveland State program because of the tough schedule they are always willing to tackle and the nationaly visibility they receive. Coach Waters’ feel for the point guard spot and his enthusuasm when he was recruiting Sajimi.

Schools such as Liberty, Ohio, Northeastern, as well as Providence and Cincinnati, showed interest in Sajimi during the recruiting process.

On the AAU circuit, Sajimi had played with Team Kobe (PA), Pittsburgh Storm and the Metro Hawks at various stages.

– Zach Smart contributed to this report

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MOORE LOOKING TO ADD SCORING PUNCH FOR PANTHERS

South Kent senior hopes to make immediate impact at Pitt upon arrival for Jamie Dixon

By Zach Smart

Port Chester, N.Y.–If J.J. Moore wasn’t such a laid back, cool customer (off the court, that is), he would probably consider creating a new facebook account. Under a surname that is…

Moore has been sifting through a flurry of messages from both friends and strangers, urging him to bring his innate scoring ability to Pittsburgh next season.

Moore knows the adjustment to the higher stratosphere will be marathon and not a sprint, albeit the South Kent Prep (CT) senior says he’s ready for the challenge.

No question, Moore is geared on offering immediate contributions at Pitt, where he’s bent on emerging as a viable scoring option from the get-go.

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 introductory membership to read on below for more on Moore as he discusses his game and Gary Charles talks of his impact in the Big East…

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JABARIE HINDS: FOUR SCHOOLS AHEAD OF PACK

2011 Mount Vernon guard shines at CYP, has four top schools on him in recruiting

By Zach Smart

Port Chester, N.Y. — Jabarie Hinds electrified the crowd at the tiny gym at Our Lady of Mercy, exploding for a pair of one-handed dunks that showcased his prodigious vertical leap.

The 5-foot-11 southpaw also made crucial plays late in the fourth quarter, helping lift Team Frenji to a 98-91 victory over the New York Falcons in the semifinals of the CYP tournament.

Now it’s a matter of unfinished business for coach Tom Sampogna Frenji’s, which fell short of the title in 2008 despite a talent-leaking roster that included Kevin Jones, Mookie Jones and Sean Kilpatrick.

Sampogna, who served as an assistant at Port Chester during their period of basketball prosperity in the mid-2000s, heaped praise on Hinds after the game, calling him a “special” player.

His words surely resonate in the buffet-line of coaches who have been in pursuit of the Mount Vernon junior.

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 introductory membership to read on below for more on Hinds and see what four schools lead for his services…

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ANNUAL CYP TOURNEY SHOWCASES PLENTY OF BIG EAST TALENT

By Zach Smart

Port Chester, N.Y.–The two teams were playing in a bandbox gym that was slightly bigger than Jayvaughn Pinkston‘s last shoebox, so it was only fitting that the hulking 6-foot-6, 235-pound Villanova-commit dominated the house.

Pinkston, who navigated double-teams and got to the tin at will, utilized his manpower throughout a game that featured numerous lead changes and blink-quick spurts.

Pinkston bulldozed his way to cup, drawing Khalid Samuels (a senior at Blessed Sacrament, the alma mater of South Florida forward Jarrid Famous) final foul.

The crucial bucket gave a Frenji’s team dripping with talent (Pinkston, Oregon State-commit Devon Collier, Jermaine Sanders, Louisville-commit Russ Smith, Kadeem Jack, Jabarie Hinds and Vermont-bound forward Brian Voekel all suited up for Team Frenji) a 95-93 edge with 1:23 remaining.

Pinkston later closed the door with game-icing free throws, as Frenji’s escaped with a 100-96 win over Rodney Abrams in the 64th Annual Catholic Youth Program tournament at the Our Lady of Mercy church. The tournament is in fond memory of William R. Gallagher.

“At the end of the day we were the better team,” said Pinkston, who chose Villanova for the proximity to his Forte Greene, Brooklyn home, his relationship with Jay Wright and the school’s “tradition of winning.”

“It’s a small court so my big men were helping out and I’ve got some good guards you know, Russ (Smith) and Jabarie (Hinds). We worked together and stepped up.”

You can sign up for NBE Premium access and SUBSCRIBE (HERE) to read on below for more from last night’s CYP action. Included are player evals on the standout performers mentioned above as well as Kyrie Irving and recruiting updates on Sanders, Hinds and a NYC sleeper getting attention from West Virginia. Russ Smith also discusses his Louisville commitment. All that and more in the premium section. Earlier we also had a premium story from the event as a Big East Visit is Up Next for Kadeem Jack.

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BIG EAST VISIT UP NEXT FOR KADEEM JACK

Fast-rising 2010 big man of Rice HS in Manhattan will visit Big East power on Saturday

by ZACH SMART

A loaded Team Frenji, decked to the gills with talented players such as Villanova-commit Jayvaughn Pinkston, Oregon State-commit Devon Collier, Jermaine Sanders, Louisville-commit Russ Smith, Kadeem Jack, Jabarie Hinds, and Vermont-bound forward Brian Voekel, escaped with a 100-96 win over Rodney Abrams in the 64th Annual Catholic Youth Program tournament at the Our Lady of Mercy church. The tournament is in fond memory of William R. Gallagher.

To give you a hint of how old and traditional this tournament is: Larry Brown, Donnie Walsh and Lenny Wilkins are among the boat-load of former and current NBA personalities to compete in the event. NBA players and Big East products such as Charlie Villanueva, Randy Foye, Tim Thomas, Ron Artest, Ryan Gomes and Hilton Armstrong have all played in this smurf-sized gym.

One of the next players who could possibly join the impressive list of CYP Tournament alumni in making an impact at the highest levels of the sport is Manhattan Rice High School senior big man Kadeem Jack. One of the hottest spring recruiting targets in the class of 2010 was impressive in the tough atmosphere last night and showed why colleges are coming on strong to try and secure a signature on a letter of intent from him later this spring.

You can sign up for NBE Premium access and SUBSCRIBE (HERE) to read on below for more on Jack who tells NBE he will be visiting a Big East campus this weekend…

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AFTER BRIEF SCARE, JEROME DYSON & UCONN RIP BU

by ZACH SMART

HARTFORD–The sight was alarmingly familiar, and that’s what made it all the more frightening for the Connecticut Huskies.

Jerome Dyson, the Huskies’ best player–Jim Calhoun’s description after the Huskies’ 92-64 blowout of Boston University–landed awkwardly during the opening moments of the second half.

“I’m not going to lie, I was a little nervous seeing that,” said UConn forward Gavin Edwards, who scored 12 points and ripped down nine rebounds.

Dyson stayed down for a few minutes, and it was tremendously similar to the scene that played out last February against Syracuse.

That’s when Dyson, who’s averaging over 20 points to lead the No.13-ranked Huskies, knocked knees with Syracuse’s then-forward Kristof Ongeneat.

An MRI later revealed Dyson had a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee, an injury which sidelined him for the season.

“We were just hoping ‘rome would come back,” said point guard Kemba Walker of the tense few minutes when Dyson was down on the floor.

Read Rest of Article HERE!!

DYSON STEPS UP FOR CONNECTICUT

by ZACH SMART

Storrs, Conn.—William & Mary entered Gampel Pavilion with a slew of three-point snipers and quickly shed any fear of the No.14 Connecticut Huskies.

The Tribe, which lived and died beyond the arc all night, hit six three-pointers before the Huskies could hit one.

The Tribe was also active on the glass, capitalizing on putbacks and third chances. Both teams finished with 34 boards, though the Huskies were out-boarded 19-14 in the second half.

The Tribe trailed by just six points at halftime and pulled to within four points, 39-35, at the start of the second half.

That’s when William & Mary ran into a buzz saw in Jerome Dyson.

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MORE IS8 RECRUITING UPDATES FROM PLAYOFF ACTION

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Updates on some of the standout performers from last weekend’s IS8 playoff action with a Halloween theme

by ZACH SMART

Juan’ya Green, a ghastly 6-foot-3 combo guard at Archbishop Carroll (PA) HS, is receiving plenty of Big East love. He’s sifting through letters, receiving the most interest from Villanova, Georgetown, Syracuse, Providence, Maryland, St. Joe’s and Temple.

“That’s all I can think of tight now,” said the Class of 2011 guard, after rattling off his current list.

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JERMAINE SANDERS HAS BIG EAST INTEREST; MORE RECRUITING UPDATES

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Rice junior has focus on upcoming season, recruiting can wait

By Zach Smart

For Jermaine Sanders, recruiting is an afterthought right now. Talk to him at the end of the season, this probably won’t be the case.

Right now, however, the subject of the electrifying 6-foot-4 wing’s recruitment is in the shadows.

So, what’s front-and-center on the Rice HS forward’s agenda? First and foremost is the ready-to-be filled scoring void left by high-volume scoring machine Durand Scott, who was claimed by June graduation.

Scott, now a freshman at Miami, was a highly sought after recruit last season. He ended up spurning UConn and Pittsburgh, both of which hounded him throughout the recruiting process last year, for the Hurricanes.

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JABARIE HINDS WEIGHING OPTIONS; BIG EAST RECRUITING NOTES FROM IS8

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by ZACH SMART

It was during a Westchester County high school football game under the evening lights when I encountered Patrick Theodole. Beyond the Section I sports junkie pleasantries, we became immersed in conversation.

The topic? Not football.

Instead, we talked the leaps-and-bounds growth of Jabarie Hinds. Hinds, who cooked opponents to the recipe of 37 points per game down at Bob Gibbons and has evolved into more of a prolific scorer while developing a dependable jumper, has become the hunted in the world of Big East recruiting.

I rattled off a number of top-flight Division-I schools that were actively hounding the latest guard from Westchester’s richest hoops real estate. It certainly elicited a response from Theodole, who’s one of the Knights’ many assistant coaches under longtime coach Bob Cimmino.

“Oh, there’s more schools on his list than that,” Theodole said, reacting to my list of around 8-10 potential Division-I suitors for Hinds.

Theodole—who teaches at Hastings High School, my alma mater—is not wrong here.

“They all seem hungry,” said Hinds, a junior guard who was Pippen to Sherrod Wright’s Jordan, operating offense for the Knights last season.

“I got offers from Oklahoma State, UNLV, Wake Forest, Seton Hall, St. John’s, James Madison, Louisville, and a couple more.”

Hinds has no favorites, no leaders yet. He hasn’t cut any schools from a list that’s akin to a 7-year-old’s Christmas gift list in length.

You can’t write off any team yet. The blink-quick, springy guard still has two years of high school remaining.

Even James Madison, which may or may not be at the bottom of his list, has a tie to Hinds. Former Mount Vernon standout Jomo Belfor, who plays against Hinds during the Knights’ traditional open gyms, played for the Dukes a few years ago.

Hinds keeps his former teammates, many of whom Mount Vernon molded and launched to Big East careers, close to his presence. Kevin Jones (West Virginia), Mike Colburn (Rutgers) and Jonathon Mitchell ((Rutgers) remain tight with Hinds.

“I learned a lot (from the older guys). I played behind Mike Colburn when he was in high school, so I learned a lot from him. (Former Mount Vernon Knights now playing in the Big East or elsewhere) always come up to the gym, in the off-season we work out. We play open gym. They teach me a lot of stuff, and you know, I teach them stuff too.”

As the lone acclaimed player—and one of the few players who played a significant role on last year’s squad—returning, Hinds has rapidly evolved into the face of this storied program.

He knows he’s going to hold some ownership of the team this year.

“Everything is mine now,” said Hinds. “I’m the captain. I’m the only starter back right now, so everybody’s got to work for a spot and go hard in practice every day.

Is keeping a perennial power intact a heavy burden?

“Always,” said Hinds.

“The pressure is there, big time. We need to play hard, go hard every day in practice, make sure we take no plays off, and we should be alright.”

If Hinds continues to orchestrate the offense and grow as a scorer, his future hardwood home should be better than alright.

JUMP BALLS:

Jordan Allen, a 6-foot-5 junior at Bayshore HS, has emerged into a highly sought after product on the recruiting market.

While Allen hasn’t narrowed his list down to favorites, he’s received an uptick in interest from Providence, UMass, Notre Dame and Georgia Tech.

Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt attended one of Allen’s practices during the last days of the contact period.

“Providence has been going pretty hard right now,” said Allen. “Coach (Pat) Skerry, I’ve been in contact with him. Notre Dame has been showing me some interest, too. That’s it for right now. Before school started, I was hearing from Seton Hall.”
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Devon Collier is currently on his visit at St. John’s. The hotly pursued 6-foot-8 forward from St. Anthony’s has also visited Oregon State—where Craig Robinson, our commander-in-chief’s brother-in-law, is loving his game—and Providence. Collier took his visit during StormFest weekend, SJU’s midnight madness.

The Johnnies look revved up to re-write the script this season, with DJ Kennedy exploding for emphatic, extravagant, and violent dunks. Newly-minted Johnnie junior Dwight Hardy, who was dominant in the Orchard Beach league this summer, was also impressive. He netted threes and showed some range.
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Corey Edwards, a New York point guard with savvy and game managing skills beyond his years, is wide open right now. The 6-foot-1 junior at Christ The King said Villanova and West Virginia are no longer the leaders. Rick Pitino and Louisville have shown interest, taking in one of his workouts during the open contact period. Coaches from Pittsburgh have also started to take notice. Edwards, who averaged 12 points and seven dimes his sophomore season is primed for a breakout campaign at Lamar Odom’s alma mater. This comes after a successful summer playing for New Heights on the AAU circuit.

Edwards, who visited Marquette over the summer, enjoying the gut-busting antics of funnyman forward Jeronne Maymon but detesting the weather, is taking his time with the recruiting process.

“No new visits yet,” Edwards said.

“George Mason coach (Jim Larranaga) wanted me to go to their midnight madness but I couldn’t make it out there. Right now, I’m wide-open. West Virginia is no longer (leading the list). They just got some guard from Cincinnati.”
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editors note – NBE has been unable to confirm the commitment for WVU that Edwards was referring to.
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Tyquan Goodlet, a 6-foot-3 combination guard at St. Anthony’s HS, is receiving the most interest from Big East schools such as Providence, St. John’s, Rutgers and Marquette. He visited Rutgers this fall, taking in the Rutgers/Pitt football game. The class of 2011 playmaker has watched his stock balloon over the summer and through the fall. A crafty guard who loves shredding up defenses and taking it to the cup on the big men, Kimani Young has Goodlet pegged as “New Heights’ favorite player to watch.”
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CATCHING UP ON ANGEL NUNEZ AT IS8

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Class of 2011 Nunez is an elite prospect in prep ranks that Big East schools have checked in on

By Zach Smart

Eric Martinez knew he had to do it.

He knew if Angel Nunez was going to pan out at that next level, his progression would need to take place in a disciplined, heavy-structure environment where much emphasis is placed on academics.

Enter, The Winchendon School (MA), a prep school and traditional hoops hotbed.

Martinez, Nunez’ advisor and a friend of NBA player Francisco Garcia—who starred at Winchendon in 2001—has close ties with coach Michael Byrnes.

So, Martinez felt it was the best decision to take a top-flight prospect and move him into a lower-density area where he’d be going up against star-spangled squads every night.

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BIG EAST RECRUITING NOTEBOOK FROM WEEKEND

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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.

COREY EDWARDS RECRUITING UPDATE FROM FALL IS8

Villanova, West Virginia have moved to the forefront of 2011 PG’s recruitment

By Zach Smart

Jamaica, N.Y.—Regular fall workouts have rapidly emerged into workaday madhouses for budding Christ The King point guard Corey Edwards.

A buffet-line of college coaches have been eyeing the 6-foot-1 senior, keeping tabs on his true point guard style and show-running ability.

Coaches from Pittsburgh, West Virginia, George Mason, Boston College, Virginia have all come in from out the woodwork, registering their presence as Edwards penetrates the teeth of defenses at will and makes his teammates beneficiaries of his distributions. His proclivity for drawing the defense in and kicking it to the open man has made him a tantalizing talent.

St. John’s has also been hastily chasing Edwards, who New Heights coach Adam Berkowitz describes as “a calming influence when he’s on the court.”

Edwards, who’s been outspoken about his desire to play in the guard-heavy Big East, is favoring Villanova and West Virginia.

“Nova has my top interests right now, I’d say ‘Nova and West Virginia,” explained Edwards.

“I was real surprised when Virginia came all the way down.”

Folks at the bandbox IS8 gymnasium were real surprised Saturday, when New Heights’ 6-foot-6 forward Jayvaughn Pinkston (the most highly-sought after recruit on this side of Kyrie Irving) was neutralized and Edwards stole the show.

Edwards connected on a number of timely jays, ran the floor well and peddled out assists.

“He runs the team, he runs the show,” explained Berkowitz. “Everybody knows that. When he needs to penetrate and score, he knows to do that. When he needs to distribute the ball and get the ball to our bigs, he does that.”

Berkowitz continued, “He knows what (New Heights 17U coach Kimani Young) is all about all the time, which is really setting the tone defensively. He needs to be a real stopper, and pressure guards, and get the other team out of what they want to do, for us to be successful.

All summer, Edwards, a native of South Jamaica, N.Y., talked about the need to improve his jumper and decision making.

He showed progression before the jam-packed gym Saturday, orchestrating the show.

“I want to go to a school for guards, a school with good coaching, and that’s probably going to be a Big East school anyway,” said Edwards.

If Edwards, who averaged 12 points and seven dimes as a sophomore last season, continues to produce the way he did Saturday, his words will prove prophetic.

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