Rutgers Recruiting

NEW HEIGHTS AAU RECRUITING NOTEBOOK

Jermaine Sanders, Corey Edwards could keep New Heights AAU to Big East/D-1 pipeline flowing

by JEFF BORZELLO

Branden Frazier was the just the latest in a long line of New Heights prospects to commit to Division-I schools, joining Jayvaughn Pinkston (Villanova), Devon Collier (Oregon State), Ashton Pankey (Maryland) and Malik Thomas (Boston University) as committed seniors.

Naturally, the trend will continue in the next couple of years, as there are plenty of talented players in the New Heights program.

Frazier picked Hofstra recently and Tom Pecora may have gotten his next under-the-radar future Pride star.

“Tom Pecora did an excellent job recruiting him, and Branden liked the idea of playing in front of his family and friends,” said Kimani Young, the director of New Heights, Frazier’s AAU program. “It was the best place for his development.”

Frazier chose Hofstra over Southern Illinois, Fordham, La Salle and Kent State.

“At the end of the day, he’ll be a 1200-1500 point scorer at Hofstra,” Young said. “[Pecora] was excited, he knows how important it is recruiting New York City.”

many other college programs in the United States are also aware of the importance of recruiting New York City talent and Young’s New Heights program will certainly be one to watch this spring and summer once the AAU season gets underway. Young recently filled in NBE with the latest in the recruitment of 2011 prospects Jermaine Sanders and Corey Edwards, who are high on the radar of several Big East schools, as well as some new names that schools like Hofstra, Drexel, Delware, Siena and others are tracking early in the process.

You can sign up for NBE Premium access and SUBSCRIBE (HERE) to read on below for the latest on recruiting notes on the New Heights AAU program provided by Kimani Young recently…

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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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NIA PREP ON THE RISE ON THE PREP SCHOOL SCENE

Jamir Hanner headed to Seton Hall; Kelvin Amayo & Shaquille Thomas lead next group of NIA Prep prospects

By Matt Whitfield

The New York tri-state area is a hot bed for high school basketball. With perennial powers St. Anthony’s, St. Benedict’s, St. Patrick’s, Paterson Catholic, Rice, Lincoln and others, it is no surprise a plethora of talented high school players graduate to play in college and then sometimes at the highest level. Despite being such a breeding ground for talent the area also sees many talented players leave the area for stops at prep programs in New England such as Winchendon Prep, South Kent Prep, and others, to pepare them for college on and off the court. A rising program aims to begin to change the migration of talented NYC/NJ-area players to New England and keep them in the tri-state area as Alif Muhammad’s NIA School in Newark (NJ) has put itself on the prep basketball map this season. With the addition of former Bishop Loughlin head coach Rudy King to the coaching staff at NIA School, NIA Prep is posied for bigger things in the future.

NIA Prep’s basketball program is in it’s second season on the court and in it’s first year under Coach Rudy King. The team is 29-11 as of Monday and according to school President Alif Muhammad had it’s best stretch to date in late January/early February when they beat Mack Academy and then went up to Rhode Island for the National Prep Showcase and beat Westwind Prep and Brewster, all of who were ranked high amongst the ESPN top prep school schools. The school has taken on a national schedule this season, playing a mix of traditional New England prep powers as well as the top programs in New Jersey, including Paterson Catholic and St. Anthony’s. NIA Prep owns a two-game season sweep over a loaded Brewster Academy team, which recently captured the NEPSAC Class A championship.

The team right now has several Big East caliber players with the best of those right now being Jamir Hanner, according to Muhammad.

Read on for more on NIA Prep, including recruiting updates on 2011 prospects Shaquille Thomas and Kelvin Amayo who are both highly coveted by Big East programs. To see the latest you can sign up for NBE Premium access and SUBSCRIBE (HERE) to read on below…

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ANGEL NUNEZ IMPRESSED WITH SYRACUSE VISIT, TALKS RECRUITING

2011 forward prospect has checked out several Big East schools, wants to see Pitt, Kentucky, UL and UConn

by JEFF BORZELLO

A record crowd was in the Carrier Dome last Saturday night to watch Syracuse knock off Villanova and take control of the Big East standings.

The electric atmosphere that was heightened by the ESPN Gameday crew and an NCAA on-campus crowd of 34,616 added to the excitment and the Orange staff took full advantage by using the festivities as a recruiting tool bringing in several highly touted recruits.

One of those in attendance was 2011 prospect Angel Nunez, a 6-7 native New Yorker now playing at Winchendon Prep (Mass.).

“It was fun. The atmosphere was overwhelming,” Nunez said. “I went with [Winchendon teammate] Khem Birch.”

Nunez talked to NBE last night about his trip to Syracuse and his thoughts on recruiting, which included his interest in visiting other schools such as Pitt, Kentucky, Louisville and UConn in the future and what he will be looking for in his future college home. To see the latest you can sign up for NBE Premium access and SUBSCRIBE (HERE) to read on below…

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BUZZ WILLIAMS’ FRIEND/COACHING SCUTTLEBUTT/COREY EDWARDS UPDATE

by RAY MERNAGH

Marquette’s Biggest Fan

Last night after Marquette blasted Louisville, I noticed some of the players pointing out a man to Buzz Williams.

Williams and the players made a dramatic left turn towards the scorers table and greeted the man, who was even more excited than they were (and if you saw them last night that’s pretty damn excited). I had to get the story and asked Williams about it this morning when we were texting back and forth.

I figured he might have been the father of a player or a long-lost buddy. Turns out it was a man that Williams has had an ongoing friendship/dialogue with for some time. The man pops up all the time to visit Williams and the two talk about every day stuff while at the same time building some trust with each other. “It’s the craziest deal,” wrote Williams, “he knows when we play out of town and he’s waiting when our bus gets back to the office so he can say hello to me. He was so fired up last night, I wasn’t even sure he would show up because I knew he would be nervous in public. Our kids are the ones that saw him come out of the stands to see me.”

Williams said that Jimmy Butler was especially surprised. “Coach,” said Butler, “look, he came!” And if you saw the joy on the faces of the players at the moment they saw the man, it tells you a lot about Marquette, their kids, the program they’re building, and Williams. The players know the man’s homeless. They also know that he, like them, has built up some trust by following through on certain “suggestions” Williams makes to help himself and his situation. The education they’re getting at Marquette, even while immersed in basketball and away from the traditional “classroom” is truly in the Jesuit tradition. Williams and his players are definitely helping each other grow in mind, heart and spirit.

In the world of big-time college basketball that’s unbelievably huge…and so, so rare.

Coaching Scuttlebutt

While there are reports saying interim coach Jared Grasso thinks he’ll be back next season in a full time role at Fordham, and it could happen, it’s not what Fordham wants to happen…

To see the latest on the Fordham job search, including their #1 target, as well as some other major college assistant coaches that could be getting looks, you can sign up for NBE Premium access and SUBSCRIBE (HERE) to read on below…which also includes a Corey Edwards recruiting update as the Christ the King 2011 point guard is up to three Big East offers…

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UNSIGNED 2010 UPDATE: MAURICE WALKER

Brewster Academy big man keeping options open in Big East with Pitt’s lack of scholarship available

Every spring college basketball coaches seem to scour the nation trying to find size to add to their recruiting classes in the late signing period. This year is no exception as several big man recruits uncommitted in the class of 2010 are hot commodities among top programs across America.

Standing 6-foot-10 inches tall and weighing in around 300 pounds, Brewster (NH) Academy senior center Maurice Walker certainly has plenty of the size college coaches crave. What Walker also has that makes him more intriguing is a nice set of hands and touch around the rim and the knowledge of how to use his size to make an impact on the boards and in the paint at the highest prep level in the country with Jason Smith’s Brewster program.

It has long been assumed that the massive Canadian native would end up in the Big East playing at Pittsburgh. However, Jamie Dixon’s program does not currently have a scholarship available in their 2010 class, so Walker is keeping his options open and looking to visit a couple Big East schools in the near future.

“I’m keeping my options open and I’m staying open to recruitment,” Walker told NBE yesterday.

Right now, per Walker, those options seem to be in the Big East…read on to see what else Walker said about his recruitment as the native of Toronto (Ont.) was very gracious with his time in giving NBE a full update on his recruitment and how he is looking at things as the spring signing period is less than two months away…

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UNSIGNED 2010 UPDATE: MIKE POOLE

St. Benedict’s G/F has earned Big East offers with an impressive senior season for coach Dan Hurley

Mike Poole has been a name that has been on and off the high-major recruiting radar several times the last couple of years. Coming up through the NYC AAU ranks, Poole was a highly regarded youngster but as other players grabbed the spotlight, not much was heard from Poole. Now as a senior with St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark (NJ), Poole is back on the map as a high-major prospect, picking up impressive offers from schools out of the Big East, ACC, SEC and PAC 10 while turning in a solid season for coach Dan Hurley and the Gray Bees.

NBE watched Poole in action this season in high-profile showcase vents like the HoopHall Classic against Bishop O’Connell, against De La Salle (IL) High School in the Newark Invitational and again against Lakewood in the Primetime Shootout and in each outing Poole displayed his versatility and improved perimeter jumper that makes him an intriguing option for high-major programs looking for a late recruiting period addition to their 2010 class of recruits.

NBE caught up with Poole earlier today to get an update on his recruitment and also talked recently to Dan Hurley about Poole’s solid senior season…

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TYRONE JOHNSON COUNTS FIVE BIG EAST OFFERS

Plainfield (NJ) junior is a two-sport star in high demand on the hardwood by Big East

The 2010 Primetime Shootout wraps up today and tomorrow at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton (NJ). Many of the top players in the country are participating. On Friday night the action was at Kean University and Tyrone Johnson shined among the brightest on the evening that featured many future college basketball stars. Johnson scored a night’s best 31 points helping Plainfield to a 62-49 win over another New Jersey rival, St. Joseph’s.

Following his spectacular performance, Johnson chatted with Alex Schwartz for the NBE Basketball Report and gave a rundown on his recruitment, that is shaping up to be quite a Big East battle…

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DANNY HURLEY TALKS RECRUITING, RUTGERS WITH NBE

Coach of national power St. Benedict’s Prep spends time discussing a few topics during Newark Invitational

St. Benedict’s Prep annually churns out some of the top prospects on the college basketball recruiting scene. Currently, some of the players that have come through the program and landed in the Big East include Samardo Samuels, Eugene Harvey, Lamar Patterson and Corey Stokes. On this year’s current team Gilvydas Biruta is committed to Rutgers on the class of 2010 and Myck Kabongo is verbally committed to Texas in the class of 2011.

While playing host to the Newark Invitational recently, an event held at the Prudential Center benefiting the Brian Doherty Scholarship Fund, the Gray Bees coach Danny Hurley took time to discuss the recruitment of several of his uncommitted players with the NBE Basketball Report as well as give some of his thoughts on Biruta and the current situation at Rutgers where head coach Fred Hill’s job status is a much-talked about topic.

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MYLES DAVIS: LOOKING OUTSIDE OF THE GARDEN STATE?

2011 NJ guard discusses recruiting options, desire to play college ball with friend Tyrone Johnson

by Matt Whitfield

At the recent Newark Invitational, St. Peter’s Prep junior (class of 2011) guard Myles Davis put on quite a show on a pretty big stage. Playing in the Prudential Center, aka ‘The Rock’, Davis poured in a game-high 31 points during an overtime loss to Christ the King.

Davis showed off his sweet shooting stroke from deep, burying four three-pointers on the afternoon, including two straight to pull his Jersey City team to a 57-all tie with 4:24 in the fourth quarter. His 12 points in the final quarter basically carried his team and willed them to overtime. Davis was forced to miss more than two minutes of OT while suffering from leg cramps and CTK was able to take advantage and hold on for the 75-72 win.

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THE ‘REAL’ DANNY LAWHORN UPDATE; COLEMAN COMMITS TO UL

BY JEFF BORZELLO

Late last week, the Facebook and Twitter accounts for prep school school senior Danny Lawhorn sent shockwaves through the recruiting world: it was posted that he was committing to Connecticut.

However, shortly after, it was apparent that someone had hacked into Lawhorn’s social networks and posted the commitment messages.

“I don’t even know,” Lawhorn told the NBE Basketball Report last week by phone. “Like, a few people have my password so I’m assuming that was it. I’m going to see who did it.”

While the commitment announcement might have been premature, the fact that Connecticut is Lawhorn’s favorite is no secret.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (2/8/2010)

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A busy and snowy weekend in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic is over and the basketball action of Rivalry Week will likely help thaw things out. Before the week got started, there were a pair of Big East match-ups on Super Bowl Sunday and Notre Dame cooled off the red hot USF Bulls and Syracuse laid claim to the top spot in the conference by winning at Cincinnati.

Tonight is a big one as West Virginia welcomes in Villanova for a BIG Monday match-up. Pittsburgh is also in action taking on a local non-conference rival.

In other news, UConn is still looking at a chance to make the NCAA Tournament but it will take some impressive wins in the near future. The opportunity is definitely there. Rutgers will have a big recruiting visit in the near future and Jabarie Hinds could be the next Mount Vernon product to land in the Big East.

Also, it might be another month and a half away, but 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

Read on below for all of today’s News & Notes…

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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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OMAR CALHOUN PICKING UP ELITE RECRUITING INTEREST

2012 NYC prospect seeing UK, UNC, UCLA, ‘Zona, etc joing Big East schools on his trail

by MATT WHITFIELD

The 2010 Newark Invitational at the Prudential Center drew some of the top teams from Jersey and destinations far and near. One team that traveled from over the river to compete in Newark (NJ) was Christ the King of NYC. CTK was matched up against Jersey City (NJ) power St. Peter’s Prep and the game lived up to expectations as the boys from New York City came away with a 75-72 overtime victory.

Also living up to expectations was Christ the King sophomore forward Omar Calhoun. The 6-foot-4 sophomore guard put on a show in his match-up against highly regarded St. Peter’s Prep junior (2011) guard Myles Davis, both showing why they have bright futures on the basketball court.

For his part, Calhoun finished with 23 points, displaying a high basketball IQ for a young player and showed off an accurante and picture-esque jump shot, extending out past the three-point arc where he was four of eight on the afternoon. Calhoun has a solid size and a good frame to add more weight before getting to college. His lack of strength and weight made some of his opportunities in the lane more difficult to finish in this contest.

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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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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (1/26/2010)

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One of the most traditional and storied Big East rivalries was renewed last night and for the first time in 20 years both teams came in with top 10 rankings. Georgetown and Syracuse met in the Carrier Dome before a Big Monday TV audience and 26,000+ fans. The Hoyas got off to a hot start, but it was Syracuse that ran away from them in the end.

Two games on the schedule tonight in the Big East out in the Midwest as WVU travels to DePaul and Marquette hosts Rutgers.

In other conference news and notes, UConn looks to keep their momentum rolling and their recruiting efforts in line with Jim Calhoun on his indefinite medical leave. West Virginia, like Marquette, will be getting a late season freshman addition to the line-up next week. Providence looks to rebound from their devastating loss over the weekend. Pittsburgh hopes to get Ashton Gibbs shooting at a high clip once again and improve their defensive efforts. Also, a recruiting update on Aaron Cosby, a 2011 guard several Big East programs are taking note of.

Also, it might be another month and a half away, but 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

Read on below for all of today’s News & Notes…

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