Syracuse Recruiting

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.

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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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (3/4/2010)

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There was one lone Big East game on the Wednesday Night schedule and it was an important meeting in South Bend (IN) between UConn and Notre Dame. Riding Tory Jackson, the Irish picked up another resume padding late-season win while UConn is dealt a critical blow to their NCAA Tournament chances. Tonight, Pitt looks to lock down the final double bye into the 2010 Big East Tournament quarterfinals when hosting Providence and the Seton Hall/Rutgers rivalry commences for round two in nine days.

Austin Freeman returned to the practice floor for Georgetown on Wednesday, but the Hoya junior also released the news he has developed diabetes. It will not impact his long-term basketball career, but the immediate impact is still to be determined in regards to his availability on the court in upcoming Georgetown games of the next week or so.

Also, Pat Stevens updates us on some of the happenings in the NEPSAC playoffs with several Big East commits and targets looking to extend their seasons. Finally, Rutgers to the Big 10 looks like a possibility and a good fit for the Scarlet Knights if an offer is extended to them in the future.

It is now less than a week away, so 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

Now, onto today’s News & Notes around the Big East…

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CLASS OF 2011 ELITE TARGET: QUINCY MILLER

Buzz has been Kentucky will land QEA junior big man, but Miller says options remain open

At 6-foot-10 with a varied skill set the comparisons have come early and often to NBA star and former Texas Longhorn Kevin Durant for Quality Education Academy junior Quincy Miller. He has all the tools athleticially with a body nearly identical to that of Durant’s. Nobody can deny the elite skill set the young big man prospect possesses if they saw him in action this past summer. One example, in front of the throng of college coaches watching intently at the King City Classic Championship game, saw Miller wow the crowd with a quick thinking offensive rebound and put-back slam dunk. Miller always seemed to be on the scene with a big play in the paint, drawing fouls or finishing the high percentage shots in traffic. Miller worked some great, finesse moves inside matched up against the highly regarded Johnny O’ Bryant, and even connected a few times on his mid-range jumper. His best move came late in the game, when he took a stutter step and drove two steps, worked a reverse pivot and dropped in the basket.

Miller is truly one of the elite prospects in the class of 2011 and his potential is limitless with his size, length, athletic ability and versatile skill set that, as QEA head coach Issac Pitts, Jr. tells NBE, “is a match-up problem for all teams.”

The common scuttlebutt on the recruiting scene is Miller is bound to be part of another monster recruiting class in 2011 for John Calipari and the University of Kentucky. While the Wildcats are certainly in the picture, the North Chicago (IL) native says UK is “just one of my many choices.”

It is a certainty that Miller has plenty of choices, including several in the Big East that are in the mix. He and his coach both took the time to update NBE yesterday on his situation on the recruiting front and his season at QEA in Winston-Salem (NC) and to see the latest you can sign up for NBE Premium access and SUBSCRIBE (HERE) to read on below…

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TREVOR COONEY COMMITS TO SYRACUSE

Orange add 2011 guard out of Delaware to kick start ‘11 recruiting

BY JEFF BORZELLO

Syracuse’s roster is filled with players from all over North America: New York City, Texas, Philadelphia, Florida, Michigan, Canada, Maryland and New Jersey.

Soon, the Orange will add Delaware to that list, as 2011 prospect Trevor Cooney committed to the program on Friday.

“I felt the most comfortable with Syracuse as a school and also had the best relationship with the coaches,” Cooney told the NBE Basketball Report.

He chose the Orange over Notre Dame, West Virginia and Maryland, but also held offers from Villanova, Wake Forest, Virginia, Rutgers, Pittsburgh and Delaware.

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2011 BIG EAST TARGET: JARROD DAVIS

2011 G/F getting a lot of interest from SHU staff and likes up and down style of PC, MU, SJU, etc in Big East

At the recent Primetime Shootout, Lakewood High School faced the difficult task at Kean University of taking on national power St. Benedict’s of Newark (NJ). It was a long night for Lakewood, especially in the second half, when St. Ben’s shook off the rust of nine days of inactivity because of cancelations due to the weather. The Gray Bees took complete control of the game in the third quarter when they outscored their overmatched Ocean County opponents 30-7 to stretch a 38-22 halftime lead to 68-29 after three quarters on their way to an 82-38 victory.

lakewood was able to keep somewhat within striking distance over the first 16 minutes with a patient offense and a strong half by junior Jarrod Davis, who scored nine of his team-high 15 in the first half. After the game, Alex Schwartz caught up with Davis to get an update on his recruitment. Davis, a 6-foot-5 G/F, is getting plenty of attention attention from college coaches and counts four current offers from Big East programs. Davis talked about his recruitment and what he likes about the Big East schools currently recruiting him…

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PRIMETIME SHOOTOUT RECRUITING & PLAYER NOTES (PART II)

On Saturday afternoon at the 2010 Primetime Shootout Finlday Prep (NV) took on the Hotchkiss School (CT) at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton (NJ). Playing without Texas-bound forward Tristan Thompson, Findlay was still too deep and too big for Hotchkiss as Cory Joseph and Nick Johnson tossed in 19 points each to lead Findlay to a 64-48 victory.

Matt Whitfield was in Trenton for all the action on Saturday and Sunday and following the game between Findlay and Hotchkiss he was able to touch base with some of the top players to get the latest recruiting information from Nick Johnson, Winston Shepard, Godwin Okonji, Cory Joseph and Dekeeba Battee Aston from Findlay with updates from Derrick Wilson and Clyde Smith of Hotchkiss…

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PRIMETIME SHOOTOUT PLAYER & RECRUITING NOTES (PART I)

Matt Whitfield spent Saturday and Sunday of this past weekend at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton (NJ) for the 2010 Primetime Shootout. Once again the field was loaded with talented teams and some of the top high school prospects in America put their games on display.

In today’s update, NBE catches up with LaQuinton Ross and Dion Waiters of Life Center Academy as Ross updats his recruitment since his move from Mississippi to New Jersey and Waiters had his tremendous talents on display as a preview to what fans will see in the Big East. Also, Kamari Murphy and Shaquille Stokes of Lincoln HS update their recruitment and Davontay Grace discusses the status of his verbal commitment.

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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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JACOB LAWSON TAKES BIG EAST VISIT; HAS LEADER

Fast-rising 2011 power forward come north for Primetime Shootout and makes a visit

Due to the winter weather that has pounded the Mid-Atlantic states over the last week, Montrose Christian was unable to make the trip to Trenton (NJ) for the 2010 Primetime Shootout at the Sun National Bank Center. Stepping into their place for their scheduled 6:30 PM game against St. Anthony’s of Jersey City (NJ) would be Oak Ridge (NC) Military Academy, who was able to pull double duty and gain some additional exposure as they were already scheduled for a Sunday contest against Nichols School on the event’s final day.

One player for Oak Ridge Military Academy who is putting the time on the trip up north to good use is 6-foot-8, 210-lb junior power forward Jacob Lawson. The former Northern Guilford High in Greensboro (NC) star is seeing a dramatic uptick in his recruitment of late as the class of 2011 prospect is showing more signs of a well-rounded game to match the impressive motor and basketball body that has always intrigued college recruiters. Lawson is definitely a plus athlete and is showing signs of putting it all together on the court.

After Saturday’s match-up against St. Anthony’s, Lawson, who scored four points in the contest, told NBE’s Matt Whifield that the schools recruiting him include Seton Hall, Syracuse, Miami, Wake Forest, NC State, Kentucky and UNLV.

While coming to New Jersey for the Primetime Shootout, Lawson also took the opportunity to make a visit to Seton Hall for their Thursday night Big East conference contest against Notre Dame. While getting the chance to see the Pirates’ 90-87 win over the Irish, his time around the SHU program made a strong impression on him.

“[They told me] I should come, it’s fun here [and] I’ll like it a lot,” said Lawson of the visit. “They were talking about the classes [and] I’ll learn more because there’s not many people in the class.”

When asked if Seton Hall was his favorite right now, Lawson responded “yes, I like Seton Hall a lot.”

NBE will get another chance to see Lawson in action on Sunday against Nichols School at 12:30 PM. On the spring and summer AAU circuit Lawson will head out with the NC Gators and NBE will try to catch him in action with them in the coming months as well.

*********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

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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GOT JACK? ANOTHER WEST COAST POWER JOINS ARIZONA, OTHERS IN PURSUIT OF KADEEM JACK

by RAY MERNAGH

Kadeem Jack has watched with a calm indifference (almost amusement) as he’s gone from a “potential/long/athletic” big with some upside to one of the must-have recruits for a number of high-majors. The kid from the islands of Trinidad and Tobago takes it all in stride, so it was probably no surprise to the big fella deal when another big-time program showed up in NYC to inquire about him in the past week.

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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

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