Ranking the top 35 Mcdonald's All Americans of all-time

Ranking the top 35 Mcdonald's All Americans

of all-time

ALL-MET ELITE

EDITION

ALONZO MOURNING

1988

COURTESY OF - ESPN

Every name on this list was an accomplished high school player, good enough to be named a McDonald's All-American. But how would you rank each of these players?

We decided to take up the task of ranking them, based strictly on high school accomplishment.

3. Alonzo Mourning, Indian River (Chesapeake, Va.), 1988
After averaging 25.2 points, 15.5 rebounds and 10.8 blocked shots per game and leading Indian River to 51 consecutive wins, Mourning was honored as Mr. Basketball USA in one of the strongest classes ever produced. How good was Mourning? Picture a Nerlens Noel-type shot-blocker who played every possession like it was his last. His future college coach, Georgetown's John Thompson, had him in for the 1988 U.S. Olympic trials and it was't a gimmick -- he was one of the last cuts.

6. Ralph Sampson, Harrisonburg (Harrisonburg, Va.), 1979
The most heavily recruited player in this group, Sampson made his home state rejoice when he decided to stay home and attend Virginia instead of leaving for Kentucky. Sampson averaged 29.8 points as a senior. He went on to lead Virginia to the NIT title in 1980 and the Final Four in 1981.

RALPH SAMPSON

1979

11. Kevin Durant, Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.), 2006
Durant spent his junior season at Oak Hill Academy, where he was named an All-American alongside senior teammate Jamont Gordon. The team MVP at Oak Hill that season was actually junior point guard Ty Lawson. As a senior, Durant returned closer to his native Washington, D.C., and led Montrose to a 20-2 record and No. 2 FAB 50 rating. He was considered the No. 2 prospect in his class behind center Greg Oden. While Oden was considered the more dominant player, Durant's MVP performance at the McDonald's All-American Game (25 points) was a prelude of things to come at Texas and in the NBA, where he's considered one of the game's greatest young talents. Durant's career will forever be linked with Oden's because they were chosen 1-2 in the 2007 NBA draft.

KEVIN DURANT

2006

17. Carmelo Anthony, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 2002
'Melo was a fine player at Towson Catholic in his native Baltimore as an underclassman, but his game blossomed during his senior season at Oak Hill. He led a talented team to a 32-1 record and the No. 2 ranking in the FAB 50. In one memorable game, Oak Hill beat LeBron James' St. Vincent-St. Mary's team with Anthony scoring 34 points to James' 36. At the 25th McDonald's All-American Game, Anthony flashed the talent that surely would have made him a lottery pick in the 2002 NBA draft. Anthony chose to attend college, leading Syracuse to the program's only NCAA title in 2003.

CARMELO ANTHONY

2002

24. Grant Hill, South Lakes (Reston, Va.), 1990
The smooth wing wasn't the most hyped player in his class (7-6 center Shawn Bradley of Utah was), nor was he the No. 1 prospect (that honor went to Ed O'Bannon of California), but there was no doubt Hill was an immense talent in high school. He joined a star-studded Duke team and proved to be the missing link the Blue Devils needed. Without Hill, UNLV beat Duke by 30 points in the 1990 NCAA title game but with the 6-foot-7 freshman in the lineup the next season, they upset an even better Rebels team in the national semifinals.   

GRANT HILL

1990

NIKE Elite Youth Basketball

NIKE Elite Youth Basketball Announces 2012 Event Schedule

Before the summer season begins, NIKE celebrates the graduating Class of 2012 with two prestigious nationally televised all-star events. Held in conjunction with USA Basketball, the NIKE Hoop Summit features a team of the top US seniors versus a world team on April 7th in Portland, Oregon. That event will be followed up by the 11^th annual Jordan Brand Classic, which is making its return to Charlotte for a second year, and will be televised live on ESPN on April 14th.

The third annual NIKE Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) tips off in Minneapolis on April 20th with the first of four regular season events featuring over 600 elite student-athletes. The league will include over 40 travel teams from around the United States and Canada with the top 24 teams qualifying for the EYBL Finals at the NIKE Peach Jam in N. Augusta, SC in July. Three of the five overall EYBL events will be held during the NCAA designated evaluation period. The regular season events will be held in Minneapolis, MN, Hampton, VA, Dallas, TX and Oakland, CA.

In June, NBA superstars Kevin Durant, Deron Williams and Amar’e Stoudemire will host their annual NIKE Skills Academies in Chicago. At each position-specific academy, the participants learn from many of the game’s top instructors, as well as the NBA stars themselves. All 80 of these players will then convene to work on team skills at the LeBron James Skills Academy, which is moving to Las Vegas from July 6-9 in order to coincide with LeBron’s commitment to the 2012 Olympic Team training camp. 

The NIKE Global Challenge (July 12-15), with a move to Washington, DC, will feature the top 30 players throughout the summer representing the East, West and Midwest regions in an eight-team tournament against five of the top junior teams from around the world. At the same time in the nation’s capital, the inaugural NIKE Skills School will host over 80 elite players in a competition-driven event in front of hundreds of college coaches. The following weekend, the top 24 teams from the EYBL regular season will compete for the third league championship as part of the EYBL Finals at the NIKE Peach Jam.

Official NIKE Elite Youth Basketball Schedule

April 7 – NIKE Hoop Summit (Portland, OR)

April 14 – Jordan Brand Classic (Charlotte, NC)

April 20-22 – EYBL Session #1 (Minneapolis, MN)

April 27-29 – EYBL Session #2 (Hampton, VA)

May 11-13 – EYBL Session #3 (Dallas, TX)

May 25-28 – EYBL Session #4 (Oakland, CA)

June 7-10 – Elite 100 (Underclassmen) (St. Louis, MO)

June 21-23 – Deron Williams Skills Academy (Chicago, IL)

June 21-23 – Amar’e Stoudemire Skills Academy (Chicago, IL)

June 24-26 – Kevin Durant Skills Academy (Chicago, IL)

July 6-9 – LeBron James Skills Academy (Las Vegas, NV)

July 11-15 – NIKE Skills School (Washington, DC)

July 12-15 – NIKE Global Challenge (Washington, DC)

July 18-21 – EYBL Finals at the Peach Jam (N. Augusta, SC)

WILL FERGUSON UPDATES RECRUITMENT

WILL FERGUSON

UPDATES

 RECRUITMENT DURING SEASON OF CHANGE

By - Matt Whitfield

To say things have been easy this last year for Will Ferguson would be far from the truth. The lightning quick Class of 2013 point guard has switched AAU programs and now high schools all within the last year. Ferguson though feels he is playing better basketball now that he’s back to his hometown team and judging by the performance he put on Friday night against Oakton High School in a 74-61 win Friday night with a raucous crowd that was taunting him, things look that way.

“At O’Connell I butted heads with a lot of the coaches and I didn’t think I was playing the way I could….It’s something that he didn’t see in me or something that I wasn’t doing that led to this, so I just had to make that move,” said Ferguson of the early January transfer to Herndon High School.

Friday night Ferguson put on a dazzling display to point the Oakton High School fans tried everything to slow him down from screaming during free throws to taunting the Herndon star throughout. Ferguson however showed he was the best and player on the floor as he sped up and down the court with ease often times hardly contested in the paint with an impressive display of layups, runners and jump shots. At times he looked as if he was toying with the opponent, many of whom are nowhere near the caliber of a player he is.
“It’s a lot of fun here. We have a good coach and a lot of my friends and family around me,” said Ferguson of being at Herndon High School.

Ferguson’s goal with Herndon is to win the district championship and regional championship and get to the state tournament. All the while there will be a plethora of coaches watching too as Ferguson already has his share of high major interest and offers.

“[Offers are from] VCU, Miami, Virginia Tech, Xavier, Virginia, Maryland, UMASS and Seton Hall,” said Ferguson.

Ferguson also mentioned he has already taken unofficial visits to Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech. For now though Ferguson just wants to work on a few things as he has two years before he’ll likely be playing for a high major team.

“[I want to work on just] cutting down my turnovers and work on my defense. And keep getting my teammates involved as well as work on my jump shot.”

Scouts, fans and recruiters keep an eye on this junior as Will Ferguson is one to watch.

Top 25 national high school boys basketball rankings

Top 25

national

high school boys basketball rankings
ALL-MET ELITE

MTD

8. (2) Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) (19-1)
No Nate Britt finally caught up with Gonzaga in a Sunday loss to St. John's (Washington, D.C.). The junior point guard and North Carolina pledge has missed the last five games. Gonzaga will have to regroup quickly as it faces No. 23 Paul VI on Tuesday.

23. (NR) Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) (18-2)
With all the early-season attention going to No. 8 Gonzaga and No. 24 DeMatha, Paul VI remains as the lone unbeaten in Washington Catholic Athletic Conference play.

25. (9) DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) (17-3)
It's been a disappointing two-week stretch for the Stags, but it took a 3-pointer at the buzzer for No. 23 Paul VI to knock them off Friday night. DeMatha will get a chance to avenge two of its losses – against Gonzaga on Feb. 10 and Paul VI on Feb. 19.

ANNAPOLIS DEFEATS UPPER ROOM AND PURVIS

ANNAPOLIS HS.

 DEFEATS

UPPER ROOM AND PURVIS

JOURDAN STICKLER

RODNEY PURVIS

 Annapolis High's Delaszo Smith proved to the folks from North Carolina that outstanding premier players exist in this region as well.

Smith totaled 37 points to out-duel Upper Room Christian Academy's Rodney Purvis' 31 as the Panthers defeated the guests from North Carolina 90-83 in boys basketball yesterday. It was the third of a series of six Students & Athletes vs. Substance Abuse Games of the Week.

Purvis, a senior, is listed as the No. 6 shooting guard in the ESPNU 100 college recruiting rankings and has already signed to play at North Carolina State next season.

Smith also added eight rebounds and three steals, while Jourdan Stickler added 25 points, five rebounds and four assists. Rashawn Maclin contributed 15 points, four rebounds and three steals for Annapolis, which rebounded from a 74-71 loss to Arundel on Friday night.

MARYLAND INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

MARYLAND INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

The Maryland Invitational Tournament, known in the youth basketball world simply as “MIT”. Founded in 1994 by Gary Pinkney. MIT has grown to become the country’s most competitive national youth tournament.

MIT

Presidents Day Weekend

2.17.12 – 2.19.12

4th - 8th Grade Girls & Boys Divisions

Christ Chapel Academy - point guard Stephen Brown

Christ Chapel Academy 

 point guard

Stephen Brown

ALL-MET ELITE

It was never a given that Stephen Brown would stay at Christ Chapel Academy for his entire high school career. And no one understood that better than the school’s basketball coaches.
They recognized early on that Brown was a special talent when it came to basketball. So much so that at some point the coaches figured Brown and his family would decide that he should attend another school where the level of competition was more challenging.
But then seventh grade, his first year at the Woodbridge school, passed and then eighth and ninth. Now in the 10th grade, Brown is still at CCA, leading the basketball team to new heights by doing what he does best: scoring from all over the court and playing tenacious defense.Will he be back as a junior? That question remains. But in the meantime, Brown is content where he is and Christ Chapel head coach Clinton Simmons is glad to have his star guard for at least one more season.“I don’t think too much about it,” Simmons said. “My assistants are always telling me this might be Stephen’s last year, but he has to do what’s best for him to get a [college] scholarship. If that means going to a bigger private school, I’m all for that. I’m happy I got to coach him.” Brown and his family have been forthright about the possibility of leaving.
“We’re going to weigh our options and pray about it, and see what’s best for Steve,” said Brown’s father Stephen. “We want it to be beneficial for him at the college level.”
Brown, who is second in the area in scoring among boys with a 20.9 scoring average and leads the area with 49 3-pointers, said he considered leaving Christ Chapel over the summer to attend Bishop Ireton in Alexandria, but the family and the school couldn’t work out the financial aid to allow him to enroll there. So, he returned to CCA and has no regrets. Last year, the Lions reached the state tournament for the first time in school history and are currently on track to make it back to states again this season. The Lions are ranked No. 8 in the latest VISAA Division III poll.

Top 25 High School Basketball Rankings

Top 25

National

High School Basketball Rankings

Week of

1-23-12 - 1-27-12

2.  Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) (17-0)
Surviving last week without junior point guard Nate Britt was impressive. Kris Jenkins stepped up with 26 points and a three at the buzzer to beat Patterson (Baltimore) on Monday and 29 more in a mid-week victory over Good Counsel (Olney, Md.).

 

9.  DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) (16-2)
Don't expect a repeat of last season, when the Stags started 12-0 only to lose nine games after the New Year. Head coach Mike Jones and his senior trio of Marcellous Bell, Jerami Grant and James Robinson are too good and too determined to let that happen.

Gonzaga defeats Dematha

Gonzaga defeats Dematha

76-74

KRIS JENKINS

By - Jim Halley

Kris Jenkins scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half, nailing all six of his three-point attempts, including five after intermission, to lead No. 9 Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) to a 76-74 defeat of No. 3 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) at American University.
The games between the two Washington Catholic Athletic  Conference rivals are usually close, but DeMatha has won three consecutive WCAC titles. Saturday, the Stags had no answer for Jenkins, who helped make up for the loss of the Eagles’ senior point guard, North Carolina recruit Nate Britt, who sat out his third consecutive game because of a calf bruise.
“He’s underrated,” said Gonzaga coach Steve Turner of Jenkins, a junior forward. “He understand his role. He’s a leader and he stepped up when we needed him. He’s been playing that way for us the last three or four weeks.”
Gonzaga (17-0) never trailed and led by as many as 10 in the first half. DeMatha (16-2) had cut the lead to 37-34 early in the third quarter when Jenkins went to work for 12 points in the quarter, including two three-pointers. A dunk by Jordan Abdur-Ra’oof gave Gonzaga a 68-51 early in the fourth quarter. From there, DeMatha’s press began to pay dividends and Stags point guard James Robinson, who led DeMatha with 25 points, drove hard to the basket at every opportunity.
“We had to keep attacking,” Robinson said. “We just came up a little bit short, but I feel like we will definitely bounce back.”
With 20 seconds left, Robinson was fouled on a fast break and hit two free throws to tie the game at 74-74. When Ra’oof had a chance for a dunk at the other end, he was fouled hard but came up and hit both free throws to ice the game.

Washington/Baltimore area is a 'hotbed' for hoops recruits

Washington/Baltimore area is a 'hotbed' for hoops recruits

ARCHIVED ARTICLE
JOSH SELBY

ARTICLE LINK

BELOW

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/basketball/2009-11-16-washington-baltimore-point-guards_N.htm

DEMATHA vs. GONZAGA

DEMATHA

vs

GONZAGA

BASKETBALL GAME

VS.

When: Saturday, 7 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m.

Where: Bender Arena, American University

Tickets: $10. Pre-sale tickets are available at the Gonzaga athletic office (19 Eye Street, NW

RANDOLPH CHILDRESS - ALL-MET ELITE

RANDOLPH CHILDRESS 

 ALL-MET ELITE

CLINTON MD.

Former Deacon Great Randolph Childress Joins Wake Forest Athletic Department

Childress, who will hold the title of Assistant to the Athletic Director, will serve in a number of roles, including compliance, development and student-athlete mentorship.

"We are thrilled to welcome Randolph Childress back to Wake Forest," said Wellman. "He will be a great addition to our staff and serve as an outstanding role model for our student-athletes. Randolph is one of the most beloved figures in the history of Wake Forest athletics. I have no doubt he will be a tremendous asset to our department."

Childress spent five seasons with the Wake Forest basketball program from 1990-95 and earned All-American honors as a junior in 1994 and again as a senior in 1995. He earned ACC Tournament MVP honors in 1995 after leading the Deacons to their first conference title in 33 years."It's incredible to be back. It's something I've dreamed about for quite some time," said Childress. "I don't know how often people get the chance to come back. This is a second home for me. I was born and raised in the Washington, D.C., area, and the only other city I've lived in longer is Winston-Salem. I grew up here in some respects. It's been great to see familiar faces and people that I've been friends with for quite some time."

JEROME SEAGEARS - RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

JEROME SEAGEARS 

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

ALL-MET ELITE

SILVER SPRING MD.

BY - TYLER BARTO

For one night, Piscataway felt more like home to Jerome Seagears than his native Silver Spring, Md. Because when the Rutgers basketball team took on visiting Notre Dame on Monday, a pair of former AAU teammates stood across from him. 

Irish junior point guard Eric Atkins and redshirt freshman guard Jerian Grant, both Maryland natives, took the Louis Brown Athletic Center floor opposite Seagears for the first time.

“When [Grant] was on the line, I told him, ‘Miss these like you did in practice all the time back in 14-and-under [leagues],’” Seagears said.Seagears teamed up with Grant on Team Takeover, a Maryland-based AAU program, when the two were young teenagers. The Scarlet Knights’ starting point guard moved on years later to D.C. Assault, based out of Washington, D.C., sharing backcourt duties with Atkins in the process.

Both live a half-hour drive from Seagears. 

ERIC ATKINS

NOTRE DAME

ALL-MET ELITE
COLUMBIA MD.

Ta-Ron Ayers - All-Met Elite

Ta-Ron Ayers

ALL-MET ELITE  

WEST VA.

BECKLEY — How ironic that one of the most electric point guards in the area, Woodrow Wilson’s Ta-Ron Ayers, gained his nickname in football.
It’s even more ironic that the Flying Eagles sophomore does all his work coming off the bench.
Never heard of Ayers?
Perhaps you’ve heard of T-Rex.
That’s his girdiron-earned nickname.
“My dad just started calling me T-Rex when I played midget league football,” Ayers said. “Football was my best sport back then. I was little and mean, and he just started calling me T-Rex.”The name stuck.
“If you go out and say Ta-Ron, chances are not a lot of people are going to know,” Ayers said. “Most people call me T-Rex. Some of my teachers call me T-Rex. It just kind of stuck. I’m used to it. I really like it.”
That Ayers comes off the bench after starting last year doesn’t really faze the 5-foot-8 highlight-reel passer.
After all, Woodrow Wilson is undefeated (8-0) and took over the No. 1 spot in Class AAA this week.
“It was a good experience to start as a freshman, and I thought it was a pretty good accomplishment because not too many people do that,” Ayers said. “We’re winning and that’s the important thing. I remember somebody told me that Jamel Bradley (a star on the 1997 and 1998 state championship teams) came off the bench for a while and he went on to be one of the best players ever from Woodrow.”
It’s a goal that Ayers is shooting for himself, outside of the fact that his ultimate goal is getting Woodrow the championship that has eluded the Flying Eagles since 2008.
It is no surprise that basketball has become Ayers’ calling card.
It runs in the family.
Ayers, who moved to Beckley from Hinton in seventh grade, is the cousin of Summers County’s Candace Brown, who is the leading girls scorer in the nation.
“I probably had a basketball in my hands before I could walk,” Ayers said. “The whole family plays basketball. It’s just a family tradition-type thing.”
Ayers is fourth on the team in scoring this season at 12.4 points per game. He is also averaging about five assists.
“He brings a lot of energy for us off the bench,” Woodrow Wilson coach Ron Kidd said. “He brings a lot of excitement. He has done an excellent job for us. A lot of what he does is natural ability. He’s been a good teammate and is becoming a leader.”
He has also gained a bit of notoriety around the southeast as an elite AAU player.
He played for Boo Williams’ AAU Summer Basketball League, which is one of the top leagues in the East, housing former stars like Allen Iverson.
Ayers was the MVP of the league in his age group as an eighth-grader.
“He told me he wanted me to come and play for his AAU team and bring it back to the way it was when Allen Iverson played,” Ayers said. “I thought that was one of the best compliments I ever received.”
Despite his sophomore status, Ayers has already been contacted by several Division I schools, including West Virginia and Virginia Tech.
He visited WVU Saturday.
“I love WVU but I also like Virginia Tech,” Ayers said. “They are both close to home. A lot of teams are showing some interest. I have plenty of time to see what happens.”
Woodrow Wilson, coming off a win over then-No. 7 George Washington, will put its winning streak and ranking on the line tonight when the Flying Eagles travel to South Charleston.
“It’s going to be a great atmosphere,” Ayers said. “They are always good and it should be a great game.”

Keith Booth Wants Long Career In Coaching

Keith Booth Wants Long Career In Coaching

ALL-MET ELITE

BALTIMORE MD.

Keith Booth is back on a Maryland basketball court.

Booth, who spent the last seven seasons as an assistant on Gary Williams' staff in College Park, has moved on to become an assistant basketball coach for the Loyola University women's program. It didn't take long for Booth to decide he wanted to remain in coaching after last year's announcement of Williams' retirement.

"I knew right away I wanted to be involved in the game of basketball," he said. "I've been involved with basketball since age 8. Over the last couple of years, I have had the opportunity to help out with my 15-year-old daughter's AAU team and an opportunity here at Loyola presented itself.

I had the opportunity to meet with coach Joe Logan over lunch. His philosophy and the way that he develops players is how I was brought up and taught to play the game. So when he offered me the position, I accepted it right away."

Booth, a high school star at Dunbar, a college All-American at Maryland and an NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls, has had his share of career highlights on the court, but his most recent standout memory comes from his coaching days with Williams.

"The 2010 year," he said, "to not be picked in anybody's top three, to win the ACC championship, that whole overall experience that year. To watch guys come in as freshmen like Greivis Vasquez and Landon Milbourne, those guys, Eric Hayes. To watch those guys develop and to go out with an ACC championship, really stands out overall."

Booth, who came back to Maryland to coach in a program he helped Williams build during his playing days, was just as shocked as everyone else to learn the Williams era was coming to an end following the 2010-11 season.

"When you think about University of Maryland basketball, coach Williams has been the face of Maryland basketball for the past 22 years," Booth said. "When he decided to retire, it was definitely a shock to everyone, when you can be in a program that long and have the success he's had."

Booth is on a one-year deal at Loyola and is looking forward to a bright career and, maybe one day, a head coaching position.

"Every assistant coach wants to be a head coach one day," he said. "If you don't want to be a head coach, then you should get out of the game."

Booth, who played for Pete Pompey at Dunbar and Phil Jackson on the Chicago Bulls, preached the philosophy that "every day is another day to get better, from a coaching standpoint and a playing standpoint. That is the enjoyment you get from coaching, to develop players and watch them mature."

 

Raphiael Putney - UMASS

Raphiael Putney

UMASS 

 ALL-MET ELITE

WOODBRIDGE VA.

AMHERST - In the ways that matter most these days, Raphiael Putney is a media star.
Better yet, the University of Massachusetts sophomore forward refuses to act like one.
"First time ever on YouTube for me,'' said Putney, whose throwdown dunk against Saint Joseph's on Saturday became a viral sensation.
The public is speaking, and more and more, Putney is the object of their interest.
With averages of 10.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots per game, the 6-foot-9, 178-pounder is making an impact in a variety of ways.
The numbers are rising, but that does not fully explain why Putney has captured the imagination of the fans at the Mullins Center.
An unmistakeable package of long arms and legs that seem to come from all directions, Putney is one of the most entertaining Minutemen in years.
"He's about 6-10. His wingspan is 7-4. He's long and athletic, and can help us with blocks and dunks,'' forward Terrell Vinson said.
His dunk against Saint Joseph's drew 1,300 hits in its first 12 hours on YouTube. By Monday night, the 66-second video had 2,721 views.
The dunk was also named the nation's No. 8 play of the day by ESPN. That came after a deluge of tweets and Facebook postings.
The object of this affection and fascination sat out his freshman year to build strength. Putney's rail-thin body made him a late bloomer as a high school player in Woodbridge, Va.
In his junior year of high school, a key season for recruiting, Putney averaged a modest nine points a game. But something was there.
"I saw him play at Reebok's camp, all-star games and the AAU circuit,'' said Vinson, who grew up in Baltimore, Md.
Intrigued by Putney's potential, UMass coach Derek Kellogg took a chance. The scope of the dividends are now being realized.
"He can be so good. My expectations for him are through the roof,'' Kellogg said.
Hard work in the weight room has added strength to a game that thrives on diversity.
Putney is shooting 3-pointers at 38 percent. Looking to assume more post presence, he has a 7.2 rebounding average over his last five games.
When he grabs seven boards a game, Putney's game gets its highest grades from Kellogg.
"I haven't ever liked the weight room, but I had to do it and here, they've made it fun,'' Putney said.
Putney's favorite player is Kevin Durant. At UMass, his game is occasionally being compared to another tall, slender forward - Marcus Camby.
"I never really paid attention to Camby until I came up here,'' Putney said.
No rational comparison would equate the level of Putney's game to Camby's, but their styles are similar.
Each player has relied on agility and mobility, rather than muscle.
"It's fun seeing Putney on the break. The way I pass to guys from long range, he can get it (with agility and reach),'' point guard Chaz Williams said.
What is easily overlooked in the video, which features Williams' between-the-legs pass to set up Putney's fast-break dunk, was when it happened.
It came with UMass trailing 20-8. The mood-changing play sparked a comeback that ended with a 71-62 victory, lifting the Minutemen into a first-place tie in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Bringing that type of energy is what Putney thinks he does best.
"I feed off the crowd. Especially this year, they've been into the games and helped us when we needed it,'' he said.
"I'm getting stronger, too. I'm following the advice of the coaches, and I am improving.''

6th Man MLK Tournament results

6th Man MLK Tournament results

BOYS
4th Grade
1st: Team Glory
2nd: MTB
5th grade
1st: Metro Sixers
2nd: MD Finest
6th grade
1st: 6th Man Warriors
2nd: MD Finest
7th grade
1st: DC Assault
2nd: Team Takeover
8th grade
1st: Team Takeover (Stevens)
2nd: Emery Elite

Gonzaga Defeats Patterson

Gonzaga Defeats Patterson

Kris Jenkins

Nearly 3,000 people packed Coolidge’s gym Monday night to watch a marquee matchup between third-ranked Gonzaga and its standout junior guard Nate Britt against Patterson, the Maryland 4A finalist and the top-ranked team in the Baltimore Sun, and its electrifying guard Aquille Carr.
But instead what they saw was a Britt-less Gonzaga team fight back from a 17-point deficit, take its first lead with 1 minute 39 seconds left and finish with a 75-73 win in the MLK Hoopfest Showcase on a game-winning three-pointer by forward Kris Jenkins.

Bishop Gorman knocks off Dematha

Bishop Gorman knocks off Dematha

Shabazz Muhammed

Shabazz Muhammad left no doubt with the Hoophall Classic crowd Monday afternoon why he is the nation's top-rated high school boys basketball player.

Muhammad scored 37 points to lead Bishop Gorman High School to a 73-65 win over No. 3 DeMatha Catholic at the nation's top high school showcase at Springfield College.

Dematha vs. Bishop Gorman

Dematha

vs.

 Bishop Gorman

The 2012 Spalding Hoophall Classic, planned for Jan. 12-16, should be just another installment of what many consider the best high school basketball invitational in the country.

This year's event will feature 12 of the top 24 teams in the ESPN Rise preseason national rankings.

The event will increase to five days with additional local matchups on Thursday and Friday, Jan. 12-13. The weekend slate is chock full of must-see regional and national matchups.

Saturday, Jan. 14, will see Oak Hill take on Prestonwood Christian Academy (TX). Kuran Iverson, the No. 7-ranked small forward in the class of 2013 and Northwest Catholic (CT) will take No. 13 DeMatha Catholic to wrap up action.

Sunday's schedule includes a full slate of prep schools and will conclude with the ever-impressive Skills Challenge.

On Monday., viewers will be treated to four matchups, involving some of the country's best teams. No. 9 St. Anthony and No. 2 Miller Grove kick things off at 11 a.m. DeMatha Catholic and No. 7 Bishop Gorman will play at 1 p.m. At 3 p.m., top-ranked Simeon and No. 8 Findlay Prep will do battle. No. 24 Christ the King (NY) and No. 6 Mater Dei will play at 5 p.m.

UDC FIREBIRDS - ALL-MET ELITE

UDC FIREBIRDS

Nigel Munson

All-MET

DEMATHA

By - HARRY JAFFE

The University of the District of Columbia might still be irrelevant in some quarters of the capital city, but the school's basketball team is becoming painfully relevant to competitors in the East Coast Conference of the NCAA'S Division II.

Halfway through the season, the Firebirds are undefeated in the conference with 11 straight wins. Their only loss was to Duquesne, a Division I team that didn't crush them. Not bad for a squad that racked up a 1-20 record three seasons ago.

"We're nationally ranked," says Jeff Ruland, who took over the coaching job in 2009, a year when his team was so depleted he had to play part of one game with four players. Now it's ranked 22 in the nation. "I think that's unbelievable."

True believers are starting to predict the Firebirds might win their conference and get an automatic bid to the NCAA II tournament. Think of it as a "Back Road to the Final Four" -- or mini-March Madness.

Reaching the championship, mini or major, would bring a measure of respect to a local institution that has been disrespected for decades. The city's land grant college, on precious ground above the Van Ness Metro on Connecticut Avenue, still has a reputation as second-rate, at best. Its concrete buildings have the look of Soviet-era Moscow. The Arts and Sciences Library looks like the head of a giant concrete Transformer. The buildings could use some ivy, but grass in the quad would help. UDC has a strong nursing program and a well-respected law school. That's about it.

President Allen Sessoms insists things are looking up for UDC. He's brought on Ken Bain, a well-known expert in college curriculum and teaching techniques, as provost. Next week UDC breaks ground on a $40 million student center. "This has to grow into a national university," Sessoms likes to say, on a par with state universities in Virginia and Maryland, but that's a bit of a pipe dream. Check back in a decade.

You can check back much sooner to see if the Firebirds are still atop their conference, which includes C.W. Post and the University of Bridgeport. Ruland is bent on the team's resurrection. A local star from his days with the Washington Bullets in the 1980s, Ruland has four seniors playing at the top of their games. Nigel Munson is the local standout. He played for DeMatha and Virginia Tech before transferring to UDC. Brandon Herbert is another transfer who's scorching the net.

D.C. has become a hot town for college hoops. Georgetown and the University of Maryland are aiming for invites to the NCAA Division I Tournament. George Washington and American occasionally field decent teams. Perhaps it's time to add the Firebirds to the mix. Check out their schedule, show up for a game; there's plenty of room in the stands, and seats go for $5. Building a fan base is not easy.

"You win and they will come," says Ruland, who's midway through a five-year contract. "It's good basketball."

6th Man Sports 2012 MLK TOURNAMENT

6th MAN SPORTS 

2012 MLK

TOURNAMENT

LOCATIONS:

Boys 4th - 6th grade, Girls 5th - 8th grade:
2103 Reckford Armory (University of Maryland at College Park)
College Park, MD 20742
Boys 7th - 8th grade:
Leonidas S. James Physical Education Complex (Bowie State University)
1400 Jericho Park Road, Bowie, MD

WEBSITE
&
SCHEDULE LINK BELOW

http://www.go6thman.com/

AQUILLE CARR - COMMITS TO SETON HALL

AQUILLE CARR

COMMITS TO

SETON HALL

"The school revolves around the point guard," Carr said. "It's not a top Big East school but it can be turned around by a big player, one that I want to become. I talked to the coaches and I figured that it was the right fit for me." Carr chose the Pirates over Baylor, Maryland, Memphis, South Florida and Towson. He said he's developed a bond with Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard, who took over the Pirates in 2010.

"He's been straight up with me," Carr said. "He showed me what he expected. I told him what I wanted to do at the school. He told me I met the requirements and that it was a deal for me."

NATE BRITT VS. AQUILLE CARR

MLK Hoop Classic:

Gonzaga vs. Patterson
CALVIN COOLIDGE SHS
WASHINGTON D.C.

Jan 16 8:30 PM

NATE BRITT

AQUILLE CARR

 

CURTIS MALONE - DC. ASSAULT

CURTIS MALONE

PRESIDENT / FOUNDER

DC. ASSAULT

ALL-MET ELTE  

Curtis Malone is co-founder and president of DC Assault, Incorporated, a select basketball program that plays in elite AAU Tournaments across the country. Malone founded DC Assault in 1993 with Troy Weaver. The organization’s mission then and still remains the same, to identify top basketball talent, boys ages 8-17 in the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area, and provide them with the opportunity to develop their basketball talents while fostering sportsmanship, leadership and academic excellence. Since its inception, DC Assault has been a formidable contender at every level of the game. Malone has built a top-tier organization, surrounding himself with an excellent staff that consists of former teachers, counselors, and vice principals in the Washington, D.C. area. In addition to winning numerous championship titles each year, he has produced several McDonald's All-Americans; helped over a hundred young men obtain full athletic scholarships to universities around the country; and has had several individuals play at the professional level.

WILL RASSMAN - GONZAGA

WILL RASSMAN

GONZAGA

ALL-MET ELITE

BY - JOSH BARR

But one key to the Eagles’ 11-0 start has been the play of unheralded center Will Rassman, who had played little before this season. Rassman has signed a letter-of-intent to play for Loyola (Md.), but it remained to be seen if he could produce when thrust into the starting lineup. The 6-foot-8 senior, though, has not disappointed. Rassman is physical and effective in the post and on Thursday night put together a solid all-around performance, with eight points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and three steals as fourth-ranked Gonzaga beat ninth-ranked O’Connell, 50-36.

“He’s an example of a guy who puts in the work and it pays off at the end,” said Gonzaga Coach Steve Turner, whose team is traveling Friday to Wheeling, W.Va., where it plays Whitney Young of Chicago in the Cancer Research Classic, a 10 p.m. game Saturday on ESPNU. “In August, he did not take off. AAU is done, summer league is done and guys take off. He hit the weight room and came back 15 pounds stronger. He wanted to play. We were telling him all offseason he was going to have to play big if we’re going to make a run at it. “Most of the focus is on Kris and Nate and I look to exploit that and use that to my [advantage] to go backdoor and play under the radar,” Rassman said. “Last year I was behind Ben [Dickinson] and Oliver [Ellison]. This year, being a senior, it’s my job to step up as a big man and help my team.”