Archive: July 2007
Vegas Summer Run Comes to an End
It was different in Vegas this summer after Sonny Vaccaro stepped away from the tournament scene. Reebok's tournament was smaller, but things went off just fine. Columnist Ed Graney, always with a sharp wit, delivers this gem as the Vegas summer run ends: Which side of the fence you sat...
By Josh Barr | July 27, 2007; 12:41 PM ET | Comments (0)
VT Winning In-State; U-Md. Picks Up Tidewater WR
Man About Roanoke Doug Doughty writes that Virginia Tech is crushing rival Virginia on recruiting in the commonwealth, with WR Dyrell Roberts of Smithfield also likely to become a Hokie. Meantime, Maryland dipped into the Tidewater area on Thursday, taking a commitment from Oscar Smith WR Kerry Boykins....
By Josh Barr | July 27, 2007; 11:20 AM ET | Comments (2)
Virginia Interested in Midwest Big Man
Having missed out on North Carolina-bound forward Ed Davis of Richmond, Virginia's interest is rising in St. Louis center John Brandenburg. He plans to visit Charlottesville in early September....
By Josh Barr | July 27, 2007; 11:02 AM ET | Comments (0)
A Way For Any Player to Improve
Here's a way for any player to do wonders for his or her game: Grow 10 inches in a matter of months. That's what Indiana high schooler Tyler Zeller claims to have done late in his freshman year. Now a rising senior, these schools are in hot pursuit of Zeller:...
By Josh Barr | July 26, 2007; 12:03 PM ET | Comments (0)
Another Point Guard With Big Designs
Here's more from the kids-with-sizable-heads file. Point guard Brandon Jennings committed to USC last spring, then said he wouldn't play for the Trojans and picked Arizona. He'll be back at Oak Hill Academy this fall. Of playing in front of Arizona Coach Lute Olson this week in Las Vegas, Jennings...
By Josh Barr | July 25, 2007; 1:58 PM ET | Comments (0)
He Wants to Be Like Mike
Jeff Jordan might be the most heralded walk-on in college basketball. Michael Jordan's son will be a freshman this fall at Illinois and is enrolled in summer school. His roommate says that grown men ask for the chance to come up to their dorm room to meet Mike's son....
By Josh Barr | July 24, 2007; 2:13 PM ET | Comments (0)
Tall Nigerian Lands in Chicago
Kene Obi, a Nigerian who came to the Washington area and went to a Connecticut prep school, will play for DePaul "pending clarifications of eligibility and amateur standing by the school and the NCAA."...
By Josh Barr | July 24, 2007; 11:06 AM ET | Comments (0)
Texas Point Guard Has Long List
A 6-4 point guard from Texas is tiring of being asked about his college list. For the record, Willie Warren said, it's Oklahoma followed by Texas, Kansas, Louisville, Cincinnati, Marquette, Kentucky and Arizona. As if that means anything. He'll be attending Oak Hill Academy in the fall....
By Josh Barr | July 24, 2007; 10:33 AM ET | Comments (1)
Va. Tech Adds Two More Recruits
Virginia Tech continues to add to its list of early commitments. By adding a linebacker and a defensive back yesterday, the Hokies now have 15 recruits for the class of rising seniors....
By Josh Barr | July 24, 2007; 9:55 AM ET | Comments (0)
Mount St. Mary's Adds Late Recruit
Mount St. Mary's added a last-minute recruit to its group of incoming freshmen. Forward John Schwarz from Baltimore's Perry Hall High, averaged 19 points and 13 rebounds last season....
By Josh Barr | July 24, 2007; 9:07 AM ET | Comments (0)
ESPN Unveils Its Own Recruiting Rankings
Welcome to the party, ESPN. Surely in conjunction with its foray into high school football all-star games, the cable network today came out with its list of the nation's top 150 recruits. Stonewall Jackson RB Ryan Williams checks in at No. 27, the highest of any local player. Westfield QB...
By Josh Barr | July 23, 2007; 2:00 PM ET | Comments (0)
Gators Blowout Events Yields a Kicker?
Initially, I had a good chuckle reading that Florida's "Friday Night Lights" recruiting event had landed the Gators one recruit: a placekicker. But upon further exmaination, it appears this could be a significant recruit. Caleb Sturgis. He made 8 of 18 attempts last year, though six of the tries were...
By Josh Barr | July 23, 2007; 1:20 PM ET | Comments (0)
Polish Teen Is a Hoops Hit
Olek Czyz is a 15-year-old from Poland who has been in the U.S. for three years, going to school in Reno. Now, the 6-8, 235-pound forward is a top-tier recruit, already holding scholarship offers from Duke, Florida, Kansas and Arizona State. Wonder if hometown Nevada will be in the mix...
By Josh Barr | July 23, 2007; 12:53 PM ET | Comments (0)
Top Recruit Opts Out of Ohio St. Commitment
Forward Luke Babbitt originally committed to play for Ohio State before changing his mind and opting to stay close to home and play for Nevada. It's an unusual situation, a top prospect choosing the local school over the national powerhouse....
By Josh Barr | July 23, 2007; 12:08 PM ET | Comments (1)
Gilchrist Bound for Notre Dame Academy?
Sure seems that way, though there is no definitive word as I have been unable to reach Augustus Gilchrist and others potentially in the know, including Notre Dame Academy Coach Tim Fudd. Gilchrist was a second-team All-Met basketball player last year while playing for Progressive Christian. He signed with Virginia...
By Josh Barr | July 20, 2007; 12:39 PM ET | Comments (0)
Soph Getting Attention from U-Md., G'town, VT, others
Courtland forward Josh Hairston is a talented 6-7 rising sophomore who is already on the recruiting radar of the area's top teams. He'll be playing this weekend in Las Vegas with D.C. Assault....
By Josh Barr | July 20, 2007; 9:38 AM ET | Comments (0)
Top Hoops Recruit Chooses UNC
One of the nation's top basketball prospects, Richmond forward Ed Davis, yesterday committed to play for North Carolina, the latest top recruit to choose the Tar Heels. This news didn't have anything to do with Roy Williams nearly falling down as he left a news conference; Williams is suffering from...
By Josh Barr | July 19, 2007; 11:56 AM ET | Comments (0)
Munson Transferring and More Va. Tech Notes
Plenty of stuff about the Hokies in today's papers. The Roanoke Times confirms what I posted Monday, that point guard Nigel Munson will transfer to be closer to home. Here's more about Brooke Point LB Isaiah Hamlette and his decision to pick Tech. Coach Frank Beamer expects to soon learn...
By Josh Barr | July 18, 2007; 11:41 AM ET | Comments (0)
Va. Tech Gets Local Addition
Virginia Tech added another local commitment today, as Brooke Point defensive end Isaiah Hamlette told the Hokies he would accept a scholarship offer, picking Tech over rival Virginia. Hamlette is the third Stafford County player to commit, joining teammate Donovan Miles, a linebacker bound for West Virginia, and Stafford linebacker...
By Josh Barr | July 17, 2007; 12:34 PM ET | Comments (0)
Locals Win National 7-on-7 Title; U-Md. Recruit Shows Well
The local entry in the NFL High School Player Development 7-on-7 national tournament won the title for the third consecutive year. Led by Ballou quarterback Emmanuel Yeager and recent Maryland commitment Tavon Wilson, a wide receiver and defensive back at H.D. Woodson, the D.C. squad turned things around after going...
By Josh Barr | July 17, 2007; 12:06 PM ET | Comments (0)
Hokies Get Two More Commitments
Virginia Tech picked up two football commitments on Monday as QB-DB Peter Rose of Amherst County, Va., and DB Lorenzo Williams of Fayetteville, N.C., pledged to the Hokies. According to the Roanoke Times, that gives the Hokies 12 commitments from rising seniors....
By Josh Barr | July 17, 2007; 11:34 AM ET | Comments (0)
Twyman Taking His Time at Ball State
Got in touch with Sherwood All-Met guard Deontay Twyman, whose brief college career already has had a few bumps. Twyman enrolled at Ball State for the second summer session, which concludes Friday, and already he's having to go through a coaching change after Ronny Thompson resigned last week. Twyman, who...
By Josh Barr | July 17, 2007; 9:45 AM ET | Comments (0)
Munson Won't Return to Va. Tech
This just in, from a source close to Nigel Munson, who confirms what's been going around the rumor mill for the past month or so: The former All-Met point guard from DeMatha High will transfer from Virginia Tech and will not return to Blacksburg for his sophomore year. A Tech...
By Josh Barr | July 16, 2007; 1:32 PM ET | Comments (0)
Tech Loses Another Recruit
It's been a rough stretch for Virginia Tech basketball, with second-team All-Met forward Augustus Gilchrist preferring to go the prep school route and point guard Nigel Munson considering a transfer. Now, the Hokies have lost a commitment from a rising senior, guard Shamarr Bowden....
By Josh Barr | July 16, 2007; 11:59 AM ET | Comments (1)
Liberty DE Makes Most of Chances
Defensive end DeVaughn Parson of Liberty endured some rough times, but he earned a scholarship to play for Central Connecticut State in the fall. For those wondering why some kids get second and third chances, this is a great read - especially if Parson continues to make the most of...
By Josh Barr | July 16, 2007; 9:44 AM ET | Comments (0)
Thompson Out at Ball State; Local Impact?
As I wondered about earlier this week, Ronny Thompson has resigned at Ball State, which could have plenty of local ramifications. My hunch is that All-Met point guard Deontay Twyman could try to get out of Muncie, but since he has started summer school, that could be tough to do...
By Josh Barr | July 12, 2007; 6:09 PM ET | Comments (0)
Former Carroll Standout Heading to the Q
Former Carroll guard Evann Baker has committed to play basketball for Quinnipiac University. Baker played at Maine Central Institute last season and had signed a letter-of-intent to play for Wichita State before the Shockers changed coaches this past spring....
By Josh Barr | July 12, 2007; 4:51 PM ET | Comments (1)
Shannon Bound for Texas
I missed posting this one last month, but former All-Met forward Bobby Shannon, who signed with Marshall, is now attending Angelina College, a two-year school in Lufkin, Texas....
By Josh Barr | July 12, 2007; 9:35 AM ET | Comments (0)
Rbk U. Organizer is Pleased
Here's more on the changing nature of summer sneaker camps. Surprise, surprise - the director of the new Rbk U. is pleased with his new camp in Philadelphia. One of the camp's top players was Terence Jennings, a 6-10 big man who has played high school basketball in Sacramento, North...
By Josh Barr | July 11, 2007; 10:58 AM ET | Comments (0)
Point Guard Not Going to Drive at GMU
George Mason recruit Jay Threatt, a poiint guard from Richmond, is facing charges of abduction and robbery in connection with a carjacking and a judge yesterday prohibited him from enrolling in college while he faces charges. Threatt was a late addition to Mason's recruiting class and the Patriots are believed...
By Josh Barr | July 11, 2007; 9:42 AM ET | Comments (0)
Glennon Ready to Go Camping
As I mentioned last month, Westfield QB Mike Glennon was selected to the Elite 11 Quarterback Camp to be held later this month in Southern California....
By Josh Barr | July 10, 2007; 4:46 PM ET | Comments (0)
More on Johnson; He Hopes to Play Hoops Too
Here's more on Gonzaga's Cameron Johnson, who yesterday committed to play football for Virginia. He also hopes to join the Cavaliers' basketball team once the football season is over....
By Josh Barr | July 10, 2007; 12:48 PM ET | Comments (0)
Brenton Bound for Hargrave
Second-team All-Met Tommy Brenton, who led River Hill to the Maryland 3A title this past season, will play at Hargrave Military Academy next season, River Hill Coach Matt Graves said. "What was going on, his overall GPA and SAT's weren't where they needed to be to get him into a...
By Josh Barr | July 10, 2007; 10:41 AM ET | Comments (0)
Sneaker Companies Changing Their Ways
The sneaker companies have changed their ways, forgoing their massive summer camps for smaller gatherings, trying to sell their new arrangements as for the good of the sport. Don't worry, though, there will be plenty of basketball to go around in the next month....
By Josh Barr | July 10, 2007; 8:54 AM ET | Comments (0)
Dodson Set For Pitt
Caught up with Eleanor Roosevelt basketball coach Brendan O'Connell, fresh off his honeymoon to Curacao. O'Connell reports that All-Met guard Darnell Dodson met the NCAA's academic standards and has enrolled in summer school at Pittsburgh. Also, forward Sean Hawkins is looking for a junior college....
By Josh Barr | July 9, 2007; 5:25 PM ET | Comments (0)
U-Va. Makes Another Local Pickup
Gonzaga standout Cameron Johnson, No. 11 on my list of the Washington area's top prospects, has committed to play for Virginia, Gonzaga Coach Jey Reyda passes along in an email. Johnson, expected to play defensive back, was offered by the Cavaliers and Maryland back in the spring. He's also a...
By Josh Barr | July 9, 2007; 2:04 PM ET | Comments (1)
Rising Senior Bound for Pittsburgh
Though not to play with the Panthers. Got an email earlier today from Wise assistant coach Steve Gerald, letting me know that forward Jason Burns has committed to play basketball for Robert Morris. Burns, a rising senior, played at O'Connell last year before transferring to Wise....
By Josh Barr | July 5, 2007; 3:45 PM ET | Comments (0)
Eighth Grade All-Americans? Good or Bad?
After reading this column on USC's recent recruitment of an eighth-grader, I decided to speak to a coach who had just come from being around a bunch of junior high schoolers. George Mason assistant Chris Caputo spent last weekend working the Freshman All-American Camp at Hoop Magic Sports Academy in...
By Josh Barr | July 5, 2007; 8:54 AM ET | Comments (0)
JMU Gets a Good One
Got an email earlier today letting me know that Gwynn Park forward Brittany Crowell, a three-year starter now getting ready for her senior year, has accepted a scholarship offer to play for James Madison....
By Josh Barr | July 4, 2007; 11:31 AM ET | Comments (0)
High Scorer Headed to Radford
Just got an email from second-team All-Met guard Taleia Moton of Suitland. The prolific guard, who averaged 29.6 points per game this past season, second-best in the Washington area, wrote that she has accepted a scholarship to play for Radford. Moton had signed to play for Mount St. Mary's, but...
By Josh Barr | July 3, 2007; 3:03 PM ET | Comments (0)
Bennett Visits W.Va., Pitt; Plans to Take His TIme
Caught up yesterday with West Potomac All-Met lineman Jimmy Bennett. He's taken trips to West Virginia and Pittsburgh and plans to visit to Michigan State in the next week and Boston College later this month. All four schools have offered a scholarship. But while the 6-8, 275-pound super prospect was...
By Josh Barr | July 3, 2007; 8:26 AM ET | Comments (0)
Dowtin Commits to U-Ga.
Former Georgetown Prep RB-LB Marcus Dowtin has committed to play for Georgia. Dowtin now attends Fork Union Military Academy....
By Josh Barr | July 2, 2007; 4:29 PM ET | Comments (0)
More Commitment News; A Bald Seahawk
Also over the weekend, forward Brad Bald committed to play basketball for UNC-Wilmington. Bald, a 6-8 forward played at Spalding last year but is transferring to Severna Park for his senior year. And here's a bit more on Westfield QB Mike Glennon's decision to play for N.C. State....
By Josh Barr | July 2, 2007; 3:39 PM ET | Comments (0)
An Orange Mountaineer
All of the West Virginia fans who come here: Read this story on QB Bradley Starks from Orange County High. Plenty has been written here and in The Post's print edition about Osbourn All-Met QB Brandon Hogan, who also is bound to be a Mountaineer. Orange is just outside our...
By Josh Barr | July 2, 2007; 10:16 AM ET | Comments (3)
Cadet Chooses Temple
St. John's Coach Joe Patterson emailed to report that WR C.J. Hammond, a rising senior, committed to play for Temple this past Saturday morning....
By Josh Barr | July 2, 2007; 6:55 AM ET | Comments (0)
