Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (1/23)

By Bruin Basketball Report

Prep News Roundup published every Monday during the season.

Commits

no news last week.

Recruits

It's all Luke Babbitt all the time in the Internet's wonderful world wide Web of high school basketball recruiting. A blog on bruinbasketballreport.com (UCLA) has devoted paragraphs to the talents of the Grizzlies' boy wonder. Reno Gazette Journal 1/20

Leuzinger 64, Redondo 51: Russell Westbrook and Donnell Beverley each scored 18 points to lead host Leuzinger (17-3, 3-1). Shane Morgan scored 17 points and Alex Tucker had 14 points for Redondo (11-8, 1-2). Daily Breeze 1/21

But Kevin Love is so much more. On the perimeter he can see the floor well, a product of maturing through living the game 24-7. He handles the ball well and can shoot.
And then there is his bread and butter, the post game. And when he gets the ball down low, he scores -- period. Spin moves, going up with players hanging on his arms, hook shots, fade aways, it's all part of his repitoire. Statesman Journal 1/17

The Lakers are loaded, blessed with franchise guy Kevin Love and bolstered by a slug of big-ticket transfers. If there is sentiment against Lake Oswego throughout the state, it’s because of the perceived “recruits” at the school (see also: Jesuit University and Oregon City girls basketball), along with Oswego’s reputation as a school of rich kids. Plus, it’s human nature to root for underdogs. Portland Tribune 1/17

Kevin Love left Lake Oswego's game Monday against Putnam in the second quarter, holding his elbow. He didn't return, and his teammates beat Putnam 67-44 without him at the Rose Garden. But Love, the 6-foot-10 junior center, is OK and will not miss the team's game in New Rochelle, N.Y., on Saturday, when the Lakers play Our Savior Lutheran. The Oregonian 1/19

And, truth be told, most of the 2,000 fans who crammed into the South gym last Friday were there to watch players like junior forward Kyle Singler and sophomore point guard Michael Harthun, who are destined to play college basketball at the highest level.
Singler’s two-handed dunk off a long lob pass from Harthun in the Panthers’ 81-46 win over Grants Pass was by itself worth the price of admission. Mail Tribune 1/17

"We were just playing Panther basketball, that’s what we’re all about," said Kevin Singler, who also had six rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots. "We play defense first and then the offense comes from that." Mail Tribune 1/21

South also got 19 points from senior Brent Johnson and 18 points and 12 rebounds from senior Kyle Singler before a crowd of nearly 1,500 fans. Mail Tribune 1/22

The 14th-ranked Pathfinders (15-3, 2-0), who led by seven points at halftime, opened a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter, relying on numerous offensive options to offset the two-man attack of Traveion Finister, who scored 31 points, and Darnell Gant, who had 18, for No. 23 Crenshaw (14-4, 2-1). L.A. Times 1/21

Behind junior center Julian Vaughn (17.2 points per game, 11.2 rebounds per game), the Seahawks have established themselves as one of the more dominant teams down low. The 6-foot 10-inch, 235-pound Vaughn has attracted the attention of Div. I college basketball programs. Connection Newspapers 1/18

Chace Stanback made a steal that led to a Ja'shon Hampton layup and then Hampton returned the favor on the next possession setting up Stanback on a dunk that put Fairfax ahead. Daily Breeze 1/20

And the 6-10 Anthony Randolph, ranked by Rivals.com as the nation's No. 25 junior, has yet to play a minute for Woodrow. He'll make his debut in Saturday's District 10-4A opener against Hillcrest after being ruled eligible by the UIL on Monday. Dallas Morning News Co 1/19

Jrue Holiday , a 6-4 sophomore guard, is on his way to becoming one of the most gifted players in Southern California. Arizona Coach Lute Olson has dropped by twice to watch him. UCLA Coach Ben Howland is paying close attention. All the Pac 10 schools know about him.He is averaging 20.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.6 assists for a team. L.A. Times 1/19

Justin Holiday is a 6-6 junior forward with improving skills. He averages 20 points and 10 rebounds and is capable of offensive outbursts; he scored 36 points last week against Santa Monica Crossroads. L.A. Times 1/19

Afterward, Riordan coach Rich Forslund wasn't fretting much, noting that Mitty's huge size advantage, led by 6-10 sophomore Drew Gordon, was just too much and long to overcome. SFGate 1/21

NIKE EXTRAVAGANZA XI. Dominguez is the local program led by CAL signee Patrick Christopher, USC commit Quinton Watkins and sophomore phenom Brandon Jennings. St. Pat's, meanwhile boats one of the best starting fives on the prep level. CalHiSports 1/20

No. 6 Westview 69, Beaverton 66: Andy Poling scored 34 points, including the game-winning free throws in overtime, to lead the Wildcats over the host Beavers. The Oregonian 1/17


(BruinBasketballReport.com)

(photo credit: CANDICE TOWELL/RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL)