Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (2/2)

By Bruin Basketball Report 

Prep News Roundup is published every Monday. 

Commits 

He’s as automatic as they come. Tuesday night at Modesto Christian High, Reeves Nelson, the Crusader’s UCLA-bound wunderkind, just missed a triple-double in leading MC past Ripon, 75-58. Nelson scored 38 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, handed out eight assists and blocked four shots in a contest the Crusaders led from wire to wire. Manteca Bulletin 1/28 

The Spartans built a 19-12 lead behind Tyler Honeycutt midway through the first quarter, as the UCLA-bound forward had nine of his game-high 40 points and eight of his 21 rebounds in the first quarter. Then, Fowler got hot, hitting four 3-pointers during the Regents' run, including a big trey as the first quarter ended. LA Daily News 1/28 

In front of a packed house, filled with energy, Rocklin’s 6-foot-10 senior center Brendan Lane nearly recorded a triple-double with 29 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocked shots as he dominated the paint all night long. “Brendan is better in big games,” Rocklin coach Steve Taylor said. “The challenge of playing against their two big men in front of this crowd really motivates him.” Placer Herald 1/30 

MODESTO CHRISTIAN 86, RIVERBANK 46, at Riverbank -- Reeves Nelson scored 24 points, leading a wave of players that scored a lot of second-chance points, as the Crusaders (12-7, 4-0 TVL) beat the Bruins (8-11, 1-3 TVL). Modesto Bee 1/31 

Sylmar 99, San Fernando 84: Tyler Honeycutt finished with 24 points, 20 rebounds, 10 blocks and five assists for the Spartans (15-7, 5-1) and Garry Ricks had 24 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists in a Valley Mission League win. LA Daily News 1/30 

In a clash of future Division I college players Friday night, Kendall Williams utilized the built-in advantage afforded by the nature of his position. lta Loma High School forward J.J. O'Brien was phenomenal when he had the ball in his hands, but the junior couldn't outshine the Grizzlies point guard in a 69-57 Los Osos win. Williams had 23 points and six assists to O'Brien's 30 points and seven rebounds in a game that helped Los Osos (15-9, 5-1) maintain its firm grip on second place in the Baseline League. Williams not only initiated the Grizzlies offense, he didn't have a defender in his back pocket all night. When Alta Loma opened the game with aggressive defense on the 6-foot-3 junior who committed to UCLA before his sophomore season, Williams burned the Braves (10-12, 2-4) with four assists in the first quarter. The 6-foot-6 O'Brien's turn guarding Williams didn't last too long either. SB Sun 1/31 

Michigan-bound guard Darius Morris scored 27 points and sophomore forward Wesley Saunders had 21 to lead Windward to an 82-68 victory over San Diego Hoover tonight in the Fairfax State Preview Classic at Fairfax High. UCLA-bound center Anthony Stover scored 14 points, eight rebounds and eight blocks for Windward (16-6). LA Times 1/31 

Recruits 

Trey Zeigler's all-around game won a personal showdown with Cadillac's Ben Siimons on Monday in Mount Pleasant. His Oilers walked away winners, too, beating Cadillac 73-61. Zeigler scored 31 points, pulled down seven rebounds with six assists and two blocks as the Oilers raced out to a 27-9 lead after one quarter. MLive 1/26 

Harrison Barnes, the pride of Ames High School, was a popular guy at Hilton Coliseum on Saturday when Iowa State played Kansas. Complete strangers chanted his name, patted him on the back, told him "You'd look great in cardinal and gold." Kansas Coach Bill Self smiled broadly in his direction, once as Self entered the arena and again when he returned for the second half. Self knew exactly where Barnes was sitting and wanted — needed — to make eye contact. Barnes, a 6-foot-6 junior with rare basketball skills, did not tip his hand. He stood, politely, and clapped when the Cyclones took the floor, then visited the Iowa State locker room after the game. The Gazette 1/26 

Jordin Mayes had 13 points, Dwayne Polee had 12 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks, and Dominique O'Connor had 12 points and eight assists as host Westchester defeated LACES, 75-30, in a Western League game. Daily Breeze 1/26 

Heavily favored Fairfax is breathing a sigh of relief after Lance Bailey made a free throw in the closing seconds to give the Lions an 84-83 victory over Palisades in a Western League game Wednesday. A Fairfax loss would have wrapped up the league title and likely the No. 1 seed in the City Section Division I playoffs for Westchester. Renardo Sidney scored 37 points and had 12 rebounds for Fairfax (16-3, 5-1). LA Times 1/28 

Fairfax and Westchester each scored easy Western League victories, continuing on a collision course to play for the league title next Friday at Westchester. Fairfax defeated Hamilton, 82-44, with Renardo Sidney scoring 30 points. Westchester defeated University, 84-43, with Jordin Mayes scoring 22 points and Dwayne Polee adding 13 points. LA Times 1/30 

With Kentwood leading 60-59, Kentridge sophomore guard Alec Wilson hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 10 seconds remaining....Then came the Joshua Smith Show. Smith came into the second half with gusto, grabbing rebound after rebound en route to scoring 18 of Kentwood's 21 third-quarter points. "We know (Smith) is going to get his points," Jamison said, "but he wore us down." Smith's tear on both ends of the court changed the dynamic of the game and left the Chargers fighting to keep up. Seattle PI 1/31