Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (3/2)

By Bruin Basketball Report 

Prep News Roundup is published every Monday. 

Commits  

Reeves Nelson, who verbally committed to UCLA has a junior last season, is a 6-8 230-pound power forward who is averaging 27 points a game in what has been and up and down season for the Crusaders’ star. After trying football for the first time in the fall, Nelson “tweaked” a knee and was forced to miss the early part of the basketball season. That’s why Modesto Christian’s 18-8 overall record is a little misleading. The Crusaders have lost to five out-of-section Div. I foes and also lost two games at the Gridley Tournament when Nelson wasn’t available. Three weeks ago Nelson missed two-games after an alcohol-related auto accident following a game on campus that - because of the light discipline action by Modesto Christian officials that followed – not unexpectedly drew the ire of Modesto area sports blogs. Last week the Nelson saga continued. In a game against Riverbank on Tuesday, Nelson was ejected for a first quarter altercation and forced to miss Friday’s contest. It was the second time this season that the Modesto Christian star has been forced to miss games because of ejections. Colfax Record 2/24 

Mike Moser scored 46 points and had 12 rebounds and five steals, powering second-ranked Grant to a 66-63 overtime victory over visiting Wilson.
The Generals (17-5, 9-2), the reigning OSAA Class 6A champions, wrapped up the Portland Interscholastic League championship. Oregon Live 2/25 

Windward 63, Sierra Canyon 39: Wesley Saunders had 30 points and UCLA-bound forward Anthony Stover added 21 for Windward to advance to the semifinals. Julian Brooks had 12 points and Michael Cohen added 11 for Sierra Canyon. Daily News 2/24 

Johnny Hutton and Reeves Nelson delivered 20 points apiece during a 70-47 victory over Bear River that vaulted sixth-seeded MC into the section's Division IV semifinals. The Crusaders (20-8) will meet Vista del Lago -- 49-42 winners over Encina -- on Wednesday night at Tokay High. Modesto Bee 2/27 

With 2 1/2 minutes left and No. 1-ranked Santa Ana Mater Dei tied with Etiwanda in a Southern Section Division I-AA semifinal Friday night, Tyler Lamb was told by his coach, Gary McKnight, to do what he does best -- take charge. "Coach put the ball in my hands, and I had to come through," the UCLA-bound junior guard said. He contributed two baskets, and his guard mate, Gary Franklin Jr., had a three-point basket to help Mater Dei (30-0) pull away for a 70-60 victory in front of an overflow crowd at Fontana Miller High. LA Times 2/28 

Recruits 

They got name. Moriah Johnson's father, Marques, was a five-time NBA All-Star and former national college player of the year at UCLA. Geoffrey Allen's dad, Lucius, won three national college championships with the Bruins and spent three of his 10 NBA seasons with the Lakers. They got fame. LA Times 2/24 

It wasn't just about getting another win as the Oilers defeated Bay City Central 66-41, it was about building the confidence in Taylor's players as Mt. Pleasant played without leading scorer and All-State candidate, Trey Zeigler, who sat out the game for disciplinary reasons. Morning Sun 2/24 

The Josh Smith show took the night off at the West Central District loser-out game at Foss High on Wednesday, but Kentwood managed to defeat Lincoln, 46-44, and keep its state tournament hopes alive. Senior guard Henry Everette scored the winning basket with 7.5 seconds to play – a perfect finish to a night when Kentwood had a full team effort. “It’s a team effort, not just one person,” said Everette. “Everybody on the team contributes.” Smith, a 6-foot-9 junior who averages 25 points a game, was held to 10 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks. Smith had just three field goals. But he didn’t mind being shut down. “I’d love to score 30 every game, but in a game like this I’m fine with scoring 10 and us winning the game,” Smith said. News Tribune 2/26 

James McAdoo had 30 points, Mario Nixon had 14 points and 11 rebounds and third-seeded Norfolk Christian cruised past visiting Nansemond-Suffolk Academy 73-44. Isaac Ballou scored 23 to lead No. 6 NSA. Daily Press 2/26 

Westchester 71, Reseda Cleveland 56: Five Westchester players reached double figures, including junior guard Jordin Mayes, who had 16 points. LA Times 3/1

(photo credit: Modesto Bee)