Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (1/18)

By Bruin Basketball Report 

Prep News Roundup is published every Monday. 

Commits

Joshua Smith, Kentwood's UCLA-bound center, scored 10 points in the Conquerors' 61-37 boys basketball victory over Tahoma Tuesday night — his first game since being injured last month. Smith, a 6-foot-10 senior ranked No. 1 in the nation at his position by some recruiting services coming into the season, played for the first time since Dec. 8. Smith sufferred a partially torn patellar tendon in the Conquerors' second game of the season, a loss to top-ranked Federal Way. Seattle Times 1/12

John A. Logan handed the Olney Central College Blue Knights a 68-57 loss Wednesday night in Carterville.  UCLA-bound point guard Lazeric Jones scored 14 points for the Volunteers, who improved to 12-4 overall and 3-0 in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference. Olney Daily Mail 1/14

Josh Smith will not be in the lineup tomorrow when Kentwood plays Kinston High School (N.C.) in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's Spalding Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Smith, a 6-foot-10 senior who has signed with UCLA, returned to action last Tuesday after suffering a partially torn patellar tendon earlier in the season. He scored 10 points in limited action as the Conquerors beat Tahoma. According to Jo Anne Daughtry, Kentwood athletic director, Smith collided with a Tahoma player during Tuesday's game and was held out of last night's game against Kent-Meridian for precautionary purposes. She said it was the family's decision for him not to play tomorrow, not wanting to risk further injury in a non-conference contest. Seattle Times 1/15

After Friday night's 84-47 Trinity League victory at JSerra, McKnight tied former St. Joseph of Alameda and Bishop O'Dowd of Oakland coach Mike Phelps for the state record with 843 career victories....Mater Dei's Tyler Lamb, who finished with six points, seven rebounds and 11 assists, helped change the tempo early in the run by throwing down a lob pass from Tommy Stangl. OC Varsity 1/15

Recruits

Sac High guard Josiah Turner scored 34 points, but Oakland wing Jabari Brown had 33 as the Wildcats won 88-81. Sac Bee 1/11

First, high-profile recruit Terrence Jones had hoped to finish dancing with prospective colleges before the season and sign a letter of intent in November. Then once the season started, the Democrats were intent on making a run at becoming one of the country's best teams.  Neither came together as planned.  The 6-foot-8 Jones remains as hot as ever, No. 15 in the ESPNU 100 rankings for the class of 2010. But Jones opted not to sign early, instead putting his recruiting on pause to concentrate on the season.  Jefferson coach Pat Strickland said Jones' list of prospective colleges hasn't changed. It's down to five: Kentucky, Oklahoma, Washington, Oregon and UCLA. Jones has visited all but Oregon, where he has taken an unofficial visit. Strickland said when he and Jones talk these days, it's all about Democrats basketball, not what he's thinking about college.  Oregon Live 1/13

In what has been an area rivalry for a long time now, the host Oilers disposed of upset-minded Alma Tuesday night despite a slow start as it rolled the rest of the way for a 69-40 victory....Trey Zeigler led a balanced Mt. Pleasant attack with 15 points to go along with six rebounds, while Josh Rathje and James Arnold scored 10 points apiece. Morning Sun 1/13

Milton: Defeated Chaminade (St. Louis), 78-57: Julian Royal, 6-8 junior center. Royal, who is ranked No. 30 in the Class of 2011, scored 20 points on 10-of-13 shooting last night. He also grabbed three rebounds and blocked two shots. News Ledger 1/15

Milton: Defeated Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.), 66-53: Julian Royal, 6-foot-8 junior forward. Royal, who is ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 30 player in the Class of 2011, scored 21 points, grabbed six rebounds and blocked two shots last night. News Ledger 1/16

The Irish led 46-42 at the moment of Thomas' timeout. Notre Dame's half-court offense was fundamental and frustrating to Times No. 6 Wallace. And the Hornets had no answer for 6-foot-8 junior Max Bielfeldt. Thomas pulled Wallace junior Branden Dawson to his side and said: "This is our show. Let's go." After the timeout, Dawson responded by nailing a 3-pointer from the corner. And in the next 44 seconds the 6-6 Dawson had two thunderous slam dunks. Wallace prevailed 82-70 over the Irish (11-6). NWI Times 1/17