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PrintJuly 23, 2006
By Van Coleman
Special to CSTV.com from Hoopmasters.com
 |  |
Van Coleman
Van is one of the nation's premier recruiting experts. |
We head into Day Two in Las Vegas and the action is starting to heat up as the teams vie for tournament seeding as pool play continues.
Second day action Sunday from Las Vegas at the Reebok Big-Time didn't begin with a Bang, it began with a WOW, as three of the nation's top four guards: O.J. Mayo, Eric Gordon, and Derrick Rose put on a summer clinic in a classic at Foothill High, as play is starting to heat up in pool play with teams vying for tournament seeding.
D-1 Greyhounds 83 - Mean Streets 82
The game was close throughout as Eric Gordon made a lay-in with just over five seconds left in the game to put his Mean Streets team up by an 82-79 margin. But, the hero, became the goat, not by his action, but by a questionable call. As O.J. Mayo stuck his seventh three of the game to tie it with 2.9 seconds left, the trailing official called Gordon for a foul when he waved his hand in Mayo's face as he shot the trey. According to press people with a better view on press row there was 8-12 inches between Mayo and Gordon. But, the call was made and Mayo stepped up and ended this thriller at 83-82 in favor of his D-1 Greyhounds.
Let's look in to the numbers in this one as the guards put on a stellar show. O.J Mayo was at the top of his game, looking once again like a man who wanted his spot back as the number one prospect in the glass of 2007! He finished with 26 points, hitting 7 of 8 from beyond the arc, handed out 6 assists (could have had a couple more if his teammates hadn't missed a couple dunks) and didn't turn the ball over once against the pressure brought by Gordon, Rose, and Company! He took the challenge and always seemed to have an answer. If Gordon finished with a dunk or an off-balance drive, O.J. came back and stuck three or made a spectacular half court pass to Tyus or Walker for the slam. He was simply magnificent.
Mean Streets' duo wasn't to be outdone, and they were spectacular in their own right. Eric Gordon was on fire leading all scorers with 28 points and impressed me with his ability to finish in traffic. He just seemed to will the ball into the hole on a number of occasions powering the ball into the cylinder. His added strength has made him almost unstoppable when he set up dribble drive with his sweet outside stroke.
His backcourt running mate Derrick Rose put all questions to rest whether he can bring it when faced with one of the nation's best. He was as impressive as anyone on the floor. The guard from Chicago had a triple-double versus Mayo and company scoring 21 points, pulling down an amazing 14 boards and handing out 12 assists. He showed that he can break down pressure and cut through the press like a hot knife or make the spectacular oop pass with the best. Truly he brought his "A" game!
Mayo got solid support from Bill Walker and 6-8 Alex Tyus, who both finished with 14 points, while 5-8 Josh Miller added 12 points and 7 assists to the Greyhounds' victory.
On the Mean Streets side, 6-4 Tony Topps was really solid dropping 18 points including four long range threes, while 6-5 230-pound warrior Tim Flowers added 10 points and pulled down 14 boards for the Illinois squad.
Southern Cal All-Stars 77 - Michigan Hurricanes 72
In what some might consider a tune-up for the game that followed it, the So Cal All-Stars were pushed hard by the Michigan Hurricanes before succumbing to Kevin Love & Company by a 77-72 margin. This one was close throughout as So Cal went into the intermission up by one, 37-36, over the Hurricanes.
The second half started in similar fashion until the 12-minute mark when So Cal, behind Love's outlet pass and his ability to control the glass, went on an 9-2 run to widen their lead to 61-53 over the Michigan squad. From that point on Michigan battled, but couldn't grab the lead, although they did cut it to two on a number of occasions.
So Cal was led by Mr. Consistency Kevin Love, who finished with 29 points and shot 13-16 from the stripe. He got solid support from 6-7 bookend forwards Taylor King and Malik Story, who added 14 and 12 points respectively.
The Hurricanes dynamic duo of the 6-6 Alex Legion and 6-5 Darquavis Tucker finished with 16 and 15 respectively while pulling down eight boards each in the loss.
More Top Performers...
One of the nation's top prep school talents, 6-7 Tracy Smith, has been stellar for the Georgia Hurricanes, averaging 25 points an outing. He is a physical slasher who has really matured facing the hoop.
Underrated 6-4 combo guard Eshaunte Jones from Blessed IJN went off for 35 last night. The smooth combo has ability to knock down three, create dribble drive or score in post up versus smaller guards.
Another west coast talent that has shown he can flat out get it done is the 6-6 Wendell McKines from the Oakland Soldiers. He had 28 last night and scored off the dribble, and showed he was able to hit the pull-up jumper on the baseline or facing hoop.
His frontcourt running mate, 6-10 junior Drew Gordon, has been silently destroying people around the hoop for the Oakland Soldiers. He alters what opponents do. He has great hands and can explode down the floor to throw down an oop or drop step on the blocks. He can step out and knock down 17-footers as well.
The 6-10 Clinton Chapman from the Portland Panthers has been impressive on both ends of the court at the Big-Time. He's averaged 20 points, 10 boards and a tourney leading 5.5 blocks a game so far in Vegas. He backs down from no one. A Tough Kid!
His frontcourt running mate for the Panthers, 6-11 Andy Poling, may be a little on the thin side, but he certainly can get it done. He's scoring at an 18-point clip and is pulling down 10 boards. Once his strength starts to pick-up lookout, as he'll challenge for an elite spot among 2008's big men.
6-9 combo forward Kodi Augustus has really come on this spring and summer. He can step out and knock down 18-footers or windmills on you going to the hoop. He's been unstoppable in Vegas averaging 19.5 points an outing in Vegas.
Blake Hoffarber, 6-5 wing has had 22 and 17 in his first two outings and is stroking it hitting 3-threes in the game that is playing in front of us as I write this. He is a good passer with unlimited range on his jumper. He's shown an ability to create his shot in Vegas.
Recruiting News:
Jeffery Teague, a 6-1 point guard for the Spiece Indy Heat says Wake Forest, Indiana, Xavier, Boston College, and Southern Illinois are at the top of his list.
Stephen Thomas, a 6-2 combo guard from the Spiece Indy Heat lists Fresno State, Kent State, South Alabama, Florida Atlantic, Evansville, IUPUI, Dayton, and UTEP among his schools.
Aaron Pogue, a 6-9 250 pound post for the Spiece Indy Heat says that USC, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Louisville, and Ohio State are calling.
Julian Campbell, a 6-10 post from the Worldwide Renegades lists Florida, Miami (FL), Tennessee, Kentucky, St. John's, Georgetown, Rhode Island, and Florida Atlantic.
Trevor Mbakwe, a 6-8 power forward from the Worldwide Renegades has interest from Marquette, Miami (FL), Michigan, Illinois, Cincinnati, Texas, Oklahoma, and Pittsburgh.
Cliff Tucker, a 6-7 wing from the New Mexico Force lists Texas, Utah, UTEP, Pepperdine, Alabama, San Diego, Vanderbilt, Virginia, and Oregon among his schools.
Malcolm Kirkland, a 6-8 230-pound power forward for the Magnolia Stars has Alabama, Mississippi, Mississippi State, and Jackson State on his early list.
We will be attending the Adidas Super 64 tournament this afternoon and again on Monday as that tournament moves into championship play. We will also make a stop at the Nike Main Event Monday Night and Tuesday. Look for updates on some of the top talent at each of these quality events over the next couple days.
That's our first update from Las Vegas. Watch for continuing daily coverage from the Big-Time Main Event and Super 64 from Las Vegas, right here at CSTV.com.
