200302

New York City & New Jersey High Hoops

2/28/03 Drew Adderly, International Youth Basketbal: 'lThe IYB is having a double elimination, 2-weekend tourney with 60+ teams! The site will be at the North Bergen Recreation center which has two regulation courts where there will be games from 9AM to 8PM. We are looking for 10u, 12u, 14u, and 18u teams. The dates are March 14-16 and March 21-23. Lately, our tourneys have been filling up extremely quickly so please sign up ASAP. The cost per team is $250 for non-IYB members and $200 for IYB members (to become a member is $100). There is a mandatory $100 deposit per team that must be in by March 10th. If you have any questions, please e-mail at aadderly@utendahl.com or call me at (201) 317-6630.'

2/28/03 Peter J. Goyco, Bishop Ford: 'CHSAA Playoff Basketball -- Friday 2/28 At St. Francis College, 6:30 PM "A" JV City Championship/ St. Raymond vs Christ the King, 8:15 PM "A" Varsity Brooklyn-Queens Sectional Championship Xaverian vs Christ the King

Saturday 3/1 At Mount St. Michael 1:00PM "A" Varsity Bronx Manhattan Sectional Championship St. Raymond vs Rice, "B" Varsity Intersectional Playoffs 2:45PM Fordham Prep vs Bishop Ford. 4:30PM Cardinal Hayes vs LaSalle. At Bishop Ford HS. "B" Varsity Intersectional Playoffs 1:00PM St. John's Prep vs Mount St. Michael, 3:00PM St. Edmund Prep vs Iona Prep. At Holy Cross HS. "A" Freshman City Championship 6:00 PM St. Raymond's vs Archbishop Molloy.

Sunday 3/2 At Sacred Heart HS "C" Varsity Playoffs 12:00noon Regis vs Scanlan, 1:45PM Cathedral vs St. Joseph. At Iona College "A" Varsity Intersectional Playoffs 1:30PM St. Francis Prep vs St. Peter's, 3:00PM Bishop Loughlin vs Msgr. McClancy, 4:30PM All Hallows vs Holy Cross.'

2/28/03 Coach Kevin Cullen: In the CHSAA "C" division, we have the semifinals on Sunday, March 2nd with Regis taking on Scanlan at 12 noon followed by Cathedral and St. Joe's by the Sea. Games being played at Sacred Heart of Yonkers, 34 Convent Avenue. The Finals of the "C" division will be played on Friday, March 7th at Iona College. Game time is at 6pm followed by the "B" championship.' Web note: Added to calendar page. Default month on calendar is still February; it will switch to March tomorrow.

2/28/03 Courier News: LeBron James heads list of McDonald's All-Americans.

2/28/03 Peter F. Edwards - IS8: 'Biddies Sat 9:30 80 Park vs Hempstead and 10:30 Riverside Church vs Gauchos with Sunday Championship at 9:30. Midgets Saturday 11:30 Team Next vs 80 Park, 12:30 L.I. Lightning vs Abyssinian with Sunday Championship at 10:45. Juniors Sat 1:30 Sonday Express vs Abyssinian and 2:45 Riverside Church 80 Park with Sunday Championship at 12:00.' Web note: Earlier stories on the IS8 Nike Winter league page.

2/28/03 NJO: Pat McCrossan scored 14 points and Jamar Nutter added 11 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals when Seton Hall, No. 3 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, rolled to a 54-32 victory over Roxbury yesterday in West Orange.

2/28/03 NJ Hoops top two seniors 6'8" Luol Deng and 6'9" Charlie Villanueva have been honored by being selected to the prestgious McDonald's All American game.

2/28/03 NY Post: Burly Gompers Turns Channel -- Gompers 58 - Beach Ch. 51 and Cardozo 80 - Urban Peace 62.

2/28/03 Journal News: Section 1 championships: Scene & Heard at the Westchester County Center.

2/28/03 Spotman: 'The CHSAA Freshman Championship game has unfortunately been moved to Holy Cross High School on Saturday. Game will begin at 6:00 pm. St. Raymond's will face Archbishop Molloy.'

2/28/03 Rodney Johnson-Exodus NYC- 6'8 Freshman Swing Rodney Epperson of Barton had a career high 35 points and 11 rebounds as Barton County Juco clinched the Jayhawk West title with 107- 80 win over Cloud County. The point total is the highest of any Cougar since Ebi Ere two years ago. 6'2 Fr. PG Jamarre Wilson of Albany score a career high 39 points against New Hampshire College. He recieved Rookie of the Week for the 5th time this year. He should be selected Rookie of the year. 6'4 So. Wilbur Williams of LA City Juco scored 14pts. and 12 rebounds in 113-67 victory over East LA Juco. They clinced the conference championship.'

2/28/03 Ted Thomas: 'The Northport Breakers basketball program is holding tryouts for a boys 13u travel team based in Northport on Long Island. Tryouts will be from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, March 8th. You are eligible for this team if you were born on or after 9/1/89, and can commit to practices in the Northport area 2 to 3 times a week. For details and registration, call Coach Thomas at 631-754-2295 after 7pm.'

2/27/03 Phil Diasparra, Westchester Hawks: 'Westchester Hawks AAU Registration - All Boys & Girls 9u-17u interested in AAU basketball this season can go to our website and register. Tryout times will follow. Check out te new home of the Hawksis at www.brewstersportscenter.com. Our website is www.westchesterhawks.com, or call Lou Demello@ 914-962-0980.'

2/27/03 NJO: Tony Wilson scored 15 of his 23 points in the second half to guide second-seeded Linden, No. 10 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, to a 68-54 victory last night at the Elizabeth Dunn Center.

2/27/03 NY Post: Player, Coach Eye Finish Line -- PSAL Playoffs -- Banneker 61 - Curtis 59.

2/27/03 Journal News: Section 1 Class A semifinal: White Plains defeats Carmel 45-42.

2/26/03 NorthJersey: Bergen Catholic star forward Sean Banks has been suspended indefinitely from school because of last week's arrest on a charge of obstructing a governmental function. And Willie Irick returns to lift Teaneck.

2/26/03 Dennis Avila: On Friday, February 28, 2003, St. John's Prep will be holding a fund raiser for Immaculate Conception at 7pm. Immaculate Conception coaches will be playing against Immaculate Conception CYO Boys.'

2/26/03 Bryan D. White: 'In CHSAA Division B opening round Mount St. Michael defeated Spellman 46-38. Mount was sparked by their 4 year point guard Lamar White with 16 point and 5 assist. Curtis Coombs, added 10 points in the victory.'

2/26/03 NY Post: Sharks Swim Unchartered Waters PSAL Playoffs, Sheepshead 48 - Bergtraum 46, Boys & Girls 56 - Transit 51.

2/26/03 Newsday: Antoine Agudio of Whitman has committed to play men's basketball at Hofstra in the fall.

2/26/03 Journal News: Section 1 Class A semifinal: Mount Vernon defeats North Rockland 60-52.

2/26/03 NJO: Paterson Catholic 89, Midland Park 51: Senior guard Marquis Webb dropped in 17 of his 22 points in the second period and Paterson Catholic, No. 2 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, opened a 36-20 halftime lead in Midland Park.

DePaul 62, Morris Catholic 50: Max Schafer dropped in nine of his 25 points in the first period when No. 16 DePaul opened a 12-7 lead in Denville.

St. Patricks played its game and breezed to a 74-47 victory over Roselle in the semifinals of the Union County Tournament before 1,500 last night at the Elizabeth Dunn Center.

2/26/03 Bryan Griffith, N.I.K.E.-1 Basketball Program Inc, Big Apple Sports Inc: 'Simply put, it was a fine basketball game, one that I will certainly remember…On display were two magnificently coached teams, two groups of young men that in time will speak about their respective coaches, with reverence and respect. I am not well versed in reporting any sporting event, but I will attempt to comment (on some aspects) of the semi-final game between Bishop Loughlin HS and Xaverian HS. Some would say that Bishop Loughlin should have won the game, others would say that Xaverian was lucky…In my view, it was neither…Xaverian won because their coaching staff led by the legendary Jack Alesi kept their players poised and focused, obvious was the historical lesson; “its never over until the last whistle” On the other side was Bishop Loughlin…Ted Gustus is simply a basketball genius, the art of teaching defense is his legacy, his team(s), when following instructions and game-plans, are a joy to watch; a machine that is well crafted and well oiled (example: the display of a solid defensive game plan). As I traveled to the game I thought that Loughlin must have a plan, and knowing Ted Gustus, I felt that his "plan" had to originate on the defensive end…that made it a “must-see” game for me. These two institutions will always have on display solid basketball programs, but the legendary Ted Gustus and Jack Alesi will not be coaching forever, the replacements for these legends will be happy, just to receive the ultimate display of respect from the young men that they will coach; should they perform in the manner that the young men of Bishop Loughlin, Xaverian, Archbishop Molloy and Christ The King showed last night at St. Francis College. I left the gym last night shaking my head in disbelief in regards to the outcome of the 2nd semi-final game, but satisfied in the knowledge that “The State of Basketball” in NY is in good hands.'

2/26/03 Louis Xifaras: CHSAA Championships are set. On the Freshmen level, Archbishop Molloy will play St. Raymond on Saturday, March 1 at 6pm at Holy Cross High School. Molloy is led by freshman phenom Milan Prodanovic, who is putting up some big numbers this season. Junior Varsity Championship is Christ the King vs St. Raymond Friday, February 28th at St. Francis College. Christ the King battled back in a fantastic semi-final game against Xaverian. The game had one of the best high school dunks I have ever seen, displayed by rising sophomore Chris Lowery. In the varsity game, also on Friday, February 28th at St. Francis College, Christ the King will square off against Xaverian in a #1 vs #2 seed faceoff. Xaverian defeated Bishop Loughlin in a semi-final game which featured first team all-CHSAA and probable McDonald's All-American Chris Taft showing why he is one of the top players in the country. Chris dominated in the 4th quarter en route to a tremendous double digit comeback. When Taft starts playing every quarter of every game that hard, he will be one of the top college players in the nation.

Also note, Saturday and Sunday will be the semi-finals and Championships at I.S. 8, with action beginning each day at 9:30am with 12U and going to the 14U and 16U divisions, respectfully, and running through the early afternoon. After talking to a few people, a highly anticipated matchup will be in the 16U semi-final saturday afternoon with the NYC Rise Panthers against Riverside Church. Some people have told me that Derrick Caracter may make an appearance.'

2/25/03 Coach Tom Fraher: 'Congratulations go out to Dominic Cuzzi of Mount St. Michael who recorded his 1000th career point last week vs. Moore Catholic of Staten Island. Dom finished with a game high 27 points which placed him over the 1000 point milestone. For the season, Dom is averaging over 20 ppg and 12 rpg. He is currently being recruited by numerous Division I schools!'

2/25/03 Vincent Kabus for Paul "Doc" Nicelli of the Student Athletes Inc.Bronco's: 'The Student Athletes Inc Bronco's will be conducting tryouts for traveling teams on Feb 28, Friday from 6 to 9 pm at IS10 located at 46 St 31 Ave in Astoria , Queens. Take the V,G or R trains to the 46 + Broadway exit. Any high school expierenced players who want to obtain National Exposure and compete in many national tournaments are welcome to tryout. Stay tuned for furthur tryout dates and a list of tournaments [ up to 20 including Las Vegas "Bigtime" tournament by Adidas].'

2/25/03 Hoop Vision AAU Girls & Boys Basketball Tryouts! Girls: 14u and 16u-March 1st 11am-1pm. Location: Wyandanch High School, South 32nd Street, Wyandanch, NY 11798. Boys: 12u and 13u-March 1st 1pm-3pm. Location: Wyandanch High School, South 32nd Street, Wyandanch, NY 11798. To register and for more information call: Michael Grant 1-888-700-0418, Faye Thomas (631) 398-0657, Deborah Haynes (631) 807-3087.

2/25/03 USA Today Super 25 boys' basketball rankings includes # 12. St. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y. (21-3) Previous: 12. Did not play. # 15. St. Patrick, Elizabeth, N.J. (19-4) Previous: 16. Beat Hillside 65-32 in Union County Tournament quarterfinals. # 24. Rice, New York, N.Y. (18-6) Previous: Not ranked. Beat then-No. 25 Christ the King (Middle Village) 83-74. # 25. St. Anthony, Jersey City, N.J. (18-4) Previous: 21. Lost to Camden Catholic (Cherry Hill) 52-48. Dropped out: No. 25 Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.) lost to Rice (Manhattan) 83-74.

Player of the week: Shagari Alleyne of No. 24 Rice had 38 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks in an 83-74 victory over then-No. 25 Christ the King (Middle Village). The 7-2 Alleyne says he'll attend Rutgers.

Must-see: Tuesday, the CHSAA Brooklyn-Queens Class A semifinals at Brooklyn's St. Francis College: Christ the King (Middle Village)-Archbishop Molloy (Briarwood) and Xaverian (Brooklyn)-Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn). Wednesday, Archdiocese of New York Class A semifinals at St. Raymond High (Bronx): No. 12 St. Raymond-St. Peter's (Staten Island) and No. 24 Rice-All Hallows (Bronx).

Boys basketball regional rankings - East: 1. McQuaid, Rochester, N.Y. (21-0), 2. Montrose Christian, Rockville, Md. (17-1), 3. St. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y. (21-3), 4. St. Patrick, Elizabeth, N.J. (19-4), 5. Rice, New York, N.Y. (18-6), 6. St. Anthony, Jersey City, N.J. (18-4), 7. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (25-1), 8. Lincoln, Brooklyn, N.Y. (25-4), 9. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (19-6), 10. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (24-4).

2/25/03 MSG Top 10 Poll: 1- St. Raymond, NY (21-3), 2- St. Patrick, NJ (19-4), 3- Seton Hall Prep, NJ (21-2), 4- Mt. Vernon, NY (22-0), 5- St. Mary's, LI (22-1), 6- Rice, NY (18-6), 7- St. Anthony, NJ (18-4), 8- Paterson Catholic, NJ (16-3), 9- Lincoln, NY (25-4), 10- Xaverian, NY (17-7).

2/25/03 Inquirer: Bright future awaits Haddonfield High's Brian Zoubek, a 6-foot-9, 230-pound freshman center.

Marques Alston scored 21 points and grabbed 17 rebounds and Jerome Hubbard connected on a pair of clutch 3-pointers to rally Neptune, No. 7 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, to a 57-44 victory over Red Bank last night in the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinal round before 1,000 at Neptune.

2/25/03 NJ Hoops: Second seeded CBA ousted 7th seeded Colts Neck 66 - 55 this afternoon in Lincroft in the quarterfinals of the Shore Conference Tournament.

2/25/03 Newsday: Late 22-3 Run Gives Amityville 4th 'B' Title in Row. And Clarence Alonzo Goes Long, Helps Longwood Reach Pay Dirt. And Whitman Silences Bellport. Reaches 'A' final behind Antoine Agudio, Matt Ross, Nick Carter. And Edward Berrios' Role: The Man.

2/25/03 Humberto Corredor Jr: 'Congratulations to Milan Prodanovic and the Molloy freshmen team which has come off two big victories. Led by Milan Prodanovic's 35 point performance and game winning shot, they defeated Bishop Loughlin 73-72. Tonight once again led by Milan Prodanovic 30 point performance they defeated Christ the King. They advanced to the freshmen championship this Friday against St Rays, 4 o'clock start at St. Francis College.'

2/24/03 National Prep Basketball Poll for Week of February 24 lists # 7. Bronx, N.Y., St. Raymond (21-3) , top seed in New York City Catholic League playoffs, # 21. Newark, N.J., St. Benedict's (23-3) , captured second straight state prep school championship and # 23. Elizabeth, N.J., St. Patrick (18-4) , breezed to county tournament semifinals. Northeast -- 1. Rochester, N.Y., McQuaid, 21-0, 2. Bronx, N.Y., St. Raymond, 21-3, 3. Newark, N.J., St. Benedict's, 23-3, 4. Elizabeth, N.J., St. Patrick, 18-4, 5. Brooklyn, N.Y., Lincoln, 25-4, 6. West Orange, N.J., Seton Hall Prep, 21-2, 7. Cherry Hill, N.J., Camden Catholic, 21-1, 8. Philadelphia, Saint Joseph's Prep, 25-1, 9. Manhasset, N.Y., St. Mary's, 22-1, 10. Mount Vernon, N.Y., 22-0.

2/24/03 CLJSchneider: 'Congratulations to Coach Tim Cluess and the St. Mary's Gaels for going undefeated for the second time in 3 years in the Long Island CHSAA. Over the last 3 seasons, the Gaels are 35-1 in the league with an overall record of 70-6, a 92% winning percentage. The Gaels have hit 38 three's over their last 4 games and you'd be hard pressed to find a better shooting team in NY State. Yet their suffocating full court pressure defense is the main reason for so much of their success. They should be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.'

2/24/03 John Sce, Varsity Basketball Coach New Utrecht High School: 'Too many times we measure the career of a coach for the wrong reasons. Tim Leary has achieved a level of excellence over 29 years that many of us can only hope for. I do not mean this in terms of the 500 wins. His program has been a huge success by the way his teams compete and carry themselves on and off the court. I can only hope that my team and program can be half as good. Coach Leary, simply the best and a man's man. Congratulations!'

2/24/03 Coach Eric 'Rock' Eisenberg: 'After reading about legendary Coach Tim Leary's 500th victory I started to think about PSAL coaching legend Jack Ringel of Grady. Jack is in the twilight of his great coaching career and has close to 485 wins, three city and two state tittles and loads of his "kids" placed in college. I for one wanted to thank Jack for all he has done for our great game. Yes, there have been moments when we were at each others throats and times we disagreed about things but as Mike "Legs" Levine would always say "Rock, that's just Jack being Jack" He is trying to help his team do what they always do best win! That is what Jack Ringel will be remembered as - a winner!'

2/24/03 Coach Pete Goyco: 'The BQ Sectional Championship and one of the lower level City Championships, will be played at St. Francis College on Friday 2/28/03 not Bishop Ford HS.'

2/24/03 Tippy McTernan: 'The 7th Annual Big Apple Junior College Exposure Games will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2003 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at John Jay College. This event is limited to 80 participants and is invitation-only, with no charge for the accepted participants. All participants must be graduating high school seniors, high school graduates, GED recipients, or older students with junor college eligiblity. All those who wish to be considered for the 2003 JUCO Exposure Games must fill out a registration form that can be downloaded from the Big Apple web site: www.eteamz.com/bigapplesports.

The 2002 Junior College Exposure Games was the biggest and most successful yet, with 80 student-athletes displaying their talents in front of more than 40 coaches from California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, Tennessee, Iowa and the northeast states. Check the web site for more info or e-mail: tmcternan@hotmail.com.'

2/24/03 NJO: James Ulrich scored 13 of his 20 points in the second half and provided the go-ahead points with seven seconds left, sending Camden Catholic, No. 6 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, to a 52-48 victory over No. 2 St. Anthony last night at the Scholastic Play-by-Play at Cherry Hill East.

J.R. Smith hit for 25 points as St. Benedicts Prep dealt Winslow Township, No. 14 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, a 93-53 setback last night at the Scholastic Play-By-Play Classic in Cherry Hill.

2/24/03 Inquirer: Irish don't waste a single free throw. Camden Catholic ... hit all 18 free throws during last night's 52-48 win over St. Anthony.

2/23/03 NJO: Blair put forth a marvelous team effort against St Benedict, leading for most of the contest before falling, 55-53, at the Hun School in Princeton.

Darryl Watkins scored 10 points in the third quarter to lead top-seeded Paterson Catholic, No. 3 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, to a 90-73 victory before 800 at Wayne Valley.

DePaul is 20-0 and ranked No. 17 in The Star-Ledger Top 20. They looked it after yesterday's 69-60 victory over third-seeded Clifton in the semifinal round of the Passaic County Tournament before 800 at Wayne Valley.

Seton Hall Prep melded together for a 69-48 victory over third-seeded Bloomfield Tech yesterday in the semifinal round of the Essex County Tournament at Newarks Essex County College.

Linden 74, Cranford 69: Second-seeded and 12th-ranked Linden hit five free throws in the final 35 seconds to snap a 69-69 tie in the Union County Tournament quarterfinals at the Elizabeth Dunn Center.

2/23/03 NJ Hoops: St. Benedict's trimmed Blair 55 - 51 at The Hun School in Princeton before a raucous SRO crowd for the State Prep School "A" championship.

2/23/03 Daily News: Look for four to score -- St Raymond, Lincoln, Murry Bergtraum and Christ the King -- City's best teams taking aim at Glens Falls.

2/23/03 Louis Xifaras: Congratulations to Nick Hamilton-Lopez, junior guard from Monsignor McClancy High School. Nick was named New York City Player of the Week this week by MSG's High School Weekly and by the Times Ledger Newspaper. Nick had 32 points against St. Francis Prep in a win, including 15 in the 4th quarter. He also led McClancy to another league win that same week over Holy Cross. Another example of a kid who people said would never be good, but worked hard over the years to prove them wrong. Hamilton-Lopez, as a junior this year, has an outside shot of making All-City this season, a rarity among juniors. Nick's next game is in the Brooklyn/Queens Varsity Playoffs today at 1pm vs Christ the King, played at St. Francis College.'

2/22/03 Louis Xifaras: 'CHSAA 'A' Brooklyn/Queens Diocesan Varsity Playoffs begin Sunday, February 23rd, 2003. The first round games begin at 1pm with (7) Monsignor McClancy vs (2) Christ the King, 2:45 (3) Archbishop Molloy vs (6) Holy Cross, 4:15pm (4) St. Francis Prep vs (5) Bishop Loughlin. Semi-finals are Tuesday, February 25th, 2003 with the 6pm game featuring winner of (7) Monsignor McClancy vs (2) Christ the King and (3) Archbishop Molloy vs (6) Holy Cross and at 7:30pm the #1 seed Xaverian goes up against the winner of (4) St. Francis Prep vs (5) Bishop Loughlin. The Diocesan Championship game is Friday, February 28th at 7:30. All games held at St. Francis College.

The 2003 CHSAA Archdiocese of New York Playoffs begin Wednesday February 26th, 2003 with the first round being played at St. Raymond. Games begin at 5:30pm with (2) Rice vs (3) All-Hallows and (1) St. Raymond vs (4) St. Peter's. Diocesan Championship is Saturday, March 1st, 2003 at 1pm at Mount St. Michael's.

CHSAA JV and Freshman Championship games are held on Friday, February 28th at St Francis College. Freshmen at 4pm, JV at 5:45pm, followed by the B/Q Varsity at 7:30pm.

CHSAA Intersectionals begin Sunday, March 2nd at Iona College with the championship Wednesday March 12th at Fordham University. New York State Catholic 'A' Playoffs begin Sunday, March 16th at Fordham University with the State Federation Playoffs beginning Friday, March 21st at Glens Falls.'

2/22/03 There's a table on the class of 2003 page which shows the comparative rankings for 28 seniors in this region from PrepStars, Insiders Hoops, Hoop Scoop, ESPN, New Jersey Hoops and Apples Best Ballaz'.

2/22/03 NY Post: Shagari Alleyne and Arturo Dubois -- Rice Tandem Topples -- Rice 83 - Christ the King 74.

2/22/03 Newsday: Shagari Alleyne and Arturo Dubois -- Rice Tandem Just Too Strong.

2/22/03 NJO: Darryl Watkins scored a school-record 54 points despite playing just three quarters to lead Paterson Catholic, No. 3 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, to a 79-25 victory over Saddle Brook last night in Paterson.

Blair (25-3) will attempt to capture its first prep A Division state boys title when it opposes defending champion St. Benedicts (22-3) in a rematch of last years final at 5:45 this afternoon at the Hun School in Princeton.

Jesse Holley scored 21 points and Jonathan Hart had 18 for Roselle, which held off a spirited comeback effort by Rahway to win, 66-62, in the quarterfinals of the Union County Tournament last night at the Dunn Center in Elizabeth.

2/22/03 NJ Hoops: Top seeded Bergen Catholic beat Don Bosco Prep 64 - 50 tonight in the semifinals of the 47th annual Bergen County Jamboree.

2/22/03 Insiders Hoops: Class of 2005 includes Greg Paulus, Ricky Torres, Emanuel Mayben, Antonio Pena, Anthony Farmer, Shahee Martin, Brian Connelly, Brandon Costner, James Tchana, Taskico Brown, Nyan Boateng, Chris Bethel, Sean McCurdy.

2/21/03 Angelo Robles: 'New AAU power forming on the east coast. Connecticut based Yerwood Basketball is scheduled to play in some of the nation's best AAU tournaments this spring and summer. We are hosting tryouts to be held in Stamford, Ct. March 1st and 8th. The two age brackets are for 15 and 16 year olds. If you are interested in trying out please e-mail me, Angelo Robles, at angelor@snet.net or call me at 203-570-2898. Some of the tournaments we are entering include: Adidas Hoop Challenge, Providence Jam Fest, GYM RAT Challenge in Albany, Hoop USA in Albany, Rumble in the Bronx, UDC, Charlie Weber in West Virginia and the big one The Adidas Big Time in Las Vegas. Serious inquiries only. Must be able to commit to Stamford Ct. based practices 2-3 times per week. Physical post players in especially short supply.'

2/21/03 Lonnie Webb: 'Section 1 Semi-Finals - North Rockland vs. Mt. Vernon @ Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY Tuesday 2/25/03 4:30p.m.'

2/21/03 Coach Ted Gustus: 'Congratulations to Coach Tim Leary! A great milestone for a great and stand up guy. It was through tough competition that I learned to respect and gain admiration for coach Leary. While at Nazareth H.S. I always used his team as an example of what my team should look like. Simply put, Coach Leary demanded that his kids give their best each and every game. Coach never was one to back down from a fight (competition). I look forward to the playoff game, Loughlin vs. St. Francis on Sunday at St. Francis College. It should be our usual competitive game.'

2/21/03 NJO: David McSwain scored 20 points and Calvin ONeil added 19, including nine in a second quarter rally that helped send East Side to an 80-63 victory over Union yesterday in Newark

Tyreek Rolon matched his season high with 21 points and Anthony Sims added 17 as third-seeded Elizabeth, No. 19 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, defeated Westfield, 60-53, in the first round of the Union County Tournament yesterday in Rahway.

2/20/03 Coach Carlton Screen (FYA): I want to congratulate Tim Leary on getting winning his 500th game it is a great milestone for a great coach and person. Tim and I played sandlot baseball at the Parade Grounds back a few years ago.We had great games against each other. When I watch St.Francis High School play it reminds me of the days at the Parade Grounds. Timmy played hard to win, and his teams always play hard. It is always a pleasure to see him coach his team. He is a great guy, and I always wish him the best.'

2/20/03 Lonnie Webb: 'Host Mount Vernon eliminates Poughkeepsie 84 - 59 to advance to the sectional semi-finals to take place at Westchester County Center 2/25 or 2/26. Underrated senior guard Ernie Brown continues to shine leading the Knights with 18 points along with two of the best juniors in the metro area, Dexter Gray (14 points & 14 rebounds) and Keith Benjamin (18 points). Take heed college coaches: Ernie Brown is a steal.....he's quick, can handle the rock and consistently knocks down the 3.'

2/20/03 Journal News: Section 1 Class A quarterfinal: Mount Vernon defeats Poughkeepsie 84-49.

2/20/03 PrepStars: The 100 finalists for the McDonald’s All-American Boys Basketball Game.

2/19/03 SchoolSports: 'The 100 finalists for the McDonald’s All-American Boys’ Basketball Game were announced on Tuesday, so check out who made the cut. On Thursday, Feb. 27, the final rosters for the 12-man East and West squads will be announced live on ESPN during the 6 p.m. “SportsCenter.” This year’s McDonald’s All-American Game will be played at Cleveland’s Gund Arena on March 26 and televised live on ESPN at 7 p.m.'

The 100 list includes Shagari Alleyne 7'3 255 C Rice Manhattan NY, Sean Banks 6'7 190 SF Bergen Catholic Oradell NJ, Grant Billmeier 6'10 235 C St. Patrick Elizabeth NJ, Art Bowers 6'2 190 SG St. Benedict's Newark NJ, Karron Clarke 6'6 180 SF Winchendon Winchendon MA, Luol Deng 6'7 215 SF Blair Blairstown NJ, Gary Ervin 5'11 175 SG Notre Dame Prep Fitchburg MA, Gary Forbes 6'5 185 SF Banneker Brooklyn NY, Louis McCroskey 6'4 180 2G St. Raymond Bronx NY, Daon Merritt 5'9 180 PG St. Raymond Bronx NY, Michael Nardi 6'1 155 PG St. Patrick Elizabeth NJ, Terrence Roberts 6'8 210 PF St. Anthony Jersey City NJ, Chris Taft 6'9 220 C Xaverian Brooklyn NY, Charlie Villanueva 6'9 215 SF Blair Blairstown NJ, Darryl Watkins 6'10 230 C Paterson Catholic Paterson NJ.

2/19/03 NorthJersey: Bergen Catholic's Sean Banks and Paterson Catholic's Darryl Watkins, are among the finalists for the 26th annual McDonald's All-American High School basketball game.

St. Patricks 71, Scotch Plains 32: Jason Patterson scored 12 of his 17 points in the first half as top-seeded St. Patricks, No. 1 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, built a 43-16 lead in the first round of the Union County Tournament at the Dunn Center, Elizabeth.

2/19/03 Wayne Banner: 'Riverbank State Park is hosting the 2003 summer Riverbank Basketball camps during the weeks of: Monday, August 18th - Thursday, August 21st, 2003 Boys Camp ages 12 -17. The Second Basketball Camp: Co-ed Camp ages 7 - 11 Monday, August 25 - Thursday, August 28th, 2003. For more information please contact: Wayne Banner by email: Wayne.banner@orphp.state.ny.us.'

2/18/03 Brooklyn Scout: 'Applications are now being accepted for the 5th Annual Necelina McDonald Memorial Basketball Classic scheduled for April 21-27, 2003 at J.H.S. 275 and HOOPLAND in Brooklyn. There will be five age divisions: 13-under boys, 15-under boys, 17-under boys, 19-under boys and high school girls. The tournament will be conducted in a pool play format with a single-elimination playoff round. The $300 entry fee includes all referee fees and tournament uniforms (shirt and shorts) for twelve (12) players. For entry forms and further information, check our web site: www.eteamz.com/nmf.'

2/18/03 USA Today: Super 25 boys' basketball rankings includes # 12. St. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y. (21-3) Previous: 12. Beat All Hallows (Bronx) 77-45, closing out the regular season. # 15. St. Patrick, Elizabeth, N.J. (17-4) Previous: 16. Did not play. # 21. St. Anthony, Jersey City, N.J. (16-3) Previous: 21. Beat Highland Park 89-38. # 25. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (18-5) Previous: 22. Beat All Hallows (Bronx) 81-57, Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn) 87-69 and lost to Xaverian (Brooklyn) 64-54.

East -- 1. McQuaid, Rochester, N.Y. (20-0), 2. Montrose Christian, Rockville, Md. (17-1), 3. St. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y. (21-3), 4. St. Patrick, Elizabeth, N.J. (17-4), 5. St. Anthony, Jersey City, N.J. (16-3), 6. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (18-5), 7. Rice, New York, N.Y. (17-6), 8. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (23-1), 9. Lincoln, Brooklyn, N.Y. (25-4), 10. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (23-4).

USA Today: Milestone: Tim Leary of St. Francis Prep (Fresh Meadows, N.Y.) picked up his 500th coaching victory with a 49-46 win against Holy Cross (Flushing). Leary is 500-312 in 29 years.

2/18/03 MSG: Coach Tim Leary enters elite company - joins Archbishop Molloy coach Jack Curran as the only NY Catholic League coach in history to reach the 500-win mark.

2/18/03 MSG Top Ten: 1 - St. Raymond, NY (21-3), 2 - St. Patrick, NJ (17-4), 3 - Christ the King, NY (18-5), 4 - St. Anthony, NJ (17-3), 5 - St. Mary’s, LI (19-1), 6- Mt. Vernon, NY (21-0), 7- Seton Hall Prep, NJ (19-2), 8- Paterson Catholic, NJ (14-3), 9 - Lincoln, NY (25-4), 10 - Rice, NY (17-6).

2/18/03 NY Post: Shagari Alleyne Looking for Last Hurrah. After an inconsistent season, Rice's Shagari Alleyne is hoping to take the Raiders to another state Federation title.

2/18/03 Coach Ray Singletary, Springfield HS: 'This day in High School Sports, I am happy to say I know and coach one of the top sophomore basketball players in the city. His name is Melvin Clarida. He is a 2 year varsity player. A starter for every game of his sophomore season. At 6'5", he has and can play 3 positions. A good ballhandler and a kid who knows the game. The fact is he's one of the premier scorers around at the 2 guard position.(honestly, Melvin reminds me of my former high school player Francisco Garcia, starting point guard at #2 ranked University Of Louisville!). Springfield Gardens High School is about to become a force to be reckoned with. Remember this passage as you see the development of a fine student-athlete. Melvin has already started putting up the big numbers in I.S. 8 and Pro Style with N.Y.C. Finest Basketball Program.'

2/17/03 Coach Harry Roth: 'I just wanted to let you know the St. Mary's freshman boy's basketball team finished the year 23-0 and won their championship this Sunday. Included in the perfect season were wins over Rice, CTK, Molloy twice, Xaverian twice, McClancey and All Hallows along with victories over the usual Long Island teams, these included Holy Trinity in the finals, St. Dominics and the rest. Freshman coach Billy Turnage did a great job taking the team through a demanding schedule undefeated.'

2/17/03 Prep Nation Basketball Poll for Week 12 includes # 7. Bronx, N.Y., St. Raymond (21-3) , Virginia G Majestic Mapp played here, # 22. Newark, N.J., St. Benedict's (21-3) , beat highly touted prep school Life Center, 74-69 and # 24. Elizabeth, N.J., St. Patrick (17-4) , begins county tournament this week.

Northeast: 1. Rochester, N.Y., McQuaid, 20-0, 2. Bronx, N.Y., St. Raymond, 21-3, 3. Newark, N.J., St. Benedict's, 21-3, 4. Elizabeth, N.J., St. Patrick, 17-4, 5. Brooklyn, N.Y., Lincoln, 25-4, 6. West Orange, N.J., Seton Hall Prep, 18-2, 7. Jersey City, N.J., St. Anthony, 16-3, 8. Philadelphia, Saint Joseph's Prep, 23-1, 9. Manhasset, N.Y., St. Mary's, 20-1 and 10. New York, Rice, 17-5.

2/17/03 Chris Tarver: 'Monmouth Power Sports Club 5th Annual Slam Fest -- April 28th - May 4th in Monmouth County, NJ. Team ages 10 - 17; $350.00 (3 game guarantee). For more information contact Chris Tarver at Icon1329@aol.com.'

2/17/03 Coach Eric 'Rock' Eisenberg: 'I wanted to take this chance to say,every time I read a post from Steve "Red" Finamore he is always saying great things about other people. Let me say this "Red" is a great guy a fine coach and a super husband and father. Steve left New York about five or so years ago and went out to Michigan to start a new life and boy do we miss this first class young coach in our city. While I was an asst. At UB Steve always tried to help me and was a true friend at all times. We need more "Real Guys" like Steve in our game so that our young people can learn the right way to live life. Good Luck in the future "Red". Web note: Wednesday will be the five year anniversary for High Hoops. Steve had a column for Hoops Insider then and was the first national writer to refer to and link to this site. Thanks for everything, Steve and continued success.

2/17/03 NJO: Charlie Villanueva finished with 25 points to lead three players scoring in double figures as Blair beat Lawrenceville, 73-55, to win its third straight Mid-Atlantic Prep League tournament championship in Pottstown, Pa.

2/16/03 Today is the last regular season day for the IS8 Nike Winter league. The junior playoffs begin this Thursday. Twelve teams will compete with 80 Park, the Gauchos, Bedford Y and either Riverside Church or the Rifles getting the first round byes. The 5-0 Gauchos and the 4-1 80 Park biddies get the byes to the 3/1/03 semis, while Hempstead vs. Montibello Pride and Riveside vs the Future Legends will be the quarterfinals next Saturday at 9:30 and 10:30. In the midget division LI Lightning, Abyssinium, Team Next and 80 Park get first round byes to next Sunday's quarterfinals. The first round games will be next Saturday from 11:30 through 2:30. More details later on the IS8 Nike Winter league page.

2/16/03 Coach Eric 'Rock' Eisenberg: 'I wanted to announce that Andre King who averaged 18 points and a PSAL best 20.5 rebounds per game for us this year at Tilden High School in his only year of H. S. Basketball will sign with Coach Bob Starkman and Broward CC in Fla. this week. One of the big reasons "Dre" chose Broward is the presence of former Tilden associate Head Coach Steve "Mr. Defense" Davis who has really been a great addition to Coach Starkman's staff. Also look for St. Edmunds Prep star Chris Bernard to give Broward a serious look if he does not qualify for a "D 1" offer.'

2/16/03 Staten Island Advance: Lincoln derails Tots, 77-56. No. 32 Pirates hold own against No. 1 Railsplitters, but bow out of PSAL playoffs.

2/15/03 Lonnie Webb: 'Things that make you go hmm. I know this is very premature, but just imagine .... a New York State Class A Championship game between two undefeated teams - Mt. Vernon vs. Rochester McQuaid.'

2/15/03 I've added a printable version to the calendar page. It's not perfect, yet. Email 'love it' or 'hate it' comments to nycnjhoops@aol.com.

2/15/03 John P Miciotta: 'Xaverian upends CK -- On Senior Day, the homestanding Clippers used a game high 21 points from Chris Taft to build a 17 point lead mid way through the third period and then held off a CK rally for a nine point win. Taft lead the way as always but the Clippers got important contribution from fellow senior Kyle Odom, who was terrific pressuring the ball and triggering the Clippers defense. Sophomores LaVance Fields and Saiquan Stone also played well. Fields finished with 13 points while Stone had 9 and passed the ball extremely well. Two of those assists came on two drive and dish plays where he set up JR Mitchell and Fields for consecutive threes after CK rallied to within 5 points. Sadly though, a very good evening for Stone was nearly ruined by a foolish taunting technical foul that opened the door a bit for the Royals. Yesterday the fans got a glimpse of his great skill and terrific feel for the game, now he must gain the maturity and poise he'll need to become a truely great player.

Christ the King rallied behind Mitchell Beauford's 18 points and by taking advantage of the Clippers inexperience in the back court with their press. It wasn't enough though as the Clippers made enough plays down the stretch to hang on to the win.'

2/15/03 NJO: Terrence Roberts scored 20 points and Lamar Alston and Barney Anderson led a decisive second-quarter run as St. Anthony, No. 2 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, registered an 89-38 victory over Highland Park last night in Jersey City.

2/15/03 Newsday: Transit Tech Rocks Far Rockaway. And Whitman's Antoine Agudio Leaving a Legacy - Amityville poised to repeat, but Wyandanch threatens in Class B.

2/15/03 Newsday:St. Edmunds - 72, Nazareth - 52. Chris Bernard had 25 points, including his 1,000th career point on a free throw late in the fourth quarter, for St. Edmund Prep (17-6, 12-3 CHSAA B). The 6-1 senior guard now has 1,001 points in his three-year varsity career. Teammate Matt DiCostanza added 11 points and seven rebounds for Prep.

2/15/03 Journal News: M'ount Vernon 85, Horace Greeley 45: In a Class A opening-round game at Mount Vernon, Keith Benjamin led the top-seeded Knights with 17 points and five assists. Jonathan Mitchell added 13 points, three assists and three steals. Tate Sherman had 10 points for No. 16 Horace Greeley. Mount Vernon will host No. 8 Poughkeepsie, which eliminated Roosevelt, on Tuesday at 7 p.m.'

2/14/03 The next six weeks will be the busiest of the high school season. Accordingly, there's a new format on the calendar page. Email 'love it' or 'hate it' comments to nycnjhoops@aol.com.

2/14/03 NJO: Jamar Nutter finished with 21 points and Andrew Pusar added 11 points to lead Seton Hall Prep, No. 4 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, to a 63-43 victory over Randolph yesterday in West Orange.

2/14/03 Journal News: Hilton Armstrong and Donnie McGrath -- Class reunion: Last year's high school foes are now rivals in Big East Conference.

2/14/03 Robert White, www.NyHoops.com: We have updated CHSAA standings and will be posting playoff dates for the catholic schools this weekend..

2/14/03 NY Post: PSAL Playoffs -- Gompers 78 - FDR 63. February 14, 2003 -- Stedford McLeod and his Gompers teammates advanced to the second round of the PSAL playoffs yesterday.

2/14/03 Travis.Berry: 'Riverbank State Park is hosting, "The Brothers United, all-star Basketball Game" on Saturday, February 15, 2003 from 7:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. We anticipate over two thousand (2,000) high school students, parents and the entire New York City community to attend this spectacular basketball event. Admission is free to the public and sponsors include Coca Cola, Domino's New Balance, Pizza and New York City & New Jersey High Hoops. Please feel free to contact Randy McGhee or Travis Berry at (212) 694-3638. Email address: Randy.McGhee@oprhp.state.ny.us or Travis.Berry@oprhp.state.ny.us.

2/13/03 CLJSchneider: 'St. Mary's Manhasset destroyed St Doms the other night with 53 of their 81 points coming from their underclassmen. The Gaels with 6-4 Tyson Johnson (soph), 6-5 Danny Green (soph), 6-6 Bill Clarke (junior), and point John Ager (junior) have as much returning talent coming back next year as anyone, including Mt. Vernon.'

2/13/03 Coach Will Stasiuk: The PSAL 'A' and 'B' league playoffs continued today with 12 more games. All but one of the higher seeds won today. For more details please see www.psalhoops.com.'

2/13/03 Travis Berry: 'Riverbank State Park is hosting, "The Brothers United, all-star Basketball Game" on Saturday, February 15, 2003 from 7:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. We anticipate over two thousand (2,000) high school students, parents and the entire New York City community to attend this spectacular basketball event. Admission is free to the public and sponsors include Coke Cola, Domino's Pizza and New York City & New Jersey High Hoops. Please feel free to contact Randy McGhee or Travis Berry at (212) 694-3638. Email address: Randy.McGhee@oprhp.state.ny.us or Travis.Berry@oprhp.state.ny.us.

2/13/03 Coach/Director Carton Screen( FYA): The SCREENTEAM wants to thank Coach Ted Gustus for everything that he has done for our program. As I am reading the many well wishers on this website I can't find anything that hasn't been said about this great great person.Whatever he is going to do you can believe that it will turn out right. In this lifetime I haven't found many people who keep their word.You will find many will promise you everything and you receive nothing. Ted tells you this will happen and it comes to pass.We at FYA want to join the well wishers list to you and your family. See you soon coach!'

2/13/03 NY Post: PSAL Playoffs -- Douglass 55 - Erasmus 45 as Douglass Tops Short-handed Erasmus.

2/13/03 Mike 'Legs' Levine: 'I have been a member of the basketball community for nearly 50 yrs,as a player coach, teacher,and fan. I have seen them come and I have seen them go.As a man and as a coach, Ted Gustus is as good as it gets! He is a leader among leaders, a true visionary and a man of integrity. This man sees people,situations and events in an enlightened way helping so many to find their way in times of confusion and darkness. "Somepeople see things as they are and say why? Some people can think of things that never were and say why not!." This quotation speaks to the essence of a coach, friend,community leader husband and father that so many have come to need and know. Once again the time and call for change is upon us. A coach of great impact is resigning from the hardwood and a leader is appearing in the boardroom.Ted. I am aware of your vision and efforts to spearhead the creation of economic self suffiency within the urban community-"Why not".--The next chapter and the future will bring great for.tune to the many ---Bless you. Now I'm going shopping with my C.I.P. CARD.'

2/13/03 Riley Maye: 'Someone said that this is A sad day and time for the basketball community, Ted Gustus has retired from coaching. I knew coach Gustus for at least 28 years and I can`t begin to share how much of an impact he has had on my life. I can literally write a book on how Gustus has inspired my life and many others On and off the court. At the age 15 I was 1 of about 60 to 70 players under coach Gustus and the Ditmas all-stars. Practice was at 6am Monday - Friday and we all came ready play, even NBA Former all-star Rolando Blackman. Ted taught us leadership and that we are our brothers keeper. Relationships were built and the legacy began. Coach gave me my first team to coach my first tournament to run my first game to ref at the age 15, he surely saw something I didn't see in me. He didn't teach us what to say no to, he taught us what to say yes to. Because of his passion and dedication For the sport lives was being changed. Everthing that I adopted from him became second nature to me. Now people are giving me praise and thanks for all I do here in my new community here in the Poconos.One man said to two weeks ago in a community board meeting that every community needs a person like myself in it, and I told them how my coach, my mentor Ted Gustus is the reason why I do what I do for the youth in our community. Ted, I know I`m good at what I do, I had a great teacher, I will continue to milk you for your wisdom. So to all my fellow Gustus alumnus Tommy Allen, Earl James, Rego Hill, Gorge May, Jonathan Maye, Rolando Blackman, Derrick Richardson, Phil Hayes Jr to name some of the first few. They say our coach has retired or he has resigned but we all know that our coach is moving on to other endeavors and that means that he will still be coaching someone, somewhere and somehow. Gustus, on behalf of the Ditmas Alstar family and all that came after, we love you and thankyou so much for all that you've done and all that you do and may God continue to bless you, Karen, Kalila, Kimberly and Crystal. So until that next cross over peace...See you soon.'

2/12/03 Edward McEntee: 'Please some national attention should be directed towards St.Mary's Manhasset. They absolutely throttled a very good St.Dominic's team last night 81-42. This team is currently at 18-1 and getting better each game. I believe they may have and opportunity in the state championships.'

2/12/03 Joe Azzinaro: 'Coach Ted Gustus was one of the finest men I met while my sons were playing h.s. ball in Brooklyn. My son Joe played for Xaverian, a rival of Ted's, but he played for Ted in the Wheelchair Games. I attended many of the tryouts and practices and Coach Gustus was always fair and firm in his coaching. Our whole family will always be grateful for his work, at Naz, Loughlin, Citiwide, etc. Good luck, coach.'

2/12/03 Journal News: Devaney's power rankings # 1. Mount Vernon: The unbeaten Knights are looking to be the first Class A team to win four straight sectional titles.

2/12/03 NJO: Darryl Gladden knocked down 11 3-pointers on the way to a 39-point effort that carried Life Center to a 108-34 victory over DeLaSalle in the semifinal round of the Penn-Jersey League Tournament yesterday in Burlington.

2/12/03 NY Post: CHSAA Hoops - Rice 56 - Xaverian 54, as Rice Turns Up Backup Power. PSAL Playoffs Tottenville 88 - Automotive 72 as Alex Filis (27) Sparks Tottenville.

2/12/03 Bryan Griffith, (N.I.K.E.-1): 'Ted Gustus resignation -- It is a real sad day for me, and for the young men (and women) who do not yet realize the magnitude of this day, as well as those that do. You have been an inspiration to me, as I attempt to bring positive choices and opportunities to the future of our race, as well as our community. As I continue to remain in this endeavor (partly because you convinced me, as recently as a year ago, that "men like me" are necessary to the growth and development of the basketball community, as well as the positive development of the kids I attempt to serve. I know that this new venture can only be in your eyes another way to serve the youth of this city. I have admired you as a player (those days in "NAZ" Park where after a game, the soles of my feet are sore from having to defend that "infamous crossover"), as a coach/teacher/mentor who achieved success under tough conditions, teaching me how to motivate and encourage and certainly as a parent, both you and Karen have achieved success in that manner. I will miss the lectures, the motivational talks with the youth...that only you can do. Rest assured that I will call upon that vast knowledge base for instructions in the near and far future. Thanks Ted for everything you have done for me. I wish you, Karen and your family all the best that life could bring. '

2/12/03 Alan Russell: 'I have known Ted Gustus for approximately 20 years as a coach, mentor, friend, father, advisor, employer, family man, community leader and all around stand up person. When I found out that Ted was leaving coaching amateur sports it through me for a loop until I had the opportunity to sit down at dinner and talk with him. After this meeting I left knowing that it was time for Ted to move on and take his life and gifts to greater heights. He will definitely leave a void in the amateur coaching ranks, but I am certain that he will continue to be an educator, mentor, coach and role model for us all in the future. He will be an asset to the business world where he brings integrity to an arena that is in need of a make over. I wish you and your family the best that life has to offer and all of your heart's desires, may God continue to bless all that you do.'

2/12/03 Jayson Kiang, St. John the Baptist: 'Here are the current standings in the NSCHSAA: St. Mary's (9-0), St. Dominic (7-2), St. John the Baptist (5-4), Chaminade (5-4), St. Anthony's (3-7), Kellenberg (2-6), and Holy Trinity (1-9). St. John the Baptist guard Ryan Johnson is currently leading the NSCHSAA in scoring with a 24.4 ppg average. On Tuesday night, Johnson scored 27 points and pulled down 19 rebounds in a 59-55 win over league rival St. Anthony's. This past Sunday, he dropped 36 points in a 63-47 win against Holy Trinity, and last week he scored 28 points in a loss to St. Dominic's. Johnson has scored at least 28 points in a game 9 times this season, and should strongly be considered for league Player of the Year along with St. Mary's Mamadou Diakhate.'

2/11/03 Coach Will Stasiuk: 'The first day of PSAL playoff action is nearly complete. Most of the higher seeds won on opening day of the 'A' and 'B' league playoffs. For all the scores, please see www.psalhoops.com.'

2/11/03 Ventura County Star: Escape from New York. Jerel Blassingame and Rashien Little taking same path NBA's Jamaal Tinsley did out of Brooklyn.

2/11/03 Coach Kenny Pretlow: 'Ted Gustus has decided to retire from the coaching ranks after the current Loughlin season ends. He is leaving to devote his time and energy to his business venture which he started seven years ago and is blossoming. Ted coached at Loughlin for the past three years and bought his style, demeanor and brand of tough defense to the program. Ted showed the kids to work hard to achieve not only on the court but off it as well. After he was named the coach he asked me to have lunch with him. He recognized my disappointment in not getting the job but assured me he would do everything within his power to prepare me to get the next coaching job that I would try for. Despite rumors to the contrary we found out during this lunch meeting we had a lot of ideas and philosophies in common in regard to coaching and dealing with the kids of today. Ted always keeps his cool during games and it helped to calm me down (some). I learned how to get the most from the kids at pratice as well as during games. We would talk strategy and how hard it is to keep kids focused. During his three year tenure he has helped me grow not only as a coach but as a person. I wish him nothing but sucess with his new venture. Ted Gustus Jr. will be missed at Loughlin.'

2/11/03 USA Today's Super 25 boys' basketball rankings include # 12. St. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y. (19-3). Previous: 13. Beat No. 14 Lanier (Jackson, Miss.) 71-69 at the Prime Time Shootout. Also beat Xaverian (Brooklyn) 60-49. # 16. St. Patrick, Elizabeth, N.J. (17-4). Previous: 17. Beat Bergen Catholic (Oradell) 68-60 and then-No. 18 Rice (New York, N.Y.) 62-60 at the Prime Time Shootout. # 21. St. Anthony, Jersey City, N.J. (15-3). Previous: 15. Lost to Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.) 65-61 and beat R.J. Reynolds (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 67-47, both at the Prime Time Shootout. # 22. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (16-4). Previous: 25. Beat Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse, N.Y.) 76-51 at the Prime Time Shootout. Dropped out: No. 18 Rice (New York, N.Y.) lost to No. 17 St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.) 62-60.

Boys basketball regional rankings -- East 1. McQuaid, Rochester, N.Y. (20-0), 2. Montrose Christian, Rockville, Md. (17-1), 3. St. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y. (19-3), 4. St. Patrick, Elizabeth, N.J. (17-4), 5. St. Anthony, Jersey City, N.J. (15-3), 6. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (16-4), 7. Rice, New York, N.Y. (15-6), 8. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (21-1), 9. Lincoln, Brooklyn, N.Y. (24-4), 10. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (21-4)

2/11/03 MSG Top 10 Tri-State Boy's Basketball Poll -- 1 - St. Raymond, NY (19-3), 2 - St. Patrick, NJ (17-4), 3 - Christ the King, NY (16-4), 4 - St. Anthony, NJ (15-3), 5 - St. Mary’s, LI (17-1), 6- Mt. Vernon, NY (20-0), 7- Seton Hall Prep, NJ (16-2), 8- Paterson Catholic, NJ (12-3), 9 - Lincoln, NY (24-4), 10 - Rice, NY (16-6).

2/11/03 NY Post: Martin Oestreicher -- PSAL's New Boss Set for Challenge.

2/10/03 Ventura County Star: Tipping the scales -- N.Y.'s Tom (Tippy) McTernan gets kids back on track, helps them pursue educations.

2/10/03 National Prep Basketball Poll - Week 11 includes # 7. Bronx, N.Y., St. Raymond (19-3) , beat No. 8 Lanier on buzzer-beater at Primetime Shootout, # 23. Newark, N.J., St. Benedict's (19-3) , battered defending N.C. state champ Winston-Salem, Reynolds by 14 and # 25. Elizabeth, N.J., St. Patrick (17-4) , playing without frosh sensation Derrick Caracter due to academics. Northeast -- 1. Rochester, N.Y., McQuaid, 20-0, 2. Bronx, N.Y., St. Raymond, 19-3, 3. Newark, N.J., St. Benedict's, 19-3, 4. Elizabeth, N.J., St. Patrick, 17-4, 5. Brooklyn, N.Y., Lincoln, 25-4, 6. Middle Village, N.Y., Christ the King, 16-4, 7. West Orange, N.J., Seton Hall Prep, 16-2, 8. Jersey City, N.J., St. Anthony, 15-3, 9. Philadelphia, Saint Joseph's Prep, 21-1 and 10. Manhasset, N.Y., St. Mary's, 18-1.

2/10/03 Inquirer: In James' wake, St. Augustine takes down Hatboro-Horsham.

2/10/03 NJO: Luol Deng scored six of his team's final eight points, all from the free-throw line, as Blair defeated Mount Zion of North Carolina, 67-64, at the Prime Time Shootout yesterday at Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton.

2/10/03 NYC Basketball: Lincoln Gets By St. Anthony’s in Prime Time shooutout 65-61.

2/10/03 Newsday: It's Telfair's Turn to Shine -- Inspired by LeBron, scores 26.

2/9/03 Inquirer: Goodbye exile and hello hype. Back in basketball, LeBron James provided plenty of flash for the media's flashbulbs.

2/9/03 Daily News: Super Keron Thuesday is key for Cardinal Hayes over Mt. St. Michael.

2/9/03 Newsday: Return to the Spotlight -- Reinstated LeBron scores career-high 52.

2/9/03 Lonnie Webb: 'Congratulations!Mount Vernon on an undefeated regular season. The Knights defeated host White Plains in a Saturday afternoon matchup to end their regular season at 20 - 0. Now the march to Glen Falls begins. Go Knights!'

2/9/03 PBJ6982: 'Loughlin's last home game vs Christ The King has been rescheduled, it will be played on 2/16/02.'

2/8/03 Don Handel: 'Response to LFBALL on Moffat to St Pats -- Whats wrong with this? Have you ever seen Clifton high school? 3500+ kids in a school who's athletic programs stink. It's the 2nd largest school in NJ, after Elizabeth. The kid, academically, can get lost in the shuffle. St Pats, as you can see with Caracter, won't take any crap. Maybe Devon wasn't on pace to qualify for College. I'm sure he's going to get his head in the books now, he has too. Why be mad about a kid bettering himself. You made a comment that he's leaving a caring coach and will have to have a coach who is everything to 13 kids?? Doesn't Vasil care about the all 13 kids he has? Or does he just care about Moffat? You imply in that statement that Boyle doesn't care about all his players ? Why because so many of them are real good? This is America and if a player and his family want him to have a better chance at bettering himself, then he has the right. Why look as this as a problem? If the kid has aspirations to play in the Big East or ACC, do you think he has a better shot playing for Clifton? Or St Pats? It's a no brainer.'

2/8/03 Coach Ali Marsh: 'I coach Scan Mulally's in a number of tournaments. We are currently in Pro-Style and had a big win Sunday that just passed. Rumors have it that there is article linked somewhere to this site or another about our victory over Riverside. I was wondering if there is any truth to that...if so could you tell me where.' Web note: Coach - If you enter the word scan in the PicoSearch above you will find two references. One is to your girls team entry in UDC this past summer and the other is to this winter's Pro Style games. The search is for all scan references on this site. (By comparison there are 19 hits for LeBron, 58 for Sebastian and 70 for Riverside.) Hope this helps.

2/8/03 Coach Will Stasiuk: 'The PSAL Playoffs start Tuesday with 7 'A' league and 8 'B' league games. For all the matchups, seedings, byes, dates and times please see www.psalhoops.com.'

2/8/03 Coach Rock Eisenberg: 'As I read LFBall"s words about coach Ted Gustus I feel like we have had a death in the family. When a man like Ted stops coaching on the high school level we all have to ask ourselves why? Was it the outside influences, was it the time he and his incredible wife Karen had to give to his second family? Was it the pressure to win? Was it tday's student/athletes? Just what could make this New York City treasure leave our business? I really will not know until I get a chance to sit down and have dinner with Ted and listen to his heartfelt thoughts and feelings. However I think it might be that high school basketball, girls and boys has become a business and not a sport. Ted is a true coach and lives for the challenges and joys of coaching not the rest of the BS that has infested our great game. Change is inevitable However lets make it positive change and then maybe people like coach Ted Gustus will come back to us all. One last thing Ted, I love you.'

2/8/03 NJO: Clifton swept past St. Peters, 81-34, yesterday at the Prime Time Shootout in Trenton, but most fans at the Sovereign Bank Arena weren't talking about the score. It was Clifton's first game without standout junior guard Devon Moffatt, who transferred to St. Patricks.

Following its Prime Time Shootout clash with R.J. Reynolds of Winston-Salem, N.C., last night, Bob Hurley asked his St. Anthony players if any of them felt they had played up to their potential.

2/8/03 All Star Report: Prime Time Shootout This Weekend -- Well, if you don't have tickets you're not going to find any available at the box office for Saturday's slate of games.

2/8/03 Courier News: LeBron James returns to action in Prime Time Shootout.

2/8/03 InsidersHoops: Prime Time Shoot, Day Two -- The LeBron James game on Saturday is shaping up to be the most hyped day in the history of high school sports.

2/8/03 Padre4ever: 'Utica Proctor (NY) gets beat by Sec. 2 Colonie 66-62! Proctor has the states best player north of the city in PG Josh Wright (6'0" JR.) and I believe his team was undefeated before going to Colonie in a pre-sectional warm-up for both teams. Colonie was led by 6'5" senior forward Jon Branches 23 points and a suffocating 1-2-2 zone defense that frustrated the poor shooting Raiders from Central NY.

Wright had a very good first half penetrating/creating, hitting 3's and bought the crowd to their feet with a thundeorus breakaway dunk, but he struggled big time in the second half because of a great defensive effort by Section 2's best coached (Doug Kilmer) team.

Proctor trailed a majority of the game and the outcome never seemed in doubt until the visitors finshed off a 10-0 run with 1:25 remaining to actually take their first lead since late in the first period.

Bottom line is that Proctor doesn't have much besides Wright, but his talent level is as high as anyone, and will pick any school (Syracuse probably the leader) he wants next fall. Besides Sebastian, I'm not sure that there's another point guard in the state that compares to him.'

2/7/03 LFBALL: 'Devon Moffat Transfers -- First of all, why? Where does it stop? I still remember the Clifton Coach bringing Moffat into NYC seeking exposure for the kid last summer. How many players does St. Pats need? I know they are a fine program but Mr. Moffat will soon find out the difference between being a big fish in a small pond with a caring coach and support group than being a little fish in an ocean with a coach who has to be everything to 13 kids who think they are future HS all americans. The saga continues!'

2/7/03 Debbie Brajevich, Director Silver Bullet Basketball: 'We are the Silver Bullets Basketball Club on LI and our website is: www.silverbullets.org. Boys tryouts are Feb. 15 & 16 – all information can be found at our website. Also, there is a girls High School link you should have on your links section. Check out www.longislandhoops.org - very good info for girls.'

2/7/03 For Immediate Release -- Ted Gustus Jr. Resigns From Coaching at Bishop Loughlin and Retires from Coaching Amateur Basketball.

2/7/03 NY Post: Sebastian Telfair Learns from Lebron. And Lincoln 74 - Banneker 56 as James Barrett - Newcomer Lifts Lincoln.

2/7/03 Rodney Johnson /Exodus 'The long range shooting guard 6'3/Sr. Walter Murray of nationally ranked Our Savior New American School, Centereach, LI was nominated to the McDonald All-American game. He is still undecided on the college he will attend in the fall.'

2/7/03 NJ Hoops: Clifton junior Devon Moffat has transferred to powerhouse St. Patrick's.

2/7/03 NJO: Blair received its invitation to participate in the Prime Time Shootout in large part due to the presence of forwards Luol Deng and Charlie Villanueva, the states two highest-rated senior prospects. But Blair earned its 67-53 victory over Paterson Catholic, No. 3 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, last night in large part due to the play of its other players.

St Patrick's Mike Nardi stepped up big in the fourth quarter -- as he is prone to do in these situations -- with 16 of his 28 points to pace a 68-60 victory over Bergen Catholic in the nightcap of the Prime Time Shootout before 2,400 at the Dunn Center in Elizabeth.

2/7/03 SchoolSports National Boys’ Basketball Top 25 includes # 13. St. Raymond’s (Bronx, N.Y.) – (16-3). St. Ray’s has played arguably the nation’s toughest schedule this season. Their three losses have all come against ranked teams — Mater Dei (Calif.), White Station (Tenn.) and St. Patrick (N.J.) — and St. Ray’s will play No. 9 Lanier (Miss.) this weekend in the Prime Time Shootout. That doesn’t even include the team’s local schedule, which included a win over former nationally ranked Christ the King last week. # 24. St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) – (13-2). St. Anthony was in our preseason rankings and returns to the Top 25 this week. It could be a short stay, however, if St. Anthony doesn’t beat preseason nationally ranked R.J. Reynolds (N.C.) on Friday and formerly ranked Lincoln (N.Y.) on Sunday in the Prime Time Shootout. # 25. St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.) – (15-4). Yes, St. Pat’s has four losses, but the latest setback came against prep school Blair Academy, which features Top 10 recruits Luol Deng and Charlie Villanueva. Can’t fault a team for playing a strong schedule. That tough schedule will continue this weekend with two games in the Prime Time Shootout: Thursday against Bergen Catholic and Sunday against previously ranked Rice (N.Y.), which handed St. Pat’s an early-season loss.

2/6/03 NJO: Luol Deng scored 19 points and Charlie Villanueva contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds as Blair clinched the Mid-Atlantic Prep League regular-season title with a 71-48 triumph over Mercersburg yesterday in Mercersburg, Pa.

St. Anthony 62, Hun 50: Terrence Roberts hit for 17 points and Marcus Williams and Sean McCurdy added 12 apiece to power St. Anthony, No. 2 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, in Princeton.

2/6/03 NY Post: Rahshon Clark's Stepping Out.

- NYP: N. Hernandez

2/5/03 Inquirer: Missed layup costs Wilson an upset win. The Tigers' Kris Polk scored 32 points, but the two he missed in OT gave Camden Catholic the victory.

2/5/03 NJO: DePaul 66, Pequannock 42: Jack Sullivan dropped in eight of his 15 points in the first quarter and Max Schaffer had eight in the second as No. 17 DePaul (15-0) built a 33-18 lead in Wayne.

Tony Wilson scored 25 points to scale 1,000 for his career and lead Linden, No. 13 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, to a 69-47 victory over Westfield last night in Westfield.

Bergen Catholic 97, Paterson Eastside 56: Joe Sandberg scored 23 points to reach 1,000 for his career and teammate Adrian Joseph sank 30 points for No. 5 Bergen Catholic in Paterson.

2/5/03 NY Post: Falcons Advance, But not with Ease -- August Martin 64 - Newtown 59.

2/5/03 Oscar Smith, Deputy Park Director: 'The sixth (6th) Annual Riverbank State Park College Fair will take place on Saturday, March 1, 2003 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. We are anticipating three thousand (3,000) high school students and parents from around the Greater New York metropolitan area, to attend and receive vital information concerning college admission, scholarships availability, financial aid and special programs.

We are also in the process of coordinating two (2) Financial Aid Workshops to be conducted at 12:00 Noon and 1:15 PM on March 1, 2003.

Please feel free to contact Oscar Smith, Riverbank State Park's Deputy Director at (212) 694-3608 or Ruth Thomas, (212) 694-3652.'

2/4/03 NJ Hoops: Prime Time Schedule -- The biggest tournament of the year, the Prime Time Shootout tips off on Thursday.

2/4/03 NJO: Marques Alston scored 27 points and Neptune capitalized on a huge advantage from the free-throw line to defeat Red Bank, 68-54, yesterday in Neptune.

2/4/03 Times Herald Record: A reserve at Don Bosco Prep, John Oates, a 6-10 junior forward from Harriman, has attracted great interest from top Division I colleges.

2/4/03 MSG Top-10 poll: 1 - St. Raymond, NY (16-3), 2 - St. Patrick, NJ (14-4), 3 - St. Anthony, NJ (13-2), 4 - Christ the King, NY (15-4), 5 - St. Mary’s, LI (16-1), 6- Mt. Vernon, NY (17-0), 7- Seton Hall Prep, NJ (13-2), 8- Paterson Catholic, NJ (11-1), 9 - Rice, NY (15-5), 10 - Lincoln, NY (22-3).

Cardozo's chances of attaining one of the top seeds in the upcoming PSAL boys basketball playoffs have decreased after the Judges used an ineligible player in the Queens Borough Championship over the weekend.

2/4/03 Philly.com: This time, Mansion's Maurice Rice rises to the occasion. Mansion triumphed, 77-73 over Lincoln.

2/4/03 Adrian Armstrong: 'On Saturday, March 8, 2003, please join the SUBOA Officials and the members of UDC's Board of Directors at a Dinner Dance in honor of "NYC Roundball Legends" Jack DeFarris, Howie Evans, Carl Green, Tommy Hemans, John Isaacs, Floyd Lane, Yvonne Maxwell, Rudolph Mims, Linda O'Neal, Calvin Ramsey, Solly Walker, Ed Warner, Sherman White and Robert Williams. For more information please contact Mike Hill at 718 231-4201 or email theudc@aol.com.'

2/3/03 USA Today Super 25 boys' basketball rankings has # 13. St. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y. (16-3). Previous: 15. Beat then-No. 16 Christ the King (Middle Village) 77-68 and Monsignor McClancy (Elmhurst) 99-69. # 15. St. Anthony, Jersey City, N.J. (13-2). Previous: 19. Beat St. Joseph’s (Metuchen) 75-53, Linden 79-53 and Elizabeth 71-50. # 17. St. Patrick, Elizabeth, N.J. (15-4). Previous: 9. Beat Lawrenceville Prep 78-44 and Bishop Francis (East Orange) 59-40. Lost to Blair Academy (Blairstown) 79-57. # 18. Rice, New York, N.Y. (15-5). Previous: 20. Beat Archbishop Molloy (Briarwood) 89-81 and Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn) 75-67. and # 25. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (15-4). Previous: 16. Lost to then-No. 15 St. Raymond (Bronx) 77-68. Beat Xaverian (Brooklyn) 66-47 and Holy Cross (Flushing) 64-51.

Must-see: Prime Time Shootout tips off Thursday with four games at the Dunn Center in Elizabeth (N.J.) before shifting to Trenton’s Sovereign Bank Arena for 21 games Friday through Sunday. Twelve of the Super 25, including 5 of the top 10, will participate.

Base lines: Garfield Johns of Wings (Bronx, N.Y.) scored 55 points in a 104-97 victory over Gompers (Bronx). Sebastian Telfair, considered one of the nation’s top juniors, scored 36 points to lead Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.) over Boys and Girls (Brooklyn) 86-72 in the PSAL Brooklyn Borough tournament semifinals.Nick Shaw of South Amboy (N.J.) scored 73 points, sinking 25 of 41 shots, in a 98-89 loss to Perth Amboy.

Boys basketball regional rankings - East -- 1. McQuaid, Rochester, N.Y. (18-0), 2. Montrose Christian, Rockville, Md. (15-1), 3. St. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y. (16-3), 4. St. Anthony, Jersey City, N.J. (13-2), 5. St. Patrick, Elizabeth, N.J. (15-4), 6. Rice, New York, N.Y. (15-5), 7. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (15-4), 8. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (20-1), 9. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (18-4), 10. Lincoln, Brooklyn, N.Y. (22-4).

2/3/03 National Prep Basketball Poll - Week 10 lists #18. Bronx, N.Y., St. Raymond (14-3), got important win over Catholic League rival Christ the King, #23. Newark, N.J., St. Benedict's (17-3), G Art Bowers committed to Massachusetts and #25. Elizabeth, N.J., St. Patrick (15-4), Indiana Pacer Al Harrington an alum.

Northeast #1. Rochester, N.Y., McQuaid, 18-0, #2. Bronx, N.Y., St. Raymond, 14-3, #3. Newark, N.J., St. Benedict's, 17-3, #4. Elizabeth, N.J., St. Patrick, 15-4, #5. Jersey City, N.J., St. Anthony, 13-2, #6. Middle Village, N.Y., Christ the King, 15-4, #7. West Orange, N.J., Seton Hall Prep, 13-2, #8. Manhasset, N.Y., St. Mary's, 16-1, #9. Philadelphia, Cardinal Dougherty, 17-2 and #10. Brooklyn, N.Y., Lincoln, 22-4.

2/3/03 Coach Kevin Cullen, Regis: 'In the CHSAA C- division, Cathedral Prep is in first with a 9-0 record and Regis is in 2nd with a 6-1 record. Only loss coming at the hands of Cathedral . Rematch is Fri., Feb. 7 at Cathedral 7pm.'

2/3/03 Coach Javier G. Bevacqua has provided a team profile for the East New Yorkers A.A.U. on the 2002 AAU teams page.

2/3/03 NJO: Gassaud Dahi hit a layup with two seconds left to give Life Center of Burlington a 64-63 victory over Blair last night at the Scholastic Play By Play Classic at Villanova University in Villanova, Pa.

Stanley Branch, cheered from the opening introductions on through the game by his hometown fans, delivered a game-high 24 points while taking a team-leading nine rebounds as St. Benedicts claimed a 73-38 victory over Frederick Douglass Academy of New York.

No. 2 St. Anthony defeats No. 14 Linden, 79-53. St. Anthony obviously is in no hurry to relinquish the last two NJSIAA Tournament of Champions crowns it worked so hard to get.

2/2/03 Daily News: The main Caracter - Derrick catches everyone's attention.

2/2/03 Newsday: A Shaken Banneker Stirs to Rout Grady. Players rally after teammate Jonathan Sutton faints in warmup. And Bergtraum Rolls Into Manhattan Final. And Victor Alvarez Points Beach Channel Past Far Rock.

2/2/03 Booksnball: 'Readers can get first hand information about the nation's original high school all-star classic by checking out www.originalroundballclassic.com. They'll see that Chis Taft and Charlie Villanueva will be representing the metropolitan area in the Roundball in Chicago on March 31st. St. Anthony's Bob Hurley will coach the East. & YES LeBron James will play in the game. Site has nice bio info on each player.

Unofficial word is that McDonald's will rule LeBron ineligible to play in their game. In Cleveland's Gund arena!! If this holds up will their be a fan backlash & fan boycott of the game in Ohio? Time will tell! Play-offs are here! Get out there and support area teams. Bring your friends!'

2/2/03 Booksnball: 'If the newspaper editors of the Daily News had half the sincere interest you show in high school hoops, this city would be so much better for it. The new York Post needs to give their writers more space in the paper! Dan Martin and co. at least write stories! The News many days just list some minuscule hard to read scores! This is not a knock against the reporters, but rather the editors of the paper who have reduced the coverage of high school hoops to a all time low! Don't they realize that more coverage of high school hoops and really all sports would encourage more young people and/or their families to purchase the paper. They would be creating future readers and purchasers. More adults would know to look in the paper inorder to follow the coverage of the stars of tomorrow or human interest stories about many of our student-athletes who over come adversity in their lives and still achieve great things in the classroom and on the court, track or playing field. Saturday's lack of reporting on CHSAA games (Xavarian vs Loughlin) and the PSAL boro classics was disgraceful! Did Lincoln beat Erasmus, did Grady win? Who won in the Bronx? Staten Island? This has to change. People have to start calling the Daily News and ask for the editors office and demand that they increase their coverage! I'll soon be posting the outline of a petition I'll be urging our core readers/posters to make a copy of and get as many people to sign it and send it in to the paper. There should be a full page of high school stories everyday in the paper! More later.'

2/1/03 Louis Xifaras: On behalf of the Queens RimRockers and Monsignor McClancy High School, I would like to give my deepest condolences to freshman Stephen Wood and family. Stephen received word after our game against St. Francis Prep on Friday night that his grandmother had passed away. Stephen was very close to his grandmother and would always speak about her. She was a true fan of the game of basketball.'

2/1/03 Daily News: St. Ray's rules Royal court as Gavin Grant leads way over CK.

2/1/03 Newsday: Two Cardozo seniors chose to attend a senior ski trip instead of playing in a PSAL Boys Basketball Queens Borough Championship first-round contest Friday, but Cardozo beat Newtown anyway, 78-57.

2/1/03 Peter Benoit: 'Xaverian defeated Loughlin, 52-45 on Friday. Chris Taft led the way for Xaverian with 30 points.'

2/1/03 NJO: Rutgers-bound Marquis Webb scored 16 points to lead six players in double figures as Paterson Catholic, No. 3 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, defeated Hawthorne Christian, 99-49, last night in Paterson.

2/1/03 Lonnie Webb: 'Mount Vernon defeats White Plains @ home to remain undefeated at 16 - 0 behind 18 rebounds and 17 points by 6'5" junior foward Dexter Gray. "Go Knights".....

2/1/03 Coach Kevin Pigott: 'Contrary to NyHoops, here are the correct standings for the CHSAA B league. North: 1) Cardinal Hayes 8-2, 2) Mount St. Michael 7-3, 3) Fordham Prep 5-3, 4) Iona Prep 5-4, 5) Archbishop Stepinac and Cardinal Spellman 2-9. South: 1) St. John's Prep 8-2, 2) St. Edmund's 7-2, 3) LaSalle 9-4, 4) Xavier 4-7, 5) Nazareth 2-7, 6) Bishop Ford 1-8. Two games from last night are missing: St. Edmund's @ Xavier and St. John's @ Nazareth. For correct up-to-date standings, please check the Fordham Prep Basketball website @ http://www.fordhamprep.org/pigottk/results.html.'

2/1/03 Coach Kevin Pigott: 'Wings Academy defeated Gompers in the first round of the Bronx borough playoffs 104-97. Wings was ahead by 14 to start the fourth quarter. Gomper's Darren Bailey was fouled at the buzzer. He made his putback, which tied the game, but unfortunately for Gompers, he was unable to convert the free throw for the win. Garfield Johns had 55 points for Wings. He made nine three-pointers and actually had two four-point plays. Stedford McCloud had 26 points for Gompers.

One note to the game, Gompers filed a protest over the eligibility of Elton Barry. The PSAL quickly ruled against it. Wings plays today against Truman at Stevenson HS in the Bronx. Gametime is 4 PM.'

2/1/03 Coach Roberto Diaz, NYC FINEST: 'I would like to extend my condolences to McClancy HS freshman Stephen Wood and his family after the passing away of his grandmother.'

2/1/03 Glenn Bynes: 'I agree that there has to be rules for high school basketball players and amatuer atheletes. I also agree that if Lebron James is penalized then everyone who made money off of him should be asked to return it. I'm not complaining of the tournaments and the games set up for exposure like the Prime Time and games against other top schools. My complaint is that if it is wrong for him to accept gifts then whoever made money because of the fact that he was playing in a game or for selling magazines should be penalized. Don't forget the PaperView games that were televised because he was playing in the games. Sometimes we worry about the spot in other peoples eyes and don't see the "BEAM" in our own eyes. I feel that if he can generate this type of money for the media that there should be some way he benefits. There are child actors than bring in money and it is looked at differently. Was Lebron James wrong? Yes, according to the rules. My question is if Lebron is wrong, then is anyone who made money off of him while he wasn't legally permissioned to accept a dime right?'

News Teams Players Links