New York City & New Jersey High Hoops

Class of 1998,  2000, 2001,  2002, 2003+.

Class of 1999:   Ratings are from Hoop Scoop fall of 1998 (HS),  Prep Stars of 3/98 (PS),USA Recruiting from spring, '98,  Prep Stars of 6/98 (PS2) and USARecruiting (USA2) of 6/98, NJ Hoops of 4/99 and Gameball 4/99.

6/18/99 Wzmoney:  'no info on Andrew Wisniewski yet. he only signed with D1 St.Peter's College 2 and a half months ago.'  Web note:  Class of 1999 - Andrew Wisniewski,  6-1, point guard, St. Peters.   4/4/99  Staten Island Advance: 'Wisniewski, this year's Jaques Award recipient, joined Mitchell to form a dynamic duo that accounted for 56 percent of the Eagles' points.'

5/4/99:  We've adding 18 players from the class of 1999 to our current list of 91;  nine yesterday, nine more today. They are all rated highly be either Gameball or NJ Hoops.

Cheyne Gadsen, 6-3, guard, Faith Christian. 4/1/99: Gameball #33. Cheyne played for Aim High at IS8 for the fall of '98 with Taliek Brown, Jason Herring, Carl Bolton and William Parker. Cheyne played as a fifth year senior at Faith Christian, this past season. He made the Daily News first team PSAL Queens as a senior from Jamaic last year and the Post honorable mention.

Andre Williams, 6-4, forward, St. Mary's, LI. 4/1/99: Gameball #34.  Andre is the wide-body who helped Travis Mayo on the inside this season, while Suarez and Frauenberg took care of the perimeter play.  Andre played in the spring '99 wheelchair classic.

Tim Butler, 6-6, forward, Far Rockaway, Queens. 4/1/99: Gameball #35.  Tim made the Daily News PSAL Queens honorable mention last year. Not sure where Tim Butler played this season but I don't think it was in the PSAL.

Charlie Frazier, 6-4, forward, Toms River South, NJ. 4/99: NJ Hoops all state seventh team. Charlie made the Ocean county first team for NJ Hoops and for NJO.

Tim Benoit, 6-3, forward, Roselle Catholic, NJ. 4/99: NJ Hoops all state seventh team. Tim made Union all county first team for both NJ Hoops and NJO.

Laforest Knox, 5-11, guard, Union, NJ. 4/99: NJ Hoops all state seventh team. With Benoit above, LaForest made Union all county first team for both NJ Hoops and NJO.

Jason Herring, 6-8, forward, Faith Christian. 4/1/99: Gameball #41.  Did not play for Grady this season after looking good at IS8 this fall.  Too bad - those good Falcon guards they could have used his height in the paint.  Once againg Jason is teamed with Taliek Brown at IS8 with Aim High.

Tre Gardener, 5-9, Cherry Hill West, NJ. 4/99: NJ Hoops all state ninth team. Before the season began NJ Hoops did not have Tre in their top 100 juniors. They put him on their all state ninth team and all Camden county first team. NJO picks a South Jersey team and Tre didn't get a mention.

Akwasi Rose, 6-8, forward, Bishop Loughlin, NY. 4/1/99: Gameball #39. At 6-8 Akwasi should have been a force for suprisingly tough Loughlin Lions, but he never made a boxscore that we saw.  5/4/99  John P Miciotta - 'he's very thin and awkward. Really did not have balance to rebound and be a factor on the boards. Leckie brought up Marcus Fryall as a soph. Even though he wasn't ready he was better than Rose.'

5/3/99:  We're adding 18 players from the class of 1999 to our current list of 91;  nine today, nine more tomorrow. They are all rated highly be either Gameball or NJ Hoops.

William (Smoosh) Parker, 6-3, guard, Newtown, NY. 4/1/99: Gameball #13. William started for Aim High at IS8 this past fall and starred for Newtown during his senior year. He made PSAL honorable mention for the Daily News and PSAL second team for the Post.

Steve Mitchell, 6-5, forward, St. Peters, NY. 4/1/99: Gameball #15. Steve made the Post CHSAA honorable mention, the Daily News second team CHSAA and was the only two time Staten Island Advance first team player. 4/6/99 Staten Island Advance

Geoff Bigos, 6-2, guard, Steinert, NJ. 4/99: NJ Hoops all state fourth team. Geoff began the year in September playing well for the Jersey Shore Warriors at the Five-Star Basketball Hoop Classic at the College of Staten Island. He was rated by NJ Hoops as the 73rd best senior going into the year and finished as one of the top twenty overall.

Juel Wiggan, 6-3, guard, Columbus, Bronx. 4/1/99: Gameball #27. Juel made the Post first team all PSAL and the News first team all Bromx PSAL. He played for the Next Level All Stars at IS8 for the fall of '98 and made their all IS8 third team. Web note: I have to go with Barry Baum and the Post on this one. Based on fall IS8 and the PSAL season, Juel desrved first team. No word yet on college. 5/2/99: LFBALL 'Played with Dyckman AAU in Providence. Program sending him to Berkshire (MASS.) School next year. Great player who will get major looks next season.'

Russ Anderson, 6-8, center, Don Bosco Prep, NJ. 4/99: NJ Hoops all state fifth team.

Adrian Walton, 6-2, guard, Graphic Arts, NY. 4/1/99: Gameball #20. Adrian played for the Gauchos the past fall at IS8. They were impresse; he was named to the all IS8 second team. He wasn't mentioned by either the Post or Daily News in their post-season awards.

Chris Grant, 6-4, forward, M L King, NY. 4/1/99: Gameball #23. Chris played for Southside at IS8 this fall and like Adrian, he made all IS8 second team.

Ferron McGee, 6-4, forward, Neptune, NJ. 4/99: NJ Hoops all state seventh team. Feron got his team to the Central Jersey Group 3 tournament but did not play in Neptune's loss to Red Bank. Feron made NJO's all-county Monmouth first team.

Clyde Brown, 6-3, forward, Theodore Roosevelt, NY. 4/1/99: Gameball #30. Clyde made Post all PSAL honorable mention and News all Bronx PSAL. Like Juel he was on coach Malcolm Williams' Next Level All Stars at IS8 fall of '98. Unlike Juel, he didn't make an all IS8 team or any of our game summaries. This probably means that A.) he didn't play well, B.) we're too thick to recognize talent, C.) there's so much talent at IS8, even good players get overlooked or D.) all of the above.

Andrew Sullivan 6-7, power forward, St. Augustine, Richland, NJ HS #107 12/29/97 update from Slam Dunk coverage Sullivan is big-time... from Hoop Scoop: Wednesday, December 31, 1997 - 'After watching 6'8 Jr Andrew Sullivan from Richland (St. Augustine) NJ score 33 points and grab 16 rebounds against Towson (Calvert Hall) MD at Slam Dunk to the Beach in Lewes, DE, which has become the nation's premier holiday tournament, there is no doubt that he will rank among everybody's top 50 juniors nationally once they have seen him. Always on top of things Allen Rubin of the HOOP SCOOP already has Sullivan's list of schools, which includes Villanova, Seton Hall, St. John's, Clemson, Massachusetts, Rutgers, and Maryland.'  3/12/98:   Sullivan, Clinton lead St. Augustine romp.   9/12/98   Brick Oettinger:  The biggest of the small forwards -  including Doug Wrenn at 9, Andrew Sullivan at 16 and Mark Jerrell-Wright at 27.   9/13/98:   Rutgers Recruit Watch.  9/25/98 Inquirer:  St. Augustine's Sullivan will pick college. 4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey first team.

Kenny Walker  6-9, center/power forward, Jacksonville, Florida.  HS #18.  2/17/98  from Clark Francis,   Special to ESPN SportsZone:  'North Carolina, Clemson, Michigan, St. John's and South Florida are all involved with 6'9 junior Kenny Walker from Jacksonville (Wolfson) Fla., but an even more important short-term question might be where he attends high school next year. Reliable sources tell us he may transfer to New York (Rice) N.Y. for his senior year.'  2/18/98    Kenny Walker is the 6-9 center referenced yesterday by Hoop Scoop.  I have no idea if the rumor is true, but I do have seven stories about Kenny and his team.   8/16/97:   Wolfson serves notice with summer success.   12/10/97:   Wolfson basketball can't muster respect.   12/24/97:   Raider Classic Champs.   12/31/97:  Wolfson in Championship.   1/23/98:   Foul shots lift Wolfson.   1/27/98:   Tight-knit Wolfpack - Wolfson players racking up wins.   2/6/98:   Wolfson Holds On.  4/9/98  Patrick Jira:  'Kenny Walker of Wolfson H.S in Jacksonville, FL appears headed to Rice H.S in Bronx, NY. Walker's top two appear to be St.John's and South Florida.'  9/11/98   ESPN:  Rating the power forwards - including Holden, Walker and Aaron.  11/17/98 Full Court News Break: Kenny Walker Picks the Crimson Tide - 'In what must be viewed as a minor upset in the recruiting world 6'9 PF Kenny Walker from Wolfson High in Jacksonville, FL announced today that he has signed a letter of intent to attend Alabama. The Tide picks up a PF  with decent offensive skills in the paint. Walker's stock dipped due to lackluster play this past summer in various camps and tournaments, however he is expected to pick it up this year for Wolfson, who should have a nice season with Walker and a couple of impact freshmen on the roster. He becomes the third top 75 caliber player to sign with Alabama in the early period joining 6'7 WG Rod Grizzard, 6'9 PF/C Erwin Dudley, and top 150 guard Terrance Meade to  make their recruiting class a top 10 contender this year. South Florida was the runner-up with FSU trailing them.'

Ken Satterfield, 6-1, shooting guard, Rice. Like Fields (Rice) and Nickerson (Ray's) above, Ken is a promising player on a very deep team. HS #49. 12/29/97:  from Slam Dunk coverage: 'Rice's Kenny Satterfield knows how to score. Despite a somewhat skinny build, he has great moves to the hoop and finishes well...'  2/3/98  from Nick at AOL:  'Now, I am going on the record with this comment. Anthony Glover IS NOT the best recruit at Rice for us( St. Johns). That HONOR belongs to junior guard Kenny Satterfield, who is a legit three-point shooter and is near perfect on the kickouts. He needs to work going to the basket more, but he is a fluid player with tremendously long arms and a great touch from the perimeter. Like all Rice kids, he is an excellent defender.  He buried his first three shots of the game, two treys and another deuce with his foot on the line as the Raiders started off 10-0 against the Cardinals. Glover had the other bucket on a putback. Satterfield buried a 25-footer with two ticks left to end the half after Rice milked the clock for 55 seconds or so.  He is a legit player and one to keep an eye on.'  -Nick.  9/11/98  Real Shooting Star - Rice's Satterfield picks Cincy.  4/1/99 Gameball #1.

Jason Williams 6-1, point guard, St. Joseph's, Metuchen, NJ. HS #93.  3/2/98 from NJO:  'St. Joseph's (Metuchen) (20-3):  The junior-dominated Falcons are terrific in close games, thanks largely to the fourth-quarter wizardry of 6-2 guard Jason Williams (20.5 ppg.), who possesses an array of moves to the basket.'   4/5/98:  NJO:   St. Joseph's Williams hungers for more.   8/12/98:  Stephen Finamore of College Hoops Insider:  Notes from Five Star  -  Jason Williams was the second best player there behind Lavell Blanchard 6-6 Pioneer (Ann Arbor) MI.  8/30/98    DinninDunn at AOL:  'It has been reported that Jason Williams verballed to Duke during his unofficial visit this weekend.'  PJira411:  'Jason Williams has given a verbal to Duke...'  Patrick.  MattM4 at AOL:  Jason Williams just commmitted to Duke according to HoopScoop.  InJersey:  St. Joseph's star Williams commits to Duke.   Duke Basketball Report:  Jason Williams Report Confirmed; Star Point Guard Picks Duke.  9/13/98:   Rutgers Recruit Watch.  4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey first team.

DeShaun Williams, 6-0, point guard, Paterson, NJ. HS #104.  12/27/97 update: DeShaun misses shot at buzzer, losing in OT at Kentucky Classic. 1/24/98 update:  DeShaun becomes a scoring machine!   1/28/98: BRO:  Athlete of the week - A Cougar on the loose.  2/14/98:  Begen Record Online  - 'You cannot help but watch DeShaun Williams, PC's 6-3 junior guard, who is leading the county in scoring at better than 26 per game and is among the State's best.'  3/2/98:  from NJO: 'DeShaun Williams, a rangy 6-3 junior, knocked down more than 70 3-pointers in his first 20 games for a 27.2 scoring average. And most of those contests were blowouts in which he played little more than a half.'  3/24/98:  BRO:   Junior guard earning raves.   4/5/98:  NJO:   Williams: A player to dream about.  8/31/98   Recruiting Beat:  Correction on DeShuan Williams.   9/13/98:   Rutgers Recruit Watch.  4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey second team.

Tony Robertson, 6-2, point guard, RI. HS #104. 7/20/98  1998 Adidas/Nike Camp Reports by Jeremy Tiers:  Tony as #2 shooting guard behind Satterfield.  8/21/98   Recruiting Beat:  Tony Robertson commits to UConn. 

Josh Moore 7-0, center, St. Anthony, NJ. Josh is a legitimate top fifty player in the junior class. He had a good week at Nike's camp and may be the Friars' go to guy this year. HS #13, AS #23.     2/6/98     Disappointing news from the Bergen Record Online.  Josh Moore,  St. Anthony's seven foot junior center has not practiced with the team all week and is very doubtful for tomorrow's Atlantic City game against city power, Bishop Loughlin. As BRO. puts it: St. Anthony star in limbo.   2/11/98:  No more limbo and St. Anthony says no Moore.   9/13/98:   Rutgers Recruit Watch.

Brian Woodward, 6-2, point guard, Cardoza. Younger brother of BC's Duane, considered by NYC scout Tom Konchalski 'farther along physically than Duane at this age'. With Jackson, Mapp and Chalmers, was one of four tri-state preps in Inside Carolina's top-15 underclassmen for ABCD camp. HS #21, AS #16.  2/12/98:  Knee surgery for Brian; he's out for the year with a full recovery anticipated.  8/19/98:  Daily News:  Knock on Woodward - Cardozo senior Brian Woodward.  4/1/99 Gameball #3.

Carlton Aaron 6-8, power forward, Mt. Zion, NC. For South Bronx Carlton made PSAL second team all-city and USA Today Honorable Mention. He doesn't get any New York City ink. 6/21/97 update: Wow! Carlton heads latest Prep Star checklist for class of 1998. Oops, never mind, checklist is alphabetical. 7/3/97: I just tumbled on an old Daily News story, 4/15/97 (I was probably doing my taxes). It seems that Carlton was looking to transfer from South Bronx. Mom, Elaine, says they're looking at other city or prep schools. Meanwhile, Carlton will be busy this summer playing for the AAU Gauchos. PS #50. 7/16/97:  Carleton to Mt Zion! He's a top-50 junior, not a top-200 senior. 1/10/98: Carlton's not playing for Mt. Zion; he's playing against them.  From Jeremy Tiers: Mt. Zion, NC. lost to Atlantic Shores of Virginia on Tuesday night, 71-63. How you ask? Just remember the name Carlton Aaron, because you'll be hearing it a lot over the next 6 months.  2/13/98:  from the Raleigh News Observer: N.C. State is the mix for Carlton Aaron, who has become a hot commodity on the recruiting scene among juniors. The 6-9, 270-pounder plays at Virginia Beach (Va.) Atlantic Shores, the school that produced current Wolfpack players Damon Thornton and Inge, who were coached in high school by Mark Phelps, now director of basketball operations for the Wolfpack. Aaron, who has made a couple of unofficial visits to Raleigh, averages 22 points, 20 rebounds, five blocks and three steals for a 24-0 team that's ranked No. 1 in the Hampton area. Villanova, Florida State, Virginia, West Virginia and Wake Forest also are among the early suitors.  9/13/98:   Rutgers Recruit Watch.

Samuel Dalembert 6-11, center, St. Patrick's NJ. Samuel is transferring from Montreal to NJ powerhouse this fall. Coach Boyle says, 'He's as good an athlete you'll get at that size'. HS #51   2/3/98:  from SPK145 of AOL:  Against Plymouth-Whitemarsh he had 6 points and 7 rebounds in about 14 minutes of play!! Yesterday he had 16 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks against Piscataway!! He runs like a gazelle and has a variety of offensive moves including the three point shot. He needs some bulk but is an awesome prospect!!  9/11/98       Daily News: St. Patrick's Star Commits to Hall.  4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey second team.

Jon Crispin 6-1, shooting guard, Pitman, NJ HS #149.  Jon's older brother, Joe was a first team New Jersey all-state last year.  This year, Joe starts for Penn State and Jon has taken over - he's been the south Jersey scoring leader most of this season.   2/13/98:  from Philadelphia inquirer - 'Jon Crispin hit seven of Pitman's 13 three-pointers in a 93-52 win over visiting Salem. Crispin collected 37 points.'   8/21/98:  Recruiting Beat:  Jeff Kulas - Another Crispin at Penn State.   8/24/98   Kevin Bonner:  'I'm one of Jon Crispin's friends and he has recently verbally committed to Penn State. This has been verified by the Gloucester County Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Philadelphia Daily News.'  4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey sixth team.

Majestic Mapp, 6-1, point guard, St. Raymond's, Bronx. Mapp was voted an ABCD underclassman all-star. HS #39, AS +50. 1/5/98:  Majestic lives up to his name as MVP in Dianne Brennan tournament.  3/8/98:  Majestic makes all Archdiocese of New York with seniors Green, Glover, Hunter and Wilson.  4/6/98:  Daily News picks Jes as CHSAA Bronx/Manhattan first team. 8/28/98:   Gary DeCesare:  'Majestic Mapp has verbally committed to the University of Virginia late last night.  He will be the first player from St. Raymond to play in the ACC and is the first recruit to commit to Pete Gillen and his staff at Virginia.  Majestic averaged 17 points and 4 assists as a junior last season and was an all-city player.  This summer he proved to be one of the top point guards in the country as he led the adidas ABCD camp in assists and was named the most outstanding player at the Eastern Invitational camp.  Majestic also received offers from UConn, Texas, Purdue, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Seton Hall.'   8/29/98    Daily News:  Mapp Finds Lane Leads to Virginia.   4/1/99 Gameball #2.

Miguel Caballero 6-6, small/power forward, LaSalle. Miguel and Van Damian Green will have to defend their city title without Ron Artest. Talented and deep Loughlin, Rice and St. Raymond teams will make that very difficult. HS #37.  2/3/98:  The task is looking too difficult right now as Cardinals lost big to Rice Raiders.   3/8/98:  Miguel makes CHSAA all Division 1 team.  4/6/98:  Daily News CHSAA Bronx/Manhattan honorable mention.   4/1/99 Gameball nr.

Tahj Holden 6-9, center, Red Bank, NJ HS #146.   2/6/98:  Tahj was averaging 14.1 ppg. before scoring only two against Neptune as his team's nine game winning streak ended.  4/5/98:  Teammate Axani getting the post-season awards from NJO.  8/25/98  InJersey:  Summer games introduce nation's colleges to Holden.  8/31/98   Pete Beckett:  'Dont be shocked if Tahj Holden up in Red Bank NJ lands with Maryland. Gary Williams has seen that kid play for the last 2 years.  9/13/98:   Rutgers Recruit Watch.  4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey fourth team.

Kevin Johnson 6-7, wing forward, Milford Academy, Ct.   9/13/98: Kevin and Micah Brand may be seniors or juniors.  Both play for the Riverside Church Hawks.  If either or both are juniors they're top ten.

Micah Brand 6-10, center, Milford Academy, Ct.   8/31/98   Stephen Finamore of College Hoops Insider:  'Micah Brand 6-9 Milford (Academy) CT has put out his list of schools that have shown the most interest. It goes like this: Umass, Boston College, Villanova, and UNCC. Brand is a very solid big man who can help a team on the bubble. (And a coach who is on the bubble).'

Todd Billet 6-1, point guard, CBA, Lincroft, NJ. Todd's stock seems to be on the rise. His older brother, Geoff, starts for Rutgers. HS #57.  3/2/98  from NJO:  'The Colts boast a seasoned three-guard set that features 5-10 junior Todd Billet (15.4 ppg., 59 3-pointers) and 6-2 senior Andy Toole (14.2 ppg., 43 3-pointers) supplying the offensive punch.'  4/5/98:  NJO selects Todd as first team Monmouth county.   8/12/98:  Stephen Finamore of College Hoops Insider:  Notes from Five Star -  Todd Billet was his usual self. This kid is better than his older brother right now.     8/31/98   Stephen Finamore of College Hoops Insider:  'I might’ve jumped the gun on Todd Billet 6-1 CBA (Lincroft) NJ who I have ranked #13 at the PG spot. Someone very close to the recruiting process has informed me that Pete Gillen and Virginia is right there with Billet. Don’t count Notre Dame out though. Billet checked out the South Bend campus recently…'   9/13/98:   Rutgers Recruit Watch.   9/16/98:  Matt Borrello of Recruiting Beat 'Todd Billet AAU coach confirmed with me the dates of these following offical visits. Todd will be on Clemson campus Sept. 19th-21st. The following weekend he will be visiting Rutgers which is Sept. 27th. After that he plans on making an offical visit to Villanova. ... he is planning on making a visit to Princeton Oct. 9th,10th and 11th.'  4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey first team.

Drew Nicholas 6-2, point guard, Westhampton, LI.  HS nr.   4/7/98  From: Chris.L.Nicholas:  "Drew (yes, my brother) plays at LI Lutheran who just lost to Rice this past weekend. He dropped 49 pts in 2 games and tied a Federation record for 3's in Tournament (10). Led his team in scoring and is being recruited by mid-Division I schools in the East and Syracuse. He's still an unknown, but after this weekend that may not be true much longer.'  8/12/98:  Stephen Finamore of College Hoops Insider:  Notes from Five Star  -  Drew Nicholas was hurt the last couple of days. Garf put him on the all-star team anyway.   9/24/98    Newsday:   'LIL Gunner Picks Terps Over Hofstra. The idea of playing on a court essentially in his own backyard appealed to Drew Nicholas. But playing before packed houses and television cameras appealed more. The Long Island Lutheran shooting guard gave a verbal commitment to Maryland on Monday night, choosing the Terrapins and the ACC over Hofstra.   4/1/99 Gameball #14.

Reggie Brown 6-3, shooting guard, Archbishop Molloy.  Reggie starred for Molloy's junior varsity last year.  He didn't make anyone's preseason rankings, but he's become the Molloy varsity star this year.  I think he'll end up here or higher by this summer.  His team relies on juniors and sophomores, so they figure to be more of a factor next year.  3/8/98:  Reggie makes second team Diocese of Brooklyn.   4/6/98:  Daily News puts Reggie on first team CHSAA Queens/Brooklyn.  4/1/99 Gameball #5.

Ed Starks 6-4, shooting guard, Gompers, Bronx, NY.   4/7/98:  Ed makes Daily News first team Bronx PSAL with backcourt teammate Melendez. 4/12/98:   New York Post likes Ed's game - he makes their third team all-city PSAL.  6/24/98:  Ed is shooting the lights out for the Gauchos in the Rumble in the Bronx.    8/1/98:   West Coast Hoops - Greg Perry:  'Slasher Eddie Starks led the balanced Gauco attack with 18 in the semis and 16 in the championship game. He showed no evidence of a jumper, but he was relentless attacking the goal and getting inside the defense with the dribble.'  Web note: He's got a jumper, Greg!    8/19/98:   Daily News - The Bronx-based Gauchos club team won the Grand Finale title in Las Vegas last month with Starks as a key starter.   9/8/98: LFBALL: 'Ed Starks is a very good player who needs a bit more direction and focus. Though he is talented, he needs an attitude adjustment. Learned from his Gaucho AAU coaches that he had to be seated in recent tournaments because of his attitude (replaced by Marcel Williams of Teaneck who did a fine job). Overall a very good player who should be recruited on the D1 level, but how high will depend on his work ethic, grades, and attitude. Right now I would have him in 30s or early 40s, with potential to move much higher.'   9/10/98:  John: 'I saw Ed Starks light it up for Gompers in an early round playoff game for Gompers this past season (sorry I can't remember the opponent). The guy stuck threes one after the other from the hash mark with defenders draped on him.  Lots of kids are big leapers until they have to shoot jump shots but all this kid needs is a hair of room and boom, he's up at the peak of his jump and his form and follow-through are always the same. Unfortunately I also saw the attitude that LFBALL alluded to. He walked back on defense, and barely got into a defensive stance at times. I have also heard from a reliable source that his grades are a problem. If he can ever find the focus he will be a super prospect.'

Jerome Holman 5-8, point guard, St. Patrick's, NJ. As a freshman, Jerome backed up Shaheen Holloway, then took command as a top fifty sophomore last year. He's the leader of the team, that figures to be the most talented bunch in the region this coming year. Jerome didn't get any ink last summer, but he's back in stride by now. HS #108, AS nr.   4/5/98:  NJO picks Jerome as only junior on all Union county team.   4/99:  NJ Hoops not in top ten all New Jersey teams.  5/6/99:  Oops!?  Jerome is on their all state third team.

Greg Morton, 6-8, center, St. Raymonds. Greg gets to practice against, then team with Ernest Brown. He got good reviews at ABCD camp. HS #32.  2/2/98:  With Brown off the team Morton's playing time increases.  Hunter and Mapp are the Raven stars, but Greg complements them with good post offense and defense. 3/8/98:  Greg makes CHSAA all Division 1 team.   9/13/98:   Rutgers Recruit Watch.  9/22/98   Daily News:  Morton Salts Away Commitment to Hall.  4/1/99 Gameball #6.

Willie Poole 6-0, guard, CTK, NY.  Not rated.   4/6/98:  Daily News picks Poole over teammates Kaishon Mims and Jave Meade for Queens CHSAA honorable mention.  9/15/98   Newsday:   Broken Foot Sends CK's Poole to Sideline.  4/1/99 Gameball #28.

Eric Siegrist 6-3, shooting guard, Spackenkill, Poughkeepsie, NY HS #33, PS top 100. Eric came to Big Apple for Garden Super Six three point shooting contest. Good form, but he didn't make it past first round. Ed. note:  Poughkeepsie is two counties north of New York and is about as far as I'm likely to expand this site's coverage.  Unless the second coming of Elton Brand starts dribbling in an Albany high school gym. 

Rodney White 6-9, forward, St. Benedicts, NJ.  8/98:  Rodney is originally from New Jersey, but he's moved around.  He played as a junior in Denver, Co. and originally, was scheduled to play this coming season for the Newport School in Kensington, Md. with DerMarr Johnson and Damien Wilkins. But that trio is breaking up before it ever got together.  Heading into the summer of 1998 Fans Only had Rodney in their pre-summer top 100.  8/2/98   Coach Gary DeCesare at Eastern Invitational Basketball Camp notices Rodney as one of top 20 in all-star game.   8/8/98:  Rodney starred for Long Island Panthers at the Tim Thomas Shootout.  He made Russ Blake's first team:  'White, the 6-9 well traveled forward slated to attend St. Benedict's in Newark, led the Panthers with 22 points.'   9/8/98: LFBALL: 'I have been following Rodney White very closly. I really think he has the potential to be a top 75 player nationally. He is 6 ft 8 or 9, athletic, skilled, and coachable. I think his constant moving around (he currently lives in PA.) has hurt his rating. He will be a PF at St. Benidicts this year and will have an outstanding season. Great. great, upside. Should be recruited by many national programs.'  9/12/98   Russ Blake: 'Rodney White told me on Friday night at the And1 Tournament in Fairfield that he will likely attend Newport Prep in Kensington, Maryland, and not St. Benedict's in Newark. He stated that there is only a 10 percent chance that he'll wind up at St. Benedict's. He told me that he will probably enroll at Newport on Tuesday. All I can say is stay tuned!'  9/14/98   Russ Blake at Insiders Report:  Rodney White absolutely exploded for 44 points on the way to MVP honors as the Long Island Panthers survived a 98-87 decision over the Tim Thomas Playaz in the title game of the And1 Hoop Challenge in Fairfield, Conn.

Courtney Fields, 6-6, small forward, Rice. 12/97:  Courtney is a live junior body surrounded by many live bodies. HS #31.  1/12/98:   Courtney was not on Rice roster for last two weekend tournaments.  With 6-6 senior center Franklin Temple often starting, Raiders also have Glover, Wilson, Dockery, Barrett,  Satterfield,  Bell,  Sweet and Cuffe vying for time. Has Fields gone to greener pastures?  9/27/98 Newsday:   Fields opts for Iona

Nick Vander Laan, 6-9, power forward, Kent, Ct.  8/19/98:  Recruiting Beat - Nick Van Der Laan commits

Mark McCarroll 6-8,  power forward, CTK, NY.  HS #243.  2/20/98:   McCarroll Helps CK Cook vs. Xaverian.    3/22/98:  Mark scores five points and fouls out  as Rice wins CHSAA championship against CTK, 75-72.   4/1/99 Gameball #4.

Jeremy Logan, 6-5, small forward, Milford Academy, Ct.    9/16/98:  Matt Borrello of Recruiting Beat 'Some of the schools involved with the 6'4" shooting guard Jeremy Logan are VT, Penn St. and Iona.' 

Maurice Jackson, 6-8, power forward, transferred from powerhouse St. Patrick's to arch-rival St. Anthony, NJ last year. He got mentioned as a rising junior at ABCD camp by Inside Carolina. Jeff Siegel of Ultimate Hoops ranked Maurice as the sixth best power forward at Gibbons' AAU tournament, just ahead of Brooks Sales from Connecticut. HS #129, AS #45.  1/15/98:  USA Today mentioned Maurice in their preseason assessment of St. Anthony's team.  They've never mentioned him since and I've never seen him in a story or boxscore.   2/11/98:  Junior Moore is off the Friar's team.  Maurice returns after suffering from a bad back.  First game was overtime loss to Loughlin Lions.  Welcome! 4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey eighth team.

Kevin Bell, 6-2, small forward, Rice, NY HS #105. Kevin had a career game last year, but he's become one of many this year - more pine time than playing time.  3/22/98:  Kevin scores eight points as Rice wins its most important game of the year, the CHSAA championship against CTK, 75-72.   4/1/99 Gameball #8.

Sean Axani 6-7, power forward, Red Bank, NJ HS #260.  4/5/98:  Star-Ledger puts Sean on Monmouth county first team.   9/13/98:   Rutgers Recruit Watch.  4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey fifth team.

Mark Jarell-Wright, 6-4, shooting guard, St. Benedict NY.  HS #363.   8/16/98   Russ Blake of Insiders Report has the results of last weekend's Tim Thomas Tournament and Mark Jarrell-Wright.  4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey - didn't make first ten teams.

Donatas Zavackas 6-8, power forward, St. Benedicts, NJ.  HS nr.   2/26/98:    NJO 'Zavackas leads St. Benedict's to title.'   3/15/98:  From RKelner888 of AOL:  'Zavakis, the Lithuanian import, is a PF playing center; he can go inside out and owns the boards.'  9/24/98   Ryan:  'I spoke to one of the assistant coaches at St. Benedict's today, and it looks like Donatas Zavackas, a kid who the Gray Bees expected a ton out of this year, will stay at home in Lithuania and school over there.

Uka Agbai 6-6, power forward, Molloy, NY  HS #172.  4/6/98:  Daily News tabs Uka as CHSAA Queens second team.  Only underclassmen Cook and R. Brown are reted higher as Uka rates higher than Zack Williams!   4/1/99 Gameball #7.

Lamont Clanton 6-5, power forward, Salesian, NY.  HS #245.   4/6/98:  Daily News Bronx/Manhattan CHSAA honorable mention.  4/1/99 Gameball #12.

Rashid Hardwick,  6-10, center, LI.   7/9/98   Newsday:  Hardwick Learns Hard Work Pays.  4/1/99 Gameball #42.

Bart Jordan 6-6, forward, Shabazz, NJ.  NJHoops #44 in June, 1998.  8/8/98: The Newark Rams team at IS8 this spring featured Troy Murphy and Josh Moore - Bart was on the roster and on the bench.  But he starred in Tim Thomas Shootout for the Rams.  Bart made Russ Blake's first team:  'The Rams were paced by 6-5 forward Bart Jordan, who was a force inside the entire tournament. The solidly built and athletic Jordan scored 15.'  4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey tenth team.

Jerome Trawick 6-8, center, Clifford Scott, NJ.  HS #178.  4/5/98:  Star-Ledger puts Jerome on their Essex county first team.  

Jeff McMillan 6-8, Curtis, NY.  4/7/98   Daily News: Staten Island PSAL Boys. 'Voted by coaches from the Staten Island League where public and Catholic school scompete together as the MVP, McMillan was the inside force no one had an answer for.'    4/12/98  New York Post  - 1998 All-City Boys Hoops - Jeff makes PSAL honorable mention.  4/23/98   NYSSWA   State Teams - Jeff makes class A (the biggest schools) fifth all state. 5/98:  Jeff is in the pivot for NY Skyriders at Spring IS8, while Vohn Hunter, Slobodan Savovic and Tim Butler patrol the perimeter.  7/24/98    Brick Oettinger at the Sporting News:  Big time action at the Big Time tournament.  Brick liked the Madison Broncos in Las Vegas.  Jeff was on that team. Rich:  ' Jeff McMillan started at Bayside HS and ended up at Curtis HS this past year.'   9/10/98  Russ Blake: Jeff played with the Madison Square Broncos in Las Vegas and may be back in high school this fall.

Karl Nickerson, 6-5, small forward, St. Raymonds. HS #296. 2/2/98:  Like Greg Morton,  Karl gets some of Brown's lost minutes.  Unlike Greg, Karl's offense hasn't caught up with his defense.   4/1/99 Gameball #31.

 Ryan Johnson, 6-6, forward, Red Bank, NJ.  NJHoops #47 senior.  8/26/98 Frank: 'St. Peter's Roger Blind is extremely excited over the verbal commitment of Red Bank's Ryan Johnson. Great scouting by the St. Peter's staff at the Metro classic.'  8/25/98 InJersey: Bucs' Johnson chooses St. Pete.  7/28/98 Mail from Matt at AOL: 'I just wanted to remind you not to forget about Red Bank. This week at the Metro Classic .. underrated Ryan Johnson, Red Bank's forgotten star, played well and attracted some interest. Last year he was Red Bank's top scorer and shot 46% from 3-point range, which is pretty impressive at 6'6". Next season he'll prove that he is a solid division 1 prospect.' 3/4/99 Bayshore: 'Red Bank-Neptune -Central Jersey Group 3 - Red Bank 64 - Neptune 46. Ryan Johnson scored 20 second half points, 14 in a 20-10 4th to finish with 22 as RB from an undermanned Neptune team playing without senior Feron McGee'  4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey fifth team.

Kaishon Mims 6-0, shooting guard, Christ the King, Queens, NY HS #157.  12/30/98:   Kaishon's team is loaded with guards:  Omar Cook,  Willie Poole,  John Hampton and Jave Meade.  Occasionally,  Kaishon rates a mention, but he has to fight for playing time.  4/6/98:  Daily News picks Poole over Kaishon and Jave for Queens CHSAA honorable mention.  4/1/99 Gameball #40.

Keith Duncan 6-9, center, Rahway, NJ HS #159.  6/98:  NJHoops # 33.  

Nick Delfico 6-4, small forward, Iona Prep, New Rochelle, NY HS #166.  Nick's part of Iona's dynamic duo with senior Justin Jackette.  Unfortunately, the Daily News rarely gives the Prep an online nod and while the Westchester papers supply print coverage, their online sports sections are harmless.  4/6/98:  Nick makes first honorable mention for CHSAA Bronx/Manhattan in Daily News.  He holds his own playing for Bronx in Wheelchair Classic.   9/18/98  Jane Graph at AOL:  '...6-4 220 lb Nick Delfico from Iona Prep gave a verbal to Fairfield U. Weds night at his in home visit. He has played for Riverside for the last 3 years.'   4/1/99 Gameball #11.

Rick Apodaca 6-2, shooting guard, North Bergan. NJ.  HS #355.  3/4/98 from BRO:  'But first, the Knights likely would have to get by junior All-State candidate Rick Apodaca and North Bergen, which will open against West Milford.'   3/7/98: BRO: Overtime Experts Oust North Bergen despite 29 points from Apodaca. 4/8/98: BRO - Rick makes all-state second team ahead of fellow juniors Sullivan and Billet. Bergen homerism?  5/98: Rick makes Recruiter's Handbook top 250 national juniors. By September, 1998 he is no longer on their top 300+ list.  6/98: Jeremey Tiers has Rick ranked as the 15th best class of 1999 player in the state, while NJHoops has him 11th ahead of Mark Jerrel-Wright, Jerome Holman, Donatas Zavackas and Brandon Knight.  7/10/98:   BRO:  Jersey's best defend turf - Rick is one of 16 NJ players at ABCD. 8/2/98   Coach Gary DeCesare notices Rick at the  Eastern Invitational Basketball Camp.   4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey second team.

Jason Gibson 6-4, forward, Molloy, NY.  HS #190.  Fellow Molloy juniors Brown and Agbai made CHSAA all division second team.   4/1/99 Gameball #51.

Sal Thompson 6-2 point guard, Newark, NJ.  HS #364.  This year Sal is teaming with senior 6-5 Yugoslavian import, Slobodan Savovic and the inside outside tandem is doing well, thank you.  6/98:  NJHoops # 21.  

Obinna Efobi 6-6, power forward, Stuyvesant, NY.  HS #202.  4/1/99 Gameball #50.

Barry Baker 6-1, point guard, North Babylon, LI  HS nr.   4/7/98  From: Chris.L.Nicholas:  "Barry Baker plays for North Babylon and he's a point guard who's also a big-time football player. I think he averaged about 22 pts. this year, and he's one of the top 2 or 3 player on LI returning."   4/1/99 Gameball #38.

Jave Meade 6-1, shooting guard, CTK, NY.  HS #218.   4/6/98:  Daily News picks Poole over Kaishon and Jave for Queens CHSAA honorable mention.   4/1/99 Gameball #18.

Luis Flores 6-2, guard, Norman Thomas H.S. N.Y.C.   9/10/98  Russ Blake: 'Flores burst onto the scene at Five-Star Honesdale in late August, where he capped a phenomenal week by making the Orange and White Classic/NBA Division. The 6-2 185 pound Dominican was almost unstoppable in going to the basket and also displayed good athleticism as well as a solid perimeter stroke. Flores plays with Riverside Church but does not always travel with them because he often helps out with his father's business. But he reminded me that there are so many good public league players who simply get overlooked because they do not play in the prestige laden CHSAA. And that's a shame. If Flores continues his solid play this fall, look for the Division I offers to roll in his direction. Prior to Honesdale, he told me he had no solid D-I offers. Amazing!'   4/1/99 Gameball #9.

Aaron Stephens 6-1, point guard, Camden, NJ HS #302.  With fabulous freshman,  Dajuan Wagner, dropping 24.3 ppg.  Aaron's 19.8 ppg.  give Camden a lethal backcourt.   2/13/98:  from Philadelphia Inquirer - 'Camden freshman Dajuan Wagner had a season-best with seven three-point baskets during a 36-point performance in a 107-62 win against visiting Pennsauken. Aaron Stephens chipped in with 28 points.'  2/27/98  Dajuan's sick, so Aaron takes charge.  6/98:  NJHoops # 39.  

Brandon Knight 6-0, point guard, Seton Hall Prep, NJ.  Prep Stars #51-150.  Brandon is Brevin's younger brother and led his team to the Tournament of Champions final against St. Patricks.  His team started three underclassmen and seven of the top ten were not seniors.  They'll be back!    8/18/98:  Frank:  'the Seton Hall prep Pony Pirates began football practice this week in preparation for their season opener September 12 versus Poly Prep of Brooklyn. Practicing , but not in pads was Brandin Knight. The senior has a problem, not related to athletics, that could require surgery and put him on the shelf for a month. Fellow basketball players Mark Curry and Marcus Tony-El are not out for the team this year, much to the chagrin of Pirate pigskin rooters.'  4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey second team.

Tim Ferguson 6-4, shooting guard, Rancocas Valley, NJ.  Prep Stars 51-150.  With Danny Miller in Maryland, Tim becomes the man.  6/98:  NJHoops # 22.   9/4/98   Kelleher:  'Rancoacas Valley's Tim Ferguson is headed to Syracuse, at least that's what inside sources said his top school is. He's 6'4 and versatile---he can handle the rock, penetrate, and has extremely solid moves in the post. His outside shot is shaky, but improving by the day.'

Justin Leith 6-5-1/2 combo forward, Princeton Day, NJ.  6/98:  NJHoops # 25.   9/10/98  Russ Blake: 'Leith, an athletic 6-5-1/2 combo forward, started his ascension by making the all-sleeper team at the War in the Woods in June (Debra Mercer Column). Leith then copped MVP honors in the "B" all-star game at Eastern Invitational in late July by scoring 28 points. He ended the summer with a strong showing at the Five-Star Honesdale camp in late August, as he was selected to the Orange and White Classic/NBA Division.'

Rob Hassel 6-6, power forward, CBA, NJ.  HS #324.  Rob provides inside strength for guard oriented team.  6/98:  NJHoops # 51.  

Kevin Bower 6-7, point guard, Westville, NJ HS #303 Wow! I got the height, position and school from Hoop Scoop's summer listing on their visitor's section.  But I can't find any online references to Westville or Bauer. Will the pg in Hoop Scoop be a pf next time they print their list?  Has Kevin moved to North Carolina?  Or is he the second coming of Magic?  2/1/98:  Mystery solved.  It's Bower, not Bauer;  West Deptford, not Westville and he is a power forward and a good one.  From the Inquirer:  Coach wins 100 at West Deptford Junior Kevin Bower saw to it, with 20 points and nine rebounds in a tough victory over Clearview.  2/27/98: Inquirer - 'Kevin Bower's 17 points and Eric DeSheilds' 16 helped West Deptford offset a 25-point performance by Gateway's Hazin Harris as the visiting Eagles prevailed, 73-50.'

Darius Waters 6-4, small forward, Brooklyn, NY.  HS #347.  4/6/98:  Daily News PSAL second team playing for New Utrecht.   4/1/99 Gameball #29.

Kyle Chapman 6-4, wing forward, Wardlaw, NJ.  NJ Hoops #17.

David Klatsky 5-11, point guard, Holmdel, NJ. NJ Hoops # 18.  David keyed the Central Jersey Hawks AAU 17 and under effort for the 1998 summer.  The Hawks lost the championship game in Orlando 60-58.   9/22/98   Rich: 'I am not sure if it's on the site, but David Klatsky is headed to Penn. The 5-10 point guard who attended the ABCD camp plays for Coach Tom Stead at Holmdel HS (NJ).'  4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey second team.

Julius Gause 6-2, wing, Lawrence, NJ.   8/98:  PrepStars has Julius listed in their top 300;  in June NJHoops had him rated #19 senior in the state.  4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey third team.

Jamal Jackson 6-4, wing forward, St. Anthony, NJ.

Deon Ayala 6-5, power forward, Cardinal Hayes, da Bronx.  HS #320.  There are too many good Catholic basketball teams in the region for Jamal Mashburn's alma mater to matter!  Deon gets little pub.  3/8/98:  Hayes' seniors Richardson and Sanchez make CHSAA all division 1 team - no mention of Deon.  4/6/98:  Daily News doesn't pick Deon or his teammates for CHSAA Bronx/Manhattan teams.   4/1/99 Gameball #75.

Jeff Mitchell 6-10, center, Cherry Hill, NJ.  HS #321.  Through 13 games Jeff is not averaging 15 ppg, but at 6-10 he may not need to score at the next level.  

Bryan Evans 5-11, point guard Brewster, NY.  HS #325.  Like Siegrist and Poughkeepsie, above, this is stretching the New York City geography, but I'll pass along any information I get.

Tom Klimkowski 6-0, point guard, Archbishop Molloy,  NY.  HS #326. 3/15/98:  Molloy is in the CHSAA semifinals after beating LaSalle with a box and one against the Cardinal's senior point guard, Von Damien Green.  Tom was the one.  He hounded Green all game. 

Howard Williams, 6-3, shooting guard, Columbia, NJ  NJ Hoops #15.  6/19/98:  Howard is on NJ Rap Runnin' Raiders under 17 team in Rumble in the Bronx.  Team is coached by Chris Oden and teamed with Curry and Toney-el from Seton Hall Prep and Aaron Davis, top ten sophomore also from Columbia High School.  

Chris Arnold 6-4, shooting guard, Bishop Eustace, NJ.  HS #356.  His team is thriving but senior Williams and sophomore Dozier get most of the praise.  3/2/98  from NJO: 'When guard Colin Donohoe hits his long jumpers and Chris Arnold helps out on the boards, Williams can be devastating.'  4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey eighth team.

Ernest Dancy 6-0, point guard, Brooklyn, NY, HS #365.  4/6/98:  Brooklyn Tech teammate, Maurice Yearwood, makes Daily News Brooklyn PSAL honorable mention;  Ernest does not.  8/2/98   Dunk at AOL - showdown report:  'In the game today at 51's park in Brooklyn the team led by Jerome Holman came up with a win against the team led by Ernest Dancy. The score was 93 to 85. It was a very close game and it was heated at times, very emotional play. Jerome finished up the game with 35 points and his teammate Derrick Ranken had 29, Ernest Dancy finished with a game high 44 points and his teammate Maurice Yearwood finished with 23. Ernest drove to the basket and scored at will. He also went 2/3 from behind the arc. He got to the basket with an array of dribbling moves and a quick first step. His pull up jumpshot from behind the arc is a well polished shot. Look for him to be all city this year.'   4/1/99 Gameball nr!

Colin Donahue,  6-1, point guard, Bishop Eustace, NJ,  HS #374.  See comment above for Chris Arnold and Eustace.   3/2/98  from NJO: 'When guard Colin Donohoe hits his long jumpers and Chris Arnold helps out on the boards, Williams can be devastating.'

Maurice Yearwood 5-10, point guard, Brooklyn, NY  HS #378.   4/6/98:  Maurice makes Daily News Brooklyn PSAL honorable mention;  teammate Ernest Dancy does not.   4/1/99 Gameball #17.

Ryan Wigmore, 6-2, shooting guard, Delran NJ.  HS #380.

Blake Morgan 6-1, point guard, Abescon, NJ,  HS #381.  Blake is averaging a solid 22.7 ppg  through twelve games to lead his Holy Spirit team.  3/2/98  from NJO:  'Blake Morgan will carry an impressive 21.6 ppg. average into Holy Spirit's opener against Camden Catholic.'

Kasim Holloman 6-3, small forward, Philadelphia, NJ.  HS #401.

Sherm Whittenberg 5-11, point guard, Jamaica, NY.  HS #402.   4/6/98:  Sherm rates Daily News second team PSAL Queens, playing for Hillcrest.  4/1/99 Gameball #19.

Andrew Joseph 6-5, center, Bronx, NY.  HS #415.   4/6/98:  Daily News puts Andrew on their Bronx PSAL honorable mention list.   4/1/99 Gameball #43.

Andrew Dudley 6-10, center, NJ.  9/22/98   Jeremy Tiers:  'Andrew Dudley, 6-11 NJ, verballed to Boston College.

Doug Freiberger 6-8, center, CBA, NJ.  HS #417.  Doug's team has been ranked in the region's top 10 all year, so there's plenty of praise to spread around.

Aaron Davis 6-4 power forward, Brooklyn, NY,   HS #432.   4/6/98:  Not so sure about Aaron, not mentioned by Daily News in their post season PSAL Brooklyn teams.  4/1/99 Gameball nr.

Fab Fisher 5-9, point guard, Long Island Lutheran, NY.  Not rated, but on NY State finalist team with Drew Nicholas.   8/11/98:  DeCourcey of the Sporting News:  • Fab Fisher, 5-8 point guard, from Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. As they did with Chris Garner and Earl Boykins and Shawnta Rogers and -- is it necessary to go on? -- coaches and scouts are underrating Fisher because of his size. OK, so he's short. Deal with it. He's also quick. As quick as his predecessors? Hard to tell, since he was moving so fast.   Fisher can become the latest half-pint to make a full impact on college basketball. He maneuvers well in traffic and consistently makes baskets, even though he's not necessarily a guy we'd say "makes shots." He will be a steal for the program that can find him.'  8/12/98:  Stephen Finamore of College Hoops Insider:  Notes from Five Star  -  Fab Fisher is the real deal...    4/1/99 Gameball #32.

Jacob Kudlacz  6-7, forward, Long Island Lutheran.  Jacob is the starting center for one the Island's best teams but he'll need to up his strength and game to be a solid division 1 prospect as a senior.  3/29/98:  Newsday:  Rice and Glover overpower Jacob and Lutheran. But there's next year.   7/23/98:  Jacob is teamed with Barry Baker on Long Island's Empire State Games scholastic team that loses bronze medal game to NYC entry.  He has breakout three games, scoring 19, 26 and 20 points.  9/10/98:  John:  'About Jacob Kudlacz first a reminder of something I may have written earlier.  Davidson really likes him and thinks they can sign him in  November. He is a 6'7" low post player who projects as a mid-major prospect because he is an undersized "5" player. When I got to see him at IS8 he showed a real aggressive streak and a knack for being able to shoot with both hands in traffic. Also he is a very good passer from a post position in a half court offense or in the middle of a press offense. I'm sure you've heard coaches say "turn and look opposite" to a post player receiving a pass - well not many make sharper crisper passes than Jacob. That and his rebounding make him a nice complement for a club that will feature fine guards in Fisher and Nichols.   4/1/99 Gameball #59.

Bennie Glasper 6-3, Lenape, NJ.  USA Recruiting #51-150.  

Keith Vaughan 6-6 center Pope John, NJ.  4/6/98:  NJO West New Jersey all-county. Averaged 16.5 points, 7.6 rebounds . "The greatest compliment I can pay this kid is that every day he got better," said Pope John coach Tom Fox. The southpaw was a force on the interior with a deft drop step and the strength to work his way to the basket. He was a fierce offensive rebounder who shot 64 percent from the floor and often ignited Pope John and its crowd with dunks. He had 48 jams this season.

Damien Bell 6-3, forward, Hempstead, LI.  Tavorris' little brother carries on the family tradition. 3/13/98:  NORTH BABYLON VS. HEMPSTEAD Baker vs. Bell   3/15/98:  Damien Bell - A Familiar Champ.   4/1/99 Gameball nr.

Scott Hoffman  6-4, forward, Newton, NJ.  4/5/98:  NJO selected Scott as their West New Jersey all-county player of the year.  

Neil McCallum 6-3, forward, Southern Regional, NJ.  4/5/98:  NJO - Key statistics: Averaged 20.3 points, eight rebounds per outing and finished the year with 25 blocks. He currently stands fourth on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,203 career points. Summary: McCallum put up the top three high games for points in the county this year, including a school-record 47-point effort in a 85-83 double-overtime loss to Lakewood on Feb. 10. He was nearly perfect from the field, hitting on all but two of his 19 shots and canning 12 of 17 free throws. "I've never seen anything like it percentage-wise," said Southern Regional coach Dick Manzo. "He was in a zone. But no matter how unbelievable the night was, Neil will only discuss his disappointment with us losing the game."

Ryshaun Conover 6-3, wing, Lakewood, NJ.   4/5/98:  NJO - Key statistics: Led the county with 3-pointers (72) and was second in scoring (22.5 ppg.). Summary: Conover's selection to the all-star basketball squad follows his appointment last fall to the all-county football team.  4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey eighth team.

Josh Hobbs  6-2, forward, Somerville, NJ   4/5/98:  NJO - Key statistics: Averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists Summary: Voorhees was the only school to hold Hobbs to under double digits in scoring this winter, with nine points. The junior hit for 20 or more points 12 times this year. 4/5/98:  NJO  'Summer work=winter success for Hobbs.'  4/99:  NJ Hoops all New Jersey fifth team.

Brian Sigafoos 6-10, Winchendon.   6/98:  NJHoops # 67.  7/27/98   LFBALL at AOL Metro Classic observations: A great tournament. It was great watching team basketball in July. I had an opportunity to see a few games on Sunday and was really impressed with Seton Hall Prep. I believe they will be the Tournament of Champions winner this year. They have one of the best coaches in HS basketball and a talented group of players that combine great defense, a good offense, and tremendous team play. They are truly a team in every sense of the word. I was only disapointed that their 6 ft 11 center, Brian Sigafoos did not play until the end. And from what I saw, he has a very good upside. HOW COULD YOU NOT PLAY A 6 FT 11 PLAYER who is at least decent!!   9/10/98  Russ Blake: 'he has left Seton Hall Prep and will attend the Winchendon School this fall. Before Seton Hall Prep, Sigafoos attended the Delbarton School in Morristown, N.J. He is an excellent student and it is unclear whether he'll be at Winchendon for one or two years. Sigafoos is entering his senior year this fall, and is currently receiving a ton of Ivy and Patriot League interest.'

Danny Walker, 6-6, WF, Robeson H.S., Brooklyn, N.Y.   9/10/98:  Danny gets the nod based on Russ Blake's recommendation.  Last year's senior backcourt of Archibold and Brown carried the team.  Teammates Carlos Linares and Michael Sherrod played for the under class Brooklyn team at the Wheelchair Classic, 4/3/98 at St. Johns.   4/1/99 Gameball #10.

Wilky Colin, 6-4, WF/WG, Suffield Academy, Suffield, Ct. 9/10/98:  Russ Blake: 'but a native N.Y. kid.'

Class of 1998,  2000, 2001,  2002, 2003+.