Here is a link on Duke bound Taylor King.

... and another link from the LA Times, and finally Artesia dealt Mater Dei a loss in the battle of California powers.

Oswego will take on South Medord tonight in a rematch from last years Oregon State Title game.  Last season UCLA commitment Kevin Love and Duke bound Kyle Singler battled it out, with Loves team coming out on top after a missed shot at the buzzer.  Those from Medford wonder if Kyle had taken the shot, would the result have been different.

The winner of that game will take on Oak Hill Academy.  Yes, I am assuming they win.  The game will also be televised on the ESPN sports network.

There is more news in the premium newsletter, including the fact that Duke is now interested in  big time point guard, Larry Drew.  The Blue Devil Nation interviewed Larry on Wednesday and had information long before the major networks caught wind of the development.  You can find out who is really on the recruiting radar and facts about the situation from someone who has been on press row.

When the Blue Devil Nation asked Larry Drew which three words best describes his game, he said unselfish, poised and a leader.

Taft PG Larry Drew has a long list of schools, including North Carolina, but Duke is interested in the California prospect.  There is a reason we interviewed him two days ago. Get his list of schools and accurate information on this new prospect and read about his performance at the Glaxo event in the BDN Premium Newsletter.

So for coverage on Samardo Samuels and Larry Drew and instant results from the big game in Oregon or information on a recent talk with a parent of Patrick Patterson or things like the upcoming meeting on the state of football, or an inside look at what is in store for facilities, give the newsletter a try.  We have had a lot to talk about of late and it is getting busier so don't miss out.  If you are a Duke aficionado, you will love it.

Whats the deal on Samardo Samuels?  The Blue Devil Nation Premium Newsletter has the very latest on his recruitment -- now!

Taylor King, Mater Dei: Posted 30 points and 17 rebounds, guiding the Monarchs, The Times' top-ranked team, to an 89-32 victory over Loara in the first round of the Orange tournament.

Kyle Singler had a strong showing in leading South Medford to a fist round victory.  Kevin Loves team also made a statement.  The Les Schwab Invitational also includes Nolan Smith and Oak Hill.

Here is some video of the countries top uncommited recruit, Patrick Patterson and the Nations top rated player, O.J. Mayo in a Huntington High School romp.  They bring their show to Cameron on January the 31st.

Taylor King netted 27 points to lead powerful Mater Dei to the Championship game of the Palms tournament in Florida.  He had four three pointers and three dunks and the tournament favorite advanced.

The sharpshooter let the Florida crowds know that he had a great three point shot.

Greg Monroe did one of his first interviews with the Blue Devil Nation at the Peach Jam Festival and claimed then, that he puts his team first.

Greg scored 16 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and had 7 blocked shots as his team advanced to the title game.

"He had three consecutive blocks in one series of plays," said a source.  The local beat writer went on, "Greg has been the most watched player in the Palms classic, but he defers to his teammates too much."  "If they are to beat Mater Dei, his coach will have to make sure he gets more touches."

Two plays that stood out for Monroe were the aforementioned three blocked shots on one defensive possession, grabbed the ball and then raced down the court and dished off a pass for an assist.

Greg can go with either hand on the court and is a wiry, talented, near 4.0 student.  His versatility was quite evident when I saw him play.  He is a rare breed that has developed skills both inside and out at a very early age.  He is soft spoken and quite simply very polite, possibly due to his upbringing where his Mom keeps him in check.

For the very latest on recruiting, give the gift of information for Christmas, by joining the Blue Devil Nation Premium Newsletter.  You can do so under the menu to your left.  Do not miss upcoming interviews with Patrick Patterson and Drew Gordon and updates on who Duke is really looking at to help them in the future.  Accuracy and speculation await you as seasoned views give you the inside track on what is going on in Duke Athletics.

 

 

Here is an update on Taylor King and more from two of the better recruiting analysts on the beat.

 

"I just felt comfortable with Coach K (Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski) and the whole family there," Smith said. "It seemed like a place where I could take my game to the next level."   more »

Blue Devil commitment, Nolan Smith will pretty much play at the same time as Duke this evening.  Oak Hill takes on Greensboro Dudley in the Charlotte Bobcats arena around 8:00 tonight.  I will have full details on the outcome tomorrow.

Mater Dei of California stays unbeaten going to 8-0 behind Duke commitment Taylor King, who scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebound in a win over Jeanette of Pennsylvania.

Taylor King is one of the Nations top scorers, averaging 29 ppg for Mater Dei.

Kyle Singler tossed in 32 to lead Medford to a win.  He plays for one of the top ranked teams in Oregon. 

Here is more on the open gym and visit to see Patrick Patterson by Coach K.

Patterson is a much sought after prospect.

Here is more on Taylor King and Mater Dei who play in Durham on January the 31st.

 

OJ Mayo and Patrick Patterson lead their team to easy win.

Huntingon High will play in Cameron on January the 31st and will bring Patrick Patterson, the nations top uncommited player.

Patterson is the Devils only target in his class.  Here is a link to  the rankings.

Here is the local Huntington News on Duke prospect Patrick Patterson and his talented Highlander teammates.  Click on his name to read a past interview with the young star.

Patrick Patterson is the Nations top uncommited prospect in the class of 2007. 

Two nights after beating Norcross, Ga., the nation's No. 2 team in a close game on national TV, No. 1 Oak Hill easily dispatched Withrow.

Nolan Smith, a 6-3 guard headed for Duke, led the Warriors with 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. Julian Vaughn, a Florida State recruit, had six points and 10 rebounds. And Southern Cal-bound Alex Legion added 11 points and six rebounds.

Nolan Smith has had a very productive Senior season and is rising in the overall rankings as each game passes.

 

Another Duke commitment, Kyle Sinlger had 31 points as his team remains unbeaten.

Future Dukie, Kyle Singler

Future Duke Blue Devil, Taylor King of Mater Dei: King had 30 points and 10 rebounds and Alex Jacobson had 10 points and seven rebounds to lead the Monarchs (6-0), ranked No. 1 by The Times, to an 87-59 nonleague victory over Long Beach Jordan.

The sharpshooting King brings his game to Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 31st.

Future Duke basketball player, Nolan Smith had a sensational night on ESPN, as his number one rank high school team, Oak Hill Academy held off the Nations second best in Norcross.

Smith showed off his basketball acumen, by knocking down threes or taking it to the rack and his first half performance earned him the player of the game award.

There is a nice chat with Nolan in the interview section which is accessed under the menu.  The Blue Devil Nation Premium has an interview coming on the latest with Smith, who was prominently featured at half time of last evenings game.

 

Duke fans have an opportunity to see a player in their future tonight, when Oak Hill Academy guard Nolan Smith and take on Norcross.  It is the first of two appearances on ESPN for the son of  former Louisville great Derek Smith.

 Future Duke Guard Nolan Smith poses for the Blue Devil Nation during the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions.

Duke-bound guard Nolan Smith relishes No. 1 Oak Hill's latest challenge. "Games like this don't get any better, especially with a large crowd rooting against you," he says of the showdown, which should attract a near-capacity crowd to Georgia Tech's 9,191-seat Alexander Memorial Coliseum in Atlanta.

"There's so much riding on this game," Smith says. "It defines the season for both teams, even if it's an early-season game."

Since the 2001-02 season, Oak Hill (10-0) has won two No. 1-vs.-No. 2 matchups. The last time was Feb. 25 as the Warriors defeated North College Hill (Cincinnati) 88-74 before more than 16,000 in Cincinnati.

Greensboro Day, Page and Smith are among 12 basketball teams that will play Jan. 15 in the MLK Day N.C. Scholastic Classic at the Greensboro Coliseum. The field also includes high-profile Oak Hill (Va.) and Mount Zion of Durham.

The six-game event opens with Andrews vs. Page at noon. Greensboro Day will play Mount Zion at 5 p.m., and national powerhouse Oak Hill will take on High Point Central at 6:30.

The rest of the schedule: Reynolds vs. Glenn, 1:30; Charlotte Christian Academy vs. Smith, 3:30; and Durham Riverside vs. Forsyth Country Day, 8.

About a dozen Division I prospects are expected to play. They include Nolan Smith (commited to Duke), Alex Legion and Brandon Jennings of Oak Hill; Johnny Thomas of Greensboro Day; Mamier Pitts of Charlotte Christian, and Tracey Smith of Mount Zion.

Tickets are $10 (general admission) or $20 (reserved) and are on sale at the coliseum box office, Tickets.com outlets, Lowes Foods stores, www.tickets.com or by calling (888) 397-3100.