Blue Devil Nation

Tuesday Morning Links

Bob Green — Tue, 27 May 2008 04:44:37 -0400

The NBA's Pre-Draft Camp starts today and Dan Wiederer, of the Fayetteville Observer, asks whether participating ACC players are ready for the NBA. Wiederer states NBA teams like DeMarcus Nelson's athleticism and defense, but they are scared because he doesn't have a great jump shot. The article also discusses J.J. Hickson, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green. Robbi Pickeral, of the News & Observer, has an article up that discusses the long wait between a college player declaring for the draft and the deadline for removing their name. Is the timeline good for college basketball?

Dan Wiederer lists five odds and ends from the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions. Number one on his list is the play of Kenny Boynton and Brandon Knight of Florida Team Breakdown. He also discusses Ryan Kelly, John Wall and Nolan Dennis. Adam Zagoria names Derrick Favors and John Wall the TOC's big winners, while Jody Demling discusses Daniel Orton's dominating performance at the Nike Memorial Day Classic in Nashville.

In Men's Lacrosse, Duke's Matt Danowski has been named Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.

Sunday Morning Links

Bob Green — Sun, 25 May 2008 04:42:24 -0400

Duke golfer Amanda Blumenhurst has been named Player of the Year by the National Golf Coaches Association. John Hopkins University handed Duke a 10-9 loss in Lacrosse, at the Final Four. This is the second consecutive year JHU has ended Duke's season. Last season JHU defeated Duke in the National Championship game. JHU will face Syracuse in the championship game on Monday. Mason Plumlee, Kenny Boynton and Brandon Knight's play at the Bob Gibbons TOC is discussed in this article with video clips. At the Nike Memorial Day Classic, in Nashville, Leslie McDonald and Memphis YOMCA won their two games on Saturday. Nike MDC coverage is available from Jody Demling at the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Jayhawk Invitational Update

Bob Green — Sun, 04 May 2008 16:16:03 -0400

Indiana Elite One defeated the Atlanta Celtics and advanced in the tournament. Here is an updated bracket (see page 4 of pdf). A complete rundown of Day One scores is available here and the Lawrence Journal-World has written an article on Derrick Favors.

AAU Basketball - Jayhawk Invitational

Bob Green — Sat, 03 May 2008 01:59:52 -0400

The Jayhawk Invitational is a big event in AAU basketball this weekend. Future Blue Devil Mason Plumlee and the Indiana Elite One are participating as well as Derrick Favors and the Atlanta Celtics. The Celtics also feature talented 6'6" Lance Stephenson who will check out Kansas unofficially after the tournament ends. The Lawrence Journal-World has an event preview posted, with Duke being mentioned several times; and collegecoaches.net has tournament brackets, team rosters, and updates available.

Mason Plumlee and Indiana Elite One lost their Friday night game, 72 - 67, to Howard Pulley Black, last year's runner-up. Indiana Elite will play two games on Saturday. The Blue Devil Nation will keep you abreast of tournament results as they become available.

High School Hoops

Bob Green — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:02:46 -0500

Elliot Williams' season came to an end on Wednesday evening as Harding defeated St. George's 49 - 44 in the semi-finals of the Tennessee Division 2-A state championship. Williams scored 22 points in his last game for the Gryphons, but it wasn't enough to advance to the championship game. Harding went on to win the State Championship with a 72 -68 overtime victory over Tipton-Rosemark Academy. It must be disheartening for St. George's fans that the Gryphons were a combined 4 - 0, during the regular season, against the two schools who played in the state championship game.

In Florida, Brandon Knight scored a game high 22 points to lead Pine Crest to the 3-A state championship, 69 - 50, over P.K. Yonge. Knight, a 6'3" point guard, is rated as one of the top five players in the Class of 2010 and is on Duke's recruiting radar.

Jon Hood, a 6'6" Class of 2009 shooting guard, has broken his right wrist and is out for the season. According to a quote from Jon's father, on Jody Demling's blog, Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski is scheduled to watch Jon play in April AAU action.

Leslie McDonald scored 28 points to lead Briarcrest to victory in the Tennessee Division 2-AA semi-finals. Briarcrest will face Christian Brothers Saturday evening for the state championship. McDonald, a 6'4" Class of 2009 shooting guard, has been offered a scholarship by Duke.

The high school season is just about finished up for this year and I really hope everyone enjoyed reading my High School Hoops articles as much as I enjoyed writing them. I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Mark Watson for allowing me to contribute to the Blue Devil Nation. Go DUKE!

Olek Czyz - Champion

Bob Green — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 02:10:48 -0500

Olek Czyz scored 18 points and Reno High School defeated Cheyenne, 76 - 72, to win the Nevada 4A Championship!

High School Hoops

Bob Green — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 06:40:46 -0500

Olek Czyz scored 25 points and Reno defeated Foothill 76 - 61 to qualify for the State Championship game. Reno lost to Foothill back in December but came away victorious in the more important play-off game. Reno will face Cheyenne in the Championship Game. Cheyenne defeated Douglas, 93 - 55, in the other semi-final game.

Here is more on Elliot Williams being selected as a McDonald's All-American and an article on Leslie McDonald being a finalist for Tennessee Mr. Basketball honors. Williams and McDonald will be back in play-off action Saturday February 23rd.

Mason Plumlee scored 14 points as Christ School defeated Providence Day, 63 - 44, in the quarterfinals of the NCISAA 3-A tournament at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh. There is a complete scouting report on Mason Plumlee in the Premium Newsletter.

DeShawn Painter posted an impressive double-double of 30 points and 17 rebounds, but Booker T. Washington dropped a 101 - 89 decision to Norcom. The game was tied 82 - 82 at the end of regulation before Norcom outscored BTW 19 - 7 in overtime.

High School Hoops

Bob Green — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 19:22:33 -0500

High School Playoffs have commenced across the country and the best teams have commenced their quest for a State Championship. For diehard, rabid basketball fans, high school playoffs serve as a tune-up for March Madness. Let's take a look at future Blue Devils Olek Czyz and Elliot Williams:

In Nevada, Reno High School has won the Northern 4A Regional Championship with a 69 - 53 victory over Douglas High School. Olek Czyz battled flu like symptoms in the game and finished with 13 points. In previous games, Czyz scored 16 points, in a 57 - 45 victory over Bishop Manogue, and 23 points in a 79 - 47 blowout of Spanish Springs in the opening round. Next up for Czyz and the Huskies is Foothill High School on Tuesday. Foothills defeated Reno, 85 - 78, on December 23rd.

In Memphis, Elliot Williams and St. George's defeated Tipton-Rosemark 73 - 57 on Saturday. Previously, Williams scored 15 points as St. George's defeated FACS 53 - 32. and 19 points in St. George's first tournament game, a 63 - 22 victory over SBEC. St. George's moves on to the Sub-State level on Saturday February 23rd.

For Class of 2009 recruiting targets, here are articles on Leslie McDonald and Mason Plumlee.

High School Hoops

Bob Green — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 03:14:24 -0500

Elliot Williams returned to the court on Thursday and scored 23 points as St. George's defeated Lausanne 88 - 61. Williams, a 6' 4" shooting guard, who will attend Duke next year, has been out nursing a sore knee. On Friday, Williams scored 25 points as St. George's defeated Tipton-Rosemark Academy 77 - 70.

Olek Czyz scored 24 points as Reno defeated North Valleys 72 - 56, on Tuesday. Czyz went 8-11 from the free throw line. With the victory, Reno clinched the Sierra League. On Friday, Reno routed Douglas 75 - 39. Czyz scored 14 points.

DeShawn Painter scored 19 points as Booker T. Washington clinched the Eastern District with a 89 - 48 victory over Wilson, on Tuesday. On Friday, Painter scored 22 points, but it wasn't enough as Maury stunned the Bookers 64 - 62, with a 15 foot buzzer beater.

6' 11" Mason Plumlee scored 20 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and blocked four shots, as Christ School defeated Asheville 86 - 58 on Wednesday. On Friday, Plumlee posted another double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds in a 74 - 57 victory over Roberson.

High School Hoops

Bob Green — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 02:29:23 -0500

Olek Czyz scored 21 points and Reno High School defeated Hug High School 64 - 41 on Thursday night. Czyz was 5 - 7 from the free throw line in the victory. On Saturday, Czyz scored 16 points in Reno's 75 - 40 victory over Damonte Ranch.

Greg Echenique scored 15 points and grabbed three rebounds as St. Benedict's Prep defeated American Christian 77 - 70 on Friday night in the Prime Time Shootout.

In Memphis, Leslie McDonald scored 15 points as Briarcrest defeated MUS 51 - 46. St. George's defeated FACS 66 - 57 but Elliot Williams did not play.

DeShawn Painter scored 14 points as Booker T. Washington routed Lake Taylor 99 - 57 on Friday night.

Mason Plumlee recorded a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds as Christ School defeated Spartanburg Day 79 -53.