#pcbb Weekly Recruiting Update 3/7/14

  • The NEPSAC playoffs finished up last weekend and Providence targets played major roles in taking home trophies for their respective schools. Jalen Adams put the knife through the heart of the St. Andrew’s faithful for the 2nd year in a row when he put home this rebound to win the semifinal matchup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36ko9GubnZs

Cushing was able to take down Abdul Malik Abu and Kimball Union in the championship game behind Kaleb Joseph and Adams’ stellar play. Adams took home playoff MVP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESVHfK_Q4m8

For Brewster, Donovan Mitchell and Devonte Graham, both PC targets, were impressive during the playoffs and especially in clutch moments. Mitchell calmly nailed 4 consecutive free throws at the end of the championship game to defeat New Hampton and Graham was able to answer every time New Hampton appeared to be pulling away in the first half.

For recaps of the playoffs, FriarBasketball.com and NewEnglandRecruitingReport.com.

Brewster wasn’t done with the NEPSAC. They continued their winning ways taking down St. Thomas More to take home their 2nd National Prep Championship in 4 years. Adam Finkelstein had this to say about PC targets Graham, Mitchell and Reuter:

Devonte Graham (Appalachian State) and Donovan Mitchell were equally impressive in the backcourt. Even after playing five games in five days, Graham showed no sign of fatigue, not only displaying the same level of burst to streak through the lane but also providing a dependable point guard. Mitchell, who claimed MVP honors of last weekend’s New England tournament, attacked the rim with some lethal straight-line drives, including one massive dunk down the stretch of the final.

The Bobcats also got good production out of junior big man Jarred Reuter, who was their most consistent post defender and defensive rebounder while also showing an added step of quickness and productivity in the scoring column.

  • Tarin Smith was offered Ole Miss earlier this week and got an offer from Nebraska last night after Huskers HC Tim Miles watched him play last night. These two recent offers go along with Boston University, Delaware, Duquesne, Fordham, UPenn,  and of course, interest from Providence. Smith and the St. Anthony Friars are the #1 seed in the NJSIAA Non-Public B bracket and had a bye in the first round of their playoffs. They played 8 seed Morristown-Beard last night and won going away, 63-30, behind 13 points from Smith. This was legendary coach Bob Hurley’s 1,100th career win. That number is astounding. The Friars will take on 5 seed Saddle River Day tomorrow at 3pm. The winner of that game takes on the winner of Hudson Catholic and Hawthorne Christian on March 13th at Rutgers for the Non-Public B finals. With the ship seemingly having sailed on JaQuan Lyle, Kadeem Smithen committing to Richmond on Monday and Devonte Graham’s status for the 2014-2015 season unclear, the options for immediate help at the PG position for next season appear to be slimming. There very well could be more options that become available as the coaching carousel gets underway in March and April but Spring competition is fierce, especially for PG’s and big men. It sounds like he is making plans to visit Nebraska soon and he may not stay on the board much longer himself.
  • I watched Paschal Chukwu play in the SCC Finals on Wednesday night at Quinnipiac University. Click here for my impressions of his game and how he can help PC next season and beyond. Chukwu and the Fairfield Prep Jesuits now look to the CIAC Class LL State tournament. They are the only undefeated team and are the 1 seed. 
  • According to Zagsblog.com contributor John Pavia, PC assistant coach Bob Simon was in attendance at 2014 PG Matt Farrell’s game on Wednesday night. Farrell was previously committed to Boston College but re-opened his recruitment in November 2013. Coach Simon wasn’t alone as Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey was also in attendance. After Farrell committed to BC in October, it was expected that he would redshirt next season. I’m not sure if that’s the reason he re-opened his recruitment but maybe he realized he might get more offers if he had a big senior season. I’m not sure he is the answer for the Friars as he appears to be more of a developmental guy right now but I suspect that Bob Simon was there more for evaluation purposes than to make an offer. Fordham appears to be making him a priority and he has offers from Rutgers, St. Joseph’s, Rhode Island and William & Mary with interest from Butler, Creighton, Ole Miss to go along with PC and Notre Dame.
  • There were rumors on Twitter on Monday that JaQuan Lyle would be at the PC game on Tuesday night but those proved to be false. Lyle never visited Providence and has said he wants to make his decision late next week when he’s home with his family for Spring Break. My prediction is Oklahoma State.

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