The Next Jordan?

22 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 turnovers. That was it. No awe-inspiring dunks, no crowd-quieting fadeaways, no last-second jumpers, and no patented one-man scoring runs. Just referee complaints, utter disbelief, and visible disappointment. On a Boston night when his team could most use the killer instinct from the self-proclaimed “Black Mamba”, it was left out in L.A, probably somewhere near the Lakers’ pride, heart, and defense they forgot to pack. There was a title on the line last night and the Celtics knew it, but somehow the Lakers never got the memo. After every “expert” picked Kobe to propel his team to their first post-Shaq championship, here we are, 2 weeks later, and into another offseason 24 goes, missing that same Shaq whose flight out of L.A.X his black card probably paid for.

Remember all the pre-Finals talk about which iconic shooting guard was better – Kobe or Jordan? Well that’s died down a bit over the last 12 hours, but, don’t worry, soon enough some journalist, trying to get attention, will claim that 24 is indeed better than 23. Do me a favor- when that article comes out, don’t even read it. Last night, Kobe’s Lakers lost by 39 points in a decisive NBA Finals game. 39 points! That was, as it turns out, the 2nd worse loss in Finals history (of course, the largest was given by Jordan to the '98 Jazz), making even more history for the team whose Game 4 efforts already gave them ownership of the record for biggest blown-lead in Finals history.

Can you imagine Michael Jordan sitting on the sidelines, towel over his head, watching a Gatorade shower for the opposing coach? Can you imagine his Airness scoring only 3 points on 3 technical free throws in 20 minutes because James Posey’s defense was too good? Neither can I.

Don’t get me wrong. Kobe’s the best player on Earth and it’s not even close. He’s an all-time great and, far and away, the best player SINCE Jordan. But can we stop the Kobe/MJ talk now? Forever?

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Takkle Video of the Day - Ballin'

Video Posted from Fillipe's Gallery on Takkle.com

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TAKKLE Throwdown of the Day 4-8-08

Throwdown Posted from Takkle.com

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Al-Farouq Aminu is in legal trouble

Al-Farouq Aminu, one of the top players in the class of 2008 and the gem of Wake Forest’s incoming recruiting class, was arrested this weekend in Georgia for assault and trespassing.

The assault charge for Aminu, along with two teammates at Norcross High, stems from an incident in which the three allegedly shot an Atlanta woman with a BB gun from inside a vehicle, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

Wake Forest coach Dino Gaudio released a statement saying: “We are in the process of gathering all of the information on this incident and it would not be fair to make any statement or judgment until we collect all of the facts.”

Aminu, named Georgia's Mr. Basketball by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, has been ranked as high as the 19^th best player in the nation by TAKKLE.com and Sports Illustrated.

More updates as events unfold.

- Meanwhile, back on the court, Lance Stephenson led Coney Island Lincoln High to an 88-67 victory over Holy Cross in the New York State championships this weekend in Glens Falls, N.Y. Stephenson finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds and was named Federation MVP. Holy Cross forward Sylven Landesberg finished his career with a 31 point performance in the loss. The Virginia signee was named the New York’s Mr. Basketball after the contest.

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Takkle Throwdown of the day 3-26-08

Throwdown Posted from Takkle.com

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TAKKLE Throwdown of the Day 3-24-08

Throwdown Posted from Takkle.com

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Terrelle Pryor brings home his 2nd state title of the year

Terrelle Pryor has done it once again, he has helped his school win its 2nd state title of the year and its first ever basketball championship. Leading Jeannette to a 76-72 overtime victory over Strawberry Mansion on Saturday at the Bryce Jordan Center. Pryor contributed 23 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks and 4 steals in his final game as a high school student. The other state title came this year when Pryor led his football team to a Pennsylvania AA state title. Thanks to everyone who caught the game on Takkle TV through our partner Penn Atlantic.

Hopefully for the sake of Penn State fans across the U.S they hope its not his last time on the campus. All eyes are once again on Pryor to make his decision on where he will play football, with Penn State as a potential suitor. Pryor has stated he will make his decision within the next week and has narrowed down his choices to 2 undisclosed schools. Pryor is ranked 16th on the Takkle/SI top 100 list. Which is fairly low in comparison to his rankings on scout and rivals which places him as the #1 prospect in the nation. We have our reasons as stated by Bill Urbanik of Offense-Defense football.

Pryor scoring over Strawberry Mansion's Eddie Frazier

Stay tuned for the latest on where Terrelle is going to play...

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Terrelle Pryor's Jayhawks advance to basketball finals

The most talked about football prospect in recent years is not worrying whether he is going to play in the spread offense of Michigan or the smash mouth style of Ohio State right now. All Terrelle Pryor can think about is his match up with Strawberry Mansion at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday. Pryor has surely lived up to the hype so far. Not only is he one of the most highly touted football prospects in recent history, leading his team to a PIAA AA state football title. Pryor has now lead his basketball team to its first PIAA finals birth in the school's history. Contributing another triple double to the tune of 17 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, along with four blocked shots in the PIAA semi finals over Sharon High School 75-66.

Pryor has been in the eye of the media storm in the months leading up to decision day where every major D1 football school had him on his wish list. He has narrowed his choices to Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Florida and Oregon and is expected to decide once basketball season is over. With all this attention he has been receiving, he has had the where-with-all to put this all in perspective and focus on basketball and Jeanette's first title run in school history. Even though he is not going to play basketball in college. I'm not saying he couldn't play basketball in college he's a tremendous talent and great two sport athlete, but it doesn't seem that any program is going to allow him to take that risk.

His popularity has grown so much that a Terrelle Pryor figurine has been made by a local Pennsylvania man, making him the first high school athlete to have a figure in his likeness.

If you can't make it to the Bryce Jordan Arena at Penn State, you have your last chance to see Pryor on the hardwood as the Jeannette Jayhawks take on the Philadelphia City Champions, Strawberry Mansion for the PIAA State Final on Takkle TV and Penn Atlantic at 2pm on Saturday.

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TAKKLE Throwdown of the Day 03-05-08

Throwdown Posted from Takkle.com

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TAKKLE Throwdown of the Day

Throwdown Posted from Takkle.com

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TAKKLE Throwdown of the Day

Throwdown Posted from Takkle.com

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TAKKLE Throwdown of the Day 2-29-08 Happy Leap Day!

Throwdown Posted from Takkle.com

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Mason Plumlee announces he will be a Duke Blue Devil

Junior big man Mason Plumlee announced this week that he will be headed to Duke. The Class of 2009 power forward went to Durham for an unofficial visit almost two weeks ago and was greeted by the Cameron Crazies, who chanted his name.

“It was just pretty awesome,” Plumlee told the Asheville Citizen (Coach Mike Krzyzewski) told me to expect it, but I still wasn’t sure they would do it. It was a great feeling and one of the highlights of the trip. It was a really good visit.”

Plumlee, who attend the Christ School in Arden, N.C., is the first player to commit to the Blue Devils in the class of 2009. Other Duke targets include American Heritage (FL) guard Kenny Boynton and Washington (Va.) power forward Deshawn Painter. Plumlee, who is originally from Indiana, was accompanied by his parents when announcing the decision.

"Just getting to meet and talk with Coach (Mike Krzyzewski) was the biggest thing for myself and my family," Plumlee said. "The whole staff is great and I love the campus. I'm really looking forward to everything about Duke."

Plumlee’s older brother, Christ School (N.C.) senior forward Miles Plumlee, committed to Stanford in June.

- Campbell Hall (Ca.) senior Jrue Holiday was a beast in his squads playoff win over La Canada High. The UCLA-bound Holiday tallied 24 points, 12 rebounds and five assists for the Vikings.
"Honestly, it's games like the one tonight that separate Jrue from the rest of the top players in the country,'' Campbell Hall Coach Terry Kelly told the Los Angeles Times. "I've never been around a more unselfish player. He makes everyone around him better, always has.''

- Oklahoma-bound senior Willie Warren scored 25 points for Fort Worth’s North Crowley High as the Panthers topped El Paso Americas Tuesday night. The win by the Panthers (34-1) sets up a monster match-up with Duncanville (35-1) in the Texas state semifinals. Duncanville is the number 4 team in the country according SI.com

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Chester High's Nasir Robinson, Quick as a Panther

Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon likes his players quick, tough, and confident and Chester, Pa., guard/forward Nasir Robinson fits that mold perfectly.

At this past weekend’s Lehigh Valley Showcase in Allentown, Pa., Robinson and the Clippers topped Harrisburg (Pa.) 74-68 in a contest in which the senior guard proved yet again that you don’t have to be the game’s high scorer to be the best player on the court. Robinson stats (13 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists) exemplify the completeness of his game. His shot needs a little work, but he’s a relentless worker and a fearless leader.

Robinson made headlines a couple of years ago when he became one of the rare prep stars to jump from a private school powerhouse (American Christian Academy of Aston, Pa. – home of top schoolboy prospect Tyreke Evans) to Chester High, a public school that launched the career of Jameer Nelson and others. Evans and Robinson were and remain friends, but Robinson felt the need to forge his own identity.

"I wanted to come here and play in front of my hometown,” Robinson told the Delaware County Times. “I was nervous at first, but now I’m more comfortable and relaxed."

Chester is currently ranked 6th in the country by Sports Illustrated.

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Dominic Cheek - St. Anthony's on a Roll

St. Anthony’s of Jersey City is on a roll. Unbeaten and ranked No. 1 in the country by Sports Illustrated and USA Today, the Friars, who feature highly-touted junior Dominic Cheek, will be at the Brian Doherty Classic in Newark this weekend. The schedule says the opponent this weekend is Christian Brothers Academy of Lincroft, N.J., but the real opposition may be perfection. Just don’t say that to Friars coach Bob Hurley Sr.

"Somebody called me today and told me about the USA Today," Hurley told the Jersey Journal. "I don't look at the polls, though. It's a superstition that I don't look until the end of the year.

"I might mention something to them at practice about how amazing it is," Hurley continued. "We have some people hopping on the bandwagon, but as soon as there's some failure they're right back off it. We try to teach the kids that lesson of life."

Cheek is the star of the Friars, but what truly makes them dangerous is their depth in the back court. Five senior guards -- Mike Rosario (Rutgers), Giovanny Fontan (Fordham), Travon Woodall (Pittsburgh), Tyshawn Taylor (Marquette) and Alberto Estwick (Fordham) -- already are signed with a Division 1 college, as is senior forward A.J. Rogers, who is headed to St. Joseph's.

"I think the one thing that counterbalances the pursuit of a championship -- yes, that's something we all want badly -- is the fact that they've all gotten college scholarships,” Hurley told the Star-Ledger. “That helps them concentrate on the season. The one part that is really nerve-racking is over."

The Friars should roll this weekend, and perhaps into the state playoffs, where a possible match-up with St. Patrick’s of Elizabeth, last year’s state champions, could await.

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It’s the Lance Stephenson show, starring Lance Stephenson.

Lance Stephenson and Lincoln of Coney Island were the stars of Saturday’s competition. The Railsplitters embarrassed Milwaukee Pius IX 89-56, with Stephenson tallying 22 points and 13 rebounds in just 22 minutes on the court.

Stephenson, a junior, is the star of his own web reality series, available at BornReady.tv. Not to put the cart before the horse, but if the Railsplitters win this year’s Public Schools Athletic League championship, he and teammate Darwin Ellis will have a chance to be the first players to win four consecutive PSAL titles next year. The only potential hurdle for Lincoln in the PSAL is Boys & Girls High of Brooklyn, which features Rutgers-bound shooting guard Patrick Jackson. The Kangaroos played the Railsplitters tough in December, falling 109-95 in double overtime. These two squads met last year in a PSAL final that was marred when several brawls broke out in the stands at Madison Square Garden.

- Although much of the focus this past weekend was on the HoopHall event in Springfield, Big Apple Basketball’s High School Invitational at Baruch College in Manhattan had its fair share of thrilling finishes as well as big-time prospects. Despite playing without top-rated-prospect Tyreke Evans, who was out with a concussion, Pennsylvania’s American Christian still had enough firepower to outlast St. Thomas More of Connecticut and Indiana-commit Devin Ebanks. Ebanks, who had played at Bishop Loughlin of Brooklyn previously, tallied 31 points and 16 rebounds in the loss.

- Also at the Big Apple event, Notre Dame Prep topped Blair Academy of New Jersey 77-67. It was an odd game for the Crusaders, however, as Louisville-bound star forward Terrence Jennings found himself in foul trouble early. Missouri-bound guard Kim English picked up the slack, however, notching 21 points and eight rebounds in just 18 minutes.

Video Posted from Lance's Gallery on Takkle.com

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Nate Miles - committed, but may never play for UConn?

The saga of former Patterson School shooting gaurd Nate Miles is ongoing, but the NCAA Clearinghouse's decision to not clear Miles to play as of yet could prevent the 6-7 UConn commit from ever playing in Storrs, CT.

Miles was kicked off the team at Patterson in December, a move that coach Chris Chaney said at the time was made so Miles could focus on his academics. Miles' stated goal since the summer was to graduate in time from Patterson to be eligible to play for the Huskies in the winter semester this season. Miles graduated from the Patterson School, the sixth high school for the Toledo, Ohio, native, yesterday, but despite having a qualifying ACT score, the Clearinghouse has not cleared him as of yet.

Norwich Bulletin staff writer Matt Stout wrote in his Huskies blog that although the Clearinghouse has not accepted Miles as of yet, they have not rejected him, either. UConn plans to present more information to the Clearinghouse officials in an attempt to get Miles onto the roster. But, according to Stout, time is of the essence. If the Clearinghouse does not act soon, meaning in the next couple of days, Miles will be ineligible for the second semester, which would greatly diminish his chances of ever playing for the Huskies.

- Meanwhile, back at the Patterson School, the Bulldogs are doing just fine, thank you. In one of the feature games of this weekend's HoopHall tournament in Springfield, Mass., Patterson upended John Riek and the Winchendon School 68-67 on Sunday behind 21 points from Arkansas-bound point guard Courtney Fortson. Riek had a nice game as well, going for 14 points and 11 rebounds. Fortson said earlier in the season that the goal for Patterson this year was to go undefeated, and the Bulldogs ran their record to 23-0 on the season with the win on Saturday. And just to add to Patterson's banner weekend, forward Darius Johnson won the Slam Dunk competition during the skills challenge. Not a bad weekend overall for the Bulldogs.

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The rankings conundrum

Like seemingly most things in high school, high school basketball player rankings appear at times to be both completely arbitrary and vitally important.

But let’s not just take my word for it. Several players in the SI/TAKKLE Top 25 player ratings, um, tackled the question of the importance of rankings.

“Rankings matter somewhat standpoint, but you always have to prove yourself. Everybody has to prove themselves all over again when they get to college. I try not to pay too much attention to them.” – Xavier Henry, shooting guard, Putnam City (Ok.) High School.

“I really don’t care that much about them. A lot of what goes into those rankings is just politics, so you can’t really concern yourself too much with who is ranked ahead of whom. Whether I’m up or down. Those guys won’t get the best of Willie Warren.” –Willie Warren, shooting guard, North Crowley (Fort Worth, Tex.) High School.

“I kept hearing people say that I was lazy, or that I didn’t play hard all the time, and that just made me more determined to prove them wrong. I sort of rededicated myself to basketball after that. People can say what they want about rankings and who’s better than who and all that. I’m just going to keep playing hard. I’m the same player I’ve always been.” – Yancy Gates, power forward, Withrow (Cincinnati, Ohio) High School.

- Speaking of Gates, the 6-9 University of Cincinnati signee threw several bouquets toward AAU teammate B.J. Mullens of Canal Winchester High School in Ohio. “He’s a 7-footer, but he can do a lot of things that other guys that big can’t do. He really runs the floor well and gets up off the floor quickly. He’s just a great player.”

Of course it’s easy to laud another player when you have just outplayed him on the court, as Gates did this month as Withrow topped Canal Winchester 58-57. Gates had 25 points and 12 rebounds, while Mullens finished with 16 points and 19 boards.

Video Posted from Yancy's Gallery on Takkle.com

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Dexter Strickland - Commits to North Carolina Amidst Struggles

St. Patrick’s of Elizabeth guard Dexter Strickland (ranked 13th in the Sports Illustrated/TAKKLE.com player rankings) was a revelation on the summer circuit. The junior guard, who had spent the first two years of his high school career in the shadow of stars Corey Fisher and Jeff Robinson, was dominant at the adidas Phenom 150 camp and came into this season at St. Pat’s with a mountain of hype surrounding him.

But some say Stickland, who gave a verbal commitment to North Carolina Sunday at the Super 6 tournament at Madison Square Garden – an event that Tar Heels coach Roy Williams attended – has struggled this year with the burden of being the Celtics’ top gun.

“I think that he used to benefit from neglect,” High School Basketball Insider editor Tom Konchalski said in a recent interview. “He’s not totally comfortable being ‘the man.’ In the past, he was the designated defender at St. Pat’s, but now he is the primary offensive threat. I really think that he misses Corey Fisher and Jeff Robinson. But he is still a really good player.”

Perhaps committing to North Carolina will relieve some of the pressure.

Other notes from the Super 6:

- Gutty win by Mount Vernon over Patterson Catholic in the first game of the event. West Virginia-commit Kevin Jones was the most impressive player in the entire event with 25 points, 19 rebounds and five steals in the Knights comeback 66-60 win.

- Tough weekend for St. Raymond’s of the Bronx.. After coming into the week undefeated, the Ravens dropped two tough games in two days. On Saturday, Rice High of Manhattan topped the Ravens in overtime 81-74 behind 29 points from UConn-bound guard Kemba Walker. Then on Sunday, St. Patrick’s beat St. Ray’s 64-56 behind 25 points from Kansas-bound forward Quintrell Thomas. “We couldn’t throw the ball in the Hudson River today,” St. Ray’s coach Oliver Antigua said.

- St. Benedict’s forward Samardo Samuels (Ranked 3rd in the Sports Illustratesd/TAKKLE.com player rankings) sat out the first quarter of the Gray Bees highly-anticipated match-up with Rice in the finale at the Super 6 for internal disciplinary reasons, but he made his presence felt at the end, converting a key three-point play to lead St. Benedict’s over Rice 55-52. It was a big win for the Gray Bees, who had lost earlier in the week to Pennsylvania’s Academy of the New Church. "It was a rollercoaster week," St. Benedict's coach Dan Hurley said. "We're not used to losing in our program. We handled it well today."

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High School BBall on Display in NYC - Nike Super Six Tripleheader

Madison Square Garden is the site for this weekend’s annual Nike Super Six tripleheader, and the match-ups should have national ramifications. Four teams ranked in Sports Illustrated High School Basketball Top 25 rankings will be in action, including top-ranked St. Benedict’s Prep (Newark, N.J.) and its standout senior forward Samardo Samuels.


The Gray Bees will take on No 8. Rice High of Manhattan in the final game of the day. Rice, led by UConn-bound senior point guard Kemba Walker, rolled to tournament victories at the Bay Ball Classic in Delaware and Iolani Classic in Honolulu, but were lost last week to city rival and defending CHSAA champion Christ the King of Queens (yes, the King of Queens). St. Benedict’s is undefeated under Coach Danny Hurley and has played one of the toughest schedules in the country. Expect them to stay that way, as Rice will have hard time defending the Louisville-bound Samuels, who is the Number 3 player in the country according to TAKKLE.com/Sports Illustrated player rankings.


Also at Sunday’s Garden party, No. 4 St. Patrick’s of Elizabeth will face surprising St. Raymond’s of the Bronx. St. Pat’s is the defending New Jersey state champs, but St. Raymond’s has gotten off to a surprising 11-0 start behind guard Truck Bryant, and have skyrocketed from unranked to the 11 spot in this week’s rankings. The Ravens will put up a fight, but St. Pat’s and returning all-everything junior guard Dexter Strickland should be too much.


Patterson Catholic will face Mount Vernon in the other game of the day. St. Ray's and Rice are also set to match-up in a Saturday afternoon, regularly scheduled CHSAA game. (CHSAA - Catholic High Schools Athletic Association).

Video Posted from Samardo's Gallery on Takkle.com

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