VIDEO: NC State Commit Richard Howell vs. Walton

This is a video that we put out a while back, but we wanted to re-release it in High Quality. On Friday, February 13th, Richard did all he could, scoring 24 points against Walton. But Walton went on to defeat Wheeler for the first time in over a decade to the tune of 82-81. As you can see, Richard's post game is very advanced for his age. His footwork with his back to the basket is solid, and he is also comfortable reverse pivoting to create space when he wants to face up and attack. It will be nice to see Sir Rich's silky smooth moves next year decked out in Red and White. Enjoy.

*Make sure to click the HQ button to watch it in High Quality.

KEEP IT COMING: 2009 Recruiting Class Gets More National Attention

We already had a pretty decent recap on the Reebok game, featuring 2009 commits Lorenzo Brown and Richard Howell, but if I know NC State fans then I know that there is never too much information to be had. Which is why when we came across this excerpt from NBAdraft.net we felt like it was necessary to pass it on:


G Lorenzo Brown - 6-3, 186 lbs. - Centennial (Ga.) - Signed to N.C. State
Few players looked as comfortable with the ball in their hands as Brown. He's listed as a shooting guard, but I full believe he could take over the reigns as a point guard, and not even just a scoring point. He finished with 13 points and a number of really nice passes, as well as penetrating more often and easier than just about any player in the game. His play down the stretch aided Team Create in keeping things close as much as anyone.


SF Richard Howell - 6-8, 235 - Wheeler HS (Ga.) - Signed to N.C. State
Howell was one of the most impressive players in practice Thursday, showing great hand-eye coordination and the ability to produce in the post. But in the game, he came out flat, scoring just 6 points. I like where he could be, even if he's not there yet. He has the potential to bulk up a little bit and become a very nice post player, or work on his perimeter skills and make a mark as a swingman.


It’s amazing the amount of positive publicity this 2009 class is getting from the national media. It seems like everyday someone else is coming out and giving our commits some serious props. People are starting to take notice that something is going on in Raleigh. They’re starting to see some major names listing NC State. This 2009 class has people talking…Here is what ESPN has to say about the incoming class:

NC STATE
After continually doing an outstanding job on the recruiting trail and putting together top-level classes, NC State has to endure head-to-head competition against two schools who regularly fill their rosters with players from the McDonald's Game. Not that Sidney Lowe is complaining, but such is the plight that drove Herb Sendek to ASU after dealing with the same issues. With a roster chock-full of juniors and seniors, Coach Lowe desired a recruiting class that could keep him competitive in the powerful ACC -- and the Class of 2009 is just what the doctor ordered. Lowe tapped into the never-ending talent pool of the state of Georgia to nab ESPNU 100 prospects G Lorenzo Brown (Roswell, Ga./Centennial) and PF Richard Howell (Marietta, Ga./Wheeler). Brown, although not the quickest point guard, has all the skill and savvy to be a dynamite player for the Wolfpack. He is very good off the dribble and has the overall talent to make an immediate impact -- and possibly start from the moment he steps on campus. Howell can be a nightmare matchup for opponents. He has the strength and bounce to finish around the basket. However, what makes him so difficult to stop is his quickness, which he utilizes to take opponents off the bounce. While Brown and Howell get most of the attention, Lowe might have found one of the top sleepers in the country in 6-6 Scott Wood (Marion, Ind.). Wood is recognized as one of the most prolific shooters in the country. With Brown's penetration ability, Wood should be available for some ideal catch-and-shoot situations.

Yeah, I know. We are excited too.

Brown and Howell to Play in Reebok All-American Game

Lorenzo Brown and Richard Howell will be playing in the Reebok All-American game on April 18th. When it comes to ranking the notoriety of the high school basketball All-Star games, the Reebok game definitely ranks in the upper tier. In fact, the only games that would supersede it would be the McDonald's All-American game, the Jordan Brand Classic, and the Derby Festival Classic (Lorenzo Brown is also playing in the DFC). The rosters for the Reebok game are juicy. Take a look at the spread:

Team Create

Mfon Udfofia - Committed to Georgia Tech, 4 Stars
Maurice Creek - Committed to Indiana, 4 Stars
Lorenzo Brown - Committed to NC State, 4 Stars
Joe Burton - Committed to Oregon State, 3 Stars
Tim Frazier - Committed to Penn State, 3 Stars
Ari Stewart - Committed to Wake Forest, 4 Stars
Richard Howell - Committed to NC State, 4 Stars
Fred Gulley - Committed to Oklahoma State, 3 Stars
Isaiah Philmore - Committed to Towson, 3 Stars
Terrell Vinson - Uncommitted, 4 Stars
Isaiah Armwood - Committed to Villanova, 4 Stars

Team Finish

Mike Moser - Committed to UCLA, 4 Stars
Dexter Strickland - Committed to UNC, 5 Stars
Junior Cadougan - Committed to Marquette, 4 Stars
Naji Hibbert - Committed to Texas A&M, 4 Stars
Andrew Fitzgerald - Committed to Oklahoma, 4 Stars
Elijah Johnson - Committed to Kansas, 5 Stars
John Jenkins - Committed to Vanderbilt, 4 Stars
Rodney McGruder - Committed to Kansas State, 3 Stars
Dante Taylor - Committed to Pittsburgh, 5 Stars
Erik Murphy - Committed to Florida, 4 Stars
Thomas Robinson - Committed to Kansas, 5 Stars

We are pumped that the game will be played at American University's Bender Arena in Washington D.C., which isn't that far of a drive for a lot of Pack fans. The game will be played at 7pm, and it will be preceded by a Preview Game at 5:30pm. We are extremely proud of Lorenzo and Richard and we hope many of you can go out and support them. We'll bring you more details when we get them.

April 8, 2009.

VIDEO: Richard Howell vs. Walton

Sir Rich poured in 24 points only to watch Walton grab the biggest upset in their school's recent memory. Walton defeated Wheeler 82-81 on Friday, February 13th, for the first time in over a decade. I know many of you, including me, haven't seen to much of Richard Howell, so this video is a treat. Enjoy.

April 7, 2009.

Pack Commits Shine in All-Star Games

Scott Wood, Richard Howell, and Lorenzo Brown all participated in All-Star games yesterday and as you can guess, all 3 made big impacts in their games.
Wood, who was selected to play in the North/South Indiana All-Star game, represented the North squad and represented them Well. Scott drained 5 of his 6 three pointers in the first half to give him 15 points. Although he did not score after the intermission, that 15 managed to hold as the Norths leading total.

“I felt really good in that first half,” Wood said. “Part of (the struggles) in the second half was that I haven’t been playing as much since the season ended, so I was a bit out of shape. I think it affected me after halftime.
“All-Star games are going to be like this where there are some runs and big plays,” Wood said. “We didn’t win but I had a lot of fun.”

600 miles away, two other NC State commits were showcasing their skills in another All-Star game. Lorenzo Brown and Richard Howell were both participants in the Charm City Challenge All-Star Game in Baltimore. Sir Rich was a monster and banged his way to 17 points and 8 boards and was a dominant inside presence. Right behind him was Lorenzo Brown who sliced and diced his way to 13 points and 5 assists.

It is very encouraging to see our boys performing so well on a big stage, but let's be honest, we're getting used to it with these guys. Whether it be regular season, playoffs, or all-star games, it just seems like these kids step up and stand out. We can't begin to say how excited we are for this 2009 recruiting class to land on campus June 27th.

The quotes in this article came from the Chronicle-Tribune.

April 6, 2009.

Calling All Pack Fans in the Baltimore Area

If you live within driving distance of Baltimore, you might want to hop in the car tomorrow and head to the 9th annual Charm City Challenge featuring Lorenzo Brown and Richard Howell. Every year the Charm City Challenge matches up the best players that the Baltimore area has to offer up against an All-Star team comprised of players from around the rest of the country. The Baltimore All-Star team has won 4 years straight coming into tomorrows event.

Here is the United States All-Star Team Roster:
Lorenzo Brown - NC State
Jordan Dumars - South Florida
Donte Hill - Clemson
Richard Howell - NC State
Robert Olson - Loyola
James Padgett - Maryland
Dalton Pepper - West Virginia
Tristan Spurlock- Virginia
Ari Stewart - Wake Forest
Mfon Udofia - Georgia Tech
Jordan Williams - Maryland

Here is the Baltimore All-Star Team Roster:
Antoine Allen - Miami
Chris Baker - Uncommitted
Xavier Drake - Uncommitted
Andrew Fitzgerald - Oklahoma
Naji Hibbert - Texas A&M
Adam Johnson - St Francis(PA)
Antoine Myers - Uncommitted
Auraum Nuiriankh - Uncommitted
Isaiah Philmore - Towson
Matt Rum - William & Mary
Devon Saddler - Delaware
Terrell Vinson - Uncommitted

The game will be held at the Towson Center at Towson University. The festivities will get kicked off at 3pm and tickets are $15 (plus $1 per ticket parking fee). Student tickets (College ID or 18 and under)are $10 (plus $1 per ticket parking fee). It would be really awesome to have some of the Red and White crew show up at the game.

April 4, 2009

The Georgia Sportswriters Association All-State Basketball Team Announced: Wolfpack Commits Represent

The Georgia Sports Writers Association has unveiled their end of the season accolades and their All-State teams and the list has Pack commits plastered all over it. I guess you can say Sidney's Georgia pipeline is flowing at full capacity these days. Read the list below and be proud my friends.

Class 5A Player of the Year: Lorenzo Brown

Class 5A Coach of the Year: Coach Lipscomb, Wheeler






Class 5A All-State 1st Team:

Lorenzo Brown, SR, G, Committed to NC State

Trae Golden, JR, G, Uncommitted

Ryan Harrow, JR, G, Committed to NC State

Glen Rice Jr, SR, F, Committed to Georgia Tech

Richard Howell, Sr, F, Committed to NC State

Richard Howell State Championship Video

There's always a little room for more Sir Rich video. Check out this video of 2009 recruit Richard Howell showcasing his game in the State Championship. Take note of Howell's court vision, his soft touch and his ability to finish effortlessly on the break (Howell is #21). Also take note of the recent recruits Lowe has been bringing in and how they all come from winning programs....coincidence? Not a chance. (skip to the action @ 2:06)

First Two Rounds of the State Playoffs for Wheeler

You don't get to see to much of our boy Rich but he does throw down two dunks, a nice mid-range jumper, and a strong finish on the break.

Wheeler vs. Norcross Highlight Reel

Wheeler 60 Norcross 44 (Elite-8 of State Playoffs)



This was a huge win for the Wildcats. Norcross had won the previous three State Titles and Wheeler wanted their title back. Richard Howell (#21 in White) finished with 13 points. Sir Rich seems very comfortable with the ball in his hands. He had a nice little pull up jumper and showed strength down low and on the break.

Richard Howell & Lorenzo Brown To Tag-Team in Baltimore

Sir Rich and Zo are going to get a chance to don the same jersey before next season. The two will be playing for the United States All-Stars in the 9th annual Charm City Challenge. The game will be played at Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland on Sunday, April 5th at 3pm. The Charm City Challenge puts the best players in the Baltimore area up against some of the best players from around the rest of the country every year. Lorenzo and Richard will be surrounded by some future ACC ballers on the United State All-Stars Team:

Erick Green - G - Virginia Tech
Mfon Udofia - G - Georgia Tech
Donte Hill - G - Clemson
Ari Stewart - F - Wake Forest
Tristan Spurlock - F - Virginia
James Padgett - F - Maryland
Shawn Kemp Jr. - C - Alabama
Jordan Williams - C - Maryland

Check out the Charm City Challenge home page for ticket information.

Richard Howell will also be playing in this year's Capital Classic in Washington D.C. on Thursday, April 9th at American University. Sir Rich will be amongst good company as many of the Basketball Greats have played in this game. For instance:

From its prominent beginning in 1974, the Capital Classic has introduced fans to the next generation of superstars. The greats, including Moses Malone, Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Magic Johnson, and Dominique Wilkins have all participated in the Capital Classic, as well as the new age All-Stars of Lebron James, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony.

Check out the Capital Classic home page (That is where the above quote came from).

We are excited that both of our boys get to show their stuff in two post-season all-star games. Both of these games aren't to far from the Raleigh area and we are hoping that many of us can make it out and support Richard and Lorenzo.

Wheeler Cruises To State Title

Wheeler was predicted to win the State Championship this year and they did not disappoint the bookies. Wheeler made it a handful of State Championship trophies back in their home gym after last night's 73-53 thrashing of Milton in the title game. Richard Howell capped off his Senior campaign by leading his team with 20 points in his last game donning the Wheeler jersey. Wheeler made it to last night's title game by beating Westlake 71-54. Wheeler finished the season 25-7 and they also claimed their 4th State Title of the decade. One thing is for sure, Sir Rich is coming to State next year with the taste of a State title in his mouth.

Wildcats and Giants Roll On

Numbers aren't everything...but at the same time they can be impressive. When a team wins the Sectional Championship of the State Playoffs for the 66th time, I begin to instantly think...that team must be a monster. Well Marion is a monster team and they claim they did the deed last night by beating Huntington North 52-36 to add to their already gaudy number of Sectional Championships. In fact, Senior Scott Wood has been a part of the past three consecutive Sectional Titles. The NC State commit had 27 points in the win while inking 12 of 12 free throws. Reminds me of a performance I saw yesterday. Marion also beat Jay County on Friday night 47-32. Wood had an uncharacteristically low scoring effort wit 4 points, but he was extremely strong on defense.

It's been 4 years since Wheeler won the State Championship and they want their title back (Wheeler also took home the title in '02 and '03). After winning the Championship in '05, Norcross has won three straight. Wheeler wanted a piece of Norcross and they took a chunk out of them last night, defeating them 60-44. Richard Howell scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half to help rally his Wildcats to the Final Four. Wheeler (23-7) is playing the way everyone expected them to all year when the W's really matter. They will play Westlake (25-6) on Friday at the Gwinnet Center (Dulluth, GA) at 8:30pm in the Final Four.

Wheeler Gets Their Wish...Walton and Centennial Singing the Blues Down in Georgia

Wheeler (23-7) got what they wished for. Not only did they advance to the Elite 8 of the Class 5A State Playoffs, they locked down a grudge match against defending State Champ Norcross (28-3) this Saturday night. Last night Wheeler beat Peachtree Ridge 64-53. They were led by Wake Forest commit Ari Stewart's 25 points. Richard Howell also had 10 points. Howell sat out a majority of the 1st half because of foul trouble and as a result Wheeler really didn't kick it into gear until the second half. Richard Howell is the centerpiece of the Wheeler offense, and a huge portion of Stewart's second half points came off of Howell's assists. Wheeler now seeks revenge against Norcross. The past two seasons Norcross has knocked Wheeler out of the State playoffs, including last year's State Championship game. The two will tango on Saturday night at West Georgia University at 8:30pm.

Walton almost pulled off two remarkable upsets in a row. After defeating #1 McEachern last week they got a shot at the defending champs last night. It was a heck of a game and it came down to the final seconds. G'Mitri Rice (Glen Rice's brother) tied the game up at 61 all with around 18 seconds left in regulation. The final 18 seconds were a time to rejoice for Norcross as they sunk a three to win the game and Glen Rice's desperation three from halfcourt at the buzzer didn't fall and Walton fell 61-64. Ryan Harrow came to play as usual leading the Raiders with 29 points. It's hard to believe this kid is a Junior.

Centennial might have a chip on their shoulder this morning. They can totally sympathize with the Word of God Holy Rams after the buzzer controversy they suffered this past weekend in the State Finals. Ryan Fleming hit a shot at the end of regulation that arguably should have given the Knights the win at the buzzer but the refs disagreed. Centennial went on to lose to South Gwinnett 77-79 in double overtime. We will get you Zo's stats ASAP.

Congrats to Richard Howell and Wheeler, but also a huge shout out goes to Lorenzo Brown and Ryan Harrow for having two unbelievable seasons.

(P.S. In the picture of Howell above, is it just me or is their another familiar face in the pic? My friends I think this is a picture of Sir Rich trying to bash on Junior Luke Cothron. Wouldn't it be awesome if they got to dunk on each other all the time in practice in red and white practice jerseys.)

Saturday Night Recap

The Knights took a 3-point halftime lead and turned it into a 66-49 victory over North Cobb in the first round of the State Playoffs. Centennial has huge aspirations for this year's tournament after making it to the finals in 2007 and the second round last year. This is Lorenzo's last shot. He didn't disappoint last night, leading all scorers with 19 points. Centennial moves on to play South Gwinnett in the second round on Wednesday night.

McEachern didn't get to be #1 in the state of Georgia for long. After beating Norcross last week in the Regionals, who was sitting in the #1 spot at the time, McEachern got to have a brief time on top. That is before they got upset by Walton (19-9) last night 87-80. Ryan Harrow didn't feel like watching the Raiders season end last night so he dropped in 33 nice ones. Walton beat #1 McEachern only to move on to face former #1 Norcross on Wednesday in the second round. This marks the first time the Raiders have reached the second round since 1998. Norcross beat Meadowcreek 64-58 last night in the first round.

"It was a big win," Harrow said. "Walton hadn't been to the second round under coach (Joe Goydish). So, just for us to play hard like we did (Saturday) is big. We didn't have any tomorrow and the seniors didn't want this to be their last game."

Wheeler (21-7) almost made county rival Harrison (16-13) wish they didn't even go to the State Playoffs last night by defeating them 84-66. Richard Howell had 12 points in the rout. Wheeler will host Peachtree Ridge on Tuesday night in the second round. Peachtree beat Brookwood 60-50 last night in the first round.

Word of God made it all the way to the State Championships only to fall last night 56-53 to United Faith. United Faith hit a controversial three-pointer that will be talked about for years to come. C.J. Leslie had a strong performance with 23 points and John Wall finished his Senior campaign with 12 points.

Harrow's quote came from MDJonline.

Wheeler Wears The Crown...Word of God Falls From Grace

Wheeler (20-7) was the preseason favorite to win their region and their state. While everything hasn't gone the Wildcats' way this season, the preseason projection was prophetic as they did make a statement by beating #1 Centennial (24-4) 76-56 in the Regional Championship game. Richard Howell and Lorenzo Brown, soon to be dressing out in the Red and White together, were the story of the game. Zo completely carried his team on his shoulders last night, scoring 45% of his teams offensive production. Even though Wheeler dominated Centennial as far as the score goes, they had no answer for Zo. He had 25 points and 9 boards, and shot 63% from the field and 60% from deep land. But Richard Howell was also a beast. Centennial couldn't counter the size and power he brings to the game. He finished with 21 points and 8 boards.

This Regional Tourney was not what the Walton Raiders had pictured in their heads. They lost in the third place game yesterday to Milton (20-7) 63-62 in extended play. While Walton (18-9) still can fulfill their dream of being State Champs, their task has been made much tougher due to their fourth place finish in the Region. Despite Walton's loss, Ryan Harrow shredded the nets with 31 points. This kid has made a habit of putting out mind boggling performances.

If you would have told me a the beginning of the season that Word of God (19-8) wasn't going to win their conference, I would have laughed in your face. Well here is your chance to laugh in my face. After beating Waccamaw 84-60 in Friday's Semi-Final action (Wall 26, Daniels 10, Leslie 9) they went on to lose to Trinity Christian for the second time in two weeks. Last night's 66-75 loss in the SEIC Championship Game was nothing short of a shocker. John Wall put up a replica of the night before, scoring 26 points, and C.J. Leslie awoke with a 23 point outburst. Word of God has too much talent to lose games like this.

Friday Night Recap

The LeFlore Rattlers (29-2) had won 15 straight heading into yesterday's Regional Championship game against Eufaula (29-3). In fact, its been a pretty easy stretch for LeFlore as they have won six games in a row by double digits. The last time the Rattlers had a scare was on January 23rd against Duncanville (54-51 Win). Things got spooky for LeFlore yesterday and they barely crept out of Troy University's gym with a 5 point victory. If it wasn't for DeMarcus Cousins' 8 points in the final 1:25 of play, the Rattlers would have been a sunken battleship because Eufaula held a 5 point lead at that point. There was no answer for Cousins yesterday. If anyone wondered what a McDonald's All-American looked like, his 35 points and 13 boards helped give a pretty vivid picture. LeFlore's victory yesterday kept their hopes for a State Championship alive. They advanced to the State Playoffs and will play next Friday (February 27) at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center against Parker (27-5) at 1:30pm.

Wheeler (19-7) seems to have bounced back from last Friday's loss to Walton. They are where everyone expected them to be today...in the Regional Championship game. The Wildcats took care of business last night against Milton (19-7), securing a 65-53 victory. The name Richard Howell has become synonymous with the term "double-double." He had 19 points and 11 boards in a game in which Wheeler never trailed. They face Centennial (Sorry for the spoiler!) tonight in the Regional Championship game at 7:30pm.


Walton (18-8) hasn't found an answer for Lorenzo Brown. Zo scored 30 points in their first meeting on January 16th and nearly matched that effort last night with 29 points. Centennial (24-3) looked like the #1 team in the state of Georgia last night, putting away Walton 84-76. Zo has a reputation for being cool and unshakable. He lived up to his hype last night by scoring 21 of his 29 in the second half, hitting 80% of everything he threw up (He shot 60% for the whole game). Ryan Harrow had 20 points and 5 assists in the game. Walton will face off against Milton later today in the Regional Consolation game.

The Marion Giants (17-2) nailed down a perfect conference record last night by beating Muncie Central (8-10) 65-51 in their final conference game of the regular season. As long as the North Central Conference has been in existence it has had a feud between Marion and Muncie. Last night Marion moved out of a tie with Muncie to wear the crown outright for the most championships in conference history (20). Scott Wood's 23 points anchored the Giant's first win over the Bearcats since the 01-02 season.

Walton, Centennial and Wheeler All Take 1st Round...McDonald's All-American Team Announced

Last night Walton, Centennial, and Wheeler each won their first round games in the Region Tournament with ease. In fact the average margin of victory between the three games was 23 points. Walton put down Roswell by 22 points. Ryan Harrow accumulated yet another double-double in the stat books. He finished with 28 points and 10 assists in the 82-60 win. Centennial man-handled Campbell last night by 29 points. Zo played a selfless game as his takeover ability wasn't needed in the 88-59 blowout. He finished the game with 13 points. Wheeler beat Kell last night, 60-42.



If you live within driving distance and you don't have a prior obligation, then jump into your car and head down to Alpharetta, Georgia. In fact, it might be worth using some frequent flyer miles. Friday night is going to be insane. First at 6:00pm Wheeler will be taking on Milton and then the MAIN EVENT will be the Walton vs. Centennial Showdown Volume II at 7:30pm. If you remember the last time these two faced each other Ryan Felming of Centennial hit a buzzer beater to clip the Raiders 91-90. If you go make sure to get there early because the Alpharetta gymnasium is going to fill up quick.

Also, the McDonald's All-American Team was announced yesterday. We are proud to see DeMarcus Cousins on the roster. We are disappointed to not see Zo Brown on the list. This kid doesn't get the attention he deserves. Here is how the rest of the McDonald's All-American Team pans out:

2009 BOYS MCDONALD’S ALL-AMERICAN TEAM – EAST
G Kenny Boynton Jr., 6-3, 190, American Heritage (Pompano Beach, Fla.), Florida
G Dominic Cheek, 6-6, 185, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.), Villanova
C DeMarcus Cousins, 6-11, 265, Leflore Magnet (Mobile, Ala.), undecided
F Derrick Favors, 6-9, 235, South Atlanta (Ga.), Georgia Tech
F Milton Jennings, 6-9, 215, Pinewood Prep (Cottageville, S.C.), Clemson
F Ryan Kelly, 6-10, 217, Ravenscroft School (Raleigh, N.C.), Duke
C Alex Oriakhi, 6-9, 240, Tilton School (N.H.), Connecticut
G Peyton Siva, 6-0, 175, Franklin (Seattle, Wash.), Louisville
F Lance Stephenson, 6-6, 220, Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.), undecided
G Dexter Strickland, 6-3, 180, St. Patrick (Rahway, N.J.), North Carolina
F Dante Taylor, 6-9, 230, National Christian Academy (White Plains, N.Y.), Pittsburgh
G Maalik Wayns, 6-1, 185, Roman Catholic (Philadelphia, Pa.), Villanova
Co-coaches: Darryl Burrows (Dillard, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Mark Lieberman (Monsignor Edward Pace, Miami Gardens, Fla.)

2009 BOYS MCDONALD’S ALL-AMERICAN TEAM – WEST
G Avery Bradley, 6-3, 180, Findley College Prep (Nev.), Texas
G Abdul Gaddy Jr., 6-3, 183, Bellarmine Prep (Tacoma, Wash.), Washington
C Keith Gallon, 6-9, 293, Oak Hill Academy (Va.), Oklahoma
G Xavier Henry, 6-6, 225, Putnam City (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Memphis
F John Henson, 6-10, 200, Sickles (Odessa, Fla.), North Carolina
F Wally Judge, 6-9, 230, Arlington Country Day (Landover, Md.), Kansas State
G Tommy Mason-Griffin, 5-11, 192, James Madison (Houston, Texas), Oklahoma
F Mason Plumlee, 6-11, 220, Christ School (N.C.), Duke
C Renardo Sidney, 6-10, 250, Fairfax (Los Angeles, Calif.), undecided
G Michael Snaer, 6-5, 200, Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley, Calif.), Florida State
F David Wear, 6-10, 225, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), North Carolina
F Travis Wear, 6-10, 230, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), North Carolina
Coach: Pat Clatchey (Mount St. Joseph, Baltimore, Md.)

Walton vs. Wheeler Highlights

Ryan Harrow (#12 in White) had 26 points and Richard Howell (#21 in Yellow) had 24 points in this thriller.



You have to understand the magnitude of this victory for Walton. This is Coach Goydish's 10th season at Walton and this is the first time he has put a W in the books against the Wildcats.

Friday Night Recap

Last night was one of those nights that I hated the fact that I lived in North Carolina. Don't get me wrong, I love my home state, but I would have given anything to be at the Walton vs. Wheeler game last night. The two powerhouses didn't disappoint any of the people in the stands. The home crowd that sat inside Walton's gymnasium felt an emotion last night that they haven't felt in a very long time: the feeling of beating archrival Wheeler high school. This is Coach Goydish's 10th year coaching at Walton and this is his first time ever defeating the Wildcats. Ryan Harrow finished the regular season in his typical dominating fashion. His 26 points led the Raiders to a 82-81 upset. The Wildcats were not going to go down without a fight as they rode the wagon pulled by Sir Richard Howell with his 24 points. Both teams finished the regular season 17-7 though Wheeler will boast the higher seed in next weeks Regional Tourney. Wheeler finished the season 11-2 in Regional play and Walton finished 9-4. The Regional Tourney gets under way on Monday.

Murrah and Meridian both lost last night in post-season play. Both LaQuinton Ross and Rodney Hood did all that they could to help their teams grind out a win but it wasn't enough. LaQuinton Ross had 21 points in the 50-48 loss to Grenada and Rodney Hood had 23 points in the 59-56 loss to Brandon. These Sophomores are studs and they carried their varsity teams on their backs all year long. It's exciting to see Sydney and the boys going after kids with this type of talent when they are young.

LeFlore lived to play another day by beating Spanish Fort 87-42 in the first round of the 5A Alabama State Playoffs last night. When we find out what type of dirty numbers D-Marc put up we will let you know. They will now play Wilcox Central in the second round.