Frank Burlison

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The 12th annual Spalding Hoophall Classic was spread over five days in Blake Arena on the campus of Springfield College.

But the teams and players that most of those who showed up to watch were on display over Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

And Monday is when a whole lot of people were really happy they braved the gathering     storm clouds in and about the state.

That’s because one of the three most touted players in the Class of 2013 — Jabari Parker, who recently committed to Duke – sparkled while leading his Chicago Simeon squad past Mouth of Wilson (VA) Oak Hill, 81-68.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The capacity crowd and ESPN broadcast crew were in Springfield College’s Blake Arena Sunday evening because of the respective stars of the Huntington (WV) Prep and New Hampton (NH) School squads.

Neither Andrew Wiggins nor Noah Vonleh knocked the spectators — in the building or via the telecast — for a metaphorical loop. But they showed plenty of glimpses about why all the hoopla has been climbing to giddy heights since last spring.

The 6-foot-7ish Wiggins — a Toronto import who has become the consensus top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2013 — is still recovering from a bout of bronchitis.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Somewhere in the U.S. of A there may be a high school junior who is as forceful, powerful and dominant as Chicago Whitney Young’s Jahlil Okafor.

But that suggestion would be a difficult sell to Coach Sharrief Metoyer, his Long Beach (CA) Poly team and those who watched the teams clash in Springfield College’s Blake Arena late Saturday afternoon during the 12^th Spaulding Hoophall Classic.

The 6-foot-10, 260-poundish Okafor hit 13 of 17 shots from the floor – six of those dunks – en route to a 26-point, seven-rebound and three blocked-shots performance before subbed out for the first time with about two minutes to go in the Dolphins’ eventual 85-52 shellacking of one of California’s best squads.

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BELLFLOWER, Ca. – Until proven otherwise, the Mater Dei Monarchs remain – as usually the case – in the pole position for “best team in Southern California – and the rest of the state, too” honors.

And, after his performance while leading his team to an impressive Trinity League victory over the host St. John Bosco Braves, someone in Southern California is going to have to dazzle us to demonstrate that they are as good, much less better, than Mater Dei’s standout junior, Stanley Johnson.

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LAGUNA NIGUEL, Ca. – It’s a few days late . . . it’s Jan. 3, after all.

But here’s my take on the 2012 portion of the 2012-13 college hoops season, with, 1) my top 12 teams; 2) top 12 non-freshmen and, 3) top 12 freshmen (plus two).

 

Teams

1.Duke

2.Michigan

3.Louisville

4.Kansas

5.Indiana

6.Syracuse

7.Arizona

8.Gonzaga

9.Ohio State

10.Cincinnati

11.Butler

12.Minnesota

 

Non-freshmen American

Trey Burke                              6-0                   So.                   Michigan

Michael Carter-Williams         6-7                   So.                   Syracuse

Alex Len                                 7-1                   So.                   Maryland

C.J. McCollum                        6-3                   Sr.                    Lehigh

Doug McDermott                   6-8                   Jr.                   

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