Frank Burlison

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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LAGUNA NIGUEL, Ca. – Some extensive navigating of the Southern California freeway system was involved, but the final Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of 2012 provided a wonderful way to wrap up the December portion of the high school hoops season.

I spent Wednesday at Torrey Pines High in San Diego County, watching the first round of National Division games that made up the 23^rd edition of the Torrey Pines Holiday Classic.

Teams that impressed me were Richmond Salesian, Sacramento Sheldon, Los Angeles Windward, San Diego St.

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