Weekend wrap — Stephenson, Padgett fall in state semifinals
The high school careers of Lance Stephenson and James Padgett are over.
On Saturday, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Lincoln dropped a 77-50 game to Rice in the New York Federation AA semifinals.
Stephenson, New York State’s all-time scoring leader, had 14 points, six rebounds and two assists for Lincoln and the 6-8 Maryland-bound Padgett posted 12 points and 10 boards.
Stephenson and Padgett played in front of a special visitor in the stands.
Nevertheless, Maryland coach Gary Williams -- who already has secured Lincoln big man James Padgett -- was on press row yesterday, making sure he was noticed.
"I was surprised to see him," Stephenson said.
Stephenson told the New York Daily News that his decision will be announced Tuesday morning in Miami.
The 6-5 senior has narrowed his college choices to Kansas, St. John's and Maryland, although some believe he may opt to play a season overseas.
• UM power forward target Tobias Harris powered Long Island Lutheran to 68-51 win over Jamesville-Dewitt in the New York Class A Federation state title game.
For the winners, 6-foot-7 all-state junior center Tobias Harris erupted for 27 points plus a game-high 15 rebounds and was named Most Outstanding Player of the contest. Harris had played for Half Hollow Hills West High School on Long Island a year ago, averaging 29 points per game, prior to transferring to Lutheran as a junior. Earlier this winter, Harris missed 12 games with torn ankle ligaments, but Lutheran won its last 11 games after he returned in late January.
• Terps shooting guard target Taran Buie will be in the Madison Square Garden stands Tuesday night as his brother, Penn State point guard Talor Battle, leads the Nittany Lions in an NIT semifinal matchup against Notre Dame.
The fan club will include at least one of Battle’s seven siblings -- younger brother, Taran Buie, a highly rated recruit from Battle’s alma mater, Bishop Maginn High School. Battle said both Penn State and Notre Dame are on his brother’s list of possible college destinations.
• Maryland women’s forward recruit Tianna Hawkins reached double figures Friday night during the Washington D.C.-Metropolitan private schools team’s 75-57 win over the Prince George's County public schools all-star team.
National Christian Academy's Vanessa Rice led the private schools with 14 points. Riverdale Baptist's Tianna Hawkins was next with 13, while her teammate Candace Bond added 11.
Comments
The quote that Zag's cited was from the New York Post. In response to questions that Gary Williams showed up at the game to watch Lance and Padge play....Lance's apparent reply was "I was surprised to see him"
Obviously...things don't look good for the Terps landing Lance...
However, I'm not all that disappointed....Lance is probably a great player, but I highly doubt he's the type to make the players around him better.
Posted by: Terplaw | March 30, 2009 1:50 PM
matt do you know is lance choice will be televised. thanks
Posted by: Anonymous | March 30, 2009 4:23 PM
Anonymous -- I'm not sure if it will be televised live. According to Zags, the announcement is tentatively scheduled for 11:45 a.m. during media day for the McDonald's game.
Posted by: Matt Bracken | March 30, 2009 5:20 PM
Who plays for Rice? Maybe we should be recruiting them.
Posted by: Howard | March 30, 2009 6:15 PM
Howard -- Durand Scott's the big name for Rice. He's going to Miami.
Posted by: Matt Bracken | March 30, 2009 7:42 PM
Matt- I guess I should have asked...Is maryland still talking activly to Vinson?
I read about Danny Manning as the closer for Kansas. Are the Terps as proactive? Who fills the role? Booth? I guess we all just have to have faith that they are doing to most possible to get this program back to where it was. I will fell better when Barton signs on the line. Buie too. I am not holding out much for Smith but with the way Barton Shut him down, I think Barton may be more versatile. Plus, did I hear he grew another inch? If he comes in at 6'7 or 6'8, that would be amazing.
Posted by: Ryan | March 30, 2009 10:51 PM
Apparently Lance didn't show up at the McDonalds game for practice and decided to postpone his announcement:
"Lance Stephenson, apparently, is not ready to make a decision.
Multiple sources confirmed to Scout.com that Brooklyn (N.Y.) Lincoln senior small forward Lance Stephenson will not announce his college choice at the McDonald's game. The initial plan had Stephenson announcing March 31 after a morning practice.
Posted by: Mariolucasforthree | March 31, 2009 7:22 AM
There are three things that I don't like about waiting for a kid that by himself couldn't take us to the promise land. To think that Gary is going to get a player of his talent to come here with the short period of time he spent recruting him is crazy. If Lance wants to win a national title kansas is closer to that then MD. Last but not least if you have a team that is not so talented as other teams in your division then you spend as much time as you can with the best recruit possible, don't wait unitil the last minute to try and get one that is undecided. When and if you don't get him it makes kids wonder why. There is a lot of talent in the state of MD so with the right process MD can be better but no one is going to make a full time commit to a college who gives a part time effort in recruting. Look we all know that Gary is a good coach but good recruiting could solidify MD as a top ACC school. Roy Williams is not a better coach then Gary but because of winning which should translate into better recruits wanting to come to the school he has 3 to 4 McDonalds all americans coming to NC this year alone. Lets face it unless GW handles these latest 2010 recruits with him being the recruiter that is always present MD will be lucky to get two of them.
Posted by: Will | March 31, 2009 8:07 AM
Ryan -- Sorry I misunderstood your initial question. As of a few weeks ago the Terps were still recruiting Vinson. I'll have to check with him this weekend to make sure that's still the case. That's a good question on UM's closer. Driesell, Booth and Ehsan all have different strengths; I guess the closer depends on the kid.
Posted by: Matt Bracken | March 31, 2009 5:16 PM