Two 2009 Duke commitments Ryan Kelly of Ravenscroft and Mason Plumlee of Christ School will attempt to lead their schools to a State Championship on
Ryan Kelly of Raleigh Ravenscroft
Saturday afternoon. The game starts at 4:00 and is played at Charlotte Latin High School in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The defending champions, Christ School, who are coached by David Gaines, have played in five out of the last six title games. They will be a prohibitive favorite in that they have seven top notch college prospects on their roster. Of course, they walloped the Ravens 76-45 in an early season game in the Chic-Fil-A Classic.
Ravenscroft is coached by former Duke player Kevin Billerman who has led his
Mason Plumlee - Christ School
team to the state title game three times in his nine years of coaching the team. Billerman's team leans heavily on Kelly, who is asked to do it all. It would be wise for them to slow the tempo of the game.
Kelly and Plumlee have faced off several times, but one of the best showdowns was in last season Tournament of Champions AAU event. Kelly showed a variety of offensive moves and had his way in the first half for D-One Sports, but Plumlee reached down and controlled the second half to lead his Indiana Elite team team to the win.
Ryan Kelly and Mason Plumlee are on a collision course as high school basketball play-offs are underway. The two Duke commitments are the favorites to compete for the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association championship. The Championship game is on Saturday February 28, 2009.
Ravenscroft defeated Cary Academy 70-46 to win the TISAC Conference Championship. Ryan Kellyposted a double-double of 31 points and 10 rebounds. He was named the TISAC Conference Player-of-the-Year for the second straight season.
Mason Plumlee scored 13 points and had a team high seven assists as Christ School defeated Spartanburg Day School 76-68 to advance to the CAA Conference Championship game. On Saturday afternoon, Christ School won the championship with a 63-49 victory over Asheville Christian Academy. Plumlee scored 11 points and blocked five shots.
Eric Bledsoe is a Class of 2009 point guard, from Birmingham, Alabama, whose name has recently surfaced as a Duke recruiting target. Bledsoe scored 11 points and had five steals as Parker HS defeated Woodlawn 49-33. Bledsoe was named the 5A Northeast Regional Most Valuable Player.
DeMatha defeated Gonzaga 68-65 on Friday night in Washington Catholic Athletic Conference play. Quinn Cook scored 25 points in the victory. Cook is a Class of 2011 point guard that is starting to draw rave reviews. Duke commitment Tyler Thornton scored four points for Gonzaga. In a game earlier in the week, Cook dropped 25 points on O'Connell in a 64-53 win.
Out in Iowa, the Ames Little Cyclones finished the regular season undefeated at 21-0. Harrison Barnes scored 28 points as Ames defeated Des Moines Hoover 65-59 on Friday night. Barnes recently visited Duke and took in the game against Carolina in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Duke is looking at two more 2009 Point Guards - If you have been reading our premium message board you already know this, but the Blue Devils decided to look into two more point guards in the class of 2009. Duke Assistant Coach Nate James will take in Eric Bledsoe's game at Parker High School today. James has been in ... for anextensive report on this situation and a team update from today's interviews, join BDN Premium! [private]contact with Bledsoe and Coach Krzyzewski has also talked to the 6-0, 162 Birmingham, Alabama product. Bledsoe played his AAU ball for
Eric Bledsoe Courtesy of Birmingham News, Mark Almond
Birmingham Ice this past summer. With concerns to questions on the message board of whether I have seen him play, the answer is yes, but I was not focusing on him at that time. Bledsoe will not back down as a defender and takes the ball aggressively into the teeth of the defense in an effort to find teammates. He is a pass first PG who many praise for his toughness. He holds offers from Kentucky, Florida, Alabama, South Florida, Alabama and Ole Miss in a list which is growing. Bledsoe really likes that Duke has entered the picture.
The other kid garnering the Blue Devils attention is Darius Smith, a 6-2 athletic senior who plays in Krzyewski's hometown of Chicago. Smith is more of a tweener, but most project him as a point. He is very aggressive on the offensive end. Duke has been in contact with Smith. Duke has yet to see Smith but they have set a visit date to check him out next week.
Despite what you are hearing on other sites, Duke is still optimistic of getting John Wall over. Of course, it would help if he was allowed more access by his entourage of controlling figures. It remains to be seen if John can or will break free and make his own decision. N.C. State and Baylor are IMO the two favorites. Final developments should occur with this situation sooner rather than later.
Duke does not consider Bledsoe and Smith backups to Wall at this point. Duke is in the beginning stages of getting to
Darrius Smith
know them, but they'll waste little time. As always, Coach K has to see a player play in person before an offer is put on the table.
So, the bottom line is that Duke is looking for an athletic, quick point guard. If they feel one of these kids can help them next year, they will offer them. Duke is not looking just to fill a scholarship. And yes, there is a possibility two offers may go out. Duke will evaluate them and if the kids are good enough and they like them as people, there are spots available.
Kyle Singler is ready to go- Kyle Singler particpated hard in today's afternoon practice and is showing no effects from a late game injury.
Dave McClure - Is starting to feel better and should be available against Wake as well.
No starting lineup set yet - Coach K has not told his team who is starting against Wake yet.
Nate James getting acclimated - Duke is breaking in Nate James who will be doing a lot of work on the AAU circuit this spring and summer. James will remain active throughout the season.
Expect Duke to - Come out with a similar lineup against Wake but then substitute freely. I think nine players or more will see some action. Look for Duke to defend their home floor with a fervor for they are well aware that they have just two more home games and some tough road contests coming up.
Elliot Williams - There is no doubt that Elliot has been a bit frustrated, but he seems to understand the process was for the best. Williams talked with several family members after the game. Williams was lauded by his teammates, especially Gerald Henderson who said he really shuts down some of the lanes going to the basket. Henderson seems to have taken him under his wing. All of the freshman room together. [/private]
The McDonald's All American game rosters were announced today and both 2009 Duke commitments were on the list. Ryan Kelly of Ravenscroft High School in
Future Dukie Mason Plumlee
Raleigh, North Carolina and Mason Plumlee of Christ School Arden in Arden, North Carolina will join some of the nation's best for the most prestigious All Star Game.
In a statement released from the school, Kelly said "It’s an honor to be chosen to play in the McDonald’s All American game." He continued, “I’d like to thank my parents, family, friends, and coaches for all they have done. I would also like to thank my teammates for their support. Without them, this would not have been possible.”
The 2009 McDonald’s All American game will be played on Wednesday, April 1 at 8 p.m. at the Bank United Center in Miami. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
Quinn Cook is a pure point guard prospect in the class of 2011 who plays for Dematha H.S. He has started to catch the eyes of some various schools with his
2011 prospect Quinn Cook - photo copyright BDNP
play of late. Cook is recovering from a knee injury which cut short his AAU season and is still regaining his mobility. Cook pushed the ball up the floor and found his teammates in two games that the BDN covered this past month.
Here is yet another interview with a top notch prospect from Blue Devil Nation Premium.
If you have been sitting on the curb wondering whether you should subscribe, all you have to do is take a look at the premium content we provide on a consistent basis.
How are you? I'm Mark Watson with Sports Nation Network.
Good! Quinn Cook (Shaking hands) [private]
What happened to your knee? (He was wearing a brace after getting dressed and coming out to talk)
I tore my meniscus in May in an AAU tournament, so I had surgery in June and I was forced to miss the whole summer.
You're moving pretty good considering that ...
Oh yeah. Oh yeah. (smiling) We have a great training system at our school (DeMatha), so I go in the weight room and do leg extensions, squats ... I get in the pool sometimes or on a bike.
They were rotating you a lot late in the game, was that something to do with the game plan?
Yes. It's all about offensive and defensive matchups. We have a deep bench.
If somebody had never seen you play, how would you describe your game?
I'm a pass first point guard. I try to get everybody involved and make sure they get their shots.
What is it like playing for a program like DeMatha? Do you feel it prepares you for the college level?
Coach Jones, if you look at his history, he's put good players in the next level. That's who I want to be, a player that goes to the next level.
Who is your favorite NBA player?
Kobe Bryant. Yeah that's my man.
Did you follow any college programs growing up?
I never (paused for thought) I never was a die hard fan for any college team. I was just ... I always liked basketball.
Speaking of colleges, are they starting to show interest?
Mainly letters so far. If I see a coach I will talk to them.
I noticed Oliver Purnell of Clemson and Duke assistant Nate James in the crowd tonight. Would you have any interest in those kind of schools?
Yeah! Duke ... Duke, Clemson, that's the best conference in the nation.
You're a young man who obviously has a long way to go ... how old are you?
Sixteen
Any idea when you will start to take the process seriously?
This spring and this summer. but I'm not going to commit early.
So, you want to make the right choice?
Right. I have a couple of more years.
What kind of coach are you looking to play for?
One that likes to get up and down and has the resources to get me to the pros one day. A coach I can get along with too -- a people person.
How tall are you now?
6-0
Do you feel like you are still growing?
Yeah, I got some big feet. (holding up his sneakers)
Oh yeah, you still have some sprout left ... so, do you want to play at a big school?
Big school, small school, it doesn't matter. I want to cut down the nets at a school. That's what I want to do.
High School basketball seasons across the nation are starting to come to a close and teams are looking toward upcoming conference and state play-offs. Ryan Kelly scored 33 points and secured 17 rebounds in his last regular season game at Ravenscroft. The Ravens defeated Cary Academy 88-65 to finish the season at 24-6 and 6-0 in conference play.
Christ School defeated Greensboro Day 50-33 and locked up a #1 seed in their upcoming tournament. Mason Plumlee had a bit of an embarrassing moment on a dunk attempt in the game. The Greenies are now 29-2 and 11-0.
Gonzaga knocked off Bishop McNamara 61-55 on Friday night to retain 1st Place in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. Tyler Thornton scored 13 points as the Eagles improved to 22-3 and 13-2.
Andre Dawkins scored 20 points as Atlantic Shores routed Alliance 98-35 on Friday night. Dawkins made two 3-pointers in the game. On Thursday, Dawkins made five 3-pointers and scored 27 points as Atlantic Shores rolled over Broadwater 99-43.
Harrison Barnes squeezed in a trip to Cameron Indoor Stadium between two Ames Little Cyclones victories. On Thursday, Barnes scored 25 points and made seven 3-pointers as Ames defeated Fort Dodge 92-43. On Tuesday, Barnes scored 15 points as the Little Cyclones rolled to a 80-43 victory over Indianola. Nine of Barnes points came via the deep ball.
Be sure and stay tuned to Blue Devil Nation to keep track of Duke commitments and recruiting targets throughout the upcoming conference and state play-offs. BDN will continue to bring you recaps with links to articles from newspapers across the country.
Ryan Kelly and Mason Plumlee are on a collision course as high school basketball play-offs are underway. The two Duke commitments are the favorites to compete for the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association championship. The Championship game is on Saturday February 28, 2009.
High School basketball seasons across the nation are starting to come to a close and teams are looking toward upcoming conference and state play-offs. Ryan Kelly scored 33 points and secured 17 rebounds in his
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