This edition of our running high school coverage includes updates on committed players Josh Hairston and Tyler Thornton as well as a game summary of the Findlay Prep – Christ School game, which was played at the Marshall County Hoopfest. Analysis and commentary on Duke recruiting target Marshall Plumlee rounds out the coverage. [private]

Josh Hairston and Tyler Thornton have been named to the initial All-Met Watch at the Washington Post. Hairston has transferred from Courtland High School to Montrose Christian for his senior season due to a desire to play against top tier talent. Thornton is back at Gonzaga and looking to lead the Eagles to a Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship. Last season, DeMatha defeated Gonzaga, 62 – 61, in the championship game.

Quinn Cook, a junior at DeMatha, is another familiar name on the list as is UNC commit Kendall Marshall of O’Connell High School and Maryland commit Terrence Ross who plays alongside Hairston at Montrose Christian.

The Washington Post has a detailed article posted on Hairston. Montrose Christian was scheduled to play their first game of the season on Saturday against Washington Lee High School, but the game was postponed. Montrose Christian is scheduled to be in action on Tuesday evening.

Gonzaga has blown away their first two opponents this year. Thornton scored 20 points in a 97 – 46 defeat of St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes and four points in a 90 – 32 defeat of Don Bosco Cristo Rey. The Eagles will be back in action on Monday evening against Carroll High who has started the season 2 - 0.

Christ School took on national powerhouse Findlay Prep on Friday evening at the Marshall County Hoopfest. I watched the game on the Internet via streaming video at ihigh.com. Findlay Prep led 21 – 16 at the end of the first quarter as they were able to get out in transition and score. Christ School kept the score close with accurate outside shooting.

In the second quarter, the Greenies took the lead on a pair of free throws going up 29 - 28. But Findlay Prep quickly responded and the first half ended with Findlay Prep leading 38 – 35.

Findlay Prep opened the 3rd Quarter with an 8 – 0 run before Christ School made two free throws to make the score 46 – 37. The teams continued to go at each other and the pivotal 3rd Quarter ended with Findlay Prep leading 59 – 47. Findlay Prep scored the first eight and last six points of the quarter.

Christ School fought back in the 4th Quarter via the 3-point basket, knocking down five, during the last eight minutes of the game, but in the end Findlay Prep was too much for the Greenies. The final score was 80 – 64.

Marshall Plumlee was largely ineffective in the low post as Findlay Prep fronted him and denied the entry pass throughout the contest. Plumlee scored two points and grabbed seven rebounds. Findlay Prep features Tristan Thompson (6’9” 215) who is the number four ranked player in the Class of 2010 and Godwin Okonji (6’8” 225) who is averaging 10 points and 10 rebounds per game. Like his brothers, Marshall runs the court well and is active on the boards. However, he missed two tip-in opportunities on the offensive glass. Just a junior, Marshall Plumlee needs a lot of work in the weight room over the next two years.

I do not want to make too much out of his performance in this game as it was the first time I have ever watched Marshall Plumlee play and he was up against physically gifted low post players in Thompson and Okonji. His 7’0” frame will fill out through natural growth and a workout regimen, while his ability to get up and down the court is already a solid asset.

On Saturday afternoon, Christ School faced off against Grace Prep Academy. The Greenies won easily 80 – 62.  Plumlee scored nine points and had six rebounds.

On December 2nd, the Greenies dominated Asheville High School 104 – 48. Marshall Plumlee scored 10 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked eight shots in the game. [/private]