December 2008 | Page 16 of 20 | Zagsblog
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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Saturday / November 23.
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Paterson Catholic, Syracuse

Shaquille Thomas was denied a waiver to play immediately this year at Montclair High School, according to my esteemed former colleague Keith Idec of the Herald News.

I can’t find the link, so if anyone has it, please feel free to send it.

The 6-foot-6 Thomas, the No. 13 small forward in the Class of 2010 according to Rivals, transferred out of Paterson Catholic in October after his uncle, current New York Knicks forward Tim Thomas, decided his nephew’s academic needs were not being met at PC.

Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, St. Benedict's, Texas

The Marshall County Hoop Hoopfest continues to be a good place for Dan Hurley’s St. Benedict’s Gray Bees to play.

A year ago, Tamir Jackson lit up Brandon Jennings and Oak Hill for 29 points in an upset victory on the ESPN networks.

This year, Texas commit Tristan Thompson (pictured) posted a double-double of 18 points and 10 boards as the Newark school downed Jackson (Miss.) Provine by 16 points, according to Scout.com.

College Football, Rutgers Football, Syracuse

So much for Rutgers playing an undefeated Ball State squad in the Motor City Bowl. Dec. 26.

Turner Gill’s Buffalo team hammered previously unbeaten Ball State, 42-24, in the MAC championship game Friday night in Detroit. Somewhere David Letterman is not laughing.

Ken Hoffman, Executive Director of the MOtor City and International Bowls, had said Thursday that a matchup between an unbeaten Ball State, No. 12 in the BCS standings, and a Rutgers team on a six-game winning streak would be appealing in Detroit.

Rutgers (7-5) crushed Louisville, 63-14, Thursday night on ESPN behind seven TD passes from QB Mike Teel.

Pop Culture

O.J. Simpson was sentenced Friday to at least nine years in prison for the kidnapping and robbery last year of two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas casino hotel room.

Under the sentence handed down by Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass, Simpson would be eligible for parole in 2017. The maximum time he could serve is 33 years, at which time he would be 94 years old.

“In no way did I mean to hurt anybody, to steal anything from anybody,” a tearful Simpson said. “I just wanted my personal things.”

NHL

Sean Avery was suspended six games for a crude comment he made regarding the lovely Elisha Cuthbert, his ex-girlfriend who is dating Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf.

His coaches and teammates with the Dallas Stars don’t want him back.

“He’s always on the edge, certainly, on the ice, which no one really has an issue with,” forward Mike Modano told the AP. “But when it becomes public and it becomes off-ice situations, that’s when you have a problem with it.”

Avery already has served two of the six games and will eligible to return Dec. 16 against Phoenix.

Iona, Seton Hall, Villanova

Casiem Drummond has no shortage of options for where to go after Villanova.

Drummond’s high school coach, Nick Mariniello of Bloomfield Tech, says he has fielded a slew of calls on the 6-foot-10, 275-pound big man from East Orange.

“I’ve gotten calls from at least 20-25 schools,” Mariniello said. “MAAC, Conference USA, America East, Atlantic 10.”

Schools interested in Drummond have to call Villanova and ask for a release. If his interest is not reciprocal, a release won’t be granted. Big East rules prevent Drummond from transferring within the conference. He will have one-and-a-half years of eligibility remaining beginning in December 2009.

Dominic Cheek, High Schools, Lance Stephenson

One of my favorite All-Star events after the high school season is the Jordan Brand Classic, which will take place April 18, 2009 at Madison Square Garden. The event will begin with the International Game at 3:30, followed by the Regional (City vs. Suburbs) at 5:30 and the National Game at 8.

Recent participants include NBA stars LeBron James, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Amaré Stoudemire, Dwight Howard and 2008 Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant, as well as current NCAA standouts Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina), Blake Griffin (Oklahoma), Kyle Singler (Duke), Jrue Holiday (UCLA), Tyreke Evans (Memphis) and Demar DeRozan (USC).

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