Harry Giles, Wesleyan Christian Take Down Orangeville Prep and Thon Maker

By JACK LeGWIN

Harry Giles went for 26 points and 14 rebounds to lead Wesleyan Christian (N.C.) to a 78-75 win over  Orangeville Prep (Ontario) in the championship game of the HSOT Invitational in Raleigh, N.C.

The 6-foot-10 Giles was named Tournament MVP. Kwe Parker had 20 for Wesleyan Christian, which trailed 46-33 at the break.

“We were never going to lose this tournament in our own state,” Giles told USA Today. “That wasn’t gonna happen.”

Thon Maker, who will decide soon whether to reclass to 2015 from 2016, had 24 points and 11 rebounds for Orangeville Prep and took home Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors. His teammate Jamal Murray, who may also move in to 2015, added 19 points and missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have tied the gae. 

Antonio Blakeney to Announce Friday

Antonio Blakeney will announce his college choice Friday on ESPNU at halftime of the DeMatha (MD)-Sierra Canyon (CA) game which begins at 4:30 EST.

“I have done my research, taken my visits, and I am ready to get it over with,” he told ESPN’s Reggie Rankin.

The 6-foot-5 onetime Louisville pledge out of Oak Ridge (FL) will choose from among LSU, Kentucky and Missouri, with sources telling SNY.tv that LSU is the favorite.

LSU commit Ben Simmons, the projected No. 2 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, has been vocal in his recruitment of both Blakeney and IMG Academy guard JaQuan Lyle.

Jalek Felton, Raymond’s Nephew, to North Carolina

Jalek Felton, the nephew of former North Carolina star and current Dallas Mavericks point guard Raymond Felton, committed to the Tar Heels on Tuesday.

Felton, the No. 5-ranked player in the Class of 2017 by 247 Sports, previously told SNY.tv UNC was the frontrunner but that he planned to take other visits in January.

“They’re always No. 1,” Felton told SNY.tv in reference to his uncle’s tenure at the school. “But I’m going to look around at the other schools and see what all of my options are.” 

N.C. State, Wake Forest Watch Harry Giles Drop Double-Double; Thon Maker Up Next

Wake Forest’s Danny Manning and N.C. State’s Mark Gottfried were on hand Monday to see Harry Giles go for 31 points and 17 rebounds at the HSOT Invitational in Raleigh, N.C.

The 6-foot-10 Giles will face fellow 2016 stud Thon Maker in Tuesday’s final of the John Wall bracket, although Maker will decide soon whether or not to reclass to 2015.

“We came here as a team and our goal was to win as a team,” Maker told USA Today after Orangeville Prep beat Trinity Christian School (Fayetteville, N.C.), 79-75 despite Dennis Smith Jr.’s 38 points. “Harry’s a great player. We’ve actually never played against each other in front of a crowd before. This will be the first time for that.”

Thon Maker Set to Make Reclassification Decision Soon; Kentucky, Kansas in Most Frequent Contact

By JACK LeGWIN

RALEIGH, N.C.– Thon Maker will decide soon whether or not to reclass into the Class of 2015, which would make him eligible for the 2016 NBA Draft.

His guardian, Ed Smith, told SNY.tv at the HSOT Invitational that the decision will be coming shortly, and will be based off multiple factors.

“The end of January is when exams are finished,” Smith said. “Results are available at the beginning of February. After that we will be able to say where we are in the process. We are pushing the envelope, but we still want him to enjoy the experience of school. He’s enjoying the experience of traveling a lot, and playing a hectic schedule. He is at a 3.9 GPA. He used to be at a 4.0. He hated losing that .1 off of it, but I still congratulated him. I want him to keep working hard at it.”

UCLA, N.C. State Watch Brandon Ingram; Pack Checks Out Dennis Smith, Jamal Murray

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XnzP5tnNWM UCLA head coach Steve Alford and N.C.

Big East Breakdown: Villanova, St. John’s, Georgetown Ranked; Smith-Rivera, Delgado Earn Weekly Honors; Season Tips Off Wednesday With 5 Games

Here are a few quick hits on the Big East Conference with league play set to start Wednesday:

THREE RANKED

No. 6 Villanova, No. 15 St. John’s and No. 25 Georgetown are the three teams ranked in the latest AP Poll released Monday.

FIVE GAMES WEDNESDAY

The Big East Conference season tips off Wednesday with five games on Fox Sports 1. Here is the schedule:

St. John’s @ Seton Hall Newark, N.J. FOX Sports 1 12:00 PM ET

Butler @ Villanova Villanova, Pa. FOX Sports 1 2:30 PM ET

Marquette @ DePaul Chicago, Ill. FOX Sports 1 5:00 PM ET