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Box Of M.E.S.S.’s Alex Kline talks with Bishop Loughlin star, Jayvaughn Pinkston before his game against Cherokee at the Primetime Shootout in New Jersey. Pinkston, who is headed to Villanova, is a powerful 6’6 player who will make a big impact for the Wildcats at the next level.

Thanks to Jayvaughn for the interview, Coach Ed Gonzalez for his permission, Matt Pauls for his hospitality, and the rest of the Primetime Shootout team for an amazing event!

Recently, I did a guest appearance for my good friend Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog.com for SNY. It was a real privilege to write for the site, being that it’s a personal favorite of mine. Check out the link at http://www.zagsblog.com/2010/02/14/primetime-shootout-recruiting-rundown-doron-lamb-laquinton-ross-tyler-harris-more/. Without further ado, here is my little article from Zagsblog.com!

Here’s a complete rundown on Saturday and Sunday’s action at the PrimeTime Shootout at the Sun National Bank Center…

In the last game Saturday night, Doron Lamb scored 49 points — three shy of LeBron James‘ 2002 tournament-record 52 — on 21 of 29 shooting but Oak Hill Academy fell to St. Peter’s Prep, 84-81.

Lamb’s college list now includes five schools: Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, UConn and West Virginia. West Virginia assistant Larry Harrison was in the house.

“Coach [Jim] Calhoun’s leave of absence got me a little worried, but now he is back so I am not concerned,” Lamb said of his decision to add UConn to his list.

In the win for St. Peter’s Prep, Myles Davis had 33 points, while St. John’s-bound forward Ron Roberts had 23.

Davis and Plainfield junior guard Tyrone Johnson attended the Georgetown-Rutgers game Sunday at the RAC, won by Rutgers,71-68. Georgetown just offered Johnson last week.

***Earlier Saturday, Life Center knocked off Our Savior New American for a second year in a row at the Primetime Shootout, 75-58, behind 34 points from Syracuse-bound guard Dion Waiters and 14 points from uncommitted junior LaQuinton Ross, who transferred from Murrah (Miss.) High.

LaQuinton on his transfer, “My people thought it was time for me to play in some better games against some better competition.”

LaQuinton’s list, “Villanova, Georgetown, UConn, the ‘Cuse, Mississippi State, Mississippi, Florida, Texas, the list goes on.”

On visits, “I plan to take some visits this summer.”

On a college decision, “Probably next year. I’m going to narrow it down to a top 5 by the end of the summer.”

Dion reflecting on the list of 5, “Next year they going top 5 and Syracuse is gonna be in there.”

Dion jokingly talking about not being selected to the McDonald’s game, “They jerked me, that’s motivation man, they jerked me, I know I deserved to be there.”

AND ON A DIFFERENT NOTE….. LaQuinton Ross does not know who Van Gogh is….

***Lincoln defeated Middle Township 61-47 behind Shaq Stokes who had 17 points and Kamari Murphy finished with 7.

Shaq Stokes on when he will commit, “Next year before the season starts”

Shaq Stokes’ list, “Florida, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Stanford, and some more.”

Kamari Murphy’s list, ”Seton Hall, Virginia Tech, Auburn, Rutgers, Providince, Virginia, Pittsburgh.”

Kamari Murphy on when he will commit, “This summer”

Kamari Murphy’s favorite, “Virginia”

Ethan Telfair on early favorites (despite not having much interest or offers), “Syracuse”

Tiny Morton when I asked if I could ask him any Lance Stephenson questions, “Oh please no, no, no. I get that to much.

Tiny on Kamari’s Recruiting, “Kamari will most likely reclassify. I see Shaq going D1.”

Tiny on the upcoming AAU Season for Juice All Stars, “I have something new I’m going to try. I am canceling all of April to do individual training with all the players to get them better for the summer. (Later in the interview) “You’re the first one to know that.”

***Coming off Friday night’s nationally televised loss to Oak Hill at Kean College, St. Patrick was led by Michael Gilchrist and Kyrie Irving, who combined for 39 points, as they knocked off Rice, 74-56.

Irving on one thing most people don’t know about him, “I was invited to play for both the Australian and U.S. National teams. I was born in Australia so I have dual citizenship. Both invites are a big honor to me.”

***In Sunday’s action, Half Hollow Hills West defeated Christ the King, 73-69, as Tyler Harris’ free throws sealed it at the end. Tobias Harris, despite fouling out, had 19 points, while Tavon Sledge led the way with 22. Omar Calhoun led CTK with 24 points.

Among the coaches on hand were UConn’s Jim Calhoun, Villanova’s Jay Wright, Pitt’s Jamie Dixon and Rhode Island’s Jim Baron.

Tyler Harris’ list, “It’s going a lot better this year. West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Indiana, a lot of Big East and ACC schools. I’m getting more offers like Seton Hall.”

Tobias Harris on Tyler Smith being kicked off Tennessee, “No, not at all. They’re just taking steps up after that.”
Tobias on being a McDonald’s All American, “It’s an honor, it feels great. I’m excited to have a lot of fun.”

Tobias on one thing most people don’t know about him, “Not to many people can beat me in ping pong.”

Omar Calhoun’s list, “Villanova, Rutgers, Louisville, UCLA, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, St. John’s, …. the list goes on.”

Calhoun’s visits, “I visited Pitt and St. John’s unofficially. St. John’s was fun and so was Pitt.”
Calhoun’s college decision, “By my junior year.”

Calhoun on possibly playing for John Calipari, “It would be great. I’m not going to think about that now. I’m just going to keep getting better so I can in that situation.”

Calhoun on location, “Location will not be a factor for me.”

Despite Jayvaughn Pinkston getting in foul trouble, Bishop Loughlin beat Cherokee 55-36. Kareem Canty led Loughlin with 13 points.

Pinkston on being a McDonald’s All American, “It’s a big honor. It’s a big basketball and it’s a great honor for me, you know.”

Pinkston on why he didn’t sign yet, “No, I’m signing in April. I was originally going to commit to Tennessee but some things happened along the way so I went with my 2nd option in Villanova. Tennessee was my first.”

Pinkston on one thing most people don’t know about him, “I’m a good kid.” (smiling)

Coach Calhoun on how he is doing, “I’m doing pretty good.”

Thanks to myself for the article. Thanks to all the guys who did interviews, especially the coaches. Thanks to all the people who helped me get this gig and opportunity.

Starting Friday, the annual Primetime Shootout Basketball Event takes place. It goes over all around the East Coast. The tour starts out at West Virginia University for the weekend, then heads to Villanova University and from there goes to Kean University for a day and finally ends in Trenton, New Jersey. Unfortunately, we have school to attend so we will skip out on West Virginia and Kean. However, we will get 2 days each from Villanova & Trenton where some of the best teams and players will be. Top teams such as St. Patrick’s, Oak Hill, Findlay Prep, Life Center, Friends Central, Trenton Catholic, Montrose Christian, Lincoln, Hotchkiss, Rice, Half Hollow Hills West, Bishop Loughlin, and many more. Not to mention amazing players like Michael Gilchrist, Kyrie Irving, Jayvaughn Pinkston, Tobias Harris, Jason Morris, Doron Lamb, Roscoe Smith, Frantz Massenat, Amile Jefferson, Maurice Nelson, and many more!!! This should be a great event but before you think that’s it, here is a rundown of the history of the event.

Founded in 1976, PrimeTime Shootoutis the nation’s top invitational tournament showcasing the finest high school basketball teams and players. Shootout has been labeled “the best high school hoops event in the nation” by Eddie Oliver of Hoops USA. This year’s PrimeTime Shootout will help support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer County.

What we’re all about
Ultimately, our mission is to provide an opportunity for high school athletes to showcase their talent in a safe, supportive, tournament-like atmosphere. Our guiding principles are:

• Promoting the value of education to high school athletes through partnerships with professional athlete role models who set a positive example as successful college students/professionals
• Serving as a force for positive change in the communities where our events occur by actively seeking community involvement and attendance
• Supporting other charitable organizations that benefit children by sharing event proceeds with groups like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer County.

Our goal is to make sure that no other Basketball event organization can match the high level of customer service and attention to detail that you will find at the Prime Time Shootout.

Luckily for us, we already have our media credentials and will be filming games, covering games, scouting, doing video interviews, and maybe a little secret charity work. You will have to check it out!!

Thanks to Primetimeshootout.net for info.