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.
Today’s crunch time at the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. The semifinals take place tonight and Lance Stephenson and Lincoln play a fifth-place game against Villanova-bound commitMaalik Wayns and Philly Roman Catholic this afternoon. Kansas assistants Danny Manning and Kurtis Townsend have been on hand to check out Stephenson, who is being most highly recruited by Kansas and St. John’s.
In the second semifinal tonight, North Carolina-bound guard Dexter Strickland will suit up for St. Patrick of Elizabeth (N.J.) after sitting out the first game because of a school-imposed suspension.
North Carolina coach Roy Williams is expected to appear to watch his entire recruiting class: Strickland, John Henson, Leslie McDonald and twins David and Travis Wear of No. 1-ranked Mater Dei.
8:30 a.m. — Fort Myers (Fla.) vs. Fayette County (Ga.)
10:15 a.m. — Dunbar (Fla.) vs. Briarcrest (Tenn.)
12:00 p.m. — Olympia (Fla.) vs. No. 17 Arlington Country Day (Fla.)
1:45 p.m. — No. 12 Duncanville (Tex.) vs. American Heritage (Fla.)
3:30 p.m. — No. 16 Lincoln vs. Roman Catholic (Pa.)
5:15 p.m. — Word of God (N.C.) vs. No. 10 Westchester (Calif.)
SEMIFINALS
7:00 p.m. — No. 1 Mater Dei (Calif.) vs. Wheeler (Ga.)
9:30 p.m. — Winter Park (Fla.) vs. No. 4 St. Patrick’s (N.J.)
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
(Photo courtesy fiveborosports.com)
