Villanova-bound guard Maalik Wayns of Philly Roman Catholic could miss as many as five weeks after twisting his knee in a game Tuesday. He underwent an MRI and was awaiting results.
He will miss tonight’s game against Chester in the Primetime Shootout at Villanova.
“I was told that I can miss anywhere from two [to] five weeks,” Wayns told the Philly Inquirer. “It’s real disappointing. I was looking forward to the big game with Chester. Hopefully, I will be able to play in the [Catholic League] playoffs, championship and state playoffs.”
Wayns is part of a blockbuster recruiting class for head coach Jay Wright that also includes St. Anthony of Jersey City wing Dominic Cheek, and a pair of big men from Montrose (Md.) Christian, Mouphtaou Yarou and Isaiah Armwood.
ST. ANTHONY DOWNS LIFE CENTER
Speaking of Cheek, he tallied 11 points and junior big man Derrick Williams scored 18 as St. Anthony downed Burlington (NJ) Life Center Academy 67-53 Thursday in Jersey City.
The 6-foot-7, 260-pound Williams transferred from Life Center prior to this year and sat out the state-mandated 30 days.
“I really liked playing against them. I know how they play and how they are coached,” Williams told The Jersey Journal.
Life Center shocked St. Patrick earlier this year, and then got crushed by St. Benedict’s.
Elijah Carter started at point guard for the first time for Bob Hurley’s Friars, who improved to 16-2.
“He’s battled his way back from being on the bench to being back in there,” Hurley said of Carter. “He made some important shots in the first half for us.”
Devon Collier added 12 points for the Friars.
SPENCER TO NIA PREP
Ron Spencer, a 6-9, 215-pound forward, has transferred to NIA Prep in Newark from Apex Academy.
“Ron is an athletic forward who scores on the block and hits the 12-15 foot jump shot,” NIA AD Vincent Robinson said. “He is a very good offensive rebounder and shot blocker.”
The transfer allows NIA to move David Laury to his natural three-man position and gives the Eagles another low post presence opposite Sean Berry.
Robinson said Spencer has an offer from Quinnipiac and interest from Maryland-Eastern Shore, Norfolk State, Florida Gulf Coast, Charleston Southern, Jacksonville and others.
BIG DAY AT RUTGERS
Wednesday will be a huge day at Rutgers.
Greg Schiano, the school’s football coach, holds a press confernence at 4 p.m. on National Signing Day to discuss his incoming class. We’ll have more at SNY.tv and ZAGSBLOG next week on Signing Day and Rutgers’ class.
Then there is a big high school doubleheader at the RAC that evening. St. Joe’s-Metuchen meets JP Stevens in the appetizer at 6 before the two best teams in the state – St. Patrick and St. Benedict’s – face off at 7:30 in the main course.
That game will feature numerous future D-1 stars, including North Carolina-bound guard Dexter Strickland and George Mason-bound forward Paris Bennett of St. Patrick; St. Patrick junior guard Kyrie Irving; and sophomore forward Michael Gilchrist.
St. Ben’s, which remains undefeated and among the Top 5 teams in the nation, features the Texas-bound duo of junior forward Tristan Thompson and sophomore guard Myck Kabongo, as well as Rice commit Tamir Jackson.
St. Ben’s travels to California three days later, Feb. 7, for a nationally televised tilt with unbeaten Mater Dei, which features North Carolina-bound twins David and Travis Wear.
**Tickets may be purchased through some participating schools or at hoopgroup.com.**
Wednesday February 4, 2009 at Rutgers Athletic Center, Piscataway NJ
6:00 pm St. Joseph’s Metuchen vs. JP Stevens
7:30 pm St. Benedict’s vs. St. Patrick
Sunday Feburary 8, 2009 at Rider University, Lawrenceville NJ
2:30 pm Chestnut Hill Academy PA vs. Hun School
4:00 pm Pennsbury PA vs. St. Patrick
(Photos courtesy Philly Inquirer, Richard Orr, NJHoops.com)
