November 2011 | Page 15 of 23 | 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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    • Articles, Providence

    While it has become fashionable for some national bloggers to trash Ricky Ledo, a high school student, Providence coach Ed Cooley is high on the young man and believes he can build around him going forward.

    “When we talk about Ricky Ledo and his journey of wanting to come to Providence College, we’re going to help that young man grow in so many ways,” Cooley said Thursday during a press conference.

    “And I think he being one of the best natural scorers in the country is going to allow us not just to attract other players, but other local young men that have dreams and aspirations of coming to Providence College.

    “We hope he can score a lot of baskets for us and also make sure he goes to class on time.”

    Articles, Kentucky

    Alex Poythress is the newest Kentucky Wildcat.

    The 6-foot-8 forward from Clarksville (Tenn.) Northeast announced for Kentucky on Thursday, choosing the ‘Cats over Florida, Vanderbilt and Memphis. He is the No. 8 power forward in the Class of 2012 according to Rivals.

    “Kentucky is a good school,” he said in a recent interview with FiveStarBasketball.com. “I like their offense. Coach Cal [John Calipari] is a good coach. He’s a pretty good guy. He knows what he’s talking about. He’s been around basketball a long time.”

    Poythress averaged 22.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.1 blocks, 1.4 steals and 1.2 assists for Northeast (15-15) last season.

    Articles, Penn State

    Pat Chambers has yet to coach his first official game at Penn State and he’s already facing a situation no other basketball coach before him has had to deal with.

    Legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and University President Graham Spanier were fired Wednesday night, and the University is at the center of the nation’s attention because of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

    “It’s disturbing, you know, I’m a father,” Chambers said Thursday on a conference call. “I’m a father of two with one on the way, so it’s very disturbing and disheartening for us. Obviously, we’re going through some trying times right now here, and we somehow have to just stick together and stay positive.

    “We’re all very emotional right now. I don’t think anybody’s ever seen anything like this.”

    Articles, St. John's


    NEW YORK — Steve Lavin wasn’t planning on returning to the St. John’s sidelines until Sunday, but a series of text messages from assistant coach Mike Dunlap finally swayed him.

    “It feels right, come on back,” Dunlap texted Lavin, who was at his home in Manhattan’s SoHo Wednesday afternoon.

    So after making the decision at about 3:30 Wednesday, “I showered, shaved, put on my Air Force 1s and went,” Lavin said.

    In his first game since undergoing prostate cancer surgery Oct. 6, Lavin guided the Johnnies back from a 14-point second-half deficit to a 78-73 victory over Lehigh in the 2K Sports Classic at Carnesecca Arena.

    Articles, Michigan State

    Michigan State coach Tom Izzo scored a major coup Wednesday night by landing Gary Harris, the Rivals No. 3 shooting guard in the Class of 2012.

    The 6-foot-6 Harris chose MSU over Kentucky, Indiana and Purdue.

    “Me and my family, we just decided tonight,” Harris told ESPN.com. “All the schools had the same thing but it came down to the school I was most comfortable with. The family atmosphere (at Michigan State) was like no other. The way they treat each other and act and get along — it’s a great feeling.”

    He said Izzo was a major factor in his decision.

    Articles

    Towson was picked to finish 12th out of 12 teams this year in the CAA, but head coach Pat Skerry is absolutely elated about his team going forward.

    On Wednesday, Towson received signed Letters of Intent from Timajh Parker, Barrington Alston, Frank Mason and Jerome Hairston. 

    “We’ll stack it up against anybody,” Skerry, the former Pitt and Providence assistant, told SNY.tv by phone. “We got four really good ones so we’re pumped about that.”

    Articles, Recruiting

    While the early signing period began Wednesday without much fanfare — other than Ricardo Gathers’ decommitment Tuesday night from St. John’s — there will also be a bunch of players waiting until the spring to sign.

    **Among the big-name players in that category are Gathers, Shabazz Muhammad, Anthony Bennett, Tony Parker, Devonta Pollard, Chris Obekpa and Winston Shepard.

    **Onetime Villanova commit Savon Goodman (pictured) and his Philly Constitution teammate Daiquan Walker will both wait until at least the spring, according to Constitution coach Rob Moore.

    “Neither one is close to signing,” he said by text. “Both will be signing late.”

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