Compiled by Steve Spiewak
MaxPreps.com
1. Sting Like a (Gray) Bee: In a nationally televised game last night, the
St. Benedict Gray Bees (N.J.) knocked off powerhouse
Oak Hill Academy 68-62. St. Benedict's twin towers, 6-foot-8 Samardo Samuels and 6-9 Greg Echenique, both played well, but were overshadowed by the stellar play of guard Tamir Jackson, who led all scorers with 29 points. Many people have been clamoring that Jackson is underrated, but his performance on such a grand stage should change that. The scary part about Jackson and his Gray Bees squad? They might only be the third best team in New Jersey, with
St. Patrick and
St. Anthony arguably fielding superior teams this season.
2. Bowl-A-Rama: The second annual
CIF Bowl Games are taking place this weekend at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California. The day's most intriguing game will feature the only returning Bowl team,
De La Salle, taking on Southern California's
Corona Centennial. It will also be our
National Game of the Week presented by Nike Football. I got to see both teams during my stint doing the National Game of the Week tour. Both teams were very impressive. Expect De La Salle to run its methodical offense, and for Centennial to feed All-American caliber runningback Ryan Bass. It should be a great one.
3. And Then There (Will Be) Two: California isn't the only state seriously overlapping the football and basketball seasons. That little football maven known as Texas is also carrying playoff pigskin toward the holidays. This weekend showcases the
5A state semifinals.
Katy,
Euless Trinity, and
Abilene are all still alive in either Division I or Division II. Many people think Katy is the top team in the Lone State state. But upsets are certainly not uncommon. Abilene shocked Dallas-area juggernaut
Southlake Carroll in last week's quarterfinals.
4. Florida's Finest? Speaking of Southlake Carroll, the team that handed the Dragons their first loss this season is vying for an undefeated season in Florida. The
Miami Northwestern Bulls narrowly avoided being upset at the hands of
Deerfield Beach, advancing to Orlando for the 6A state championship game against
Orlando Boone. The Bulls are immensely talented, and have been nicknamed "The Baby Canes", due to their stable of recruits on their way to the University of Miami. None, however, was able to crack
this exclusive list, which is also a great read.
5. First in the Second City: The
Marshall boys basketball team sits atop several rankings as Illinois' top team, and have
overcome some adversity to do so. With Derrick Rose gone and
Simeon's reign potentially over, Marshall is a strong contender for a state championship, which would cement the team's place in history among Illinois' best. While title talk is premature, it never hurts to look back at past champions, including one of Illinois'
greatest teams ever, featuring
two seven-footers (picture included).