Compiled By Steve Spiewak
MaxPreps.com
1. Eagles Fly High: In a nationally televised game against Campbell Hall and star Jrue Holiday last night, Delvon Roe and his St. Edward teammates rose to the occasion--literally. Roe had a high rising fast break dunk worthy of Sportscenter's Top 10 plays, but it was an all-around team effort for the Eagles in their season opener, as they won 78-73 in OT. Tom Pritchard, St. Edward's other Division I-bound post player, turned in a fine performance of 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 blocks. In defeat, Jrue Holiday showed why he's regarded as one of the nation's premier guards. He tossed in 31 points and added 10 boards.
2. Changing of the Guard: Two Seattle-area point guards on different ends of the high school spectrum met earlier this week in an intriguing matchup of youth vs. experience. Franklin, with seasoned junior point guard Peyton Siva, proved to be too much for Garfield, and much heralded incoming freshman Tony Wroten, as the Quakers won 85-70. Siva, who has started at Franklin since his freshman year, scored 22 points, including a rim-rocking slam off an alley oop. Wroten, making his high school debut, led all scorers with 29 points, and demonstrated why some regard him as the top freshman in the country. Franklin has no time to rest on its laurels; a showdown with class 3A power Rainier Beach is on the docket for this Saturday.
3. Dome Drama: It's still football season in some parts of the country. Actually, it never ceases being football season in some parts of the country. Nowhere is that more true than in the South, where state playoffs are still going on in many states. In Georgia, controversy has arisen over where state playoff semifinals and finals ought to be played. The Georgia Dome has traditionally played host to many classic playoff games. This is all well and fine for metro Atlanta teams, but teams in Southern Georgia and other parts of the state see the long trip to Atlanta as detrimental. They would rather play at their home fields, where supporters and fans can easily make the trip to the game.
4. Air Jordan Part III: A decade since his father Michael was the biggest thing in Chicago since Walter Payton, and a year after his brother Jeffrey appeared on a nationally televised game playing with Loyola Academy, it is now Marcus Jordan's time to shine in Chicago. The 6-foot-3 Jordan, MJ's youngest, now stars at Whitney Young, a team that has surfaced in several national rankings this preseason. Jordan and the Dolphins will take on the Vikings of Homewood-Flossmoor in a game that will be televised on Me-TV, WWME Channel 23 in Chicago. The game can also be seen locally on Comcast, DirecTV, DISH Network, and RCN Cable.
5. Showdown in the 'Ville, Round II: I was lucky enough to be present for the St. Xavier/Trinity game at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in September, when St. Xavier beat Trinity 24-15 in front of over 37,000 fans. This weekend, the teams will meet again to determine the Kentucky 6-A state championship. I remember St. Xavier coach Mike Glaser telling his guys after the huge win that Trinity would be back. Lo and behold, Trinity has won every game since losing to St. X., and is primed for a rematch against the Tigers. Expect a classic.