High School Basketball March Madness A to Z

By Stephen Spiewak

MaxPreps.com

With college basketball’s March Madness tipping off around the country today, it’s a perfect time to look back at that madness that was the 2007-2008 high school basketball season.

From Georgia’s Al-Farouq Aminu to Indiana’s Tyler Zeller, MaxPreps.com runs the gamut from A to Z.

2007-2008 A-Z Year in Review

A is for Al-Farouq Aminu, star of Norcross (Ga.) He led the Blue Devils to back-to-back 5A state titles.

B is for Burton, Karon, Chester's (Pa.) floor general. 4A champs in the Keystone State, the Clippers were world beaters.

C is for Coach McKnight, at the Helm for Mater Dei (Calif.). Two state titles and four returning starters, atop the rankings will the Monarchs stay.

D is for Draymond, spirited leader of Saginaw (Mich.). Mr. Green brought the Trojans another title at the Breslin Center, leaving Michigan State fans in awe.

E is for Ed Davis, big man for the Benedictine Cadets (Va.). Capturing another title on his way to Chapel Hill, he'll graduate with no regrets.

F is for the Friars, the national No. 1. Coach Hurley's St. Anthony (N.J.) squad has more depth than any team under the sun.

G is for Gonzaga (D.C.), champs of the nation's capital. An incredible one-loss season is not mythical, but rather factual.

H is for Helen Cox (La.), and All-American center Greg Monroe. Graceful on and off the court, the 4A state champ and MVP is a budding Louisiana hero.

I is for Iowa City (Iowa), and coaches McTaggart and Woodley. Capturing girls and boys titles, both won with class, the way it should be.

J is for Jeff and Jared, Minnerly and Karstetter from Ferris (Wash.). Two-time Washington 4A champs and winners for 58-straight games, they leave many memories to cherish.

K is for Knight...Brandon, star of Pine Crest (Fla.). They marched for a Florida state title at the young sophomore's behest.

L is for Landesberg, star player for Holy Cross (N.Y.). The future Virginia Cavalier led the Knights to their first title in four decades and excelled under bright lights.

M is for McClymonds (Calif.), commonly known as Mack. Damon Powell and Frank Otis paced the Warriors unbeatable (literally) offensive attack.

N is for the city of Newark, in both New Jersey and the Buckeye State. The postseason success of University, Shabazz, and the Newark (Ohio) boys, one cannot understate.

O is for Olek, Reno's (Nev.) Polish star. Czyz was a wiz, 18 points in the title game, with Coach K smiling from afar.

P is for Jeannette's (Pa.) Terrelle Pryor. After a football title, he now has the basketball Jayhawks as the PIAA's Class AA lone survivor.

Q is for the fourth Quarter, in which Lincoln's (N.Y.) Lance Stephenson was hardly needed. He scored 27 points at the Garden, leaving Boys and Girls (N.Y.) badly defeated.

R is for Roe, not salmon but Delvon. The St. Ed's (Ohio) star got hurt early on, but the team battled deep into March without him.

S is for Sacred Heart Cathedral (Calif.) The nation's No. 1 girls team had neither a defeat nor an equal.

T is for Tyler...Haws, MVP of Lone Peak (Utah). He secured a second-straight title, following a 15-game win streak.

U is for Ursuline Academy (Del.), and star Elena Delle Donne. The senior overcame mono, and refused to graduate without a state title being won.

V is for Verdigris (Okla.), who proved Sooner State basketball is far from boring. They did this by virtue of Rotnei Clarke's incessant scoring.

W is for North Crowley (Texas) star Willie Warren. With an upset of Duncanville en route to a 5A title, he has the Panthers soarin'.

X marks the spot, just not for Xavier Henry and Putnam City (Okla.) Another upset loss for the Pirates is an Oklahoma pity.

Y is for Whitney Young (Ill.). With Marcus Jordan on the boys' team, the girls' heroics went unsung. Nonetheless, for the Lady Dolphins, Illinois' first 4A state title banner will be hung.

Z is for Tyler Zeller. Leading Washington (Ind.) to the Canseco Fieldhouse, his play has been absolutely stellar.