Indy's Arsenal Tech loading up with young hoop talent

Remember the name Trey Lyles, a 6-foot-9, 200-pound incoming freshman basketball player at Arsenal Tech (Indianapolis, Ind.).

"In my opinion, he’s the best eighth grader I’ve ever seen and he could be a No. 1 pick in the (NBA) draft," Arsenal Tech head coach Frank Kendrick said. "I call him my wild card because he can play all five positions. I'll probably start him at the two guard."

Kendrick starred as a player at Tech and Purdue University and served as an assistant coach for the Boilermakers from 1989 to 1999.

"I saw Michael Beasley as an eighth grader. (Lyles) is not as physically strong, but skill-wise there is no comparison," Kendrick said. "His basketball IQ is off the charts. He handles better than any point guard, passes, blocks shots like crazy and shoots the ball from anywhere. He can lead the break and I will let him."

Lyles had some 40- and 50-point games last year as a Decatur Central (Indianapolis, Ind.) eighth grader, Kendrick said.

Though he's the crown jewel, Lyles is just one of about a half dozen freshmen expected to make the Tech varsity this winter. With a frosh class of close to 15, Kendrick ticked off other super prospects such as 6-6 Tyler Scott, 5-10 John Roberts, 6-0, Josh Whitfield, 6-2 Nick Scruggs and 6-2 Jeremy Tyler.

Sophomores who could be major surprises are 6-9 John Comooer and 6-3 Jermaine Bridges. Derrick Jackson (6-4) and Laag Stuckey (5-10) are promising juniors. Experienced senior anchors include 6-6 Henry Bronson and 6-5 Beecher Ward.

"There may be a couple more great ones," the Tech coach added. "They’re calling me; I’m not calling them."

Kendrick thinks his 2010-11 team could be special.

"They have great character, are great students and come from great families," Kendrick said. "Keeping them happy is our goal. We are going to play a lot of people and get after you (on defense)."

Last year - Kendrick’s first as head coach/assistant athletic director at his alma mater - produced a major house cleaning.

"I eliminated 23 kids last year. I’m changing the whole culture of the team," Kendrick said. "We are wearing blazers with the Tech crests, shirts and ties. We have clean haircuts, no earrings.

"I’ve increased our GPA from what the district requires, because I want everyone to go to college. I’m trying to prepare kids for the whole world."

The Titans never have won a state championship, though they have finished second four times – the last time in 1966.

"Inexperience could hurt," Kendrick said of his youthful squad. "How good, I don’t know yet. Next year and beyond, look out if I can coach at all."

Mustangs win adidas title

The Dallas Mustangs defeated New York City New Heights, 69-58, to win the 17-and-under division of the adidas Nations Invitational basketball tournament in Indianapolis, Ind. Lincoln (Dallas, Texas) senior LeBryan Nash (6-7) paced the champs with 20 points. Jermaine Sanders had 26 in a losing effort.

Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) junior Damien Wilson (6-4) led the Atlanta Celtics to the 16-and-under crown, scoring 15 points in the finale, a 74-59 rout of Indiana Elite. Aaric Armstead led the injury-plagued losers with 20 points.

Indianapolis Cathedral (Indianapolis, Ind.) sophomore Collin Hartman (6-6) scored 24 points as Indiana Elite defeated Garner Road Elite, 67-62, for the 15-and-under title.

The 14-and-under finale provided the most explosive efforts, however. Ballard (Louisville, Ky.) freshman Kevin Martin (6-5) produced 35 points and 13 rebounds as Indiana Elite nipped Meanstreets, 76-74. Christian (Grand Rapids, Mich.) guard Drake Harris (6-4) had 39 points for the losers.

* Benedictine (Cleveland, Ohio) standout Mark Williams (6-foot-7) was the most dominant player at the Super Sophomore Basketball Camp, which was held in Cleveland.

"He has great moves and feel around the basket," camp director Clay Dade said. "A polished, high-major prospect."

* The Asheville Citizen-Times reports that Christ (Arden, N.C.) senior Marshall Plumlee (7-0) has committed to Duke University where he will join brothers Mason and Miles. Marshall averaged 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 blocks as a junior while helping his team post a 37-2 record.

* D' Vauntes Smith-Rivera, one of the nation’s premier juniors, had knee surgery last week and will be sidelined for the remainder of the summer. The 6-4 guard averaged 19.5 points while sparking North Central (Indianapolis, Ind.) to the Class 4A state title last winter.

* Kellen Dunham is the first rising junior to choose NCAA runner-up Butler University as his future college destination, according to the Indianapolis Star. The 6-4 standout averaged 22.6 points and shot 41 percent from 3-point range last year at Pendleton Heights (Pendleton, Ind.).

* One of New York’s best point guards, junior Jevon Thomas, is transferring from Our Savior New American (Centereach, N.Y.) to St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.), according to Zagsblog.

* North (Terre Haute, Ind.) senior Justin Gant has committed to hometown Indiana State University, according to the Tribune-Star. The 6-8 Gant averaged 17 points and eight rebounds as a junior.

Vapor Trail wins 7ON

Vapor Trail, representing Northwestern (Miami, Fla.), outlasted Hyper Fuse, representing Guyer (Denton, Texas), 44-42, in double overtime to win the Nike 7ON (7-on-7) football tournament in Beaverton, Ore. Vapor Trail quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (6-3, 192) was named MVP. Wide receiver Eli Rogers also stood out for the champs.

* Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) edged DeSoto (DeSoto, Texas), 42-39, to win Texas’ Division I 7-on-7 state championship. Senior quarterback Michael Brewer (6-1, 175) fired six touchdown passes, with four being caught by senior Conner Floyd (6-1, 197).

* Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley, Calif.) two-way senior halfback Ryan Henderson won the inaugural Nike Football SPARQ Rating National Championship in Beaverton, Ore. The 5-10, 175-pounder accumulated 134.79 points in tests which included speed, power, agility reaction and quickness. His 40-yard dash time was 4.34 seconds and his vertical jump was 44.6 inches. He has committed to the University of Utah.

* Standout Gateway (Monroeville, Pa.) defensive back/wide receiver Dondi Kirby (6-3, 190) will miss his senior year due to a torn ACL in his left knee.

* La Habra (La Habra, Calif.) quarterback Cody Clements has committed to Washington State University, according to the Orange County Register. The 6-1, 175-pounder completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 2,095 yards and 29 touchdowns with just five interceptions as a junior.

Gorman loses top coach

Chris Sheff, who led Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) to five consecutive Class 4A state baseball titles, is the new baseball coach/athletic director at the College of Southern Nevada.

* The Florida Bombers nipped the East Cobb Braves, 4-3, to win their record sixth World Wood Bat Association 18-and-under national baseball championship. Mississippi State University signee C.T. Bradford, who singled in the winning run and was 2-0 on the mound, was named MVP.

Dru Love wins golf title

Dru Love made his American Junior Golf Association debut by winning the Charles Howell III Junior Championship in Augusta, Ga. The rising junior at Frederica Academy (St. Simons Island, Ga.) shot 5-under-par 211.

"Instead of pushing him into things, I’ve kind of been holding back," pro golfer Davis Love III, Dru's father, said. "I think he’s ready for just about anything, but he’s still raw, raw talent."

Taylor Ramsey of Bradenton, Fla., shot 213 to edge her sister, Ashlan, by one stroke to win her first AJGA girls title.

McMullen wins scholarship

Mt. Hope (Bristol, R.I.) track/cross country star Meghan McMullen recently received the Alice Sullivan Scholarship, named in honor of the founder of the Rhode Island Girls Interscholastic League.

Sullivan, who is headed for Rhode Island College, was the only girls cross country runner during her first varsity season and kept the program from being disbanded the next year by recruiting a full team. She was her team’s No. 1 runner in every meet and also set eight school records in track.

Potpourri

* The USA Junior National volleyball team defeated the Dominican Republic, 25-22, 25-20, 25-20, to win the 20-and-under NORCECA championship in Tijuana, Mexico. Recent Marymount (Los Angeles, Calif.) graduate Jennifer Bonilla, a libero headed for the University of Illinois, had 50 digs in five matches.

* Hackett Catholic Central (Kalamazoo, Mich.) standout Kathleen Hawkins has been named Michigan’s Miss Tennis. She posted a 23-0 record this year while winning her third consecutive Division 4 state singles crown. She will attend the University of Memphis.

*The National Federation of State High School Associations has presented its annual referees’ award to Houston Young, who has officiated the Alabama track and field state meet for the past 40 years.