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VIDEO: Centennial (Calif.) quarterback Tanner McKee makes it look easy

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Touchdowns aren’t supposed to be as easy as Centennial (Corona, Calif.) QB Tanner McKee makes it look.

Last week against King (Riverside, Calif.), McKee threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-7 rout.

Check out the highlights below, courtesy of #D1Bound.


Checking in on the nation's undefeated football teams

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As we have since the midway point of the season, we’re checking back in on which states have the most undefeated teams.

The total right now stands at 586.

Last season, 139 teams in 11-man football finished without a loss with Texas leading the way with nine. New York and Florida had eight each.

As of today, Texas is again in the lead with 39 followed by California at 32. New York has 31, Florida has 29,  while Ohio and Pennsylvania have 25 apiece.

Here is the listing by state:

Alaska: 1

Alabama: 17

Arkansas: 12

Arizona: 7

California: 32

Colorado: 9

Connecticut: 12

District of Columbia: 1

Delaware: 4

Florida: 29

Georgia: 20

Hawaii: 0

Iowa: 8

Idaho: 6

Illinois: 23

Indiana: 10

Kansas: 8

Kentucky: 7

Louisiana: 17

Massachusetts: 11

Maryland: 11

Maine: 6

Michigan: 21

Minnesota: 14

Missouri: 14

Mississippi: 7

Montana: 3

North Carolina: 16

North Dakota: 1

Nebraska: 6

New Hampshire: 4

New Jersey: 19

New Mexico: 3

Nevada: 4

New York: 31

Ohio: 25

Oklahoma: 14

Oregon: 7

Pennsylvania: 25

Rhode Island: 3

South Carolina: 7

South Dakota: 3

Tennessee: 16

Texas: 39

Utah: 3

Virginia: 12

Vermont: 2

Washington: 18

Wisconsin: 9

West Virginia: 9

Wyoming: 0

VIDEO: Oaks Christian (Calif.) sophomore running back Zach Charbonnet is hard to stop

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Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.) RB Zach Charbonnet is just a sophomore, but you’d never guess it from watching him play.

In last week’s 52-14 win against Westlake (Calif.), Charbonnet piled up 159 yards and three scores.

Check out his highlights from the game below, courtesy of #D1Bound.

7 former ALL-USA players named to USA TODAY Sports preseason All-America team

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Seven players named to the USA TODAY Sports’ 2016-17 preseason All-American college basketball team were members of the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Boys Basketball Team when they were in high school.

The breakdown includes one player named to the USA TODAY Sports’ first team, four named to the second team and two named to the third team. The six players on the second and third teams are college freshmen this season and the first-team player is a college sophomore.

RELATED: 2016-17 ALL-USA Preseason Boys Basketball Teams

 

Ivan Rabb helped lead Bishop O'Dowd to a big win over No. 3 Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.). (Photo: David Butler, USA TODAY Sports)

Ivan Rabb at Bishop O’Dowd during the 2014-15 season (Photo: David Butler, USA TODAY Sports)

First Team

Ivan Rabb, California. Named to second team in 2014-15 at Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland)

3/22/16 4:59:14 PM -- Fairfield, CA, U.S.A -- Josh Jackson of Prolific Prep in Napa, CA is one of our ALL USA TODAY basketball players of the year candidates. Photos taken at a local gymnasium. -- Photo by Kelley L Cox - USA TODAY Sports Images, Gannett ORG XMIT: US 134652 Josh Jackson 3/22/201 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]

Josh Jackson at Prolific Prep in Napa, Calif.  (Photo: Kelley L. Cox, USA TODAY Sports)

Second Team

Markelle Fultz, Washington. Named second team in 2015-16 at DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.)

Bam Adebayo, Kentucky. Named third team in 2015-16 at High Point Christian (High Point, N.C.).

Josh Jackson, Kansas. Named to first team in 2015-16 at Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.)

Jayson Tatum, Duke. Named to first team in 2015-16 at Chaminade (St Louis)

3/23/16 15:28:24 -- Chino Hills, CA, U.S.A -- Lonzo Ball of Chino Hills, CA is one of our ALL USA TODAY basketball players of the year candidates. -- Photo by Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports Images, Gannett ORG XMIT: US 134650 Lonzo Ball 3/22/2016 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]

Lonzo Ball at Chino Hills (Calif.). (Photo: Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports)

Third Team

Lonzo Ball, UCLA. Named ALL-USA Player of the Year in 2015-16 at Chino Hills (Calif.)

Harry Giles, Duke. Named first team in 2014-15 as a junior at Wesleyan Christian (High Point, N.C.)

South Carolina commit Hamsah Naisrildeen set for Army All-American Bowl

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Hamsah Nasirildeen (Photo: AAG)

Hamsah Nasirildeen (Photo: AAG)

Hamsah Naisrildeen is among the top defensive players in the south and plays with a physical style.

The South Carolina commit is projected as a safety at 6-3, 210 pounds but is ranked as the No. 6 outside linebacker by 247Sports. He also plays wide receiver for his high school team at Concord, N.C.

Regardless of position, Naisrildeen officially became a U.S. Army All-American on Wednesday when the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance came to his school.

Hamsah Nasirildeen presented his family with the Dream Champion Award. (Photo: AAG)

Hamsah Nasirildeen presented his family with the Dream Champion Award. (Photo: AAG)

Ranked as the No. 1 recruit in North Carolina, Naisrildeen has been steadfast in his commitment to the Gamecocks despite taking an official visit to Florida State in September. That is expected to be his only other visit.

The Army Bowl is Jan. 7 in San Antonio and will be broadcast by NBC.

Speedy Illinois receiver Jeff Thomas gets his Under Armour All-America jersey

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Jeff Thomas is fast, like 4.38 seconds fast in the 40-yard dash fast. And that speed has helped him become a big-play threat.

Thomas, a four-star wide receiver from East St. Louis (Ill.), is averaging more than 20 yards per catch this season and has eight receiving touchdowns. He also has returned a punt for a touchdown and had three interceptions.

That package of skills has made him the top uncommitted player in the state of Illinois and an Under Armour All-American.

Thomas received his honorary jersey Wednesday in front of family, friends and teammates when the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance came to his school.

(Photo: Intersport)

Jeff Thomas presented Veronica Reed with the Dream Champion Award. (Photo: Intersport)

He also seems to be playing a bigger role with more on the line. Thomas had 210 receiving yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions as East St. Louis beat Glenbard North (Carol Stream), 34-28 in the second round of the 7A playoffs. East St. Louis faces Willowbrook (Villa Park) in the quarterfinals this weekend.

Thomas has 14 reported offers, although Missouri is predicted as the leader. Thomas has not taken any official visits, but unofficially was at Illinois in early September.

He is ranked as the No. 14 wide receiver, No. 2 player in Illinois and No. 88 overall by ESPN.

The Under Armour game is Jan. 1 in Orlando.

ALL-USA Watch: Chennedy Carter scores 40 against defending Super 25 champ Duncanville

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Chennedy Carter, shown playing for Team USA, had 40 points against Duncanville (Photo: USA Basketball)

Chennedy Carter, shown playing for Team USA, had 40 points against Duncanville (Photo: USA Basketball)

Take an American Family Insurance ALL-USA Preseason Girls Basketball player. Put her against the defending Super 25 national champion. And what do you get?

Well, Tuesday night, according to the Dallas Morning News, Chennedy Carter scored 40 points as Mansfield Timberview (Arlington, Texas) rallied for a 78-75 overtime victory against Duncanville (Texas), which went 39-0 last season on the way to the No. 1 ranking.

RELATED: Meet the ALL-USA Preseason Girls Basketball Team

Carter is ranked as the No. 6 overall player in the ESPNw HoopGurlz rankings and plans to announce her commitment Monday on her birthday.

She averaged 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 3.0 steals as a junior to lead Timberview to a 33-1 record. She averaged 11.8 points a game for Team USA in FIBA Americas U18 Championship last summer.

Who’s announcing on big day for basketball recruits during early signing period 

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Collin Sexton (Photo: USA Basketball)

Collin Sexton (Photo: USA Basketball)

Six elite high school boys basketball players and the nation’s top two girls basketball recruits will announce their college choices Thursday.

Of the eight players, five were named to the American Family Insurance Preseason ALL-USA Teams.

MORE: ALL-USA Preseason Boys Basketball Team

MORE: ALL-USA Preseason Girls Basketball Team

The early signing period began Wednesday and continues through next week, with a number of players set to announce in the coming days as well.

Here is your guide to the key announcements Thursday (ranking is in the ESPN 100). Once a player has made his choice, you can link to our coverage.

BOYS

Gary Trent Jr., No. 8 player overall

6-5 shooting guard, Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.)

Selection: Duke over Michigan State and UCLA

Collin Sexton, No. 10 player overall

6-3 shooting guard, Mableton (Pebblebrook, Ga.)

Selection: Alabama over Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kansas, North Carolina State and Oklahoma State.

Nick Richards, No. 12 player overall

6-11 center, Patrick School (Hillside, N.J.)

Selection: Kentucky over Syracuse and Arizona

P.J. Washington, No. 16 player overall 

6-8 power forward, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.)

Selection: Kentucky over North Carolina and UNLV.

John Petty, No. 25 player overall

6-5 shooting guard, Mae Jemison (Huntsville, Ala.)

Selection: Alabama over Kentucky

Rayshaun Hammonds, No. 38 player overall

6-8 small forward, Norcoss (Ga.)

Selection: Georgia over Texas, Miami and Memphis.

GIRLS

Megan Walker, No. 1 girls player overall

6-1 wing, Monacan (Chesterfield, Va.)

Selection: UConn over Texas, Notre Dame

Evina Westbrook, No. 2 girls player overall

6-foot guard, South Salem (Ore.)

Selection: Tennessee over Oregon State, Notre Dame, Maryland and USC.


'Unbelievable weapon' Andrew Mevis receives Under Armour All-America jersey

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Warsaw (Ind.) coach Phil Jensen refers to kicker Andrew Mevis as “an unbelievable weapon.”

Now, he can also formally call him an Under Armour All-American.

Mevis received his honorary jersey Thursday when the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance came to his school for a ceremony in front of family, friends and teammates.

Mevis earned his spot with his showing at the National Scholarship Camp in July conducted by Kohl’s Kicking Camp, which helps select the showcase’s specialists.

Behind his strong leg, Mevis also put almost all his kickoff attempts into the endzone and also has been stellar with directional punting.

“He can place it pretty much where he wants on punts or kickoffs,” Jensen told the News-Sentinel. “He has tremendous distance.”

(Photo: Intersport)

Andrew Mevis presented his kicking coach, Cole Richards, with the Dream Champion Award. (Photo: Intersport)

Michigan State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Cincinnati and Bowling Green are among the schools interested.

“He’s a tremendous athlete,” Jensen told the News-Sentinel. “He would have been a great linebacker or slot receiver. He’s really fast. You combine that with a great work ethic and the fact he’s extremely smart — he has over an 11.0 GPA on a 12-point scale — and that’s an impressive combination no matter what position you play.”

The Under Armour game is Jan. 1 in Orlando on ESPN.

Jaylon Vickers of No. 16 Bingham voted Super 25 Top Star for Week 10

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Defensive back Jaylon Vickers from No. 16 Bingham (South Jordan, Utah) has been voted the Super 25 Top Star for games of Nov. 3-5 by readers of USA TODAY High School Sports.

Vickers returned two interceptions for TDs in 37-14 victory against Lehi in a 5A quarterfinal.

Bingham faces Fremont (Plain City) in a semifinal game Thursday in Salt Lake City.

RELATED: Meet this week’s nominees

RANKINGS: Expert Super 25

Vickers credited his success to added film study of the Lehi passing game, which has been prolific all season.

“We knew coming in they were going to throw the ball a lot,” Vickers told The Salt Lake Tribune. “We just had to contain them, and we did just that.”

Vickers is the 10th Super 25 Top Star of the season. Weekly voting did not begin until all states were in action. The weekly winners will be part of voting for Super 25 Top Star of the Season after state championships are decided nationwide.

WEEKLY WINNERS

Sept. 2-3: Stokes Nihipali-Botelho, Kahuku (Hawaii)

Sept. 9-10: Noah Ellison, Trinity (Louisville)

Sept. 15-17: Kenyon Oblad, Henderson (Liberty, Nev.)

Sept. 23-24: Marlon Williams, McGill-Toolen (Mobile, Ala.)

Sept. 30-Oct. 1: Spencer Blackburn, Trinity (Louisville)

Oct. 8-9: Bubba Thompson, McGill-Toolen (Mobile, Ala.)

Oct. 13-15: Rashie Hodge, Mountain Pointe (Phoenix)

Oct. 20-22: Kekaula Kaniho, Kahuku (Hawaii)

Oct. 27-29: Sol-Jay Maiava, Kahuku (Hawaii)

Nov. 3-5: Jaylon Vickers, Bingham (South Jordan, Utah)

Under Armour All-American QB Avery Davis says Notre Dame is 'going to keep getting better and better'

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Cedar Hill (Texas) quarterback Avery Davis has followed up his monster 2015 season with an equally impressive 2016, and now he has an Under Armour All-America Game jersey to show for it.

Davis was honored Thursday at his school as part of the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance.

“The ceremony was fun,” Davis said. “It was very humbling and a nice experience. I like it when all my people come see me do good things.”

The game, which will be played Jan. 1 in Orlando, will give Davis a chance to match up against the nation’s best, something he has done often at Cedar Hill. Still, the nation’s No. 8 dual-threat quarterback according to ESPN sees the experience as a learning opportunity.

“I look forward to competing against the best of the best, and learn from all the coaches who have so much experience,” he said. “It will be a really good learning experience for me.”

(Photo: Intersport)

Avery David presented his mom, Beth Hampton, with the Dream Champion Award. (Photo: Intersport)

Beyond that, Davis is excited to spend time with some future college teammates, as several Notre Dame commits will participate in the game.

Davis will join tight end Brock Wright, linebacker David Adams, offensive lineman Robert Hainsey and WR/DB Saiid Adebo as the current Notre Dame commits scheduled to be in Orlando.

And to that end, Davis said in no uncertain terms that the Irish’s struggles this season have had no bearing on his commitment.

“I’m just looking at how they handle themselves and how they compete, and I’m proud of that,” Davis said. “I know they’re a young team, and we’re just going to keep getting better and better.”

Camron Buckley calls Under Armour All-America selection 'a dream come true'

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For many players, selection to the Under Armour All-America Game is validation for the years of hard work and discipline.

It was just that for Camron Buckley, and more.

“It was a dream come true,” Buckley said. “It was overwhelming –it’s an indescribable feeling. It was just crazy.”

Buckley was honored Thursday at his school, Cedar Hill (Texas), as part of the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance. The game is scheduled for Jan. 1 in Orlando.

“It’s going to be fun just competing, going up against the best of the best,” he said. “It’s something I look forward to.”

A Texas A&M commit, Buckley hopes to use his time in Orlando to grow with his future teammates — a sentiment held by most honorees.

“I just want to get on the same page with them (other Texas A&M commits),” he said. “We want to get the camaraderie going and just have fun. We can start building that brotherhood more than what we already have.”

(Photo: Intersport)

Camron Buckley presented his mom, Andria N. William, with the Dream Champion Award. (Photo: Intersport)

But before Buckley will head south to Florida or to College Station, he still has a high school season to finish.

Cedar Hill started the season ranked in the Top 5 in the Super 25, but an early loss to current No. 1 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)  knocked them from the rankings. The Longhorns later fell to in-state rival DeSoto.

Still, Buckley’s confidence seems anything but shaken with the playoffs starting Saturday.

“My goal is a state championship,” Buckley said. “That’s the main thing. I don’t care how we do it, I just want a state championship.”

But there’s also a bit more to Buckley’s drive: his mother. And while the presentation of the Under Armour jersey was the realization of one dream, Buckley has further aspirations.

“My dream on the football field is to be the best football player I can be,” Buckley said. “I play for my mom, every down, every play it’s for her.”

Score Predictor: What happens when No. 22 Warren Central (Ind.) and Center Grove meet

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The road to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the state championships goes through Center Grove.

Class 6A top-ranked Warren Central, No. 20 in the Super 25 Expert rankings, makes a return visit to face defending state champion Center Grove on Friday in a much-anticipated regional showdown. The high-flying Warriors (10-1), averaging 41.2 points and 486 yards per game, will attempt to knock off the Trojans for a second time this season after a 21-16 win in the season opener.

A win would bode well for Warren Central’s state title hopes, in more ways than one. The last four teams to sweep two games from Center Grove (Ben Davis in 2014, Carmel in 2011, Warren Central in 2009 and Warren Central in 2003) went on to win a state championship.

Neither team received much resistance in the sectional. Warren Central pounded Franklin Central (49-17) and Southport (50-20) in Sectional 7, while Center Grove handled Jeffersonville (62-6) and Columbus North (41-14) in Sectional 8.

This has all the makings of an epic game. Warren Central has shown the most consistent, explosive offense in 6A this year. Senior quarterback Zach Summeier has a number of weapons to turn to. But Center Grove has a strong defense and an offense that has improved throughout the season. Beating the defending champs at home will be no easy task.

RELATED: Super 25 Expert Rankings

RELATED: Super 25 Computer Rankings

According to USA TODAY High School Sports’ Score Predictor, Center Grove has a very slight advantage.

Score Predictor uses data from the Super 25 computer to compare two teams and plays multiple simulations to determine the most likely result.

wc-vs-cg

Oklahoma commit Isaiah Thomas receives Army All-American jersey

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Isaiah Thomas (Photo: AAG)

Isaiah Thomas (Photo: AAG)

Two days, two in-state Oklahoma Sooners commits joining the U.S. Army All-American Bowl rosters.

A day after Shawnee offensive lineman Creed Humphrey received his jersey, defensive end Isaiah Thomas from Memorial (Tulsa) was honored Thursday.

Thomas received his honorary jersey when the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance came to his school for a ceremony in front of family, friends and classmates.

Thomas is ranked as the No. 19 weak-side defensive end and the No. 5 overall player in Oklahoma by the 247Sports Composite. He has been a Sooners commit since last May.

The Army Bowl is Jan. 7 in San Antonio.

Thomas will also be repping Memorial at the Army Bowl, despite the possibility that he could have transferred to one of the power football programs in the Tulsa area.

Isaiah Thomas presented his mom, Leslie Sones, and uncle, Bobby Brown, with the Dream Champion Award. (Photo: AAG)

Isaiah Thomas presented his mom, Leslie Sones, and uncle, Bobby Brown, with the Dream Champion Award. (Photo: AAG)

“I owe it to them to stay here,” Thomas told The Tulsa World. “It wouldn’t be right of me to transfer to a Jenks or a Union just because how much exposure I’ve got now. So I believe that I should stay here and stay committed to my team.

“Anybody from a school like where I’m from, they could be doing what I’m doing.”

Four-star power forward Rayshaun Hammonds commits to Georgia

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Rayshaun Hammonds (Photo: 247Sports)

Rayshaun Hammonds (Photo: 247Sports)

Rayshaun Hammonds’ birthday happened to coincide with the ceremony at Norcross (Ga.) High for the early signing period.

That meant amid the birthday wishes that he has received on Twitter are messages from fans urging him to choose their favorite school from among his four finalists: Georgia, Texas, Miami and Memphis.

When it came time for Hammonds to take center stage at the signing day event, he opted to remain in his home state and chose Georgia.

“For the next four years, I’ll be attending the University of Georgia,” he said in making the announcement as he then put on a Georgia hat. His family members also donned Georgia hats to applause from the crowd.

Hammonds, a 6-8 small forward, is ranked as the No. 38 player overall by ESPN. A tweener with his height and build, Hammonds blossomed over the summer, averaging 18 points, eight rebounds, and nearly two steals and two assists per game in the Nike EYBL, intensifying the interest.

Georgia was the last player to get a commitment in the Class of 2017.

“I really like how Georgia runs their program,” Hammonds told 247Sports after a weekend campus visit. “I like the coaching staff and the team is really cool. The academics at Georgia stand out.”

In introducing Hammonds, Norcross coach Jesse McMillan said, “I’m confident wherever he chooses in the next three minutes he’s going to go there and be a star. Rayshaun has an opportunity to go somewhere and make a lot of people excited.  … Stay true to yourself because you’re a really good kid, you work hard.”

At the ceremony, Lance Thomas also publicly signed with Louisville, although he had previously signed his scholarship papers and Louisville acknowledged their receipt Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.

Thomas averaged 8.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.7 blocks as a junior at Norcross High in Georgia and prospects as a versatile power forward in college. He caught coach Rick Pitino’s eye on the Nike AAU circuit this summer.

“I just thought he had great potential,” Pitino said at a Wednesday news conference. “I was really, really impressed with his ability. … He was, I thought, someone who could play three positions. He has great perimeter skills. We’ll teach him the other skills necessary. The sky’s the limit for how good he can be.”

MORE: Who’s announcing when on Thursday

 


Top 2017 girls basketball recruit Megan Walker picks UConn

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The top girls high school basketball player in the class of 2017 is headed to Connecticut.

Monacan (North Chesterfield, Va.) wing Megan Walker announced her decision Thursday on ESPNU’s signing day special. She chose the Huskies over Notre Dame and Texas.

Walker, an ALL-USA third team selection as a junior, helped lead the U.S. team to gold at the FIBA Americas U18 Championships in Chile this summer.

A member of Monacan’s back-to-back state title teams, Walker has enjoyed a stellar prep career, including a 50-point game in February.

“I put in a lot of work preparing for that game,” she said of the game against the then-reigning state champs from Cosby. “We practiced hard as a team and individually I got up a lot of extra shots the night before. From the tip, I had the mindset of wanting to win, not expecting to score 50.

“I’d say it was the perfect night. Fifty points found me.”

Walker still has time to add to her legacy, as the Chiefs open their own title defense Tuesday.

Alabama, SEC are big winners so far in early signing period for basketball

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Alabama head coach Avery Johnson yells during an exhibition NCAA college basketball game against Failkner, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Vasha Hunt/AL.com via AP) ORG XMIT: ALBIN407

Alabama head coach Avery Johnson will be screaming with joy about his recruiting class. (Photo: Vasha Hunt, AL.com via Associated Press)

The Southeastern Conference was the big winner as the early signing period in men’s basketball heated up Thursday with announcements from six players ranked in the top40 in the Class of 2017.

Alabama might have had the best day with the additions of Collin Sexton, a 6-3 shooting guard from Pebblebrook (Mableton, Ga.), and John Petty, a 6-5 shooting guard from Mae Jemison (Huntsville, Ala.). Petty, the reigning Mr. Basketball in Alabama, chose the in-state Crimson Tide over Kentucky.

RECAP: Wrapping up who is going where with links

Sexton, unranked as recently as 18 months ago, had the most dominant summer of any player in the country after averaging 29 points per game as a junior at Pebblebrook and rocketed to No. 10 in the rankings.

Sexton and Petty join Pelham (Ala.) forward Alex Reese, Hale County (Moundville, Ala.) guard Herb Jones and Clinton (Miss.) center Galin Smith in the Crimson Tide’s recruiting class, which is being touted as the highest in program history.

Kentucky entered the day without any players committed and ended it with two of the top16: 6-11 center Nick Richards from The Patrick School (Hillside, N.J.) and 6-8 power forward P.J. Washington from Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.). Richards is ranked No. 12 by ESPN, and Washington is No. 16.

“Back in the sixth grade I set three goals: play for gold with USA Basketball, play at Kentucky and play in the NBA,” Washington wrote in a blog for USA TODAY Sports. “Today I crossed off the second goal on that list. I feel like playing at Kentucky will give me the best chance to cross off the third.”

Georgia was the last program in the SEC to get a commitment in the Class of 2017, and that came Thursday as the Bulldogs kept Rayshaun Hammonds in the state. Hammonds is a 6-8 forward from Norcross High who is ranked No. 38.

Among the six players, the lone non-SEC decision came from the highest-ranked player. Gary Trent Jr., a 6-5 shooting guard who is ranked No. 8, chose Duke over Michigan State and UCLA. Trent, son of the ex-NBA player, is in his first season at Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) after spending previous seasons at Apple Valley (Minn.). Trent cited coach Mike Krzyzewski as the reason he chose Duke.

“He’s a brand himself, and his track record is amazing,” Trent wrote in a blog for USA TODAY Sports. “He’s the winningest coach of all time, and I truly believe that he can do nothing but improve and benefit my life in every way, shape and form. I really believe that he’s going to help me grow into a great basketball player — but also an even greater young man.”

The SEC already was riding high with Auburn’s top-five class led by 6-9 center Austin Wiley, a top 20 recruit who returns to his home state. Wiley is playing his senior year at Conrad Academy in Orlando after transferring from Spain Park (Hoover, Ala.).

Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Arkansas have classes ranked in the top 25 by most analysts. South Carolina on Thursday added 6-9 center Felipe Haase, a Chilean native who starred in the summer FIBA Americas Under-18 event.

The early signing period runs through Wednesday. Fifteen of the top 25 in the ESPN rankings, including five of the top 10, are uncommitted, with most expected to wait until spring.

Girls top five

Megan Walker, the nation’s top-ranked recruit, picked Connecticut on Thursday. Walker, a 6-1 wing from Monacan High (North Chesterfield, Va.), chose the Huskies over Texas and Notre Dame. The No. 2 player, South Salem (Ore.) guard Evina Westbrook, selected Tennessee. Chasity Patterson, a 5-6 point guard from North Shore (Houston), signed her letter of intent to Texas.

Rellah Boothe, a 6-1 forward from IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), is uncommitted. She is ranked as the No. 3 player. Sidney Cooks, a 6-4 forward from Saint Joseph (Kenosha, Wis.) who is ranked No. 4, will announce her decision Tuesday.

Contributing: Jason Jordan

Rellah Boothe, No. 3 girls basketball recruit, signs with Texas

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Rellah Boothe signs with Texas (Photo: IMG Academy)

Rellah Boothe signs with Texas (Photo: IMG Academy)

Rellah Boothe from IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) signed with the University of Texas women’s basketball program Friday, giving the Longhorns No. 3 and No. 4 ranked players in the Class of 2017.

Boothe, a 6-1 forward, is ranked as the No. 3 overall player and No. 1 forward by ESPNw Hoop Gurlz rankings. She joins Chasity Patterson, a 5-6 point guard from North Shore (Houston) who signed with Texas this week during the early signing period.

And Boothe thinks her No. 3 rankings is too low.

“A lot of people are underestimating me,” Boothe told ESPNw. “Me being No. 3 is very false. I feel very disrespected. I’m not bragging or boasting. I just have confidence.”

Boothe was selected to the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Preseason Team this season and made the ALL-USA third team as a junior. She averaged averaged 22.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and nearly two assists and two steals per game in her first season at IMG. She spent two seasons at Potter’s House Christian in Jacksonville.

Last summer, she played for the USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Team that won gold at FIBA America U18 Championship.

Score Predictor: Who wins when No. 7 Allen (Texas) and Euless Trinity meet

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Allen and Euless Trinity have been powerhouse programs in the state of Texas for years and that has often meant dramatic playoff showdowns.

The teams have met four times in the postseason since 2008 — two Allen wins and two Trinity wins. The Allen wins have come by a combined 16 points and the Trinity wins by a combined nine points.

Allen comes in with the No. 7 ranking in the Super 25 and a 10-0 record. Trinity is 7-3 and has won three of its last four games.

RELATED: Super 25 Expert Rankings

RELATED: Super 25 Computer Rankings

According to USA TODAY High School Sports’ Score Predictor, Allen has the advantage.

Score Predictor uses data from the Super 25 computer to compare two teams and plays multiple simulations to determine the most likely result.

allen-vs-trinity

Score Predictor: What happens when Cincinnati rivals No. 14 Colerain and St. Xavier face-off

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Colerain beat St. Xavier during the regular season (Photo: Kareem Elgazzar, Cincinnati.com)

Colerain beat St. Xavier during the regular season (Photo: Kareem Elgazzar, Cincinnati.com)

Cincinnati schools Colerain and St. Xavier have had many memorable chapters in their storied rivalry.

Colerain beat St. Xavier 20-14 during the regular season in overtime, the second year in a row that OT was required. Colerain had a 14-0 lead before St. Xavier came back to tie the score.

“I told the kids you can throw the records out, that’s a great football team,” Colerain coach Tom Bolden said afterward. “They’re banged up, they’re injured and all that kind of stuff, but they never quit.”

The two teams meet again in a Division I Region 4 semifinal Friday. Colerain, ranked No. 14 in the Super 25, enters as the No. 1 seed and St. Xavier as the No. 5 seed.

RELATED: Super 25 Expert Rankings

RELATED: Super 25 Computer Rankings

According to USA TODAY High School Sports’ Score Predictor, expect another close game.

Score Predictor uses data from the Super 25 computer to compare two teams and plays multiple simulations to determine the most likely result.

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