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Coaches Gary McKnight, Steve Smith nominated for Naismith Hall of Fame

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Oak Hill's head coach Steve Smith won his first DICK'S Nationals title Saturday. (Photo: Gregory Payan, Associated Press)

Oak Hill coach Steve Smith has been nominated for the Hall of Fame. (Photo: Gregory Payan, Associated Press)

Gary McKnight from Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) and Steve Smith from Oak Hill (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) are again nominees for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The two coaches — each of whom has spent more than 30 years at his school and won more than 1,000 games — were among the nominees announced this week by the North American Committee.

A news conference announcing the finalists from the North American and Women’s committees is scheduled for NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans in February. The full Class of 2017 will be announced April 3 at the Final Four in Phoenix.

The two legendary and deserving coaches were among the committee nominees last year but did not move on to the finals.

Click here for the full list of candidates for the Hall of Fame. 


Reese Nichols of Dutch Fork (S.C.) named Super 25 Top Star of season

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Quarterback Reese Nichols from Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.) was voted by readers of USA TODAY High School Sports as the Super 25 Top Star of the season for his performance in a 49-24 victory against Fort Dorchester in the 5A Lower State championship in South Carolina.

The 15 weekly Top Star winners were entered into a fan vote that began last Friday, and Nichols won with more 88,000 votes when voting closed Thursday.

Cam Akers from Clinton (Miss.) was second with 44,000 votes and Beau English from DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) was third with nearly 20,000 votes. All three players are quarterbacks.

After being named the Top Star for Week 15, Nichols threw two TD passes in a 28-21 win  vs. Boiling Springs (Spartanburg) in the 5A state championship game. Fort Dorchester is ranked No. 21 heading into the final weekend of the 2016 season.

The gallery above has each of the winners and their accomplishments in the week that they won the fan vote.

VIDEO: These dunks will make your jaw drop

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Check out some of the jaw-dropping dunks submitted to our friends at Hudl.com over the last couple weeks that will leave you speechless.

Georgia Tech signee Jose Alvarado posts quadruple-double

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Jose Alvarado (Photo: adidas)

Jose Alvarado (Photo: adidas)

Georgia Tech signee Jose Alvarado did something that has not been done in the long and storied history of Christ The King (Middle Village, N.Y.).

He posted a quadruple-double: 18 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 steals, and that was before being taken out with about five minutes remaining in a victory against Xaverian Prep (Brooklyn).

That followed his effort the night before in a loss to Archbishop Stepanic (White Plains): 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

The 6-foot Alvarado was named New York City Catholic High School Player of the Year last season. He plays with the New York Rens on the summer circuit.

Here are highlights from Alvarado at the Pangos All-American Camp during the summer.

 

Nike TOC: No. 8 Clovis West takes down No. 4 Miami Country Day in final

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Clovis (Calif.) West has had quite the week at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix, and it culminated with an impressive 67-45 victory against Miami Country Day in the final of the Joe Smith bracket.

The Nike TOC is considered the top tournament for girls high school basketball.

En route to the title, Clovis West defeated No. 9 St. John’s College (Washington D.C.), No. 5 Centennial (Las Vegas), and No. 14 St. Mary’s (Stockton, Calif.) before beating No. 4 Miami Country Day.

In the final, Clovis West used a 24-4 run to end the game, according to Clovis Roundup editor Paul Meadors.

Madison Campbell, who had 23 points in the final, was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

GEICO State Champions Bowl Series: Players to watch for Chandler (Ariz.) vs. Valdosta (Ga.)

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State champions from Arizona and Georgia are in Texas on Friday as part of the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series on ESPNU. Valdosta, the AAAAAA champion from Georgia, meet Chandler, the 6A champions from Arizona, at 6 p.m. ET.

Here are some star players on each side to keep your eyes on:

CHANDLER (Ariz.) 

The Wolves can score  and averages more than 500 yards in total offense per game, and that can be attributed to their skill position players.

Sophomore quarterback Jacob Conover got better as the season went on and finished with 3,444 yards and 29 touchdowns passing, completing 71 percent of his passes with a 138.5 quarterback rating. Senior running back T.J. Green, an Oregon State commit, has a chance to show why he emerged as one of the best players in school history. He rushed for 2,084 yards and 33 touchdowns, averaging 9 yards per carry, and caught 13 passes for 277 yards and four scores. Senior receiver Johnny Johnson III, an Oregon commit, had 74 catches for 1,204 yards and eight TDs.

Senior linebacker Parker Henley is the anchor of the defense with more than 100 tackles. Sam Pepper, who leads the team in sacks; Michael Kelly and Kendon Walker are all key players on that side of the ball.

VALDOSTA (Ga.)

The quarterback is the key cog for the Valdosta offense, which averages 306 yards per game. Josh Belton and Hunter Holt split time at the position, with Belton throwing for more than 1,350 yards and 15 TDs and Holt passing for nearly 1,100 yards and 12 TDs. JR Ingram is the leading receiver with 16 touchdowns.

The two QBs also are the team’s leading rushers. Holt ran for nearly 700 yards and Belton for more than 400. Junior Jeremiah Proctor has the most yards on the ground among the running backs with 250 yard and 5.8 yards per carry.

With Chandler’s desire to throw the ball, the Wolves will need to be careful of Valdosta’s opportunistic secondary. Junior Jalen Everett is listed at 5-6, but he plays much bigger. He has six interceptions on the season; Senior Jaelyn Temple has four picks; and senior linebacker James Bushware has three. Bushware is also the team’s leading tackler.

Valdosta also brings pressure up front, led by Devonnsha Marshall and Tyle Blue. Zakoby McClain is a versatile linebacker who will be all over the field.

VIDEO: The luckiest bounces of the 2016 football season

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No matter how talented a player you are, everyone needs a little luck. The video below is evidence of just that.

Here, courtesy of Hudl, are the five luckiest bounces of the 2016 football season.`

Charles O'Bannon Jr., whose dad and uncle won a national title at UCLA, commits to USC

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Charles O’Bannon Jr., a four-star forward out of Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), committed Thursday night to Southern Cal.

A four-star player committing to Andy Enfield’s program isn’t necessarily a huge deal, except for the fact that O’Bannon’s father (Charles) and uncle (Ed) played for UCLA’s 1995 national title team.

“I felt really comfortable on campus, and it’s close to home,” O’Bannon told ESPN’s Paul Biancardi. “I like the environment, and I feel like I belong there. … It feels like home.”

The younger O’Bannon added that his family, naturally, just wanted him to do what was best for him.

O’Bannon also N.C. State and UNLV in addition to UCLA.


Countdown to U.S. Army All-American Bowl: QB Hunter Johnson

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The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is Jan. 7 in San Antonio (1 p.m. ET, NBC), featuring 101 of the nation’s top players.

Throughout the fall, USA TODAY High School Sports has provided coverage of the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance as each player received his honorary jersey at his school. As the game draws near, we will be highlighting a number of players we will be watching during practices and the Army Bowl with video highlights from our partners at Hudl.

HUNTER JOHNSON

Position: Quarterback

School: Brownsburg (Ind.)

College: Clemson

247Sports ranking: No. 2 pro-style quarterback, No. 19 overall

Click the gallery below to see who is playing in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl:

ALL-USA defensive lineman Joshua Kaindoh commits to Florida State

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Joshua Kaindoh, an American Family Insurance ALL-USA defensive lineman, commited to XX on Friday.

The 6-6, 235-pound Kaindoh had 41 tackles and 7.5 sacks in eight games for No. 2 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). He missed three games with an arm injury.

He is ranked as the No. 2 weakside defensive end in the nation and No. 21 player overall, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

RELATED: ALL-USA Football Team: Defense

Kaindoh, who is originally from Baltimore, had committed to Maryland but then decommitted at the end of the season after Maryland went 6-6. He took official visits to Alabama, Penn State, Georgia, Florida State and Maryland.

An Under Armour All-American, he had 30 reported offers. He will report to Florida State as an early enrollee after his plays in the Under Armour game.

After this season, and the departure of consensus All-American DeMarcus Walker, FSU will have just six defensive ends on the roster, and a lot of uncertainty. Kaindoh will have the opportunity to come in and immediately compete for playing time by enrolling early, and could have a big impact on the 2017 season for the Seminoles.

Contributing: Tallahassee Democrat

Aug 27, 2016; Loganville, GA, USA; IMG Academy defender Josh Kaindoh (99) rushes the passer against the Grayson Rams during the second half in a high school football duel of top ranked teams at Grayson Community Stadium. IMG Academy defeated the Grayson Rams 26-7. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports ORIG FILE ID: 20160827_sal_sz2_198.JPG

IMG Academy defender Josh Kaindoh rushes the passer against Grayson this season (Photo: Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports)

 

Countdown to Under Amour All-America Game: ATH JaCoby Stevens

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The Under Armour All-America Game is Jan. 1 in Orlando (11 a.m. ET, ESPN), featuring 115 of the nation’s top players.

Throughout the fall, USA TODAY High School Sports has provided coverage of the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance as each player received his honorary jersey at his school. As the game draws near, we will be highlighting a number of players we will be watching during practices and the Under Armour game with video highlights from our partners at Hudl.

JACOBY STEVENS

Position: Wide Receiver/Safety

School: Oakland (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)

College: LSU

ESPN ranking: No. 3 athlete, No. 26 overall

Click the gallery below to see who is playing in the Under Armour All-America Game:

GEICO State Champions Bowl Series: Watch Chandler (Ariz.) back high-five security guard after long TD

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Dec 23, 2016 -- Frisco, TX, U.S.A -- GEICO State Champions Bowl Series. -- Chandler Wolves running back Tj Green (4) carries the ball against the Valdosta Wildcats during the second half. Chandler won 44-24. Photo by Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports Images, Gannett ORG XMIT: US 135851 GEICO preps 12/23/201 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]

Chandler running back TJ Green carries the ball against Valdosta (Photo: Ray Carlin, USA TODAY Sports)

Oregon State commit T.J. Green had 183 yards and two touchdowns as Chandler (Ariz.) beat Valdosta (Ga.) 44-24 on Friday in the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series in Frisco, Texas.

Green sprinted to the end zone on this play to give Chandler a 44-16 lead with 1:31 left in the third quarter.

With nobody around, he punctuates this TD run with a high-five for the security guard. His teammates eventually catch up to continue the celebration.

 

 

Countdown to U.S. Army All-American Bowl: DE A.J. Epenesa

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The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is Jan. 7 in San Antonio (1 p.m. ET, NBC), featuring 101 of the nation’s top players.

Throughout the fall, USA TODAY High School Sports has provided coverage of the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance as each player received his honorary jersey at his school. As the game draws near, we will be highlighting a number of players we will be watching during practices and the Army Bowl with video highlights from our partners at Hudl.

A.J. EPENESA

Position: Defensive End/Tight End

School: Edwardsville (Ill.)

College: Iowa

247Sports ranking: No. 1 strong-side defensive end, No. 23 overall

Click the gallery below to see who is playing in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl:

Countdown to Under Amour All-America Game: DE Joshua Kaindoh

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The Under Armour All-America Game is Jan. 1 in Orlando (11 a.m. ET, ESPN), featuring 115 of the nation’s top players.

Throughout the fall, USA TODAY High School Sports has provided coverage of the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance as each player received his honorary jersey at his school. As the game draws near, we will be highlighting a number of players we will be watching during practices and the Under Armour game with video highlights from our partners at Hudl.

JOSHUA KAINDOH

Position: Defensive End

School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

College: Florida State

ESPN ranking: No. 2 defensive end, No. 16 overall

RELATED: Joshua Kaindoh commits to Florida State

Click the gallery below to see who is playing in the Under Armour All-America Game:

Countdown to Under Amour All-America Game: WR Jerry Jeudy

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The Under Armour All-America Game is Jan. 1 in Orlando (11 a.m. ET, ESPN), featuring 115 of the nation’s top players.

Throughout the fall, USA TODAY High School Sports has provided coverage of the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance as each player received his honorary jersey at his school. As the game draws near, we will be highlighting a number of players we will be watching during practices and the Under Armour game with video highlights from our partners at Hudl.

JERRY JEUDY

Position: Wide Receiver

School: Deerfield Beach (Fla.)

College: Alabama

ESPN ranking: No. 3 wide receiver, No. 21 overall

Click the gallery below to see who is playing in the Under Armour All-America Game:


Maryland football coaching legend Al Thomas dies at age 76

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Al Thomas (center) (Photo: WUSA)

Al Thomas (center) (Photo: WUSA)

A popular Maryland high school football coach has died of cancer. He was 76.

In more than four decades as a high school football coach, Al Thomas won a record eight state championships.

He became the first high school football coach at Seneca Valley (Germantown, Md.) and won five state titles. As coach at Damascus High School, Thomas won two more titles.

He then coached at Sherwood (Sandy Springs, Md.), beginning in 2004, and led the team to four consecutive 10-win seasons and an undefeated run to another state title in his final season, 2008. He would end his career by returning Damascus, serving as defensive coordinator for two years before leaving as his health declined.

He was inducted into the Maryland High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1997. He had a career record of 242-47′ his victories were the 10th most in state history.

Contributing: WUSA

 

 

Commitment watch at the Under Armour All-America Game

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Players begin arriving in Orlando on Tuesday for the Under Armour All-America Game, which will be played on New Year’s Day.

Game week also provides an opportunity for some players to make their college commitments. While the official list has not been released, here are the players we are expecting to make their choices.

  • Safety Deangelo Gibbs, ranked as the No. 3 player at his position, is expected to remain in his home state and pick Georgia. The star for Grayson (Loganville) who has 32 reported offers also visited Alabama, Auburn and South Carolina.
  • Safety Xavier McKinney, ranked as the No. 8 player at his position, could leave Georgia for Clemson. The Roswell star has 13 reported offers and Nick Saban and assistant Derrick Ansley made an in-home visit before the dead period began. He took officials to Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama and Auburn.
  • Athlete Markquese Bell, ranked No. 7, has taken official visits to Virginia Tech, Ohio State, Maryland, Rutgers, Florida and Michigan. He would be a big get if Rutgers coach Chris Ash can convince the Bridgeton (N.J.) player to remain in state. That could be a possibility, although Maryland is considered a slight favorite.
  • Defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, ranked as the No. 3 overall player in the class, has been steadfast that he will announce on National Signing Day. But the ALL-USA first-teamer from Episcopal (Bellaire, Texas) plans to announce his top five during the Under Armour game.

ALL-USA linebacker Nate McBride commits to Georgia

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Nate McBride, an American Family Insurance ALL-USA First Team linebacker, committed to the University of Georgia with a Christmas-themed video on Sunday.

McBride, from Vidalia (Ga.), was first offered by the Bulldogs in June 2014 and has remained a primary target even with the coaching change from Mark Richt to Kirby Smart.

“I just feel at home there,” McBride told DawgNation.com. “Georgia has got a great fan base and I know some guys that are already there and I really know a lot of the guys that are on their way there.”

Among the highlights of the video is Georgia quarterback commit Jake Fromm serving as “Santa Jake,” a role he played in earlier commitment videos.

McBride, 6-2 and 220 pounds, is ranked as the No. 2 inside linebacker prospect and No. 12 prospect in the state overall by the 247Sports Composite rankings.

He had 115 tackles with three sacks and an interception as a senior and also ran for eight touchdowns. McBride also played on special teams.

McBride took official visits to Auburn, Georgia and Oregon, although his top five also included Stanford and Alabama.

Before he gets to Georgia, though, McBride will finish his high school career at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio on Jan. 7.

La Lumiere bench does it again - meet nation's most enthusiastic sub

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You might remember how excited the bench was for La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) during the DICK’S Nationals in April. ESPN loved the actions of Josh De St. Jean and James Anderson. The pair were all too happy to throw up celebratory monocles following big shots.

The tradition continues with Pantelis Xidias, a senior with an awesome name for the top-ranked Lakers who has the specs going and is dancing and yelling all of the time.

Here is Xidias during last week’s Chick-fil-A Classic in Columbia, S.C., which the Lakers won to remain unbeaten.

“We take pride in enthusiasm,” coach Shane Heirman joked.

The Ball brothers at it again: LiAngelo drops 65, LaMelo buries midcourt shot in No. 6 Chino Hills win

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Another win for No. 6 Chino Hills (Calif.), and another wild performance from the Ball brothers, LaMelo and LiAngelo.

First, LaMelo buried a mid-game halfcourt shot, as seen above. Two things are crazy about this. For starters, this isn’t the first time he has done this. Also, it appears he calls his shot, pointing to the spot on the floor before he pulls up.

Not to be outdone, LiAngelo poured in 65 points for Chino Hills, who beat Foothill (Henderson, Nev.) 131-100 Monday at the Holiday Invitational at Rancho Mirage in California.

LiAngelo, a senior who has committed to UCLA, has scored 72 and 56 points in games this season.

Below are the highlights from the entire game, courtesy of Baller Visions.

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