Coaching News Online presents Brian Stinnette's News And Notes From High School Basketball And The College Basketball Recruiting Trail

Brian Stinnette
April 23, 2008

Former Chicago Crane star Sherron Collins of Kansas underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Collins played through the pain throughout the season as Kansas rolled all the way to the National Championship. He is expected to make a full recovery.

The Illinois Kings played strong at the 16-U AAU State Tournament during the weekend of April 15th. Greg Ktistou's squad was again led by Luke Labedzki (Bartlett), Nick Kladis (Hinsdale Central) and Kareem Amedu (Neuqua Valley). Labedzki is coming off of a superb sophomore season at Bartlett. Kladis is one of the top shooters in the Illinois Class of 2010. Amedu, who stands 6-5, is a physical enforcer inside who continues to emerge. By the way, Amedu is also a 4.0 student in the classroom. Nick Valla (Marist) is another Illinois King to watch, and may well be the most complete all-around player on the team.

The 17-U Chi-Town Rebels won the Midwest Youth Tournament over the weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana. Diante Watkins (Chicago Hubbard), Mike Jackson (Thornwood), Darrell Robinson (Thornton) and Christopher Beaty (Thornton Fractional North) led the charge for the Rebels, who defeated Indiana Swish Select in the championship game.

Class of 2009 Chicago Hales Franciscan star D.J. Cooper continues to win over fans from college programs from around the country. Cooper, a 5-9 point guard, can flat out play!

Yes, the King James Shooting Stars Classic in Akron, Ohio will be nothing short of loaded this weekend. However, some of the best battles may well be fought in the 15-U Division. Peoria Carver, fresh off of winning the Swish & Dish, and finishing second at the Real Deal on the Hill will be competing. The 15-U Illinois Wolves will also be competing as will the Team Illinois Hawks. The Rising Stars Gold, Illinois Wolverines, Illinois Red Raiders, Team Supreme, Chicago Hawkeyes, Illinois Elite, Illinois Old School and Chicago Express will also be on display.

DePaul was front and center throughout the weekend at the Real Deal on the Hill in Arkansas watching the Illinois Warriors, and Class of 2009 star David Brown of Rockton Hononegah.

Kyle Green of the University of Northern Iowa is a real good dude.

The Saturday morning 8:00 a.m. game at the King James Classic between Atlanta-based Worldwide Renegades and our very own Chicago-based Mac Irvin Fire should be well worth getting up for the early a.m. start, and checking out. Keep an eye out for Brandon Orange (Chicago Simeon) who came alive, and played extremely well this past weekend at the Kingwood Classic.

The Illinois Wildcats advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 13-U Gold Division at the Kingwood Classic in Houston, Texas this past weekend.

Congratulations are in order to Rodney Watson who has been promoted to Associate Head Coach at Southern Illinois University.

Head coach Bill Carmody, and Northwestern University added a huge piece to their future last week by landing 6-11 Luka Mirkovic from LaLumiere Academy in LaPorte, Indiana. Mirkovic is a highly skilled big man who excels with his ability to shoot the basketball.

Keep an eye out for Class of 2009 Jacobs star Conrad Krutwig of the 17-U Illinois Wolves this weekend in Akron, Ohio.