by Alex Schwartz

At the Eddie Griffin Challenge today I had the chance to catch up with some top-notch sophomores and juniors to get school lists. In addition, I got to speak with two committed class of 2009 ballers, Temple-commit Rhalir Jefferson of Chester (PA) and St. Joseph's-commit Carl Baptiste of North Hunterdon (NJ). The 6'6 Jefferson and 6'9 Baptiste are not only headed for the same conference, the Atlantic 10, arguably the best non-BCS conference there is, but they will both be a part of the Big Five. Villanova, La Salle, UPenn, Temple, and St. Joseph's are the components of the prestigious group of Philadelphia schools. Jefferson and Baptiste squared off today in the EGC, and will continue meeting one another during their college career.

Rahlir Jefferson was a member of the Chester High School team that won a state championship last year, along with Nasir Robinson (Pitt) and Karon Burton (La Salle). This year, the Temple-bound combo forward will have the squad in his hands. Jefferson, who included "the area . . . [and] city life" amongst the reasons he chose the Owls, an NCAA Tournament participant last year. Rhalir said that he also considered Penn State, George Washington, Providence as well as "a couple others" before ultimately choosing Fran Dunphy's program. The A10 power is getting a good one in Rhalir, who had a solid showing today in front of hundreds of fans and dozens of media members.

Carl Baptiste was the first of three class of 2009 Garden State ballers to commit to the St. Joseph's Hawks. The North Hunterdon High School big man was followed by Justin Crosgile of DePaul Catholic (NJ) and most recently David Bruce of Linden (NJ). "I'm friends with Justin," said Baptiste, who added that he has "a feel for" his fellow St. Joe's-bound New Jersey stars. Crosgile was actually in the EGC today, so the pair were able to get some more experience playing on the same team. As for Bruce, Carl said that the 6'10 big man's commitment to Phil Martelli and Co. does not worry him regarding playing time: "I think we're going to play different positions." Speaking of positions, the spot on the floor that the Hawks plan on putting Baptiste was part of what went into his decision. Carl said that the following when I asked him how he decided on St. Joe's: "I got along with the coaches. . . . [The] A10 [is] a pretty good conference. . . . [They said I may be able to get] playing time freshman year if I keep improving, . . . [and they said I'll be a] four man, face up big man." Baptiste and Bruce will make for a dominant low post combo. "They went after specific kids, and they just happened to be in New Jersey," replied Carl when I asked why so many Garden State studs were heading to the Philly school. Baptiste, who chose to stay at his local public school for four years because he "got along with [the] coach real well . . . and [ also because for] individual skills, [he] felt like [the coach] was going to help with that," is certainly a player to watch out for down the road.

This will not be the last time you read about Rhalir Jefferson and Carl Baptiste facing one another in a big game. The two are headed to Temple and St. Joseph's respectively, and those schools should have some memorable battles coming.

Note- photo of Jefferson is from http://www.delcotimes.com/.

Note- photo of Baptiste is from http://scouthoops.scout.com/.