by Alex Schwartz

- According to an article by Adam Zagoria on SNY.tv earlier today, Lance Stephenson '09 of Lincoln (NY) committed to Cincinnati in a huge coup for the Bearcats, who came out of nowhere to land the 6'5 wing. Zagoria has since posted another article on the situation, this one on ZagsBlog, which includes quotes from UC Head Coach Mick Cronin on "Born Ready" signing scholarship papers with the school. For him to have mentioned Stephenson by name, he must be off the board. So it seems that the Lance Stephenson saga has at last come to an end . . . for now at least.

- Both Scout and Rivals revealed their new class of 2011 player rankings today, and to the surprise of no one, 6'7 small forward Michael Gilchrist of St. Patrick's (NJ) came in at #1 on both lists. In fact, both sites called Gilchrist—who is also #1 on Hoop Scoop and ESPNU—the best player in the nation regardless of class, an assessment that Hoop Scoop agrees with. Also included in the top five on both Scout and Rivals are James McAdoo of Norfolk Christian (VA) and Florida-pledge Austin Rivers of Winter Park (FL). There are four other players—making it nine total—in the top 10 of both: Marquis Teague of Pike (IN), Quincy Miller of Quality Education Academy (NC), Rakeem Christmas of North Catholic (PA), Bradley Beal of Chaminade (MO), and Tony Wroten, Jr. of Garfield (WA).

- Living Faith (NJ) has closed down, meaning that Villanova-bound Markus Kennedy '10 is without a high school for next year. In talking to the 6'9 big man, I learned that he is considering Penn Wood (PA) and Neumann-Goretti (PA), while Academy of the New Church (PA) and St. Patrick's (NJ) may be options as well.

- James Loupos '10 of Montgomery (NJ) recently picked up his first Division I scholarship offer. Navy, a school in the Patriot League, offered the skilled 6'6 swingman this past week. "It was very exciting to hear [that] such a prestigious school [had] offered me to come there. I was honored that they have that much confidence in me," stated Loupos via text message. James added that "several other Ivy League schools and Patriot League schools, like Columbia, Cornell, Bucknell, [and] Holy Cross, as well as Davidson and Vermont" are showing interest in him. Loupos has a 3.5 GPA and scored a 1790 on the SAT and a 24 on the ACT, some impressive numbers. "I'm looking for a school with great academics, as well as a good basketball tradition."

- Two top class of 09 ballers in New Jersey are still on the board.Both Mike McFadden of Technology (NJ) and Khalil Murphy of APEXAcademies (NJ) are still undecided on what school they will attend nextyear.

Note- photo is of Lance Stephenson and is from http://scouthoops.scout.com/