by Alex Schwartz

Two of the nation's programs at two different levels just got a lot better. One of the most tradition-rich college basketball schools in America and one of the country's elite basketball high school have picked up quality players. Although Kentucky will have to wait about a year to get its newest commitment on campus, St. Benedict's (NJ) already has its transfer in the fold.

Stacey Poole '10, a 6'5 small forward out of Providence School (FL) committed to Kentucky, just as Northstar Basketball predicted, on ESPNU yesterday. Poole selected the Wildcats over South Carolina, as well as Clemson. The talented wing was ranked #15 in Northstar Basketball's Class of 2010 Terrific 125 and is UK's first pledge in this year's crop of seniors, as KC Ross-Miller and Dakotah Euton both reopened their recruitments when John Calipari took the job. Poole, who was second at the NBAPA Top 100 Camp in scoring at 15.8ppg, is the son of former NBA player and Florida Gator Stacey Poole, Sr.

Last year the trend of players transferring out of New York City schools was labeled a mass exodus. All Hallows, Archbishop Molloy, St. Raymond's, Bishop Loughlin, and Lincoln were amongst the schools stung by losing key players before the 08-09 school year. This time around, NYC has retained a lot of its talent, outside of one school in particular. St. Raymond's, which likely would have been the favorite to win the CHSAA, has lost five of its best players. First it was Joey De La Rosa '11 and Jorge Rodriguez '11 leaving for Impact Basketball Academy (NV) and Steve Whittingham '11 heading to New Rochelle (NY). Then, Harold McBride '10 transferred—his departure was the only one that was expected—to Impact Basketball Academy (FL)—per ZagsBlog—a different campus of the school. It looked as though that would be it, but then the biggest news hit. According to multiple media outlets, Arizona-commit Sidiki Johnson '11 is now at St. Benedict's.

Johnson's exit from St. Ray's means that the Ravens have lost seven key players over the past two years, as Omari Lawrence '09 (St. John's) and Kevin Parrom '09 (Arizona) both left for South Kent (CT) last summer before their senior year. Although that does not directly impact this year's team, it is a disturbing trend for Ravens Head Coach Oliver Antigua. After originally looking like the one of the best teams in NY, along with Half Hollow Hills West and Rice, and possibly a top 20 team nationally, St. Ray's is now basically a three man squad. It will be all about Nkereuwem Okoro '12, Daniel Dingle '12, and Devin Brooks '11 this year. Meanwhile, St. Benedict's may now be a legitimate top five to eight team, after it seemed the Gray Bees would only be borderline top 10 before. Aaron Brown '10, Mike Poole '10, Gilvydas Biruta '10, JP Kambola '10, Texas-commit Myck Kabongo '11, Andres Misters '11, and Johnson, amongst others, make for a formidable and deep team.

Once again, Stacey Poole has committed to Kentucky and Sidiki Johnson has transferred from St. Raymond's to St. Benedict's.

Note- photos are from http://scouthoops.scout.com/