by Alex Schwartz

- In a much hyped contest on ESPN last Thursday, Northland (OH) defeated Findlay Prep (NV) by a score of 53-52. Findlay Prep was the #2 ranked team in Northstar Basketball's Preseason High School Top 100, while Northland checked in at #5. The Vikings of NHS were led by 6'8 power forward and Ohio State-signee Jared Sullinger '10, the #2 ranked player in Northstar Basketball's Class of 2010 Terrific 125. Sullinger finished with 32 points and 17 rebounds and went 10/10 at the line, including the game winners with 4 seconds left. The Buckeye State squad was without its second best player in Ohio State-bound small forward JD Weatherspoon '10, but KeChaun Lewis '12 and Penn State-commit Trey Burke '11 really stepped out. The play of elite seniors power forward Tristan Thompson '10 (Texas) and point guard Cory Joseph '10 as well as shooting guard Nick Johnson '11 was not enough for Findlay Prep, last year's consensus national champion.

- With that top five game ending in a bit of an upset, Northstar Basketball's new High School Top 5 is as follows: 1. St. Patrick's (NJ), 2. Oak Hill Academy (VA), 3. Northland (OH), 4. St. Benedict's (NJ), 5. Findlay Prep (NV)

- According to a source close to the situation, talented senior small forward 6'7 Julian Washburn '10 and his brother 6'8 power forward Chris Washburn '12 have left St. Patrick's (NJ). The sons of former North Carolina State star and NBA player Chris Washburn transferred to the school in Elizabeth from Duncanville (TX), but were there for only about three months. The pair returned back to Texas a few weeks ago, and their new school remains unclear. Julian, a high-major recruit, was expected to be the Celtics' sixth man, while Chris would have spent most of the time on the JV squad.

- Harold Spears '10 of The Pennington School (NJ) recorded his 1,000th career point last week. Spears, a 6'5 small forward is the go-to scorer for the #18 ranked team in Northstar Basketball's New Jersey Preseason High School Top 20. Spears began his high school career at Faith Christian Academy (PA) where he played JV as a freshman, starred on the varsity squad as a sophomore, and then took Mercer County by storm last year when he transferred to Pennington. A standout on the football field as well, Spears is weighing his options in both sports.

- The major holiday high school tournaments are underway, including the best of them all, City of Palms, in Fort Meyers, Florida. This event features numerous top-notch teams and was absolutely fantastic last year.