Classic notebook: Juniors emerge as college prospects

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Dec. 23, 1999 | 10:31 a.m.

It's no secret this year's Southern Nevada senior class hasn't drawn rave reviews from college recruiters. But this week's Holiday Prep Classic may have helped put some area juniors on the map.

According to national recruiting expert Bob Gibbons, several Las Vegas-area juniors emerged as potential Division I prospects during this week's four-day, 64-team boys basketball tournament.

Topping the list, of course, is Bishop Gorman center Jason Carter. At 6-9, he offers something at a premium every year: size.

"To me, he's the best college prospect I've seen from here since (Durango graduate Ra'off) Sadat, and he's a truer post player than Sadat," Gibbons said. "(Clark graduate Kevin) Gaines was probably a better all-around player, but teams are always looking for big guys."

Carter certainly got a chance to impress scouts during the event, with his Gorman club going all the way to the Millennium Cup title game. And though he managed just 18 combined points in his team's final two games, the Gaels' center had a big impact on the glass, grabbing 19 and 12 rebounds on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Gibbons also made note of Gaels junior Paul Bania, a 6-6 forward he said could benefit from Carter's recruiting presence.

"(Bania) could probably play somewhere," Gibbons said. "With so many colleges coming to look at the big kid, it will be a magnet for other kids."

Also catching Gibbons' eye were Valley's Sam Jackson and Western's Brandon Weaver, a pair of athletic guards.

"They're both juniors to watch," Gibbons said.

Durango guard Jamaal Brimmer is generally regarded as the top prospect in this year's senior class, but he will likely play football in college.

* LOCAL ROUNDUP: Though Bishop Gorman fell in the Millennium Cup championship, the tournament's final day was not a total loss for local fans.

Green Valley (5-6) ended the event on a positive note, posting an 83-72 win over Kentucky's South Laurel High to claim seventh place in the Silver Cup bracket. Jared Bedich scored 22 points to lead the Gators, who also got 15 points and five assists from Jamar Jordan and 15 points from Nick Miller.

Western (5-4) fell to 2-2 in the tournament, dropping a 74-41 decision to New York's St. Mary's on Wednesday. The Warriors, who got 12 points and five rebounds from Weaver, placed fourth in the Gold Cup division.

Palo Verde (7-6) also lost Wednesday, falling 69-56 in Silver Cup play to California's Cajon High despite 15 points from Yolongo Ferguson and 14 from Gary Gray. The Panthers wound up sixth in their bracket.

Wednesday's 1-3 mark dropped the overall local record to 18-28 in the event.

* ALL-TOURNAMENT HONORS: Three members of Bishop Gorman's runner-up squad earned spots on the Millennium Cup all-tournament team: Bania, Carter and point guard Danny Gomez. Brimmer also earned the nod for the Trailblazers.

Three area players made the Gold Cup all-tournament squad: Jackson, Las Vegas' Tremmell Darden and Western's Modesto Fowler. Jordan, Ferguson and Rancho's Rod Lukes earned inclusion in the Silver Cup division.

* GALENA COMES UP SHORT: After a strong run through the tournament, Reno's Galena High (10-3) finally succumbed in Wednesday's Bronze Cup championship, falling 56-44 to Colorado's Smoky Hill. Mike Atkinson scored 15 points for the Grizzlies. He and teammate Joe Heaton made the Bronze all-tournament team.

* LOOKING AHEAD: Tournament organizers announced Wednesday that Reebok has agreed to a one-year contract extension as the event's title sponsor. Next year's tournament will run from Dec. 18-21.