The Grapevine Groove
Ron Bailey, Publisher
Part of a new series, Grapevine Groove provides word of mouth info recently learned.
June 29, 2009 - This is the first in a regular series, one that will provide tidbits of information to readers. The stuff provided was initially supplied word of mouth, and has not been vetted; take into consideration that fact.
From last weekend:
Josh Hairston may likely be going to Montrose Christian (MD) next year, leaving Courtland HS in Virginia. Will try and confirm this regarding the DC Assault (AAU) standout today.
Taking a stab in the dark, if he in fact transfers it likely will be for the skill development workouts Montrose is famous for: Hairston, 6'8" and 215 pounds has to further develop his ball patting and shooting for Duke in 2010. During the recent NBAPA Top 100 Camp, Hairston shared he is slotted for the 'Kyle Singler role', which entails being multi-faceted, able to play inside and out.
Vic Oladipo has the opportunity to play high major ball in 2010.
Victor Oladipo has offers from UVA, Indiana and Providence. Provy has long been a suitor, as has Virginia; the latter's interest has continued from the past regime to the current (which is headed by Tony Bennett). Indiana would love for him to join Mo Creek, another Team Takeover (then part of Triple Threat) travel team product in Bloomington, IN, while mid-majors like CAA schools are drooling over Vic. .
An excellent athlete, Oladipo, a 6'3", 185 pound guard has periodically shown improvement in his handle and shot this summer. With another year at DeMatha Catholic (MD), the Class of 2010 guy has more time to further develop those skills. What's never in question is Victor's ability to strap - he loves to check an opponents best perimeter guy - and finish at the rim.
As a current Hosier freshman, Mo Creek (6'5", 200 pounds), formerly of Oxon Hill High School (MD), South Kent (CT) and Hargrave (VA), will likely have every opportunity to get numbers in the Big Ten this year, despite the team being under-talented overall; last year the Hosiers finished 6-25 overall,while only winning one game in-conference (1-17), and losing their last 10 games under Tom Crean. Player defections played a huge role in the season's outcome, many related to a coaching scandal that predated Cream.
The first year Indiana coach, one that left the Big East's Marquette University to don Cream and Crimson, plans to run much of his team's offense through Creek this year. With his talent and the opportunity he's being given, Creek, should excel, though the sledding will be tough.
Mo Creek, two years ago at a Reebok Headliners event.
Ahmad George is getting looks from the likes of Stonybrook, American, North Carolina A&T and Clark University.
He's still a good penetrator, though his left hand may need work. George makes things happen offensively. Given his 5'10" height (165 pounds), will have to dedicate himself to passing more in college. Ahmad attended Archbishop Carroll (DC) last year, and will hit the July open period with Mid-Atlantic Select.
Deonta 'Big Fifty' Boyd is headed to Johnson C. Smith University. A 6'3", 230 pound post man, Boyd who has good footwork around the tin along with strength and saavy, recently earned the requisite placement exam score to accept a scholarhips to the school.
For CIAA action, Deonta will need to further utlize his shooting touch and work on both his face up moves and lateral quickness.
Boyd's teammate at Wise High School, Phil Wood, is also headed to a Division I school this year, as he recently signed with Shepherd University. Wood played well in last year's Maryland 4A Final Four, helping lead Wise to the state championship.
At Shepherd, Wood, who can pass, needs to do so consitently, picking the right spots to score (which is his wont).
Congrats go to Phil and 'Big Fifty', alumni of the travel team programs Squash All Beef and Team Takeover/Triple Threat, respectively.