Dee Bost- Excited For College

The point guard for a national champion team is always a top-notch player, and the guy at the "1" for Hargrave Military Academy (VA), the prep national champion, was no different. Dee Bost, a 6'1 post-grad was the floor leader for Hargrave and led the sqaud to an undefeated season, culminating in a national championship. Bost, who is will bring his skills to Mississippi St. next year, was awarded the MVP trophy by Hargrave Head Coach Kevin Keatts, and for good reason. Bost led all scorers with 26 points, along with five rebounds, three steals, and an assist. Bost was kind enough to talk with me for a few minutes after the huge victory.

NB: What does it mean to you personally to win a national championship?
DB: It feels good to win a national championship, especially on this stage . . . Because it’s like you [are] basically playing with college players, but we got one more step next year, once we hit college, so it [will] feel even better next year, but it feels real good this year.

NB: What do you think is more important for the program: going undefeated [or] winning a national championship? . . . What do you think about that, the accomplishment you guys did this season?
DB: For the program that’s a big thing, [that] we went undefeated. Especially after going undefeated, [that] we came here and won a national championship, that means a lot to the program. It’s going, it going to blow up.

NB: How’d you pick Mississippi St. over all the schools looking at you?
DB: With Mississippi St., when I went down there, I had a good visit and they told me that, from day one, that they were going to put the ball in my hands, they were going to let me learn as a freshman, and if I made turnovers . . . they were going to let me learn. . . . So, they [are] going to let me learn my freshman year.

NB: Does this great season Mississippi St.’s having this year get you more excited to be playing for them?
DB: Oh yeah, yeah, definitely. The year they [are] having this year made me just want to go there right now, and just play. I cant wait to get there. It’s going to be real fun once I get there.

NB: [Are there] any goals you have [for your time] in the SEC at Mississippi St.?
DB: My first goal is to get us to win. . . . Okay, first goal is to win the conference title and take . . . [it] game by game. And then the next goal is for me to lead the league in assists, and then get SEC Player of the Year, but first comes the team goals, and then my individual goals.

NB: Do you have a goal to make it to the NBA after college?
DB: Oh yeah, . . . no matter if it takes four years, a year. . . . that’s my goal, to get to the NBA. I’m going to work hard just to get there. A lot of players don’t make it, but I’m going to work hard to get there.

NB: How’d you pick Hargrave over all the prep schools in the country? What went into the [decision] to come here?
DB: Picking Hargrave, it was a hard choice because it’s a military school, but I had to get my grades right first of all, and everybody told me that’s the number one school, especially [for] going through the [NCAA] Clearinghouse just to get your grades right. So I had . . . that, as far as grades, and then as far as the basketball program, they were number one, so I couldn’t resist playing basketball, I could just take in my grades while I’m in, and not worry about the military part.

NB: So it’s been a good experience playing at Hargrave?
DB: Yeah, it’s been a great experience. It was fun, I feel like I was in high school again.

NB: Now that you’re done with your high school basketball career, your prep career, everything, reflecting back on [it], what was the best moment?
DB: Oh, I [don’t] got one special moment, but I got a lot of moments, especially just winning this national championship on the prep school level. I won two for high school, this prep school championship means a lot.

NB: What high school was that at?
DB: Concord High in North Carolina.

NB: What does that MVP trophy you have in your hand mean to you?
DB: It means a lot, but I’m just glad that we won. . . . In our state championships in high school I won MVP, but it means a lot, especially just winning [it] at the prep school level.

As evidenced by what he told me, Dee is excited to get down to Mississippi St. and play ball in the SEC. Bost should be a high quality college basketball player, as he is a good floor general, and has a sweet touch from beyond the arc. Bost was easily the best player the premiere player on the court at the Prep National Championships title game, and his performance led his team to victory, something that Bost will look to continue doing at the next level. If Dee Bost plays like he did in his final game on the prep level which is "basically . . . college players," according Dee, then he should be primed for success from here on out.

Note- photo is from http://scouthoops.scout.com/

Chris Braswell- There's More to Life Than Basketball

A major part of the championship team from Hargrave Military Academy was senior Chris Braswell. The 6'8 power forward will be taking his game to Georgetown next year, where he and Greg Monroe, another Hoya recruit, will look to fill the void that will be left by 7-footer Roy Hibbert. Braswell was a key component in his team's national championship game victory over Findlay College Prep (NV), scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 boards in 35 minutes of play, and blocking Findlay's Curtis Dennis as time ran out, to seal the victory. After the big win, I had a chance to talk with Chris.

NB: [You had a] big block at the end. How were you able to get that block [to] steal the victory?
CB: I feel as though it’s my role to play defense on this part of the end and try to get a block, try not to foul, and get a rebound, try to finish out the game.

NB: At the end of the game Findlay was coming back, you guys pulled through. . . . How were you guys able to maintain focus to come away with that victory, when . . . they were hitting their threes, knocking it down?
CB: We’ve been through battles all this year. All we had to do was come out and play like we did all year, and play against other teams like we did, just like we played against this team, to finish out with a win.

NB: What does it mean to be the national champion?
CB: It feels great. To go off to college, for all of us to go off to college, . . . [to] be able to get a ring, . . . that’s great for us.

NB: How about having an undefeated season?
CB: Oh, that’s great. We [are] the first in Hargrave [history] to go undefeated, and this [is] the first team to come here and win a national championship.

NB: Do you think this could help Hargrave kind of shake [its] reputation . . . [as] more of a football school? Because [when] a lot of people think of Hargrave [they] think football. What is this going to do for you guys as a basketball program?
CB: I mean, it’s going to set us high standards, it’s always going to put a target on Hargrave’s back when we come to this tournament, or when we play in any other games. As far as our football team, our football team got a target on their back too.

NB: You’re heading to Georgetown next year. What’s your approach going to be entering college next season?
CB: My approach is to get good grades and play my role on the team, that’s all I need to do. This is what Coach [John Thompson III] asked me to do, come in and play my role, and be a good player, and try to finish out school at Georgetown.

NB: How’d you pick Georgetown over all the schools looking at you?
CB: I mean, I had [a] top five, and I decided that it’s going to be close to home, try to stay in the area.

NB: Any goals for your college career, or you’re not thinking about that yet?
CB: I’m going to major in business, I’m going to try to major in business.

NB: What about basketball-wise?
CB: Basketball-wise I’m going to try to play my role, and if I got to do all four years, I’ll do all four years. If I come out earlier, I come out earlier.

NB: So you definitely have a goal to be in the NBA eventually?
CB: Oh yeah, I have a goal, but my second plan is to be in business. Well, my first plan is to be in business.

NB: Any specific type, or whatever comes [around]?
CB: Oh yeah, I plan on having my own clothing design [business].

Braswell evidently has a good head on his shoulders. The big man has a lofty goal in wanting to make the NBA, but knows that there has to be other options. In fact, Braswell even corrected himself at one point, to say that a job in business would be his first life plan. An education at Georgetown should be a great help to Braswell, and his polished come-across makes it clear that Chris deserves his spot on the Georgetown campus, and that he is not just there through his incredible basketball ability. Chris Braswell is truly a student-athlete, and he is likely to continue to be successful as one for years to come.

Note- photo is from http://scouthoops.scout.com/

Kevin Keatts- Championship = Happiness

Kevin Keatts is the head coach at the best basketball prep school in the nation. Hargrave Military Academy (VA) is number one, and there is no question about it. Keatts' squad won the Prep National Championships title game on March 6, 2008 at Fordham University in New York, completing an undefeated season and defeating Findlay College Prep (NV) to claim the national title. While some of his players were cutting down the net, Coach Keatts took a few minutes to chat with me.

NB: [That was] big victory out there, you guys won the national championship. What does that mean for your program and [for] you as a head coach?
KK: It’s good, and I’m happy for the kids. Certainly our focus is just trying to get kids, and make sure they make it academically, and be ready when they go to college, but this was a special group of kids and I’m very happy for them. Don’t get me wrong, we’re happy as a program, but I’m glad for the kids because they worked hard this year.

NB: As a program, what do you think is a bigger accomplishment, [winning the] national championship or [having an] undefeated season? . . . You guys did both.
KK: I don’t know, we’ve never been undefeated before, so that’s pretty special, to . . . beat everybody that’s on your schedule. So, I’m happy, and listen, we played a great Findlay team. They fought to the end, they were undefeated coming in. This whole tournament had eight teams that could win it, and we made some plays and we got lucky, and we won it.

NB: In the second season of this national championship tournament, what’s your opinion on it? What do you think about this idea of crowning an official national champion?
KK: I think it’s great because you get to play it out on the court. When I first came back from Marshall--I coached for a couple years--we won a mythical national championship. . . . We were 25-1 [and] we finished number one, but we never played it out on the court, and I think [this is] a great deal.

NB: You guys are losing a lot of players. How are you going top try to keep this team on the level its playing at right now for next season?
KK: I have no idea. I’ll worry about that later.

NB: And about this game, how’d you guys pull through in the end when Findlay was coming back?
KK: You know what, we just . . . did some good things, we worked, and the kids, they refused to lose, and certainly they stepped up and did some good things, so we finished the game.

NB: Do you have any goals to get back to the college level?
KK: I’m happy. I’m happy. I’m really happy where I’m at.


Clearly winning the national title has made Hargrave Head Coach Kevin Keatts happy, but not just for himself, for his program, and his players. The school certainly deserves the championship, and with a great guy as the coach in Kevin Keatts, you've got to be happy for everyone involved with the program. Hargrave will lose a lot of talent, but the team should remain competitive. After all, a happy coach and happy players can go a long way.

Brandon Jennings- The Next Great Point Guard from Point Guard U

The Oak Hill Academy (VA) Warriors are always loaded with premiere players, and this year was no different. The squad this season was led by future Arizona Wildcat Brandon Jennings, a 6'2 senior guard. The former USC commit is considered to be one of the best players in the nation, and is a consensus top two point guard. Jennings' squad suffered a tough loss in the Prime Time Shootout to St. Patrick's (NJ), another national power, but the Warriors were still regarded as one of the nation's best teams even after the loss. Before leaving, Brandon was kind enough to chat with me for a few minutes.

NB: That was a tough loss, solid effort though. What do you think happened out there?
BJ: My teammates couldn’t hit shots. So, when the main focus is on just me, . . . every time they were in a 2-3 [zone defense], they would shift the 2-3 to my side, and my teammates couldn’t knock down shots, so that’s why we couldn’t score.

NB: You guys are still having a good year. Is there anything you’re hoping to accomplish the rest of the way, . . . both personally or team-wise?
BJ: I’m just trying to get through the season. Yeah, that’s about it.

NB: You’ve committed to Arizona. Has the whole coaching situation there had any impact on you, or are you just really excited to get down there and play basketball?
BJ: Oh no, I’m just real excited to get down there. [Interim Arizona Head] Coach [Kevin] O’Neill, he’s a good coach, he coached in the League [for] a couple [of] years, so he knows what he’s doing.

NB: Have you thought anything about maybe playing with Jerryd Bayless and Chase Budinger if they come back? Is that thought one of the reasons why you did commit there?
BJ: Yeah, if they come back, we’ll have a shot at running at the Final Four next year, which would be real exciting.

NB: What were some of the other reasons that you chose to go to Arizona over all the other schools that were looking at you?
BJ: It’s a point guard school. All the great point guards came out of there, Mike Bibby, Jason Terry, Gilbert Arenas, so I want to be the next one.

NB: If you had to pick thing that is the best part of being a member of Oak Hill, this national powerhouse, what would it be, the best part of playing for Oak Hill Academy?
BJ: The traveling man, the traveling is crazy. We travel more than a college team basically. The traveling and then getting to win a national championship.

I spoke with Brandon again today, so I'll fill you in on what we discussed this time around. Jennings informed that he thought Lute Olson announcing he would be returning to Arizona next season is "a good situation, becasue he's been there forever. With him coming back, . . . some other guys might want to" come back as well. Brandon mentioned a "chance at the Final Four" again, as well. There had been some question as to what Arizona's Interim Head Coach Kevin O'Neill would do if Olson decided to return, and now that it's official that the legend will be coming back, I asked Brandon if he knew anything. Jennnings stated that he has "no idea," yet did say "hopefully he does, becasue he's really good with the defense," and he felt that O'Neill and Olson would be"real powerful" together. It certainly seems that Brandon does want to play for O'Neill as well as Olson, which could bode well for O'Neill. Also looking ahead towards the 2008-2009 season, Jennings told me that he "will be to play [his] position," mentioning that he could go back to being a "passing point" guard and also "score a bit." In fact, Brandon went as far as saying that he wants to "average a double-double." Regarding this year's bubble team out in Arizona, Brandon told me that he wants them to be successful in the Pac-10 Tournament and said that their Wildcats' style of play is "really slow right now." You all may be interested to know that Jennings originaly committed to USC becasue at the time he wanted to go to college close to home, and he is from California. Brandon told me that "it was USC and UConn, and [he] didn't want to go to UConn." Once Brandon realized that he wanted to explore other options, he went on a visit and "liked Arizona a lot. It's the Point Guard U." Another interesting tidbit is that after the loss to St. Pat's, Oak Hill did not lose the rest of the way, and "finished the year 34-4." To give you an idea of just how high the expectations are for the Warriors, Jennings said that the record was "a little dissapointing," also mentioning that the squad "didn't have the strength [it] had in the past couple of years. . . . We were down a bit this year." Assuming Bayless and Budinger stay in school, the Wildcats will be a terrific team next year. Jennings certainly has the potential to be Arizona's next great point guard, and if he does become just that, the Wildcats could be one of the top teams in the country for however many years he is in college. Brandon Jennings is a wonderful playmaker at the point, with the skill set to be successful for years to come.

Note- photo is from http://oakhillhoops.com/

Paris Bennett- Wearing #23 Well

Paris Bennett is an integral part of the St. Patrick's (NJ) Celtics, despite not being one of the most well-known members of the team. Bennett is a versatile player, and he had his talents on display in his team's game on February 10th at the Prime Time Shootout against Oak Hill Academy (VA). Bennett struggled the previous night against the Gray Bees of St. Benedict's (NJ), but rebounded with a stellar performance to help his squad pull off the upset. I chatted with Paris for a few minutes after the big win.

NB: That was a great game out there. How’d you guys pull off the win against such a tough opponent?
PB: Really, we came off a big loss yesterday, so we couldn’t let Coach [Kevin] Boyle down, it couldn’t be three [losses in a row]. He [has] never had that in 20 years, so we had to come out with a win. . . . Our backs [were] against the walls. . . . Everybody don’t want St. Pat’s to win, but we got to pull through somehow.

NB: Does this big win at all ease the pain of the loss yesterday, or is it still lingering?
PB: It’s still lingering, because we expect to win every game when we go out there. We still got to be St. Pat’s, we still got to win big games.

NB: With that loss to St. Benedict’s [last night] and now the win against Oak Hill, what’s your outlook for the rest of the season? . . . Maybe this could be a turning point where you start just going down a hot stretch right now, what do you think?
PB: Now I think this [is] the part of the season, my . . . three years here, if we get that loss, we get that win, and then it like we [are] rolling ball. We start out, we get momentum, we [are] not going to be stopped.

NB: What are you looking forward to accomplishing the rest of this season?
PB: [Winning] counties, states, and the TOC [Tournament of Champions].

The Celtics are poised for another great season in 2008-2009, in part due to the talents of Paris Bennett. Although the junior is certuanly no Michael Jordan, he certainly isn't disrespecting His Airness' number, 23. Bennett is a good talent, with the potential to become even better if he puts on a few more inches. Number 23 could be a dangerous player is he grows to about 6'9 down the road. Paris Bennett is definitely a high caliber player.

Note- photo is from http://scouthoops.scout.com

Dexter Strickland- The Top Player in the Top Recruiting Class

St. Patrick's (NJ) is one of the most dominant high school basketball teams in the nation every year, and this season was no different. Athough the team lacked a truly dominant senior, junior Dexter Strickland kept the team amongst the best in the land all season long. The 6'3 point guard will be bringing his game to North Carolina in two years, as part of an amzing recruiting class that also includes Travis Wear, David Wear, and John Henson. The Tar Heels' 2008 class is spectacular as well, ad all three players are McDonald's All-Americans, and their 2010 class is coming along well. Of the nine players in those three classes that are UNC-commits, it's Dexter Strickland that just might be the best of them all. Strickland, a dominant floor leader with scoring ability, was one of the molst impressive players in any class at the Prime Time Shootout. After his team knocked off national powerhouse Oak Hill Academy (VA), Dexter took some time to talk with me.

NB: Dexter, that was a big win for you guys. . . . How were you guys able to recover from the loss last night and come into this game and . . . pull through with the victory?
DS: We just stayed focused. Like you said, we had a big loss last night, and I told my guys, just build from it, don’t look at this like season’s over. . . . Today, Michael Gilchrist stepped it up, Quintrell Thomas stepped it up, Paris Bennett [was] hitting big shots. We just played as a team.

NB: Are there any of the younger guys on the team, . . . maybe some of the freshman or sophomores, who you see some of yourself in [from] when you were their age?
DS: I do, I do. Michael Gilchrist, him not really [being] used to all the big crowds and stuff like that, so he reminds me of a lot of things I used to go through.

NB: [You] talked about the big crowds. You guys [are] still high school kids, you’re a teenager in high school. What’s it like playing in front of these big crowds, getting mobbed for autographs?
DS: Well, it’s exciting, because we’re kids just like them. Them actually coming up to us is just, like I said, exciting. Playing in front of a big crowd, [we] get that experience for the next level in college, and hopefully the NBA. So, it’s been great.

NB: What would you say is the most fun thing about playing high school basketball, specifically at St. Patrick’s?
DS: Traveling, traveling, playing in different tournaments, going to different camps . . . playing with the top players all around the country and in the world. It’s just great, it’s been a great season.

NB: So, you’ve recently committed to North Carolina. What went into that decision? How’d you pick Carolina over all the schools that were looking at you?
DS: I just liked, . . . I liked everything. It was a tough decision. I had Florida, and Michigan St., and North Carolina, but I just felt [at] home when I was in North Carolina. The coaching staff was great, the players, the history, everything was good.

NB: What’s it like being a part of that [North Carolina] class that everyone’s been talking about, with you, the Wear twins [Travis and Davis], and John Henson? Does that give you any special satisfaction to be a member of that class?
DS: Oh, it’s good. We’re great friends, the twins, the kid [from the class of 2010] Kendall Marshall, Larry Drew [from the class of 2008], I’ve been in camp with him. So, hopefully we can win the championship when we get down there.

NB: Speaking about championships, is that one of your goals the rest of the season this year?
DS: It is, it is, yup.

North Carolina could be one of the scariest teams in the nation two years from now, possibly being even better than they are right now. The class of 2008, Ed Davis, Tyler Zeller, and Larry Drew, along with the '09 class combined with the team's current underclassmen, should they still be there, would make for a deep and mightily talented roster. A key part of that roster would certainly be Dexter Strickland, as not only is he highly skilled, but he has the experience playing at the highest level of high school basketball. Dexter Strickland's skills make him a terrific player, and having amazing talent around him will cause him to be one of the top point guards in the NCAA just a few years from now. Strickland's impact on the Tar Heels could be similar to that of current UNC point guard, sophomore Ty Lawson. Both are well-rounded, though Lawson is faster and Strickland is taller. The ACC and the entire NCAA should beware of the North Carolina Tar Heels and their future phenom Dexter Strickland in just a couple of years.

Note- photo is from http://scouthoops.scout.com

Dwayne "Tiny" Morton- A Big-Time Coach

Although high school coaches are generally not well-known, Dwayne "Tiny" Morton is an exception. The head coach of Lincoln (NY) has coached numerous top-notch talents and highly regarded players, including the team's current stud, Lance Stephenson. Morton is a prominent figure in the New York hoops scene, and his Lincoln squad is always near the top of the standings. After his team knocked off Rice (NY), I caught up with Coach Morton.

NB: You guys had a big game out there [against] Rice, an instate rival, [and] pulled out the victory. What went into that, to come away with that win?
DM: Well that’s a great win because [Rice’s Head] Coach [Maurice] Hicks and I are good friends, so it’s . . . really a friendly win, but if was upstate in the championship game, it might mean a little bit more, but I know this is just a non-league victory, and we [are] going to smile about it, but we [are not] going to take it to seriously.

NB: Lance [Stephenson] had a great game out there. How does him playing so well help the rest of the team?
DM: Well, when he’s clicking, and he’s rebounding, and scoring, and putting pressure on the team, it makes it easier for everybody else around us.

NB: How were you able to, in the second half, stop Durand Scott and Kemba Walker? . . . They were both playing pretty well, but you were able to slow them down enough to come away with the victory.
DM: I don’t think we slowed them down, I think we slowed down the other scorer, [Chris] Fouch, we slowed down Fouch, and that was a big key. If all three of those guys were on, I think we’d of had a big problem.

NB: Were there any adjustments you made at halftime to continue to stop Fouch? . . . He was off all night.
DM: No, I was happy with the five point lead. I told our kids, if we [are] going to win by five, let’s win by five, let’s keep playing the way we are.

NB: Are there any goals you have the rest of the season, and for next year maybe?
DM: No, I just take it day by day, game by game.

Dwayne Morton is a key part of the program at Lincoln. He might not be the tallest guy on the bench, but Coach Morton has presence about him, one that is easily noticed by those around him. New York is a hotbed for high schol talent, and a fair amount of the talent comes from Lincoln, thanks in part to the coaching of Dwayne Morton. "Tiny" is his nickname, but Dwayne Morton is anything but that in the coaching world.