News
Comments (3)
IS8 Notebook: Lance Stephenson saga continues
By Zachary Braziller May 10, 2009
The court was littered with Division I prospects.
At one point, the IS8/Nike Spring H.S. Classic quarterfinal boasted eight of them on the floor at once – Brandon Triche (Syracuse) and Peyton Siva (Louisville) of New York Elite and the New York Panthers-Seniors’ Lance Stephenson, Malik Wayns (Villanova), Chaz Williams (Hofstra), Dante Taylor (Pittsburgh), Omari Lawrence (St. John’s) and Kevin Parrom (Arizona).
Beyond his immense talent, bulging muscles and defined features, Stephenson stood out for another reason.
He has yet to commit to a school.
The 6-foot-5 Stephenson, who scored 38 points, hitting 14-of-25 shots from the field, to lead the Panthers to an 84-76 victory and into next Saturday's semifinal against New Heights-Juniors, declined an interview request afterward.
Reportedly, his list is down to Memphis and Arizona. Stephenson, according to several reports, was prepared to verbally commit to Kansas on March 31 at the McDonald’s All-American Game in Coral Gables, Fla., but when Memphis coach John Calipari bolted the Conference USA school for Kentucky, it started a domino effect.
Stephenson, who led Lincoln to a PSAL record four city championships, pushed back his announcement as Xavier Henry, one of the highest rated point guards in the country, was allowed out of his National Letter of Intent by Memphis, and recently committed to Kansas.
It had seemed Stephenson would pick either St. John’s or Maryland, who were also in his final three, but last week, his list reportedly changed.
According to Parrom, Stephenson said he would visit Arizona shortly. A source close to Stephenson said a decision would be made by May 20, the final day of the early signing period.
For now, he is enjoying his final go-around at IS8, which he started at as an eighth grader with the Panthers, winning the crown. After landing at Lincoln, Stephenson switched AAU programs, joining the Juice All-Stars, run by Railsplitters coach Dwayne (Tiny) Morton.
Stephenson wasn’t taking part in the yearly spring tournament initially, but was in attendance on Saturday. When Panthers coach and president Gary Charles entered the famed South Jamaica gymnasium, a few fans told him they heard Stephenson was playing with his team.
Charles dismissed the notion as an unfounded rumor, figuring he was there to play with Juice. After their game passed without Stephenson, he asked him if he would like to play.
“Lance, you started with us here, you might as well finish with us,” Charles told him. Stephenson looked at his dad, Lance Stephenson Sr., and smiled. “Let’s go,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s a sentimental thing, but to win a championship,” Charles said. “We do have history.”
Loughlin players object to coaching change: The resignation of interim coach Rudy King and subsequent hiring of former All Hallows coach Ed Gonzalez didn’t sit well with several key Bishop Loughlin players, who developed a bond with King in a solid season in which the Lions finished 16-11 and made the CHSAA Class AA intersectional semifinals.
“It’s like he did everything for nothing,” said junior power forward Jayvaughn Pinkston, who scored 20 points in an 82-67 victory for New Heights-Juniors over East Coast Elite. “We wanted him back. … All I heard is they were going in a different direction and they let him go.”
The move may affect next year’s team. Pinkston and fellow junior Branden Frazier, a shooting guard, said they were unsure if they would return to the Fort Greene, Brooklyn school next fall.
The 6-foot-6 Pinkston, one of the top power forwards in the nation, said he will decide whether or not to remain at Loughlin after the school year. Pinkston said he doesn’t know anything about Gonzalez other than he coached at All Hallows previously. If he does transfer, Pinkston said he would leave New York.
“It’s tough because we’ve been there and now it’s like a scramble,” Frazier said.
Rise continues to amaze: Rise was seeded 16th when the postseason began. The Queens-based AAU program wasn’t expected to make it past Saturday, let alone the entire weekend. Yet, the squad, composed mainly of Thomas Edison players, shocked the Playaz Club-Seniors on Saturday and took out Starrett City, 78-75, on Sunday, led by the 17 points of former Hillcrest standout Armell Hogan.
Wadleigh junior Malik Thomas had 13 points, as did Edison junior Eddie Egharevba. Bishop Loughlin senior Trevon Hamlet scored 26 points in defeat.
“I don’t think we should have been a 16 seed,” Rise coach J.R. Rodriguez said. “We lost one game in the league. This is a team. We’ve been practicing together since the end of the varsity season two or three times a week. I like our chances. These guys come each week and compete.”
Rise will kick off the semifinals next Saturday at 11 a.m. against the Playaz Club-Sophomores, followed by New York Panthers-Seniors meeting New Heights-Juniors at 12:30 p.m. The final is Sunday at 11 a.m.
zbraziller@fiveborosports.com
At one point, the IS8/Nike Spring H.S. Classic quarterfinal boasted eight of them on the floor at once – Brandon Triche (Syracuse) and Peyton Siva (Louisville) of New York Elite and the New York Panthers-Seniors’ Lance Stephenson, Malik Wayns (Villanova), Chaz Williams (Hofstra), Dante Taylor (Pittsburgh), Omari Lawrence (St. John’s) and Kevin Parrom (Arizona).
Beyond his immense talent, bulging muscles and defined features, Stephenson stood out for another reason.
He has yet to commit to a school.
The 6-foot-5 Stephenson, who scored 38 points, hitting 14-of-25 shots from the field, to lead the Panthers to an 84-76 victory and into next Saturday's semifinal against New Heights-Juniors, declined an interview request afterward.
Reportedly, his list is down to Memphis and Arizona. Stephenson, according to several reports, was prepared to verbally commit to Kansas on March 31 at the McDonald’s All-American Game in Coral Gables, Fla., but when Memphis coach John Calipari bolted the Conference USA school for Kentucky, it started a domino effect.
Stephenson, who led Lincoln to a PSAL record four city championships, pushed back his announcement as Xavier Henry, one of the highest rated point guards in the country, was allowed out of his National Letter of Intent by Memphis, and recently committed to Kansas.
It had seemed Stephenson would pick either St. John’s or Maryland, who were also in his final three, but last week, his list reportedly changed.
According to Parrom, Stephenson said he would visit Arizona shortly. A source close to Stephenson said a decision would be made by May 20, the final day of the early signing period.
For now, he is enjoying his final go-around at IS8, which he started at as an eighth grader with the Panthers, winning the crown. After landing at Lincoln, Stephenson switched AAU programs, joining the Juice All-Stars, run by Railsplitters coach Dwayne (Tiny) Morton.
Stephenson wasn’t taking part in the yearly spring tournament initially, but was in attendance on Saturday. When Panthers coach and president Gary Charles entered the famed South Jamaica gymnasium, a few fans told him they heard Stephenson was playing with his team.
Charles dismissed the notion as an unfounded rumor, figuring he was there to play with Juice. After their game passed without Stephenson, he asked him if he would like to play.
“Lance, you started with us here, you might as well finish with us,” Charles told him. Stephenson looked at his dad, Lance Stephenson Sr., and smiled. “Let’s go,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s a sentimental thing, but to win a championship,” Charles said. “We do have history.”
Loughlin players object to coaching change: The resignation of interim coach Rudy King and subsequent hiring of former All Hallows coach Ed Gonzalez didn’t sit well with several key Bishop Loughlin players, who developed a bond with King in a solid season in which the Lions finished 16-11 and made the CHSAA Class AA intersectional semifinals.
“It’s like he did everything for nothing,” said junior power forward Jayvaughn Pinkston, who scored 20 points in an 82-67 victory for New Heights-Juniors over East Coast Elite. “We wanted him back. … All I heard is they were going in a different direction and they let him go.”
The move may affect next year’s team. Pinkston and fellow junior Branden Frazier, a shooting guard, said they were unsure if they would return to the Fort Greene, Brooklyn school next fall.
The 6-foot-6 Pinkston, one of the top power forwards in the nation, said he will decide whether or not to remain at Loughlin after the school year. Pinkston said he doesn’t know anything about Gonzalez other than he coached at All Hallows previously. If he does transfer, Pinkston said he would leave New York.
“It’s tough because we’ve been there and now it’s like a scramble,” Frazier said.
Rise continues to amaze: Rise was seeded 16th when the postseason began. The Queens-based AAU program wasn’t expected to make it past Saturday, let alone the entire weekend. Yet, the squad, composed mainly of Thomas Edison players, shocked the Playaz Club-Seniors on Saturday and took out Starrett City, 78-75, on Sunday, led by the 17 points of former Hillcrest standout Armell Hogan.
Wadleigh junior Malik Thomas had 13 points, as did Edison junior Eddie Egharevba. Bishop Loughlin senior Trevon Hamlet scored 26 points in defeat.
“I don’t think we should have been a 16 seed,” Rise coach J.R. Rodriguez said. “We lost one game in the league. This is a team. We’ve been practicing together since the end of the varsity season two or three times a week. I like our chances. These guys come each week and compete.”
Rise will kick off the semifinals next Saturday at 11 a.m. against the Playaz Club-Sophomores, followed by New York Panthers-Seniors meeting New Heights-Juniors at 12:30 p.m. The final is Sunday at 11 a.m.
zbraziller@fiveborosports.com