Monday, Jan. 01, 2007

Next year's Beach Ball Classic taking shape

Some final thoughts from the 26th Beach Ball Classic:

Fans should be pleased that Bishop O'Connell (Va.) and Scott County (Ky.) are returning next season.

While O'Connell struggled, the team has just one senior on its roster, and Scott County returns Jonathan Mackey and 75 percent of its roster.

With two quality teams already committed, it should help John Rhodes' recruiting efforts. If St. Edward will commit, that should really draw top competition to the beach next season.

Luke Babbitt from Galena (Nev.) was one of the five most impressive players at the tournament, and possibly the most fun to watch with his J.J.-Redick range and ability to finish alley-oop dunks.

With his 6-foot-8 size and smooth stroke, Babbitt reminded some courtsiders at the tournament of Mater Dei star Taylor King, a Duke recruit, who played at the Beach Ball last season. Babbitt scored 89 points in three games just missing King's three-game mark of 92 points from a year ago.

The question with Babbitt is: Does he play as hard as King?

Babbitt did not start in Galena's first game as coach Ton Maurer said Babbitt was not among the team's top effort players in practice.

This is my All-Beach Ball Classic team: G Edwin Rios, Miami Senior (Fla.); G Chris Wright, St. John's (D.C.); G Matt Walls, Scott County (Ky.) F Delvon Roe, St. Edward (Ohio); F Babbitt.

Sophomores Dalton Pepper (Pennsbury, Pa.) and Milton Jennings (Pinewood Prep) are going to be stars. Maybe we'll see them again at the Convention Center.