Boys teams to watch

WORD OF GOD

Point guard John Wall may be the best high school player in the country. He is amazingly fast and is an accomplished passer and defender. He would be enough to make the Rams one of the state's top teams. But the 2007-08 N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A champion also has 6-8 C.J. Leslie, who has committed to N.C. State. The Rams added Bishop Daniels, a sophomore transfer from Leesville Road. He already has offers from several Division I schools.

RAVENSCROFT

Ravenscroft was 24-6 in 2007-08 and returns three starters, including 6-10 Duke recruit Ryan Kelly. He averaged 23.7 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks in 2007. He is paired up front with 6-11 Matt Wilson, a UNC-Wilmington recruit. The key to the season may be the backcourt. Hampton Story and Justin Bradley started some at the point last year.

MIDDLE CREEK

Middle Creek returns two starters from the 2007-08 club that finished 27-3. Garrius Adams averaged 18.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3 assists, and has committed to Miami. Tom Tankelwicz hit 30 3-pointers, and Stephen McAllister was the sixth man last season.

ENLOE

Enloe (19-7) returns four starters, including highly regarded senior Melvin Tabb and junior Emanuel Chapman.

APEX

Apex was the biggest surprise in North Carolina in 2007-08 as the Cougars raced to the state 4-A championship game. Three starters are back from that 19-12 team. Junior Weston Murphy averaged 13.7 points and 6.0 rebounds and was the MVP of the 4-A Eastern Regional. Adam Perry scored 17 points in the title game and was the Cougars' MVP in that loss.

HILLSIDE

Veteran coach Darryl Robinson believes the Hornets have a legitimate chance to win the PAC-6 title. The Hornets were 14-15 overall in 2007-08 but were 9-3 in the league. Four starters return, including Branden Henderson, who averaged 11.4 points and 6.0 rebounds. Damonte Harris averaged 8.6 points and 6.5 rebounds.

MILLBROOK

Millbrook (19-9) was the Cap Seven regular-season and tournament champion. Jarrick Brown was an all-conference pick, averaging 13.6 points. Malik Fair averaged 9.7 points, and Tyre Washington and Kuwon Eldridge got about 8.0 points each.

WATCH THESE BOYS

JOHN WALL

WORD OF GOD * SENIOR

Wall is the top-ranked high school point guard in the country, and some recruiting analysts believe he is the best prospect. Thousands of words have been written about his college recruitment, but he says he is undecided. Among the schools that he is now considering are N.C. State, Duke, Baylor, Oregon, Memphis, Miami and Kansas, but the list could change because he is not expected to sign until the spring.

EARNEST ROSS, PANTHER CREEK Ross is a physical 6-foot-4 guard who has committed to Auburn. He averaged 22.5 points.

AKEEM RICHMOND, SO. LEE Richmond has been on the national radar since his freshman year. The guard averaged 24.2 points in 2007-08.

KEVIN WINDLEY, CARY Led the Imps in scoring in 2007-08 with 18 points and 6 rebounds.

STAN OKOYE, KNIGHTDALE The 6-4 leaper averaged 17 points, 13 rebounds.

AARON COATS, ERWIN TRITON The 6-9 senior center averaged 12.1 points and 7.8 rebounds in 2007-08.

DARRINS DUNSTON, NORTHERN VANCE The 6-2 senior averaged 22.1 points for a 24-2 team. Teammate Tazmon Foster averaged 9.8 points, including 18 points per game in the regionals.

JOSH BROOKS, GARNER The 6-6 football star averaged 9.7 points and 12 rebounds on a 16-9 Garner team.

GABE ROOTH, ST. DAVID'S The senior is getting some Division II and III interest after averaging 13 points and 10 rebounds in 2007. Josh Seligson also averaged 13 points and is being recruited.

HARRISON GEORGE, LEESVILLE ROAD Senior hopes to improve 4-20 finish in 2007 after averaging 14 points and 6.0 rebounds.

JORDAN LAWSON, DUR. ACADEMY All-Triangle Independent School Athletic Conference pick averaged 15 points and 8.8 rebounds.

BRIAN RICHARDSON, WILSON GREENFIELD The 6-6 point guard already has a scholarship offer from Virginia after averaging 17.8 points in 2007. Gardner-Webb recruit Brian McNair averaged 18.2 points on the 27-9 team.

JARON LANE, GREENVILLE CONLEY The senior was Coastal 3-A/4-A player of the year in 2007-8, averaging 18 points, 11 rebounds.

KENDALE EDWARDS, CEDAR RIDGE The 6-foot senior averaged 18 points and 4 assists on a 9-13 Cedar Ridge team.