DUNCANVILLE, Texas -- The most sought-after college basketball prospect taking part in the fourth annual D/FW Metroplex Hoops Thanksgiving Hoopfest demonstrated what all the fuss is about.
Julius Randle, a 6-9 senior, scored 27 points with 13 rebounds to lead Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas) to a 59-52 win over Madison Prep Academy (Baton Rouge, La.) Friday in its season opener at Sandra Meadows Arena.
Randle soars for one of his highlight
dunks in Friday's victory.
Photo by Jim Redman
Six slam dunks punctuated Randle's performance. The dunk the crowd enjoyed most was Randle's soaring two-handed finish of a set-play lob pass from senior guard
Marquan Botley.
"It was a good game for us,'' said Randle, who played all but 14 seconds. "A lot of our guys were playing varsity for the first time."
Randle (11-of-16 from the field) did most of his damage on powerful drives to the basket.
Practically every scouting service has Randle rated as one of the top five seniors nationally, and the recruiting battle has been intense. Last month, Randle narrowed his list of suitors to six: Florida, Kentucky, Kansas, Oklahoma, North Carolina State and Texas.
Friday he revealed plans for official visits to Texas and Kansas in December. His fifth visit will be to North Carolina State on Jan. 26. Randle has already visited Kentucky and Florida.
"I'm looking for a coach I can trust, one that can get me ready for the next level,‘' said Randle. "And I want to win.''
Saturday's game wasn't as kind to Prestonwood Christian or Randle, who limped off the court late in the first half with an apparent foot injury in a 54-48 loss to Duncanville (Texas).
Nation's best JV?: A distinction as a junior varsity allowed otherwise ineligible players from Prime Prep (Dallas) to participate in a 67-34 blowout victory over Carroll (Monore, La.). But they were hardly needed.
With eight players listed on its roster at 6-4 or taller, Prime Prep dominated with any combination on the floor.
Four transfers to Prime Prep (Deion Sanders' first-year charter school in Oak Cliff) were ruled ineligible by the District 11-3A committee. Three appeals have been upheld in Austin.
Among the players ruled ineligible was Jordan Mickey (LSU commit) and 6-10 Karvair Shepherd (TCU commit).
"Kids want to be kids and have the opportunity,'' said Prime Prep coach Ray Forsett. "They're disappointed. But we're practicing just like we would normally. Our goal is to be ready for district.''
Kimball slides to 0-3: Two-time defending Class 4A state champion Kimball (Dallas) remained winless after a 67-51 loss to Richland (North Richland Hills, Texas). Leyton Hammonds, a 6-8 Oklahoma State signee, led Richland's second-half charge and finished with 22 points. Keith Frazier, a shooting guard getting a lot of attention from recruiters, scored 23 for Kimball.
