Greenwalt gaining momentum, still winless

Kyle Greenwalt has allowed four earned runs in the last 13 innings he has pitched. During the same span the Souderton grad has struck out 11 batters. After a little bit of a bumpy start he seems to be settling into the pro game -- at least at the rookie A level.

Now, he just needs to win a game. With a record of 0-5, it looks like the final hurdle in the way of his first professional victory is his team. The Greeneville Astros stink! They are 16-42 this season, 27 games out of first place in the Appalachian League's West Division.

Greenwalt pitched 4 2/3 innings against the Johnson City Cardinals in his latest start on Wednesday. He struck out four batters, but picked up the loss, in part because the Astros allowed four unearned runs while he was on the mound.

To be fair, it didn't help that the Sellersville, PA, native allowed eight hits.

Angels in the midfield

Where the Camden City Public School District was unable, or willing, to provide for the Woodrow Wilson boys soccer team, the community has stepped up to fill the gaps.

The response to the Courier Post's story on Friday about the equipment shortage affecting the Tigers -- last season they had just 10 jerseys for the squad's 15 players -- has been "swift and strong" sports editor Phil Anastasia wrote in a follow-up story published Saturday.

Good job to the benefactors and good job to the Courier Post.

Jersey-less in South Jersey

Ever see video footage of a mismatched bunch of kids chasing after a soccer ball on a field of dirt and weeds in some Central American country? Apparently you can witness a similar scene in person if you go watch the Woodrow Wilson boys soccer team.

In Friday's Courier-Post, writer Kevin Callahan has a story about some of adversities facing the Tigers -- mainly that the Camden School District won't fund the program sufficiently so the team has enough jersey to outfit all of its players. Last season, according to the article, there were 15 players and 10 uniforms, meaning teammates had to swap sweaty jerseys when leaving the game for a substitution.

"This is worse than a Third World country," (assistant coach Lionel) Duque said about the state of the Woodrow Wilson boys' soccer program, "and I came from Haiti."

..."At least in Third World countries they get full uniforms," (Curacao native and coach Veurdgel) Walter said. "They support their sports. Every single team has a uniform because they represent their school."

The financial and administrative problems with the Camden School District have been well-documented. But the soccer team is not asking for its field to be resodded or even for new soccer balls.

In a city plagued by crime and poverty, the players deserve to be appropriately recognized by the administration for their dedication to their sport and their school. Buying new jerseys would be a small gesture, and often the small gestures make the biggest differences.

It's not just the players on Woodrow Wilson who have noticed they are woefully under-equipped. Their opponents from the more affluent towns surrounding Camden undoubtedly have realized this too, and their inevitable sneers and snickers only serve to widen the chasm between South Jersey's have and have-nots.

Just call this TyrekeEvansStar.com

With limited high school sports news in the Delaware Valley this summer, I continue to ride the wave of Tyreke Evans.

First the big news -- and the bigness of this is all relative to what else is, or isn't, going on -- since Monday a number of web sites, including Louisville fan blog Card Chronicle, have reported Evans has set the deadline of Nov. 12 to make his college choice.

Recently the soon-to-be-senior at American Christian in Aston, PA, whittled down the contenders for his basketball services to Villanova, Lousiville, Texas, Connecticut, and Memphis.

Also Monday, Sports Illustrated's Kevin Armstrong wrote that in between trying-out for USA Basketball's under-19 team, winning the AAU national championship, and earning tournament MVP honors at Nike's Global Challenge in Portland, OR, Evans has been playing pickup games at Villanova with some current and former Wildcats.

Nevertheless, he is back in Pennsylvania, playing pick-up games at Villanova's off-campus practice gym against former Wildcats like Mike Nardi and Kyle Lowry as well as current guard Scottie Reynolds. Never one to look far for a quick evaluation of his game, Evans says, "I think the rankings motivated me, but it's playing against the older guys that has gotten me this far. I have to think like a college player even though I'm still in high school."

And Zagsblog reported Tuesday that Evans is headed to Brazil next week with the Adidas Nations program and later this month will make and unofficial visit to Seton Hall ... so much for narrowing his choices.

Headliners

-Former Mastbaum Tech quarterback Markies Tavares, faces murder charges in connection with the shooting death of a man in West Philly on May 9. The 2005 grad was arrested late last month, and police reportedly found a sawed-off shotgun and other weapons in his car.

-Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiack recently said quarterback Matt Schaub's play is "getting better." Schaub, a West Chester East alum, signed a $48-million free-agent contract with the Texans in the off-season.

-USC has two years to prepare for the arrival of Percy Miller Jr. -- a.k.a rapper (don't call him Lil') Romeo -- to their basketball team.

-Jarrett Mann's high school future remains uncertain. The senior-to-be supposedly was planning to transfer from Middletown High School in Delaware to Blair Academy in North Jersey, but last week an unnamed writer for the News Journal blogged that Mann is thinking about staying home.

Fear and recruiting in Las Vegas

Ever thought it would be great to be a Division I college basketball coach. Read Philadelphia Daily News reporter Dana Pennett O'Neil's excellent diary about the five-days she spent last month in Las Vegas watching AAU baskteball games, and then tell me what you think.

Okay, despite spending your summer schlepping from one stuffy gym to another wooing high school kids, some of whom already have assigned members of their entourages to follow them around with portable air compressor just to make sure their egos maintain maximum PSI, it still would be a a pretty cush job.

Beats sitting behind a desk in a stuffy office all day with your own over-inflated boss or, perhaps, playing for the Sixers.

Villanova assistant head coach Brett Gunning put it in this perspective:

He says more than once during the week that sitting in the bleachers, hanging with your friends and watching hoops sure beats working for a living.

It is grinding and grueling but frankly, the single most important thing a college basketball coach will do.

"In the end, if you don't have good players, you don't win," Gunning says. "I don't care how good a coach you are, if you don't have players, you don't win."

Below are some of my favorite parts of the story:

At times, this looks more like dating than work. Coaches get dressed up. (There is an insignia hierarchy. Bill Self needs only a little Jayhawk on his shirt because well, because he's Bill Self. One day Roy Williams wore a yellow golf shirt, not even Carolina blue. Low- and midmajor coaches and assistants, meanwhile, have shirts that come with trumpets.) The coaches sit in the bleachers just to remind "their guys" that they still like them. They can't talk to them or even acknowledge them, so if the teams don't have fans, it's like watching a game in a library.

That is exactly what I noticed the three days covering the RBK U camp at Philadelphia Univesity last month. Florida's Billy Donovan, national champion, small embroidered Gator on his polo shirt. Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, legendary coach, just a Nike logo, or the symbol of whichever sneaker company he is signed with at the moment. Miami coach Frank Haith, yes they play more than just football there, big orange and green "Miami" splashed across his chest.

Get a little taste of what I'm talking about in the slideshow here.

Another interesting tidbit:

There are some cardinal rules I've learned. Coaches don't ask coaches who they're looking at. They address everyone as "coach." I heard, "Hey, coach," approximately 640,000 times.

You always, always, always watch a kid who has committed to you. Even if it's at the expense of another recruit.

And you really do have to do some serious evaluation.

"We're here to determine if a kid is ready to commit to us, are we ready to offer him a scholarship," Gunning says. "Because once we do, that's our word. There's no going back."

There is honor among thieves. You don't check out kids who are already committed, even if it's just a verbal.

There's also dishonor. Ex-Villanova player Chris Walker runs an AAU team out of Houston, a team loaded with talent. He said other AAU coaches try to steal his guys all the time.

"I lost one of my best players because someone else got to him," Walker says. "They can't offer him more exposure. They can offer other . . . things. As a coach you have to decide, how far will you go? You have to draw your inner moral line somewhere and stick to it."

Of course, Walker is rumored to be heading to New Mexico as an assistant . . . and some of his AAU players might just end up there, too.

"This," Gunning says, quoting "The Godfather," "is the business we choose."

I'd love to know more about these "other ... things" Chris Walker is talking about. Is it cars, cash, jewelry, vacation homes in the islands ... maybe all of the above.

'Nova fans, time to cross your fingers

Tyreke Evans, the star guard from American Christian, told the Philadelphia Daily News he has narrowed the field of colleges he's considering. Villanova is a finalist, but surprisingly North Carolina is not.

Louisville also ranks highly on his list, DN reporter Joseph Santoliquito wrote. The other contenders are Texas, Memphis, and Connecticut.

"I don't like the system down in North Carolina," said Tyreke, before leaving today for an AAU tournament in Florida. "I don't know if it's for me. I'm a rhythm player. I like playing in seven- or eight-man rotations. I like having the ball in my hands. North Carolina plays at least 10 or 11 players. My top two right now are Louisville and 'Nova. I like 'Nova because it's home, and Louisville because of coach Rick Pitino and the system they run. I went down there a year ago and I liked the campus. But ['Nova coach] Jay Wright, who I also like and respect a lot, and coach Pitino have supported me up close more than any of the other coaches in the country. They've been to everything. Other schools send their assistants."

In June, there was a rumor Evans was headed to the Cardinals, but that proved to fall flat. I am predicting Evans will stay local and play (probably just for one season) for the Wildcats. Jay Wright knows how to use his guards, and Evans would be showcased in his system.

Sorry Louisville fans.

RBK U slideshow: coaches

RBK U attracted big-time college coaches from across the country, like I wrote in a post earlier this month. Below are some photos.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

RBK U slideshow: Players

It's summer, and there is not much varsity sports news going on. So, I'm playing around with some things on the site, like the slide show below. I also am working on a logo for HighSchoolStar and just generally redesigning things.

Even though there hasn't been much new to read, check back regularly and let me know what you think. And, if news does happen this summer, and you don't see it here, please let me know about it.

The slide show photos are from the RBK U camp earlier this month at Philadelphia University. Click on a picture to read the caption information.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Greenwalt bounces back

Kyle Greenwalt's professional baseball career began in Greeneville, TN with two solid appearances followed by two very bad ones, including a six-hit, six-run stint that lasted just a third of an inning against the Bluefield Orioles two weeks ago.

But the Souderton grad bounced back and last week, and in the second start of his career, pitched six innings, struck out five, walked one, and allowed one unearned run against the Johnson City Cardinals. However, he was still saddled with the loss as the lowly Greeneville Astros -- the Rookie-A affiliate of the Houston Astros who selected Greenwalt in the 20th round of last month 's draft and owners of an Appalachian League-worst 6-27 record -- looked listless at the plate.

The Bristol Herald Courier declared the Astros "wasted a rare good outing" by Greenwalt. I'd like to be the first to congratulate the unnamed reporter who wrote that bit prose on his promising career covering the lowest ranks of minor league baseball as a mediocre sports hack. Since it's apparent, the writer does know really know the definition of "rare," here it is, in case he reads this.

Farm report

Six high school baseball players from the Delaware Valley were selected in June's Major League Baseball draft. One signed a professional contract and is currently toiling in the minors, Souderton's ace pitcher Kyle Greenwalt.

The righty was chosen in the 20th round by the Houston Astros and has since been assigned to the Greeneville Astros (Rookie-A) of the Appalachian League.

According to the team's web site, the 18-year-old made his professional debut on June 29 against the Danville Braves, allowing two hits, one run and one walk in two innings.

Greenwalt has pitched in a total of four games for the 'Stros, including one start. He followed up his first appearance with three shutout innings and three strike outs against the Kingsport Mets on July 6, but since, he has hit a bumpy stretch.

In his third game on July 11, Greenwalt surrendered six runs on six hits in just a third of an inning and earned his first loss. Five days later, he pitched one inning in relief against the Princeton Devil Rays allowing three runs on three hits with one walk.

Greenwalt's record stands at 0-1 with 14.21 ERA through July 20.

Here's what the rest of the draftees will be doing in the near future

Mark Adzick, a Penn Charter grad and 6-foot-4 left-handed pitching prospect, was drafted in the 18th round by the Philadelphia Phillies, but he remains "99 percent committed" to attending Wake Forest, according to the draft hounds at Phuture Phillies.

Christopher Berroa, centerfield, was selected in the 25th round out of Pennsauken by the Washington Nationals. He had earlier signed a letter of intend with UNC-Greensboro, but he also could decide to play with Chipola College, a Florida junior college with a strong baseball reputation.

The Los Angeles Dodgers took Matthew Szczur, a catcher from Lower Cape May Regional High, in the 38th round. According to the Press of Atlantic City, the three-sport star will be headed to Villanova in the fall where he will play football and baseball.

The Atlanta Braves selected Sheldon Johnson, a righty pitcher from the Deptford, with the 1231st pick in the 41st round. He is not listed on the rosters of any of Atlanta's minor league affiliates, and the Philadelphia Inquirer reported last month if he didn't sign a pro contract, he likely would attend Louisburg Junior College in North Carolina.

Brett Oberholtzer, a pitcher from William Penn High School (DE), was named Delaware's Louisville Slugger High School Baseball Player of the Year this week. Last month, the Seattle Mariners drafted him in the 47th round, but he plans to go to Seminole Community College in Sanford, FL.

Andrew McDonough: 1992-2007

Andrew McDonough, the 14-year-old freshman soccer player from Salesianum, whom so many rallied around during his battle with leukemia and septic shock, died Saturday, according to a recent article in the Wilmington News Journal.

A link on Salesianum's web site lists the schedule of memorial services as follows:

-Visitation - Friday, July 20th 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Salesianum School
-Celebration of Andrew's Life - Saturday, July 21st 11:00 am at Salesianum School
-Visitation at reception following the celebration

Those friends attending are encouraged to wear their B+ t-shirts, which not only represented McDonough's blood type but also the boy's approach to battling his disease.

McDonough was diagnosed with leukemia in late January, the same day he fell ill with a severe case of septic shock. His supporters and well-wishers numbered in the hundreds of thousands and spanned across the country. The web site where family updated the public about McDonough's condition has received topped 958,000 visitors -- check it out for yourself.

High School Star previously posted about McDonough on May 4, piggybacking on an earlier News Journal article.

Neumann-Goretti sophomore chooses Syracuse

The Catholic high school at 10th and Moore streets in South Philly is beginning to look like a farm team for Syracuse basketball.

Last year, the Orangemen plucked star basketball players Antonio "Scoop" Jardine and Rick Jackson from Sts. Neumann-Goretti's roster. And now it looks like they have convinced another Saint, Dion Waiters, to attend the upstate New York school, too.

Two interesting notes about Waiters: He is only headed into his sophomore year, and he has yet to play for Neumman-Goretti.

According to a short story in Thursday's Inquirer, Waiters is not even officially enrolled at Neumann-Goretti yet. He attended South Philadelphia High School as a freshman and reportedly is in the process of transferring.

"He made the decision based on their style of play," Aaron Abbott, an assistant at Neumann-Goretti and the coach of Team Final AAU squad (told reporter Mike Waters in Wednesday's Syracuse Post-Standard). "He's a very dynamic player and Coach (Jim) Boeheim lets his guards play. He give them freedom. This is a good fit for Dion."

Waiters, a 6-foot-2 shooting guard, is pals with Jardine, which his coach said influenced his decision.

"We all know that players bring players," Abbott said in the Post-Standard. "Scoop is his mentor. Knowing that Scoop is there was very important to Dion."

Boeheim also has interest in Waiters soon-to-be sophomore backcourt mate, Tony Chenault, according to Waters. Scout.com ranks Chenault as the 19th best player in the class of 2010. Waiters is ranked 39th.

Waiters' early decision is in line with the recent trend of high school players committing to colleges earlier in their high school years, but it is not quite as outrageous as the story about eighth-grader Ryan Boatwright, who gave his word to USC last month.

Camp closes with championship, all-star game routs

The biggest crowd of the weekend packed into Philadelphia University's gym for RBK U's championship and all-star games Tuesday night.

Most of the big name college coaches who watched Monday's sessions and the earlier games Tuesday had already left town, and for the first time at the camp, it seemed like at least 50 percent of the spectators were friends and family of players and fans looking to watching some of the best varsity players in the country.

And for about one quarter of the title game between teams Shaun Livingston and Marvin Williams -- and for about 10 minutes of the all-star game -- the people got what they paid $10 for, the kind of high school basketball action that only can be found at invitational camps like RBK U.

Then the margin between the winning teams and the losing teams stretched, many of the players began to look weary from a schedule that required they play six (shortened) games in a three-day span, and the contests degraded, as critics of such camps like to say, into glorified playground games.

Still, the night was not without its highlights, like Roman Catholic's rising junior Maalik Wayns playing the point against Oak Hill Academy's star senior guard, Brandon Jennings.

Despite a nagging right hamstring, Wayns, who is verbally committed to attend Villanova, displayed speed and footwork equal to the highly-touted Jennings, committed to Arizona.

Jennings looked determined to put on a show, but at least early on he had some difficulty. His first trip into the offensive end of the court, with a three-on-one advantage, he floated a no-look pass across the baseline and out of bounds.

Minutes later he tried to show up Wayns, flailing his arms as he dribbled towards the Philadelphia native and then attempting to bounce a pass between Wayns' legs.

Wayns (pictured above to the left, in black, being guarded by No. 12 Jennings) closed the gap quickly enough to knock it away, and one of his team Finish mates snagged the loose ball.

Jennings eventually did dazzle the crowd, but not while Wayns was on the court.

Wayns' own cross-overs and spin moves freed him for open looks, first against Jennings as well as later against Isaiah Thomas -- another Speedy guard who plans to play college ball at Washington -- but his shots rarely dropped, perhaps because the leg injury affected his ability to elevate.

He finished the game with just two points on one-for-seven shooting with a steal, no assists and a turnover in 12 minutes of play.

Jennings recorded five points, going two-for-two from the field with a three-pointer. He also had eight assists, but at least half of those came as he set-up teammates for uncontested showtime dunks.

Team Create defeated team Finish, 143-121

In the earlier championship game, team Shaun Livingston beat team Marvin Williams 100-81.

Lamar Patterson (pictured at right), a junior-to-be at McCaskey East in Lancaster, played an aggressive 20 minutes and finished with 14 points, shooting 50 percent from three and making six of six from the foul line. He notched four rebounds and two assists.

Jarrett Mann, of Townsend, DE, added a solid effort, showing flashes of the energy he displayed throughout Sunday's games. The Blair Academy transfer scored seven points, had eight rebounds, six assists and one blocked shot.

The third Delaware Valley player on Livingston, Andrew Randell, a soon-to-be a senior at Communication Tech in Philly, had just two points, but he did grab six boards.

Quick clicks, RBK U style

-Daily News writer Steve King is on the Maalik Wayns bandwagon, describing the guard as someone who "sets his sights on a goal and goes after it" in story in Tuesday's paper.

-In Tuesday's Inquirer, reporter Keith Pompey wrote about Toledo, OH's William Buford and how his game was forged playing on the playground against older kids.

-On Monday, Pompey wrote about California-native Brandon Jennings who is about to start his senior year at basketball powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. Jennings has made a verbal committment to Arizona.

-Aggrey Sam in his Tuesday "School Daze" column for Slam magazine included Wayns among the top 10 players at RBK U and called him "the top point guard in his class nationally."

-Dime magazine's Patrick Cassidy blogged about what the campers did when they were not on the court.

-And USA today's Christopher Lawlor declared "RBK U makes successful debut" on the blog Prep Rally. There was one small mistake in his post: Philadelphia University is in East Falls, not Roxborough.