Jaklitsch, the coach of the New York Elite, and Blatchford, coach of the New Heights Warriors, have managed to attract many of the state's brightest in two games that pit a team of New York City all-stars against notables from around the state.The underclassman game is a 1 p.m. start, while the senior game will follow at 3 p.m.
Among the guards, the older New York team features St. John's commit Ricky Torres, Big East target Levance Fields, Manhattan native Jessie Sapp, another player on the radar of high majors, as well as 6-foot-3 sharp shooter Niko Scott, who is bound for Columbia.
Brooklyn's Vernon Goodridge will anchor the frontcourt, aided by 6-foot-5 workhorse Chris Bethel, a Fordham pledge, 6-foot-9 Mike Davis of Benjamin Banneker Academy in Brooklyn, committed to Pittsburgh, and 6-foot-8 Cameron Lewis from Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, who is being hotly pursued by Penn and Columbia. The wild card is 6-foot-10 Frane Markusovic of The Kent School in Connecticut, a highly touted import who hasn't gotten much exposure to date.
The Empire team features a beefy frontline that includes 6'8'' Pittsburgh commit Tyrell Biggs, 6'8'' Johnny Garcia, bound for Seton Hall, and 6'7'' James Tchana from Our Savior New American, who has cast his lot with Fresno State. The headliner is 6'11'' Andray Blatche, the spindly and versatile talent from South Kent Prep who is receiving feelers from pro scouts. 6'7'' Kahiem Seawright, who recently committed to Rhode Island, is a tireless worker in the paint.
6'2'' Tiki Mayben, who has already give Jim Boeheim his word, will man the point. He'll be joined by 6'5'' jack-of-all trades Danny Green, bound for North Carolina, 6'5'' perimeter threat Tyson Johnson, versatile 6'6'' wing player Bougari Konate, and 6'0'' Chris Lowe, the fearless point guard from state champion Mount Vernon.
The Underclassman game has culled the top performers not only from New York City, but from around the state.
The city team features two of the better point guards in the class of 2006 in St. Benedict's Eugene Harvey and Rice's Edgar Sosa. Christ the King's Larry Davis is a savvy combo guard with good size, while St. Patrick's Corey Fisher, Loughlin's Darius Gabriel, and All Hallows' Chris De La Rosa are three rising talents in the class of 2007.
6-foot-8 jumping jack Curtis Kelly highlights the frontliners for the City. He'll get help from 6-foot-8 Jabari Edwards from Poly Prep High School, 6-foot-6 Michael Glover, the younger brother of former St. John's standout Anthony, who attends Monroe Campus High School in the Bronx, and 6-foot-8 Austin Wallace from LaSalle Academy.
The Empire youngin's feature a potent blend of upstaters and metro area players. 6-foot-4 swingman Paul Harris from Niagara Falls High School is as tough as they come. He'll be flanked by 6-foot-4 combo guard Daye Kaba from Our Savior New American, who arrived from France this fall, and brings savvy and skill. 6-foot-1 point guard TJ Carey from St. Dominic's on Long Island is a sound player and steady hand in the backcourt, while St. Mary's Rashad Green is a burgeoning talent on the wing. Alex Zampier, a 6-foot-1 marksman from Columbia, New York, and 6-foot Talor Battle are two accomplished guards from the Albany area.
6-foot-5 high-wire act Rob Thomas is a dynamic athlete on the wing, as is Beacon's Melquan Bolding, a precocious wing player. 6-foot-7 Devin Erwin from Bishop Gibbons High School and 6-foot-6 Greg Avila from Port Chester High School in Westchester County round out the Empire roster.