PJ Star names it's large school All Area teams

[Da Coach]

6-foot senior Tylon Deal of Richwoods is the large school (Class 3A-4A) 2010 Journal Star Player of the Year. He averaged 12 points, 4 rebounds a game.

http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x1838117252/THIS-DEAL-IS-FOR-REAL

All Area 1st team-
Tylon Deal-6' senior-Richwoods
Lawrence Alexander-6'3" senior-Manual
Max Bielfeldt-6'8" junior-Notre Dame
Tony Frazier-6'3" senior-Richwoods
Tyler Lundeen-6'6" junior-Morton

http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x1664784459/Journal-Star-large-school-boys-basketball-all-area-first-team

2nd team-
Mason Alwan-SENIOR/G/RICHWOODS
Tony Banks-SENIOR/G/CENTRAL
Deontray Dorsey-JUNIOR/PG/WOODRUFF
Marvin Jordan-SENIOR/PG/MANUAL
Donivine Stewart-JUNIOR/PG/LIMESTONE

3rd team-
Brett Bisping-SOPHOMORE/F/MORTON
Aaron Davis-SENIOR/PG/RICHWOODS
Tyler Les-SENIOR/G/NOTRE DAME
Connor Underwood-JUNIOR/F/WASHINGTON
Darian White-JUNIOR/F/CENTRAL

http://www.pjstar.com/archive/x38426044/Journal-large-school-all-area-second-and-third-boys-basketball-teams

Past JS Players of the Year-

http://www.pjstar.com/archive/x1859638034/Large-school-boys-basketball-Players-of-the-Year

[tornado]

Congrats to all...but special congrats to Donivine Stewart and Tyler Les (and to Max & LA)

[houstontxbrave]

6-foot senior Tylon Deal of Richwoods is the large school (Class 3A-4A) 2010 Journal Star Player of the Year. He averaged 12 points, 4 rebounds a game.

http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x1838117252/THIS-DEAL-IS-FOR-REAL

All Area 1st team-
Tylon Deal-6' senior-Richwoods
Lawrence Alexander-6'3" senior-Manual
Max Bielfeldt-6'8" junior-Notre Dame
Tony Frazier-6'3" senior-Richwoods
Tyler Lundeen-6'6" junior-Morton

http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x1664784459/Journal-Star-large-school-boys-basketball-all-area-first-team

2nd team-
Mason Alwan-SENIOR/G/RICHWOODS
Tony Banks-SENIOR/G/CENTRAL
Deontray Dorsey-JUNIOR/PG/WOODRUFF
Marvin Jordan-SENIOR/PG/MANUAL
Donivine Stewart-JUNIOR/PG/LIMESTONE

3rd team-
Brett Bisping-SOPHOMORE/F/MORTON
Aaron Davis-SENIOR/PG/RICHWOODS
Tyler Les-SENIOR/G/NOTRE DAME
Connor Underwood-JUNIOR/F/WASHINGTON
Darian White-JUNIOR/F/CENTRAL

http://www.pjstar.com/archive/x38426044/Journal-large-school-all-area-second-and-third-boys-basketball-teams

Past JS Players of the Year-
http://www.pjstar.com/archive/x18596...rs-of-the-Year

Not sure it is a big deal but why was Stewart only 2nd team in his own area/city this year? Are the other guards on the 1st team better or is it political? And if they are better why are we not recruiting them? Specifically, Alexander.

[tornado]

the only kid on the entire list that already has a scholarship for next year is also on 2nd Team, so I wouldn't worry about it..

[houstontxbrave]

the only kid on the entire list that already has a scholarship for next year is also on 2nd Team, so I wouldn't worry about it..

Not worrying just asking how can a guy we offer not be 1st team in his own city? Are Deal and Alexander better then Stewart or was the selections political?

And what does that say about Stewart if only one player on the first team has any D1 offers and he cant make the first team infront of 4 guys who wont play at the D1 level?

[tornado]

there are obviously differences on who is better...but the guy who gets the offer might be the guy with the most potential...

[SaintLouBrave22]

Not worrying just asking how can a guy we offer not be 1st team in his own city? Are Deal and Alexander better then Stewart or was the selections political?

And what does that say about Stewart if only one player on the first team has any D1 offers and he cant make the first team infront of 4 guys who wont play at the D1 level?

Seems as though it was based quite a bit on team wins-losses as Stewart had a pretty good year...


You have three guys that were in the State Tournament, 1 guy whose team made the Sectional Finals I believe, and the other is arguably the best big man in the area...

[houstontxbrave]

there are obviously differences on who is better...but the guy who gets the offer might be the guy with the most potential...

Fine Ill buy on that but, hasnt Stewart been playing varsity since he was a Freshman and at one time was getting interest from all over?

Hopefully he still has a lot of untapped potential left, even though all those U of I types fell off.

But I would really like to know from those who have seen Stewart, Deal and Alexander... who is better?

From what I have read Alexander has a ton of this untapped potential.

[BuB]

Fine Ill buy on that but, hasnt Stewart been playing varsity since he was a Freshman and at one time was getting interest from all over?

Hopefully he still has a lot of untapped potential left, even though all those U of I types fell off.

But I would really like to know from those who have seen Stewart, Deal and Alexander... who is better?

From what I have read Alexander has a ton of this untapped potential.

I have seen all these kids alot this year and IMO the list is correct. Nothing political about these picks. Alexander and Deal can play. The other 2 second team guards, Dorsey and Jordan are very good as well. Stewart has some talent but as I have stated before, his best skill right now is ball handling and getting into the lane. Those other 4 guards do many other things better especially comittment to defense, a better shooter, and are quicker. Stewart was ahead of all these kids as a freshman but they have caught and passed him. DS still brings alot to the table and could be a good fit. Other factors may come into play as to why we are not recruiting the other players such as grades. Stewart met Bradley/NCAA guidelines. IMO we have enough good guards for this recruiting period and great depth at that position.

[BuB]

the only kid on the entire list that already has a scholarship for next year is also on 2nd Team, so I wouldn't worry about it..

Yep, Marvin Jordan. They got a good one

http://www.pjstar.com/preps/x1158536672/Manual-s-Marvin-Jordan-signs-to-play-basketball-at-Ball-State

[Da Coach]

I think Andrew Jordan being left off was an oversight.

And note that the PJ Star has always included Manual kids in the "Large School" selections, instead of where they have officialy been for a few years, in Class 2A.

[BuB]

I think Andrew Jordan being left off was an oversight.

And note that the PJ Star has always included Manual kids in the "Large School" selections, instead of where they have officialy been for a few years, in Class 2A.

Maybe..... but he disappeared in way to many games and was not a factor. He still has not fully bought into the Manual defensive ways. He was a force offensively at the Civic Center but did not play with that intensity every game during the regular season. I did notice the entire 2nd team is guards. You had to be pretty special this year to be recognized. Peoria is well known for good guard play.

[houstontxbrave]

I have seen all these kids alot this year and IMO the list is correct. Nothing political about these picks. Alexander and Deal can play. The other 2 second team guards, Dorsey and Jordan are very good as well. Stewart has some talent but as I have stated before, his best skill right now is ball handling and getting into the lane. Those other 4 guards do many other things better especially comittment to defense, a better shooter, and are quicker. Stewart was ahead of all these kids as a freshman but they have caught and passed him. DS still brings alot to the table and could be a good fit. Other factors may come into play as to why we are not recruiting the other players such as grades. Stewart met Bradley/NCAA guidelines. IMO we have enough good guards for this recruiting period and great depth at that position.

BUB, how does Stewart at this point in his HS career compare with Ruffin?

And what you say is my biggest fear with Stewart is his ceiling is within reach, where others have alot of room for continued improvement. Does his body look like with weight work it could mature or has his body also hit a ceiling?

Do you consider Stewart the best 1 guard in the Peoria area?

[BuB]

BUB, how does Stewart at this point in his HS career compare with Ruffin?

And what you say is my biggest fear with Stewart is his ceiling is within reach, where others have alot of room for continued improvement. Does his body look like with weight work it could mature or has his body also hit a ceiling?

Do you consider Stewart the best 1 guard in the Peoria area?

Stewart is the big fish in the pond at Limestone. Since his freshman year he has shot at will. He does not shoot well from the outside, is average at the free throw line, and has made alot of layups or free throws for his points. So on offense his numbers are better. Ruffin clearly is ahead of Stewart defensively, was quicker, and also looked to pass more. But if I remember correctly Ruff was a poor shooter as well at Central and early at Bradley.

Here is where I see a big difference in the 2. Ruffin was/is mentally tough and had that junk yard dog mentality about him. He never rested on defense and hustled his butt off all the time. Stewart does not have this trait. Way to lax on defense and his attitude toward Coach Sparrow at Limestone indicates little respect. He has not been tested every night in the Mid Illini like Ruffin was in the Mid State 5/6.

As far as his physical size goes, I see little room for growth as he has not changed much since his freshman year. His Dad is not tall but his step sister (Naticia) is so who knows if he has an inch or two left She would be a great sign for Paula if her knee heals IMO. He is probably 5'10'' in his shoes but no bigger. Ronnie needs to put in alot of time with him in the weight room to get him stronger. He needs strength but no more weight.

Do I consider him the best 1 guard in the area? Not now..... I really like Jordan from Manual because of his attitude toward defense and his quickness. He is a better shooter. He is also 1 year older than Stewart. Deal is VERY comparable to Ruffin at this point in his career. He has that never give up mentality. He is not the ball handler/penetrator that Stewart is. However the paper says that he is being recruited by some of the top jucos in the country so he probably has grade issues. I don't see Alexander as a 1 guard but like his game. One sophmore that is right with Stewart is Bobo Drummond from Central.

[Deadguy35]

Not sure it is a big deal but why was Stewart only 2nd team in his own area/city this year? Are the other guards on the 1st team better or is it political? And if they are better why are we not recruiting them? Specifically, Alexander.

Alexander was not a starter last year as Manual had Gulley, March, and Jordan playing the Guard positions. When he did play, he was playing out of position, as he was put at the 4 most of the time because he was usually the second tallest player on the court for Manual. This is probably why he flew under the radar but he still managed to grab an offer from Southern Indiana in addition to a few JUCOs (like ICC).

Tony Wysinger said he's a better all around player than Jamar Smith was after his Senior year at Richwoods. At 6'3, he certainly has the size to play the 2 at the D1 level. His shot has developed nicely, he plays great defense, and he is clutch. I don't know if Bradley has any interest in him, but he'd be a great player for the Braves. It's been reported that he took an official visit to Rhode Island but noone knows for sure where he'll end up.

I agree with what the other posters have said about Andrew Jordan. He is just way too inconsistant and needs to show that he can play well on both sides of the court on a consistent basis. Everyone knows he has the talent and atheticism to play the 3 at the D1 level, but he really has not reached his full potential. Perhaps he can have a breakout year for Manual as a Senior.

As far as Donivine ranking below some of the other guards in the area, it's not a big deal. Peoria has so many talented guards it is very hard for a player to stand out. Donivine is being overlooked because he's not on a very talented team. When his cousin was at Limestone (Demarius Sumrell), Donivine's game was elevated a bit, as he was 2nd team all state for the 2007-08 season as a Freshman (same as DJ Richardson, who was a JR at Central). Plus, he was on the first team for last year's PJS large school All Area team:

http://www.pjstar.com/preps/x1931066513/2009-Journal-Star-large-school-boys-basketball-all-star-team

Donivine doesn't put up the ridiculous numbers that he used to because he has evolved into a different kind of player, which is not a bad thing. His passing and ball handling skills have improved immensely, which allows him to get his teammates more involved. Donivine knows he isn't going to average 20 points per game in college, which is why he joined All-Iowa Attack last summer. It not only allowed him to play with Harrison Barnes but it also allowed him to work on his PG skills. This was a huge get for Bradley as Donivine is the real deal and has the potential to be a four year starter.