Prelude – Class of 2016

college-hoops-map
Courtesy – Mandatory.com

 

Hoops 24/7, 365.  Yep it’s August and one can feel the anticipation beginning to build for the upcoming college basketball season.  The Creighton boards are humming and the faithful are like thoroughbreds – chomping at their bits – eagerly anticipating the starting bell.  But, of course we must suffer through the end of summer, and then endure 2 months of unholy pigskin, but the season is approaching. Bluenotes normally begins gearing up in August, usually crowned with gtmo’s ridiculous prognostications on 15 August.  This season will not differ.

We prime the pump with a series of preludes on the new guys – the Class of 2016. Initial interviews with the 3 newest Jays:  Jordan, Kobe, and Davion.  Who’d a thunk that we would ever see Jordan and Kobe in Jays uni’s?  lol.  These young men fit the historic mold of Creighton recruits, as they are men that have been often overlooked, underevaluated, and under-recruited during their HS careers – even while showing significant growth, maturation, and improvements in their games.  Our coaching staff – ever alert and with a discerning eye for talent – found our next fortune, these 3 diamonds in the rough.  Jordan, Kobe, and Davion may not have the cache of high recruiting services number ratings, but they are excellent players and fit the Bluejays style of play.

harvest

This class is special.  While underappreciated by the media pundits and talking heads, young men like these 3 have been Creighton’s bread and butter over the years.  Guys like these have consistently carried our program to great heights and to sustained achievement over the last 20 years.  We expect no less than excellence from Jordan, Kobe, and Davion during their tenures on the Hilltop. We expect them to work hard, to be staunch members of the squad, and to contribute to winning championships at Creighton. That is why they were recruited and are now Bluejays!

gtmoBlue

Repost – Class of 2009

Creighton Bluejays
Class of 2009

Left to right:
Andrew Bock, PG, Rivals 4-star: 6′ 1″, 165
Darryl Ashford, SG/SF, Rivals 3-star: 6′ 4-5″, 180
Greg Allen, PG/SG, Scout 2-star: 6′ 2″, 170 (added 5/19/09)
Ethan Wragge, SF, Scout 3-star: 6′ 8″, 185
Wayne Runnels, SF/PF: 6′ 7″, 215
?? 6′ 8-10″, 250+/ The ‘Mystery Recruit’

Well, well, well. The Jays go from famine to feast in a hurry over this late signing period. Many of the faithful, including yours truly, had been a bit concerned about the lack of information on prospective recruits, and on the seeming difficulties in continuing to attract quality players to the program.

There have been myriad questions, worries, and criticisms regarding our seeming inability to land legitimate (6′ 8″ and above) bigs. On the surface of things this class should put most, if not all, of the recent concerns to bed. The question of acquiring good size appears to have been answered.

As for the quality of this class, it probably ranks 3rd behind the storied Class of 2006 and the 2007 Class. Andrew had a stellar year and earned several awards & recognition. Rivals elevated him to Top 100 status and a 4 star rating. Ethan has been consistent all year after having a breakout spring and summer of 2008, earned Scout 3 star status. Both Wayne and Darryl received recognition for outstanding Juco play this season and were Juco All Americans.

Late Spring Signer -19May09Added another (3rd ) guard, Greg Allen, a Scout 2 star, to the mix as the 5th scholie recruit. Greg is from Eureka, CA. He played 4 yrs on varsity @ Eureka HS. He listed as the #17 ranked player by NorCalPreps.com, in their NorCal Top 40 list.

Speculation abounds ico a 6′ 10″ mystery recruit. Still no inkling of who this ‘true’ big may be.

All of our commits are welcome additions to the team and will help bolster their given positions. All fill needed roles and will see court time in the Jays system.

All in all a great mix of experience, basketball savvy, and talent. A very good class indeed.

gtmo