Words. Austin Burton

Although he hardly cruises through the first three quarters, LeAntwan Luckett saves his best for the fourth. The Ridgeland (MS) senior shooting guard — averaging 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists per game through Sunday — is one of the best clutch performers in the South.

“This summer alone, LeAntwan won or tied six games against big-time competition at the free throw line or with a last-second shot,” says Ted Hutchins, who coached Luckett for Mississippi D-1 Ambassadors AAU. “He’s incredibly humble off the court, but when he gets on that court, he’s a totally different person. He wants to take over.” MORE >

Words. Austin Burton

Trying to predict the outcome of an exhibition all-star game is an ultimately pointless venture — just one guy playing his hardest can swing the whole complexion of the game — but sometimes the rosters just look too lopsided to resist.

The rosters for the 2011 Jordan Brand Classic were released today, and the East squad is stacked with four of the arguably five best seniors in the country. Austin Rivers, Michael Gilchrist, Marquis Teague and Quincy Miller are all on the East roster, while Top-5 candidates Myck Kabongo and Brad Beal lead the West team. MORE >

Words. Austin Burton

Keonta Vernon had yet to make his mark on the national radar, until he literally wrecked shop to get some shine earlier this week. Vernon, a 6-4 shooting guard at Tulare (CA) Union H.S., broke the backboard and pulled the rim off during a game.

Words. Austin Burton

In a city where the Lakers, UCLA, and now Blake Griffin consistently hog the headlines, high school basketball in Los Angeles has been relatively overlooked compared to cities like New York, Chicago, or even more recent hotbeds Seattle and Houston.

But considering that high schools in L.A. proper have produced nearly 60 NBA players — not to mention schools in the metro area like North Hollywood and Compton producing dozens of pros — Southern Cali is deserving of a little more shine. MORE >

Words. Austin Burton

It was a big weekend in high school basketball — beginning with a head-to-head national TV contest between the No. 1 and No. 2 players in the country, and continuing through the Springfield (Mass.) Hoophall Classic, where many of the best players, teams and coaches in the nation have convened in one of the season’s premier showcases.

NO. 1 OAK HILL GOES DOWN The last time we saw Milton (GA) in action, they lost a heartbreaker to St. Patrick (NJ) in the City of Palms tournament title game on a buzzer-beating three. This time, Milton’s speed and execution didn’t leave room for a surprise dagger, as they knocked off undefeated Oak Hill, the nation’s No. 1 team according to ESPN and USA Today. MORE >

Words. Austin Burton

For as long as they’re both in the NBA, whenever Kobe Bryant and LeBron James line up across from each other on the court, it’s never going to not be a nationally televised main event. In the NFL, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady can’t square off without the eyes of the entire nation watching. There’s just something about when the two best in their sport go head-to-head — even if it’s not really head-to-head — that makes it appointment viewing for anybody with a TV.

At 7 p.m. EST tonight on ESPN2, high school basketball’s Kobe-vs.-LeBron is going down, when Winter Park (FL) tips off against St. Patrick (NJ), showcasing the individual matchup of Austin Rivers vs. Michael Gilchrist. MORE >