Five-star Class of 2016 point guard Kobi Simmons, an electric, end-to-end player from Georgia, is unofficially visiting the University of Kentucky Saturday, his father said. Simmons, the No. 8 junior in the nation, according to Scout.com, doesn’t have an offer from the Wildcats, but it would be no surprise if he received one at some point soon. Simmons is a dynamic open-court player who’s tremendous at attacking the rim. Simmons also visited UK last year for Big Blue Madness. He told The Courier-Journal in June that he enjoyed the loud atmosphere at Rupp Arena at that event and that the Cats’ fans “are just crazy.”
More: 5-star Kobi Simmons visiting UK
After months without a commitment, Syracuse received their second verbal in a little over a week when Lake Oswego (Ore.) Lakeridge High quarterback Eric Dungey pledged Orange after an official visit. Syracuse shifted their recruiting plan several weeks ago and decided that a quarterback prospect was a need in the 2015 cycle. One player at the position that jumped onto the radar recently was the three-star Dungey.
More: Three-star quarterback Eric Dungey commits to Syracuse
Eddie Ekiyor has been getting some buzz as of late and if Saturday’s outing was any indication, it certainly is well warranted. A 6-foot-8, pushing 6-9, Ekiyor has a wide set of shoulders and has a strong frame that allows him to battle and play physical in between the blocks for Pete Hutchins’ New Hampton (N.H.) Prep team. “I always defensive rebound and bring energy,” Ekiyor told Scout. “Offensively I try to get to the rim and make it so people have to help inside so we can pass it out for open shots.”
More: Ekiyor has strong showing
With the early signing period wrapped up, the focus now turns to the remaining prospects who are still available in the 2015 class. As a four-star center and one of the best players in the country, there is plenty of interest in New York native Thomas Bryant and he’s cut his list to three schools, according to Jerry Meyer of 24/7Sports. The 6-foot-10, 230-pound Bryant has trimmed his list to Indiana, Missouri and Syracuse, according to Meyer, and he’ll sign in the spring, which is common for elite players who have options. But it appears that list may not be concrete, as Bryant went to Kentucky for a game on Friday night with some Huntington Prep teammates.
More: Four-star 2015 big man cuts his list to three then visits SEC powerhouse
Syracuse found Christopher Fredrick early and that early scholarship offer helped them secure the three-star safety. Scout spent time with the Orange commit recently and he talked about his decision, how Syracuse plans to use him, how strong his commitment is, why it is the right school for him, and more.
More: Why is Syracuse right for Christopher Fredrick?
Forestview set a couple of major firsts in Friday’s 37-13 home playoff win against Pisgah. Running back Moe Neal became the first player in school history to reach 2,000 rushing yards in a season, and the Jaguars became the first Forestview team to notch 11 wins. Neal rushed for 127 yards and three touchdowns, John Crawford passed for 134 yards and Forestview won the turnover battle 3-0 on its way to victory.
More: Jaguars reach school-best 11 wins, move on to third round
Only one thing could stop Coatesville defensive end Amir Ealey against Downingtown East, and it wasn’t the Cougars’ offensive line. Turns out, Ealey could only stop himself in the brisk, late November night in his last game on the Coatesville turf. Playing with a sprained thumb in below freezing temperatures can do that to a player. “I messed up my thumb three games ago (against Downingtown West),’ Ealey said. “They said it was a sprain, but it turned out I was messing it up worse throughout the night. All night I’ve been playing with one hand.’
More: One-handed Ealey, Coatesville defense play biggest game of season
Kareem Walker came up with the biggest touchdown run of his career. And DePaul survived – but just barely. Walker, DePaul’s explosive junior tailback, scored on a 25-yard run in overtime, Billy Hall made the all-important extra point kick and the second-seeded Spartans escaped with a 34-33 victory over Immaculata in a Non-Public Group 2 semifinal game Friday night.
More: Walker carries DePaul to win in overtime
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