NORTH AUGUSTA, SC --- Spiece Indy Heat made a real statement in the first session of the Nike Peach Jam Monday morning, scoring a decisive win over Philadephia-based Team Final. Spiece was playing without Marquise Teague (6-2, 175, Indianapolis, IN Pike) while Team Final was without Michael Gilchrist (6-7, 190, Somerdale, NJ St. Patrick's), both of whom are en route from Hamburg, Germany, where they were starters on the USA team that won the gold medal at the FIBA World 17-and-Under Championships.
Even without Teague, Spiece didn't miss a beat thanks to point guard Nic Moore (5-10, 170, Winona Lake, IN Warsaw), who constantly wore out the Team Final guards, beating them off the dribble and showing off as a spot up shooter. Moore, who scored 31 points in the Indiana state championship game back in March, has offers from Butler and a bunch of mid-majors, but his performance at camps in June has plenty of scouts from Big Ten and other high majors looking at him.
Florida was taking another look at Rakeem Christmas (6-9, 225, Philadelphia, PA Academy of the New Church). Christmas had some outstanding moments such as a full sprint down the court to dunk-finish an alley-oop and a couple of nice looking turn arounds in the lane, but he doesn't seem to play hard except in spurts. There's no question he's got the talent but you have to question the desire. He has Florida, Oklahoma and Texas still at the top of his list but there is a strange fascination with Florida International and Isiah Thomas, which I'll never figure out.
Christmas had way too many problems handling 2012 stud center Aaron Hammons (6-11, 260, Carmel, IN), whose offer list is off the charts. Hammons says he's hearing from everyone, particularly Big Ten schools and Xavier. Kentucky is a very visible presence.
Spiece has another 2012 stud in Austin Burgett (6-9, 210, Avon, IN), who plays power forward on defense and small forward on offense. Burgett hit three threes in a row in the second half when Spiece broke the game open. He's got a picture perfect jumper that's so fundamentally sound you know he'll never go into a prolonged shooting slump. He's got Butler and Xavier all over him, but his offer sheet will fill up soon.
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Florida assistant Richard Pitino was at an early game watching the Georgia Stars against Boston-based BABC. Florida is very interested in Nerlens Noel (6-10, 210, Everett, MA Tilton), who is perhaps the best shot blocker in this tournament. Noel has a developing offensive game and he's skinny as a rail, but there is no questioning his ability to alter shots and take away the paint. He's got Florida on a short list that includes all the Big East schools.
The Gators maintain an interest in Kedren Johnson (6-4, 215, Lewisburg, TN Marshall County) of the Georgia Stars but he's likely deciding between Vanderbilt and Alabama. The Gators have an increasing interest in Malcolm Brogdon (6-4, 190, Norcross, GA Greater Atlanta Christian), but he's a backup for top targets Sam Thompson (6-6, 190, Chicago, IL Whitney Young), Adonis Thomas (6-6, 211, Memphis, TN Melrose) and Dorian Finney-Smith (6-8, 185, Portsmouth, VA IC Norcum).
When he gets back from Germany (played on the gold medal USA team), the Gators will be looking at Stars big man Tony Parker (6-9, 260, Lithonia, GA Miller Grove). Parker, Gilchrist, Teague and Florida commitment Bradley Beal (6-4, 190, St. Louis, MO Chaminade Prep), the MVP of the world championships, will all be on hand Tuesday.
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Florida assistant Rob Lanier is taking a long look at 2012 combo guard Omar Calhoun (6-4, 180, Middle Village, NY Christ the King), who has shown terrific range from beyond the arc playing for the New York Gauchos against Minneapolis-based Howard Pulley All-Stars.
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