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Lance Sprains Ankle

Lincoln star Lance Stephenson sprained his ankle during a scrimmage Friday night against Bishop Loughlin.

I called Lincoln coach Dwayne "Tiny" Morton from Giants Stadium, where I'm covering football, to get an update.

Asked the extent of the damage, he said: "I'm not sure yet. I'll find out (Saturday)."

Stephenson, who is considering USC, Kansas, Memphis, North Carolina, Georgetown and Seton Hall among others, apparently sprained the ankle upon receiving a pass during the third quarter, but I didn't get any more details.

Lincoln is slated to visit Seton Hall-bound point guard Jordan Theodore and Paterson Catholic on Sunday. Now they may be without Stephenson. I'll update Saturday when I get more info.

Big Friday at Giants Stadium; The Battle of Wayne is On

Well, we've hyped these games about as much as possible, and now they're finally here. In tonight's first game at Giants Stadium, Paterson Catholic takes on Morristown-Beard in the Non-Public Group 1 title game. Jarel Lowery (left) and the Cougars are anxious for revenge after losing last year's game to St. Mary, and are seeking their fifth title since 1999.

My pick: PC 24, Mo Beard 7

Then in the nightcap, Matt Dortch (left) and Wayne Valley take on Dan DeCicco and Wayne Hills for the North 1, Group 3 championship. It is just the third time ever the crosstown rivals will square off and the second time in a sectional final. Can you really call that a rivalry? The township is split over the big game, with fathers and sons, husbands and wives, friends and relatives weighing in on who will win.

My pick: Hills 28, Valley 21

What are your picks?

Lance, Theodore to Scrimmage; Sofman Cleared to Play

Although this weekend will feature the NJSIAA football state championships at Rutgers and Giants Stadiums, there are also some interesting hoops events on the calendar...

*Lance Stephenson and his Lincoln teammates, ranked No. 9 in the nation in the preseason USA Today Super 25 poll, will be at Paterson Catholic Sunday at 4 p.m. to take on Seton Hall-bound G Jordan Theodore and his squad loaded with talented sophomores. I believe the scrimmage is open to the public. Paterson Catholic is located at 764 11th Ave. in Paterson and is accessible off Route 20 Northbound. I would take 80 West to Exit 60 and go about 1-2 miles on 20, making the left turnoff at the light toward Paterson. The school will be right in front of you.

Bosco's Tony Jones the One Who Got Away

RAMSEY – Tony Jones got away.

He got away from Paterson, from Kennedy and Eastside, and from Paterson Catholic, too.

Jones is one of the most talented and exciting football players in the city. He is ranked among the top running backs in the Class of 2010 and plays for a team that is considered the best in the state.

That team is Don Bosco, 20 miles and a world away from Paterson.

Read the whole story here. Bosco and St. Peter's are meeting for the third straight year, each having captured one title. Who's your pick to win the big game Saturday at Giants Stadium? Jones and Bosco, or Will Hill and St. Pete's?

Gonzo a Daddy, Gets to 6-0

Congrats to Seton Hall Coach Bobby Gonzalez who had a huge day on Wednesday. Gonzo's wife, Tracy, gave birth to the couple's first child, Brooke Kimberly Gonzalez, in the morning. The middle name is an homage to Bobby's deceased sister, Kim, who died of viral encephalitis at 32. If Brooke has half the energy of her father, she'll be full of life and ready to take on whatever comes her way.

Gonzo then went out and coached the Pirates to a 65-55 victory over Princeton at Jadwin Gym. Sophomore point guard Eugene Harvey scored 20 points and Big East Player of the Week Brian Laing had 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

The Hall, which stunned then-No. 23 Virginia Saturday night at the Palestra, is now 6-0 for the first time since the 1988-89 Final Four team started 13-0.

Gonzo told reporters he might miss the upcoming trip to California to play St. Mary's.

"I need to spend the next couple of days with my wife," he told reporters. "I'm hoping to fly out on Saturday."

The Hall was installed as a 50-to-1 shot to win the NCAA Tournament.

Brice Massamba Taking Off

Since Brice Massamba's performance at the recent National Prep Showcase in Lowell, Mass., his coaches have received 20 calls from college coaches.

A native of the Congo who grew up in Sweden, the 6-10, 255-pound Massamba plays for Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada, which chimed in at No. 4 in the latest National Prep Poll. Before that, he averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for Gelstaviken in Sodertalje, Sweden.

UConn, Cincinnati, St. John's and Buffalo are all interested in Massamba, said Findlay Prep's Todd Simon.

"Brice is obviously a very big body," Simon said."He has above average athleticism. Great hands. The No. 1 attribute is his feel for the game. He really knows how to play. He's one of those guys that knows where everyone should be on every play. He's extremely physical.

Evans, American Christian No. 3 in National Prep Poll

The latest National Prep Poll is out and the top three teams are Hargrave (Va.), the Patterson (NC) School  and American Christian. American Christian's Tyreke Evans had 32 points in a win over Winchendon, and 29 in 23 minutes Tuesday night in a win over Milestone (Mo.) Prep.

The 6-5 Evans will wait until the spring to sign and is considering Louisville, Villanova, UConn, Texas and Memphis.

Hills-Valley Ready for Clash

The big North 1, Group 3 final between Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley at Giants Stadium is only about 48 hours away, and the excitement level in the town is at a fever pitch.

The Herald News and The Record have two features and a capsule in today's editions. Read my feature on Valley LB Michael Landberg, who leads both teams with 126 tackles and a 4.4 GPA and dreams of being a suregon. Andrew Gross has a feature on Hills backers Tim Waller and Mike Roman, who have helped the Patriots pitch six shutouts en route to an 11-0 record.

Here's the info box with all the stats, records and storylines entering the game.

What's your pick for the game?

Fordham Lands 2 More Recruits; St. Joe's Offers Linden's Bruce

Atlantic 10 coaches continue to recruit the talent-rich areas in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to fill their rosters.

Fordham coach Dereck Whittenburg has gotten commitments from Lamar Thomas and Khiry Gordon, who both play at the Solebury School in New Hope, Pa.

Thomas (above courtesy NJHoops.com) is a 6-9, 220-pound center and Gordon a 6-7, 195-pound combo forward. They should form a nice complement to St. Anthony guards Jio Fontan of Paterson and Alberto Estwick, both of whom previously committed to Fordham.

"Both kids have the potential to have success at Fordham," Solebury coach Cleve Christie told Justin Young of Rivals. "The opportunity to play together was one of the things that made this so appealing. They have a connection, attachment on the court."

Jersey Schools in USA Today Poll, Games on ESPN

My article in the current SLAM Magazine details the trio of New Jersey powerhouses at St. Patrick, St. Anthony and St. Benedict's.

Now the first USA Today Super 25 poll is out and all three teams are in the Top 10. St. Pat's, the two-time defending Tournament of Champions winner is No. 3; St. Anthony is No. 5 and St. Benedict's is No. 6. The prepnation.com poll has St. Anthony No. 2, St. Patrick No. 3 and St. Ben's No. 5.

On Dec. 13, Louisville commit Samardo Samuels and St. Ben's will play on ESPN2 against Brandon Jennings and No. 1 Oak Hill in Benton, Ky. The Arizona-bound Jennings recently dropped 45 in a scrimmage against Hargrave, the No. 1 prep team in the nation.