Crespi (Encino, CA) point guard London Perrantes is the Los Angeles Daily News 2012/2013 Player of the Year.  This is the latest accolade for the Virginia-bound senior, who averaged 19.7 points and 5.8 assists per game this past season.  He has also earned Mission League MVP honors and the John Wooden Award for Division IV.

Perrantes, a 4-year starter on the varsity level, guided the Celts to a 23-10 overall record and a second place finish in the Mission League.  For more on the future Hoo, be sure to check out the EDGE Q&A feature posted on April 12. 

During a teleconference with reporters on Tuesday, UVa coach Tony Bennett was asked whether he was worried about keeping players happy in future years with full recruiting classes. Here’s what Coach Bennett had to say.

“You know that’s something I can’t worry about because I think guys we give them chances and the guys that we feel are helping us will get opportunities but we keep working to develop our players. On the front end, we say hey here’s who we are bringing in and never fly under the radar and surprise the guys that we recruited. Say here’s the guys we are recruiting, here is our program. If young guys can come in and they’re strong enough to play over other guys and stuff like that happens, well that’s part of competition. You can’t make it an environment that no one has to compete for spots or someone is guaranteed X amount of minutes. That’s too hard to do. With injuries and other things that happen, you have to have quality depth and that’s what good teams can do. … So you always want your guys certainly to be happy, but you want them to compete and you want to put the best players on the floor.”

The University of Virginia men’s basketball program signed a pair of point guard prospects, Cape Henry Collegiate (Virginia Beach, VA) standout Devon Hall and Crespi  (Encino, CA) star London Perrantes, in the Early Signing Period in the class of 2013.  Here is the latest on how each player is performing in his senior season…

Devon Hall

Cape Henry Collegiate kicked off its 2012/2013 season by playing in the Good Counsel Invitational in Olney, MD.  The Dolphins opened the tourney with a 60-39 win over Calvert Hall, and they defeated Good Counsel, 66-65, in round two.  In the championship game, St. John’s (Washington, D.C.) downed CHS, 63-60.  The loss was CHC’s first since the 2010/2011 season.

After the loss, the Dolphins rebounded with wins over Christchurch and Riverdale Baptist (no. 5 in the Washington Post preseason poll) to improve to 4-1 on the year. Up next is a home game against Fuqua School on December 14.

Stats for Hall in the last three games could not be found, but the 6’5″, 205-pound senior scored 12 and 10 points in his team’s first two games.

London Perrantes

Crespi has played five games thus far.  After falling to West Ranch by four in the season opener, the Celts split four games in the Jim Harris Memorial Invitational.  Crespi opened the tournament in fine fashion, downing West Valley by a score of 87-47.  After losing to Compton, 66-60, the Celts rebounded with a 63-54 win over Warren.  Crespi concluded the tournament with a 71-62 loss to Clovis West.

The 6’1″, 180-pound Perrantes scored 23 points in Crespi’s season opener.  He had 10 points and 10 assists against West Valley, a game seen by Fox Sports Next West Coast Recruiting Analyst Josh Gershon.

“London Perrantes racking up assists in first half. Very talented passer. Great fit for Tony Bennett’s system at Virginia,” Gershon tweeted during the West Valley game.

Perrantes’ stats in the loss to Compton could not be found, but he produced in each of the next two games.  The standout senior had 16 points in the win over Warren, and on Saturday night he had 17 points and nine assists in the loss to Clovis West.

Crespi takes the court again on December 14, when it faces North Hollywood in the opening  round of the San Fernando Valley Invitational.

The “Week In Review” is a weekly feature. It’s a look at how UVa’s recruits are performing throughout the 2012 season. In case you missed anything, be sure to check out the bottom of this report for links to previous weeks. Only two teams with Virginia-bound recruits were in action this past weekend, but both teams came away victorious.

Virginia freshman Justin Anderson developed a high-flying reputation during his high school days, thanks in large part to highlight videos like this one:

While Anderson has thrown down a few dunks already in the orange and blue, however, his all-around game has impressed Cavalier fans out of the gate too. The freshman has defended numerous positions, including smaller and quicker guards, blocked some shots, handed out some assists, and generally stuffed the stat sheet night after night in the Hoos’ first six games. So far, Anderson averages 6.8 points (38.2% shooting), 3.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists (vs. 1.8 turnovers), 1.3 steals, 1.0 blocks, and 3.7 free throw attempts per game (68.2% free throw shooting).

“Yeah unfortunately, the highlights just show the dunks and the stuff on offense that everybody wants to see,” Anderson said. “I like to be an all-around player, get my teammates involved, and that’s the best thing.”

Anderson and the Hoos take on Wisconsin on Wednesday night in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The game airs at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.

UVa-bound point guard London Perrantes scored 23 points, but Crespi (Encino, CA) dropped a 72-68 decision to Valencia West Ranch last night.  It was the season opener for the Celts.

Two weeks ago today, Perrantes signed a letter of intent with the Hoos.  Fans can follow his team’s progress throughout the season on Twitter at @CeltsBBall.  We’ll have continuous updates on TheSabre.com as well.

UVa’s other class of 2013 signee, point guard Devon Hall, kicks off his senior season this Friday, when Cape Henry Collegiate (Virginia Beach, VA) takes on Calvert Hall in the opening round of the Good Counsel Basketball Tournament.

It’s official.  University of Virginia-bound running back Taquan “Smoke” Mizzell has been selected to play in the 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.  The Bayside (Virginia Beach, VA) senior’s selection was made official yesterday, during a press conference at his school.  (Click here to view a picture of Mizzell at the press conference.)

The 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl takes place on Saturday, January 5, at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio, Texas.  Mizzell, who rushed for 1,231 yards and scored 31 total touchdowns in his senior season, is currently the only UVa recruit set to play in the game.  The 5’10″, 190-pound prospect was the subject of an EDGE article posted last week, and EDGE subscribers should be sure to check that out if you missed it.

The “Week In Review” is a weekly feature. It’s a look at how UVa’s recruits are performing throughout the 2012 season. In case you missed anything, be sure to check out the bottom of this report for links to previous weeks. In the meantime, here is how last week played out for the Cavs’ recruits…

- Corwin “Turtle” Cutler, QB, Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, VA)

Cutler had surgery last Tuesday to repair a torn ACL.  On Friday night, his team defeated Oscar Smith, 14-10, in the Division 6 Eastern Region finals.  Coveted junior defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi recovered a fumble with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter, and the Dolphins offense responded with the go-ahead touchdown about a minute-and-a-half later.

Ocean Lakes plays host to Northwest Region champ Hylton this week in the Division 6 state semifinals.  The Bulldogs feature Florida State-bound senior linebacker E.J. Levenberry and coveted junior quarterback/athlete recruit Travon McMillian.

- Tim Harris, CB, Varina (VA)

Harris and the rest of the Blue Devils defense couldn’t slow L.C. Bird senior running back Paul Robertson, who rushed for 329 yards and three touchdowns in the Skyhawks’ 36-27 win in the Division 6 Central Region championship.  Varina finished with a 10-2 record in 2012.

- Brad Henson Jr., OL, Monsignor Donovan (Toms River, N.J.)

Henson and the rest of the Griffins’ offensive live paved the way for 340 yards rushing in a 56-19 win over Manchester Township.  Monsignor Donovan ends 2012 with a 6-4 record.

- Zack Jones, WR, Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA)

As mentioned above, Ocean Lakes pulled out a defensive battle against Oscar Smith, 14-10, in the Division 6 Eastern Region final.  The Tigers, state champions in 2011, finish 2012 with an 11-2 overall record.  Jones missed a few games due to a high ankle sprain but was still named to the first-team all-Southeastern District squad at receiver.

- Jack McDonald, OL, Boston College High (Boston, MA)

BC High ended the 2012 season in winning fashion, defeating Catholic Memorial, 20-14, on Thanksgiving Day.  The Eagles finished the year with a 4-6 record.

- LaChaston Smith, LB, South Iredell (Statesville, N.C.)

Smith had two touchdown runs and a 2-point conversion to help South Iredell defeat Salisbury, 35-28, in the West Region 2-AA final last week.  The Vikings (13-2) will face Carrboro in the 2-AA state final this Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.

Previous Columns…

Week In Review, August 28

Week In Review, September 3

Week In Review, September 10

Week In Review, September 17

Week In Review, September 24

Week In Review, October 1

Week In Review, October 8

Week In Review, October 15

Week In Review, October 22

Week In Review, October 29

Week In Review, November 5

Week In Review, November 12

Week In Review, November 19

The “Week In Review” is a weekly feature. It’s a look at how UVa’s recruits are performing throughout the 2012 season. In case you missed anything, be sure to check out the bottom of this report for links to previous weeks. In the meantime, here is how last week played out for the Cavs’ recruits…

- Zach Bradshaw, LB/WR, Damascus (MD)

Damascus’ season is over.  The Hornets finished 10-1, going undefeated in the regular season before falling in the first round of the Class 3A West playoffs.

- Malcolm Cook, S/ATH, Fork Union Military Academy (VA)

Malcolm Cook had an interception and a touchdown reception but Fork Union fell to Liberty Christian in the VIS Division 1 state championship, 35-14.  The Blue Devils finished with a 10-3 overall record.

- Hipolito Corporan, CB, Westside (Houston, TX)

Westside lost to Memorial, 38-14, in the Class 5A Division II Region III playoffs last Thursday.  The Wolves had six wins to five losses in the 2012 season.  EDGE Subscribers can check out my article on Corporan from early last week.

- Corwin “Turtle” Cutler, QB, Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, VA)

Cutler is out for the season with a torn ACL.  Behind backup quarterback Walter “Churchie” Harold, the Dolphins rolled over Western Branch, 47-20, to reach the Eastern Region Division 6 finals.  Ocean Lakes is 12-0 heading into this week’s regional championship against Oscar Smith.

- Jack English DT/TE, St. Christopher’s (Richmond, VA)

St. Christopher’s season is complete. The Saints finished with a 5-5 record.

- Kirk Garner, CB/WR, Andre Levrone Jr., WR, Brendan Marshall, QB, Good Counsel (Olney, MD)

Marshall connected with Virginia Tech-bound Kendall Fuller for three touchdowns as Good Counsel (11-1) defeated DeMatha Catholic in the WCAC championship, 26-14.  This is the fourth straight WCAC title for the Falcons.

The UVa-bound Marshall completed 15-of-24 passes for 198 yards and no interceptions.  He also averaged 36 yards per punt.

Click here to see video highlights of the game.

- Tim Harris, CB, Varina (VA)

Varina connected on a 22-yard field goal with 1.5 seconds remaining to defeat Meadowbrook, 30-29, in the Central Region Division 6 semifinals.  The Blue Devils will host L.C. Bird in the regional final this week.

- Brad Henson Jr., OL, Monsignor Donovan (Toms River, N.J.)

Red Bank Catholic defeated Monsignor Donovan, 54-0.  The Griffins drop to 5-4 heading into this week’s match-up against Manchester Township.

- Keeon Johnson, WR, A.L. Brown (Kannapolis, N.C.)

A.L. Brown lost to Charlotte Catholic, 49-18, in the third round of the Class 3AA state playoffs.  The Wonders finish the year with a 10-4 overall mark.

- Zack Jones, WR, Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA)

Zack Jones and the Oscar Smith Tigers defeated Salem’s SunDevils, 34-28, to advance to the Eastern Region Division 6 title game against Ocean Lakes.  The Tigers (11-1) are the defending Division 6 state champions.

- Micah Kiser, LB, Gilman (Baltimore, MD)

Gilman (9-2) defeated Calvert Hall, 35-7, in the MIAA A championship.  This is the second straight MIAA A championship for the Greyhounds.

Kiser led a tough Greyhound defense that surrendered an average of 10 points per game.

- Jack McDonald, OL, Boston College High (Boston, MA)

BC High (3-6) was idle last week.  The Eagles will close out the 2012 season with a Thanksgiving Day match-up against Catholic Memorial.

- Taquan “Smoke” Mizzell, RB, Bayside (Virginia Beach, VA)

Smoke earned first-team all-Beach District honors for his play this season.  He scored 31 total touchdowns, helping the Marlins to an 8-3 overall record.

- Sadiq Olanrewaju, OL, Salisbury School (CT)

Salisbury edged out Phillips Exeter Academy, 29-26, in the NEPSAC Jack Etter Bowl.  Salisbury went undefeated in 2012, finishing with a 9-0 record.

- LaChaston Smith, LB, South Iredell (Statesville, N.C.)

Smith rushed for 148 yards and three scores as South Iredell (12-2) defeated Bandys, 45-14, in the third round of the Class 2AA state playoffs.  A win over Salisbury this week would put the Vikings into the 2AA state championship game.

Statesville.com writes that Smith has been an offensive force for the Vikings the latter part of this season.

- Donta Wilkins, DT/OL, Potomac (Dumfries, VA)

Potomac (7-4) saw its 5-game win streak come to an end against Mountain View, which defeated the Panthers, 14-13, in last week’s Northwest Region Division 5 semifinals.

- Chris Nelson, DT, Victory Christian Academy (Lakeland, FL), Class of 2014 recruit

Victory Christian Academy’s 2012 season is complete.  The Storm finished with a 5-7 record, just barely missing out on postseason action.

Previous Columns…

Week In Review, August 28

Week In Review, September 3

Week In Review, September 10

Week In Review, September 17

Week In Review, September 24

Week In Review, October 1

Week In Review, October 8

Week In Review, October 15

Week In Review, October 22

Week In Review, October 29

Week In Review, November 5

Week In Review, November 12

Redshirt freshman Teven Jones made his Virginia debut during the Cavaliers’ 83-43 win against Seattle on Saturday at the John Paul Jones Arena. The Hoos will need Jones to provide some point guard minutes while senior captain Jontel Evans continues to recover from offseason surgery (Evans did not play Saturday after getting a few brief minutes earlier this week against Delaware). Here are some extra quotes from Jones after the game.

On his first game action as a Cavalier …

“It felt good. It felt good. When I first got out there, I got winded a little bit just because I was excited. After that, I settled in and we just did great.”

On enrolling early last year …

“It was actually a great experience, really, just getting to sit out there on the sideline and getting to look and learn from the games. I know Coach Curtis, our strength and conditioning coach, I’d sit down by him and he’d teach me some things during the game and I came out here today and it helped. I appreciate him for that.”

On being nervous when Joe Harris got 2 fouls and left the game in the first half …

“Nah, I wasn’t nervous at all. It was going to happen eventually so I had to be ready. I remember back at Fishburne playing at Hargrave and that crowd was crazy. I know I got nervous at that game and I learned from that experience so I wasn’t nervous at all coming out here.”

On feeling any pressure as the team’s only healthy point guard currently …

“I don’t feel like there’s a lot of pressure, just a lot of pressure on me staying healthy and I have to stay healthy for us to flow like we did. I don’t feel any pressure. I’ve got my teammates here with me. I’m fine.”