In November, four prospects — Montrose Christian (Rockville, MD) G/F Justin Anderson, Fishburne Military Academy (VA) PG Teven Jones, Milton (Alpharetta, GA) F Evan Nolte and Blair Academy (N.J.) C Mike Tobey — signed letters of intent with the University of Virginia.  Jones will enroll next week but will not play this season.  Instead, he’ll take a red-shirt this year and enter next season as a red-shirt freshman.  While Jones is headed to Virginia, here are how the other three prospects are performing on the hard-court so far this season.

Justin Anderson

Anderson was named the Most Outstanding Player at the Iolani Classic in Hawaii (Dec. 17-21).  He scored 14 points in an 11-point win over Orlando Christian in the tournament’s championship game, had 20 points in an earlier contest and 14 in another to lead the way for the Mustangs.

On Saturday, January 6, the Mustangs defeated Kecoughtan (Hampton, VA) 77-64.  Check out the highlights here, if only to see a fantastic Anderson dunk at the 2:04 mark (right at the end).  Montrose then defeated Annandale, 77-24, last night.  The 6’6″, 225-pound Anderson had 25 points in the win.

 Anderson is averaging about 18 points per game.  Montrose is 11-1 and ranked no. 7 in the ESPN Rise national top 50.

Evan Nolte

Milton has been on an absolute roll as of late.  The Eagles destroyed North Forsyth 76-11 on January 6, less than a week after taking the Beach Ball Classic (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) with a 70-42 win over Lone Peak of Utah.  Milton won each of its games at the Beach Ball Classic by double-digits.

For his play in Myrtle Beach, the Virginia-bound Nolte earned Most Valuable Player honors. The 6’8″ forward went 6-7 from 3-point range in the semifinals, finishing with 20 points in Milton’s 77-56 win over Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV), which features the consensus top-ranked senior in the nation in Shabazz Muhammad. He scored 20 points in the championship game and also had a 17-point, 10-rebound, 7-steal effort in an earlier contest.

Milton defeated McEachern by 33 on January 7 to improve to 11-4 heading into this weekend’s Burger King Classic in Erie, PA.  The Eagles take on Niagara Falls in the first round tomorrow.

On the season, Nolte is averaging 18 points per game.

Mike Tobey

The 6’11″ Tobey is reportedly averaging over 20 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks per game this season, showing why he generated so much positive buzz early in last year’s AAU circuit before suffering a broken hand.  Playing through an ankle injury, Tobey scored 20 second half points as Blair defeated Pocono Mountain West 64-48 on January 7.  Blair defeated Pocono Mountain East by 14 points two nights later and Peddie School by nine on January 11.

Blair Academy is 8-4 on the season.

Comments From Cavaliers Head Coach Tony Bennett

Virginia men’s basketball coach Tony Bennett joined Hoos Talking on Wednesday, January 4.  On the show, he dished about Virginia’s 2012 class and also admitted the staff may look to add to the class in the spring

“It’s a nice group, and perhaps there will be a fifth one added with the availability of our scholarships. That’ll just be determined as this season unfolds,” Bennett said.

Bennett’s comments came before the news of Teven Jones’ early enrollment.  In case you missed it, check out TheSabre.com’s story on Jones, which includes Coach Bennett’s comments to Hoos Talking.  Below are his comments on the rest of UVa’s 2012 class.

Bennett On Mike Tobey

“Mike Tobey is almost seven-feet.  When he and Assane were standing on the visit, some of the guys thought he was a little taller than Assane.  Six-eleven, seven-feet…really doesn’t matter.  He has a real big upside.  He’s skilled.  Deceptively athletic.  Has real nice touch.  He can step out and shoot the face-up, but he has got some back-to-the-basket moves and good instincts.  I think Virginia fans are going to be real excited to watch his career unfold because I think he has a big upside.  And we’re excited about Mike.  He’s doing a good job this year.

“I’ll tell you one thing about him.  He chose this school because he wanted a great academic school, and he also wanted to go to a college basketball program where he felt he could help turn around and make a difference.  Those were kind of his two prerequisites.”

Bennett On Evan Nolte

“A skilled, kind of a facing wing forward.  Can play some 4.  Perhaps can play some 3.  He just really, again, is a smart player and is playing some good basketball.  Understands how to play, and as he develops physically I think he’s going to have a very nice career too.”

Bennett On Justin Anderson

“Justin Anderson is certainly a very gifted six-six athlete wing player that I think could be a heck of a defender.  He’s probably got a little more skill than people realize. He’s more than just an athlete.  Very highly touted.  A real dynamic player.  A leader.  He also has some highlight dunks I’ll tell you that much.  But as far as his game, I think he can really do the x-factor things — on the glass, guard people — but he is continuing to improve his offensive skill-set, which is making him a dangerous player.”

Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, VA) defensive end Eli Harold and Norfolk Christian (Norfolk, VA) linebacker Kwontie Moore suited up for the East squad in Saturday’s (January 7) U.S. Army All-American Bowl.  The West captured bragging rights this year, defeating the East by a final score of 24-12.

Both UVa recruits impressed during the week.  Moore, a 6’1″, 240-pound middle linebacker, had at least two notable plays on gameday.  He forced a fumble with about five minutes remaining in the game and the East trailing 24-6.  In the first quarter, he contributed to a 2-yard loss on first and goal from about the 2 yard line.  On the play, Moore broke through the line and made the initial hit on the West running back, who managed to break Moore’s tackle before being greeted by a host of other East defenders for the loss.

Harold came close a couple of times to making a sack.  He fell short, but his speed and athletic ability off the edge are apparent.  The 6’4″, 225-pound prospect, selected by his teammates as a team captain, had to settle for a fumble recovery as his top play of the game.

Virginia wide receiver target Stefon Diggs (Good Counsel H.S. in Olney, MD) played for the East as well.  Diggs has taken an official to California and is scheduled to take officials to Auburn and Southern California the weekends of January 13 and January 20, respectively.  Virginia is among the other schools still being considered by the dynamic prospect.

In other news, in-state junior quarterback Ryan Burns (Stone Bridge H.S. in Ashburn) has accepted an invitation to play in next year’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl.  The 6’5″, 220-pound prospect guided the Bulldogs to a 10-2 record in his first year as the varsity starter.  Burns has been offered by Boston College, Penn State, Rutgers, Stanford and Virginia.

Beth Long, Midwest Field Reporter for FoxSportsNext/Scout.com, caught up with University of Virginia 2012 recruits Michael Moore (DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, MD), DE), Kye Morgan (Franklin (Somerset, N.J.), RB) and Courtnye Wynn (Norfolk Christian (Norfolk, VA), DE) at the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network on Tuesday, January 3, at 6:00 p.m.

Here is the link to the video.

Men’s Basketball Scholarship Situation

Originally, it appeared as though the staff was done with 2012 recruiting and looking ahead to 2013 and beyond. The recent attrition — K.T. Harrell and James Johnson deciding to transfer — changes the outlook. Particularly Johnson’s move, as now only three low post players — Akil Mitchell and Darion Atkins, and 2012 recruit Mike Tobey — are projected to be on the roster in the 2012/2013 season. No names have come to the forefront at this point, although certainly the need is there for another low post prospect in the 2012 class.

Virginia has three scholarship spots open for the 2012/2013 season, so there is room for more in the 2012 class (Four players have already signed). One more will come open in the 2013/2014 season, so if no more players are added in the 2012 class, Coach Bennett and company will have four scholarships at their disposal in 2013.

Looking ahead to 2013, it’ll be interesting to see what happens with the recruitment of Brandan Stith. UVa, which already has a commitment from guard B.J. Stith for the 2014 class, has offered the 6’6″, 200-pound junior forward. As of now, though, Coach Bennett and company would like for Brandan to attend prep school for one year and enroll as a member of the 2014 class, but with more open spots now available this could change.

Brandan is a little bit of a ‘tweener in terms of college projection. He plays (and plays well) in the low post, but size-wise he is more of a 3 on the next level at this point.

“Coach Bennett offered Brandan a scholarship, but his situation is more complex,” former UVa star Bryant Stith told TheSabre.com back in September. “They’d love Brandan to come in the year 2014, which means he would have to prep. Brandan has also received offers from other schools to come in year 2013, so he has more research to do. He has to make a decision on if he wants to be 2013 or 2014. It’s more complex. Therefore, he is taking his time trying to find the right situation for him.”

Football Recruiting – Chesapeake Bowl

University of Virginia-bound seniors Tyrell Chavis and Andre Miles-Redmond are set to play in the 2nd annual Chesapeake Bowl, which takes place tomorrow, December 30, at 7:30 p.m at South River High School (Edgewater, MD).

The 6’4″, 280-pound Chavis, a product of Varina High School (VA), earned 2011 first-team all-Central Region honors for his on the offensive line and at defensive tackle. Miles-Redmond, who stands 6’4″ and weighs 260 pounds, earned second-team all-Central Region honors. He was a team captain at Hermitage (Richmond, VA), which captured the Central Region, Division 6 title and defeated Varina earlier in the regular season.

Miles-Redmond will start out on the O-line at Virginia, while Chavis figures to begin his college career at defensive tackle. The two will play alongside each other on the offensive line tomorrow night. Miles-Redmond is listed at center on the Chesapeake Bowl website, and Chavis is listed as an offensive guard.

The Chesapeake Bowl pits the North squad (high school seniors from DE, NJ, PA) against the South (MD, VA). Good Counsel (Olney, MD) wide receiver Stefon Diggs and Good Counsel running back Wes Brown, two of the Hoos’ top remaining targets in the 2012 class, are among the other notables expected to play in the game. Tickets for the event can be purchased here.

Jefferson Forest PK Accepts Recruited Walk-On Offer From Virginia

In case you missed it, Jefferson Forest (Forest, VA) senior place-kicker/punter Dylan Sims has accepted a recruited walk-on spot with the University of Virginia. Sims, an all-region selection as a punter and place-kicker, verbally committed about two weeks ago. He chose the Hoos over a similar offer from Virginia Tech.

Patrick Henry (Roanoke, VA) senior punter Nicholas Conte has also accepted a recruited walk-on offer with Virginia. All three of Virginia’s current kickers — kick-off specialist Chris Hinkebein, punter Jimmy Howell and place-kicker Robert Randolph — have no more eligibility remaining after this season.

First-year head coach Joanne Boyle and the Virginia women’s basketball program received great news on Saturday, when Forest Park (Woodbridge, VA) point guard Breyana Mason verbally committed following the Hoos’ win over Radford. The 5’9″ junior, who was in Charlottesville for the game, chose the Cavaliers over offers from Georgetown, LSU, Maryland, Miami, Penn State and Virginia Tech.

HoopGurlz rates Mason as the no. 44 overall prospect in the nation in the 2013 class. For more on this commitment, check out this Washington Post report.

TheSabre reported in a December 5 EDGE article that Virginia had shown interest in Salem (Virginia Beach, VA) senior Divante Walker. According to a report on Recruit757.com, the Hoos have now extended an offer to the 5’10″, 170-pound standout.

Walker is most known for his exploits on offense. He rushed for 1,688 yards this season, averaging about 10 yards per carry. Virginia, though, is recruiting him as a cornerback according to Salem head coach Robert Jackson.

“He could do well at cornerback. We just had people back there, so we didn’t have to play him,” Jackson said of Walker.

UVa is the first FBS-level school to offer a scholarship to Walker. Other offers include James Madison, Norfolk State, Old Dominion and Richmond.

We’ll have more on this development soon. In the meantime, be sure to check out the Recruit757 report, in which Walker discusses the offer.

Virginia has 24 total commits in its 2012 recruiting class. Four – wide receiver/safety Anthony Cooper, tight end Kyle Dockins, linebacker Mark Hall and defensive end Eli Harold – hail from Virginia Beach.

When Mike Scott received a medical hardship waiver to return for this season, much of the discussion focused on the inside presence he would help give the Cavaliers. He hasn’t disappointed with a near double-double average on the stat sheets through nine games. While his play in the paint has been solid to date, however, Scott’s versatility has become one of the team’s strengths to date.

In the Hoos’ 8-1 start, Scott has been moving fluidly all around the floor not just around the rim. Yes, he’s giving the team post-up options on the blocks down low, but he’s also catching the ball in face-up post positions from the short corner and high post. He’s doing a better job of defending on-ball screens and with Pack-Line rotations, one reason the Cavs are off to such a good start defensively. Scott has 56 defensive rebounds and 7 steals on the year so far. All of those things have helped Scott post averages of 15.3 points and 9.1 rebounds. He’s passing the ball well too with 16 assists.

The senior forward also has added an unexpected tool to his kit: the 3-point shot. Entering the year, he had made 10 triples in his entire career so he’s not going to let one fly from downtown very often, but he is 3 of 6 on 3-point attempts on the season. So while the long-range shot isn’t completely new or a go-to weapon of choice, so far it has been a reliable change of pace option for Scott.

“Mike actually has nice touch. Whether it’s been mid-range or 17-footer, I’ve been comfortable with him taking that as long as it’s in rhythm and he’s actually worked hard to add some more range, but if it’s a good shot in rhythm and he’s not coming down trying to shoot it off the dribble … and if it’s a quality look in the flow of the offense, I’ll give him an opportunity to shoot that for a shot or two and we’ll see,” UVa coach Tony Bennett said. “His strength is that he’s inside, he’s outside, he’s moving, back to the basket, facing and so as long as he doesn’t fall too in love with [the 3-pointer], he has the freedom certainly to shoot it because he’s fairly accurate with it.”

Maurice Canady, Matt Johns and Max Valles have uploaded senior year highlights to the net. The footage for each UVa-bound recruit is linked for you below.

- Maurice Canady, QB/WR/CB, Varina (VA) – 2011 highlights

- Matt Johns, QB, Central Bucks South (Warrington, PA) – 2011 highlights

- Max Valles, WR/DE, St. Joseph (Hammonton, N.J.) – 2011 highlights

Good Counsel (Olney, MD) wide receiver Stefon Diggs made an official visit to California last weekend and could be headed to Ohio State for an official this coming weekend, Josh Barr of the Washington Post reports. Urban Meyer’s hiring seems to have vaulted the Buckeyes, which were not included in Diggs’ final eight schools, into serious contention.

In addition to Cal and OSU, the 6’1″, 190-pound senior is also considering Auburn, Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma, Southern Cal, Virginia and Virginia Tech. Diggs is set to play in the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, which takes place on January 7. UVa commits Eli Harold and Kwontie Moore are scheduled to play in that game as well.

Also, according to Good Counsel football, UVa was represented at the school last Friday, December 2. GC revealed the news via Twitter.

Heading into last weekend, only three of the University of Virginia’s 2012 class commits still had football left to play. Here is how they fared in playoff action:

- OL/DT Andre Miles-Redmond and the Hermitage Panthers (Richmond, VA) lost a tough one to Centreville in the Division 6 state semifinals. Hermitage, undefeated heading into the weekend, missed the potential game-tying extra point and eventually fell to the Ken Ekanem-led Wildcats, 10-9.

Miles-Redmond is a likely interior offensive lineman at UVa, though he could play defensive tackle.

- Buford (GA) defeated Carver 28-13 for a berth in the Class AA state championship game. The Wolves have won four consecutive state championships and are 14-0 so far this season. UVa-bound speedster C.J. Moore plays cornerback, receiver and running back for Jess Simpson’s squad.

- St. Joseph (Hammonton, N.J.) blew away St. Mary of Rutherford 51-0 to capture the Non-Public Division 1 state title. This is the third straight state championship for the Wildcats (10-0), who allowed only 19 points the entire season. Senior Max Valles, a 6’5″, 225-pound prospect, played defensive end and tight end for coach Paul Sacco. He could play receiver, tight end or defensive end at UVa.