Brother, Brother

Jacob McLemore, a 6-2 point guard from San Diego (Scripps Ranch H.S.), has reportedly signed a letter of intent to attend UMaine. He's the brother of freshman guard Gerald McLemore.

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There's a million versions of the college basketball RPI and for one-bid league's like America East, it doesn't really matter much until it comes time for the NCAA to decide whether to bestow a No. 16, 15, 14 (maybe 13?) seed for the league champion.

Still, it's fun to follow America East's teams via the RPI and today finds the Black Bears as high as No. 4 in one such replication of the RPI. This one has UMaine at No. 14.

Up next, Princeton tonight in New Jersey.

Player of the Week

Junior guard Mark Socoby has won America East's first Player of the Week award for the 2008-09 season following his efforts in the Black Bears' two wins in the 100 Club Classic Championship at Kennesaw State in Georgia.

Socoby had 16 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals in UMaine's first-round win over Northern Illinois and followed it up with a double-double (24 points, 10 boards) in the title game. The Black Bears became the second straight Northeast club to win the 100 Club Classic, following Colgate's victory last year.

100 Club Classic Champs

Congratulations to the Black Bears on their 60-47 title game victory over host Kennesaw State (Ga.). The victory puts UMaine at 2-0 on the young season with a game Wednesday at Princeton.

Mark Socoby was named the outstanding player of the tournament. He compiled 32 points and 13 rebounds in the two games, including a double-double in the title game.

Sophomore forward Troy Barnies was named to the all-tournament team. He had 16 points and 6 rebounds vs. Kennesaw. Freshman forward Svetoslav Chetinov got off to a strong start with a combined 14 points and 11 rebounds. Senior guard Junior Bernal had 11 assists in the tourney.

Led by freshman guard Gerald McLemore (24 points), the Black Bears defeated Northern Illinois of the Mid-American Conference, 77-64, in the first round.

Mr. Rogers coming to Maine

Andrew Rogers, a 5-9 point guard from Archbishop Ryan High School in Philadelphia, has announced his intention to attend the University of Maine.

He joins an incoming recruiting class that includes:
6-foot combo guard Doran Mitchell (St. Thomas More);
6-3 guard Gerald McLemore (San Diego/Worcester Academy);
6-5 forward/guard Jon McAllian (Bangor HS);
6-9 forward/center Svetoslav Chetinov (MCI);
and 5-9 guard Ryan Martin (Maranacook HS).

Costigan transferring?

Apparently, sophomore forward Sean Costigan and walk-on Jay Uhrin are considering leaving the Black Bears. One rumor I've heard is that Costigan is looking at moving to Stonehill College (Easton, Mass.).

The linked article incorrectly says Costigan went to Westbrook High School. He played his high school ball at Cheverus.

Black Bears Pit wishes them the best with their future basketball efforts.

St. Thomas More's Doran Mitchell has given a verbal commitment to attend UMaine. According to the New England Recruiting Report, Mitchell is a 6-foot combo guard capable of creating his own shot.

Mitchell is No. 69 on NERR's ranking of Class of 2008 for New England. He's No. 18 on the Connecticut list.

Mitchell joins an incoming recruiting class that includes 6-3 guard Gerald McLemore (San Diego/Worcester Academy), 6-5 forward/guard Jon McAllian (Bangor HS), 6-9 forward/center Svetoslav Chetinov (MCI) and 5-9 guard Ryan Martin (Maranacook HS).

Kevin Reed, who finished his career as UMaine's all-time three-point shooter, came to the Black Bears via St. Thomas More.

Here's a capsule on Mitchell from a February story in NERR:

Doran Mitchell, St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Conn.): He is definitely more of a scorer than a distributor, but the kid can flat out put the ball in the basket. He is a terrific shooter off the dribble from the mid-range area and also a crafty finisher inside the paint.