Annapolis cancels game with Spalding Transfer of E. Tech's Gay concerns Panthers' Brady; MIAA may change policy By Pat O'Malley Sun Staff Originally published October 2, 2002 The highly anticipated boys basketball game between Annapolis and Archbishop Spalding has been canceled because Annapolis coach John Brady has "philosophical differences" concerning the transfer of junior standout Rudy Gay. Gay, a 6-foot-6 swingman who averaged 12.5 points and 7.3 rebounds for Baltimore County's Eastern Tech last season, transferred in early September to Spalding, a private school in Anne Arundel County. The Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association mandates that student athletes who transfer from one league school to another must sit out a season. There is no such rule for transfers of public schools students to MIAA schools. Brady's decision to cancel the Feb. 3 contest, along with the concern of other coaches and officials, may spark the MIAA to change its policy concerning public school transfers. "It is my understanding at this time that at least two member schools will propose that the association adopt a similar rule for transferring student athletes from public schools that currently exists for transfers between its 26 member schools," said MIAA executive director Rick Diggs in a prepared statement. "This rule is similar to the NCAA rule mandating transferring student athletes be prohibited from participating in athletics for one calendar year from the time of the transfer. Unlike the NCAA, the MIAA does have a provision for appeal such as in the case of a geographical relocation." Diggs said MIAA school principals could vote on such a change at their annual May meeting. Said Spalding athletic director Lee Dove: "I would not have a problem with a transfer rule like that because it would dissuade kids from transferring for all the wrong reasons." The Panthers' Brady informed Dove last Friday that he was canceling the game. "John told me he had philosophical reasons with playing us because of the transfer and I respect his wishes," said Dove. "I understand his thought process but the issue is, we scheduled the game last year and would have played the game whether the kid [Gay] came or not." Said Brady: "I have philosophical differences about transfers and that's why I told Lee we no longer wanted to play the game. This has nothing to do with winning or losing. It's just something I feel strongly about." With the rise of Spalding boys basketball in recent years, an Annapolis vs. Spalding meeting had been much ballyhooed in Anne Arundel County. It would match the county's perennial public school power with the Baltimore Catholic League/ MIAA A Conference power. Spalding coach Mike Glick said that Gay transferred "for academic reasons," in order to qualify for Division I basketball. "He loves the school, and his mom said our school has changed her son's life," said Glick. Dove said that "Rudy is in our Aquinas program, which is for students who need extra help, and is doing very well." Added Glick: "We had six transfers [from around the Baltimore Catholic League] play in our all-star games recently. Towson Catholic has a transfer from Africa. I have no other comment ... concerning Rudy and the canceling of the game." A Division I prospect, Gay is being recruited by a number of colleges, including Maryland, Connecticut, Georgetown and Villanova. Many other public school athletes have transferred to private schools. Just last year, Aberdeen's Gary Neal, a second-team All-Metro basketball player, transferred to Calvert Hall for his senior year. Copyright © 2002, The Baltimore Sun

By CRAIG ANDERSON, Staff writer Capital Gazette - 07/31/02 To nobody's surprise, Archbishop Spalding 7-footer Will Bowers finalized his collegiate recruitment last night by verbally committing to defending national champion Maryland. The Terrapins had long been the men's basketball program to beat in the recruiting chase for a center who will help fill the void when frontcourters Tahj Holden and Ryan Randle depart after the 2002-03 season. Bowers, a rising prep senior, can sign a letter of intent in November. Bowers said he decided on Maryland two weeks ago while competing at the adidas ABCD Camp in Teaneck, N.J., but kept it to himself until returning home to tell parents Karen and Bill. Prep coach Mike Glick later told the Maryland staff of his intentions. "I always wanted to go to Maryland," Bowers said. "The coaches, location, style of play and depth chart all fit into what I was looking for." Maryland coach Gary Williams called Bowers yesterday to welcome him into the program. The Terrapins recruiting class already includes highly regarded 6-foot-4 swingman Mike Jones of Massachusetts. "Coach Williams called to congratulate me, and we just talked a bit about the camps I've been at this summer and how they've gone," said Bowers, who just returned from the Vegas Big-Time tournament in Las Vegas. The 17-year-old received scholarship interest from 150 Division I schools, with runner-up Stanford and Notre Dame leading the pack of contenders. With a 1,310 SAT and 3.3 grade-point average, his academic and athletic options were unlimited. In the end, College Park's proximity to his Severn home won out. Bowers has played in pickup games this summer at Maryland, going against incoming freshmen and future teammates Travis Garrison and Nik Caner-Medley. "This is truly where he'll be happy because it's close to home and we're a close-knit family," mother Karen said. Bowers is believed to be the first Anne Arundel County product to earn a scholarship out of high school with the Maryland men's program. Glen Burnie High's Mike Thibeault was a walk-on in the early 1990s and later earned a scholarship. "Will was very mature throughout the whole process and made himself very available to talk about his options," Spalding's Glick said. "He visited with 17 schools in 12 days during April and handled it as well as anyone I've seen in my 10 years of being involved with this. "In the end, Will clearly wanted to go to Maryland. They need big guys, are the defending national champion and a great academic institution. This is a great fit for everyone," Glick said. Bowers, a first team All-County selection by Capital-Gazette Newspapers last season, averaged 12.2 points and six rebounds per game as a junior. The first team All-Catholic League selection also had 61 blocked shots. Even at 235 pounds, Bowers said he needed to get stronger, work on his conditioning and agility for the grind of 40-minute college basketball games. He's had a busy summer of high-level camps and tournaments, and was heading to Ocala, Fla. with a Baltimore Select team (which includes Annapolis county player of the year Laronja Owens) to play in the International Hoop Summit. Next winter, seven Spalding graduates will play Division I basketball -- Derrick Snowden (Villanova), Landy Thompson (Mount St. Mary's), Tremaine Robinson (Delaware State), James Bowen (Delaware State), Derrick Goode (Towson) and Aleksandar Pavlovic (Sacred Heart). Senior to be Gus Durr -- a 6-foot-6 forward -- has drawn Division I interest, including Iona College. canderson@capitalgazette.com

By Pat O'Malley Sun Staff Originally published July 28, 2002 Will Bowers, a 7-foot senior center from Archbishop Spalding, last night gave an oral commitment to NCAA champion Maryland. Bowers, second team All-Metro as a junior after averaging 12.2 points and 6.0 rebounds for the Baltimore Catholic League/MIAA A Conference champions, chose the Terps over a host of Division I schools. "All factors added together, the location, their coaching staff and style of play and reputation for developing big men, are the main reasons I chose Maryland," said Bowers. Stanford, Notre Dame and Connecticut also pursued Bowers, an agile 235-pounder. "Will is aware that [Maryland coach] Gary Williams has done a tremendous job developing big men and I look for Gary to make Will a much better player at age 20 than he is now," said Mike Glick, Spalding's coach. Glick noted Bowers runs the floor well, is a superb passer, can block shots, rebound, take it to the basket and has a soft touch on medium-range jumpers. "It should be a perfect fit for Will as center-forward in Maryland's flex offense," said Glick. The Terps lose Ryan Randle and Tahj Holden, two 6-10 post players, next year. Copyright © 2002, The Baltimore Sun

by Bill Wagner staff writer Capital Gazette - 07/20/02 Maryland has formally offered a scholarship to Archbishop Spalding center Will Bowers and the developing 7-footer may commit to the reigning national champions next month."Will is leaning heavily toward Maryland, but will not make a final decision until he unofficially visits Maryland next month' according to his high school coach Mike Glick........

Cavs Out of Season, Not Out of Shape Spalding Shines in Summer Leagues By Heather A. Dinich Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, July 18, 2002; Page AA16 It didn't matter that Spalding's Will Bowers was absent for the Cavaliers' recent summer league basketball game against Southern Maryland Athletic Conference powerhouse Lackey at Gwynn Park High School. Even with its top player missing and a team consisting of bench players and junior varsity athletes, Spalding easily handled the Chargers, 83-57. With and without their veterans, the Cavaliers have been consistent winners in two of the area's toughest summer leagues. Entering the week, Spalding was 7-3 in the Nike Swoosh League, which features tough competition mainly from Prince George's County, and 5-3 in the highly competitive Ban the Brick League, with includes local powers DeMatha and O'Connell. The Cavaliers gave DeMatha its first regular season summer loss in three years -- again without Bowers -- and are in playoff contention in both leagues. Although months removed from the regular season, Spalding is showing signs that it can compete with some of the best teams in the area. Still, Coach Mike Glick said winning is secondary in the summer. "We're worried about player development," said Glick, who led the Cavaliers to the combined Baltimore Catholic League/Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference regular season and tournament championships last season. "It gives the players an opportunity to play together, and in basketball, the more you play together the more you can learn each other's games and define roles on the team. Secondly, it gives our players an opportunity to see where their weaknesses lie and what they need to work on from August until November." Spalding's junior varsity team also won the MIAA title last season but doesn't have much experience playing against older athletes. Sophomore Lawrence Dixon, a 6-foot-4 small forward, is using the summer to ease his transition to the varsity level. "For me, personally, since I'm young, it helps me develop my leadership skills and my overall game," Dixon said. "It makes our bench a lot stronger during the regular season." According to assistant coach Ralph Burley, who coaches Spalding in the Nike Swoosh League, playing in two leagues gives the players a chance to face different styles of basketball. "At St. Albans [site of the Ban the Brick League], the kids are bigger, they run more, and the teams have more set plays," Burley said. "Gwynn Park is more up and down the court, more physical than some of the stuff at St. Albans. "One of the advantages [to playing in both leagues] is size. St. Albans, you can get a couple of 6-9, or seven-footers, and at Gwynn Park, the tallest guy might be 6-5, 6-6. Each league brings something different." Some Spalding players look for even more variety. Bowers, a senior center, and junior guard Jesse Brooks also compete for the Baltimore Select team. "If I didn't play, I'd lose everything," said Brooks, who is working to take over the leadership role vacated by recent graduate Landy Thompson. "It also gives me a chance to play with the new guys. The chemistry is better. We get a feel for each other during the summer. When the season comes around, we're just rolling." Sophomore Marquis Sullivan, last year's leading scorer on the junior varsity team with an average of 19.5 points per game, also plays for the 15-and-under AAU Baltimore Stars. "Summertime is essential because he's had so much success against players his own age," Glick said. "Playing against older players gives him a chance to recognize some of his limitations and what he needs to work on for next season." In most cases, the absence of one player benefits another. Bowers' commitment to other teams has given Spalding junior Jason Loughry more playing time. "My game has improved a lot," said Loughry, a 6-11 center. "Skills-wise, I'm a lot better. [When I get] the ball a lot, that gives me confidence because I know the team believes in me." © 2002 The Washington Post Company