Post by nittanystag on Feb 22, 2022 10:41:17 GMT -5
Again, if you aren't interested in this subject, tune out. But to follow up regarding best big men ever coming out of CT high school, I've always felt Tom Roy was at the pinnacle. Has Clingan ascended the throne? Feel free to weigh in.i
How about Vin Baker from Old Saybrook.Also Marcus Camby from Hartford. Camby would have an asterisk next to his name because he got paid by agents at UMass.
Post by nashvillestag on Feb 22, 2022 14:16:21 GMT -5
Nittany brings up Roy. Longtime mentions Giminski. Townie, Baker and Camby. All great back in the day of course. And obviously there are a lot more who would be mentioned in the same breath. But considering all these guys played in different eras against different competition, I think it would be hard to place an exact ranking of one against another even if someone were to have a list of all the candidates in front of him. The only thing I will say about Clingan is that while he has been a totally dominate player since the midway point of his freshman year, quite frankly, unlike with some of the other guys previous, I have yet to actually see him compete against any one player or team remotely comparable as far as size is concerned. That's why I certainly hope the desired match-up between BC and NWC occurs (and hopefully twice) based on the fact that Northwest not only has Curtis, but it's front-line features a starting lineup of 6-7, 6-9 and 6-10, with the tallest guy there, Badara Diakiti, while only a freshman, figuring to be the next great big in the state. I'm sure that Donovan acquired his national status as a 4-star recruit based on his work in the spring-summer AAU circuit where he obviously played against big and highly rated people on a regular basis. I guess in the end though when thinking about his history as a state player, how he does from here on out in college and beyond compared to how the others have done will help for historical reference in judgement.
Ah, slow time between games leads to some interesting topics. Have not seen Clingan, but believe that Mike Gminski has to be in the conversation
If I remember correctly, Gminski was a HS junior went he started at Duke.
Absolutely correct. Smart kid who graduated high school a year early. And had a great career at Duke as well as some good NBA years. He is still around as a TV analyst, although I hear him very sparingly now unlike a few years ago.
Post by nittanystag on Feb 22, 2022 14:27:13 GMT -5
I brought up Tom Roy because of his domination against his peers back in his era, which was similar to what Clingan is doing right now. Don't think the others dominated quite as much in their eras, IMO. Matter of fact, if I recall, the only other big man mentioned in the same breathe as Roy back in the day was PA's Tom McMillan.
Tom Roy played in the 1971 JCC Conn - NJ all star game (the only one I ever attended). It was billed as a battle of big men: Roy vs Les Cason, a 6’10” Rutgers recruit. Battle fizzled - Cason was kind of slow and never really did much in college. My memory is a little vague, but the star for NJ was Gary Brokaw who was very good. I just can’t remember who else was on the Conn team. Walter Lucket?
Tom Roy played in the 1971 JCC Conn - NJ all star game (the only one I ever attended). It was billed as a battle of big men: Roy vs Les Cason, a 6’10” Rutgers recruit. Battle fizzled - Cason was kind of slow and never really did much in college. My memory is a little vague, but the star for NJ was Gary Brokaw who was very good. I just can’t remember who else was on the Conn team. Walter Lucket?
Townie - I have all that info in my office I work. I will look into it in the morning.
Nittany brings up Roy. Longtime mentions Giminski. Townie, Baker and Camby. All great back in the day of course. And obviously there are a lot more who would be mentioned in the same breath. But considering all these guys played in different eras against different competition, I think it would be hard to place an exact ranking of one against another even if someone were to have a list of all the candidates in front of him. The only thing I will say about Clingan is that while he has been a totally dominate player since the midway point of his freshman year, quite frankly, unlike with some of the other guys previous, I have yet to actually see him compete against any one player or team remotely comparable as far as size is concerned. That's why I certainly hope the desired match-up between BC and NWC occurs (and hopefully twice) based on the fact that Northwest not only has Curtis, but it's front-line features a starting lineup of 6-7, 6-9 and 6-10, with the tallest guy there, Badara Diakiti, while only a freshman, figuring to be the next great big in the state. I'm sure that Donovan acquired his national status as a 4-star recruit based on his work in the spring-summer AAU circuit where he obviously played against big and highly rated people on a regular basis. I guess in the end though when thinking about his history as a state player, how he does from here on out in college and beyond compared to how the others have done will help for historical reference in judgement.
And now guess what? That first hoped for match-up between BC and NWC will indeed occur tomorrow in the CCC league championship game. I attended last night's double-header in which BC and Northwest were tested for awhile but both pulled away to win their semi-final contests. Curtis played a very strong game with 22 points and some great assists as well as a couple of strong defensive plays. Trying to defeat Clingan and BC will be the ultimate test however. Get him in foul trouble like Windsor did in the 3rd quarter last evening could help. Anyway I wish I could be there again (the Stags take precedence), but no matter what happens I certainly hope there is a rematch in the state final at Mohegan Sun in a couple of weeks where I'm sure (minus the Stags playing in the NCAA's) I would make the trip to see that game.
Post by nashvillestag on Mar 4, 2022 0:45:18 GMT -5
Matty Curtis had another great game with 28 points in the showdown with Bristol Central, but unfortunately for him and his Northwest Catholic team it wasn't enough to overcome a ridiculous 45 point, 28 rebound and 6 block performance from Donovan Clingan in the Rams' 63-56 victory. Hopefully Matt and his teammates get another chance in two weeks to again try to knock off BC whose winning streak now is up to 39 games in a row over two years.
Last Edit: Mar 4, 2022 0:49:33 GMT -5 by nashvillestag