Recruiters keeping an eye on Clarendon

Division One recruiters are playing a wait and see game with Clarendon Junior College swingman Ed Miles.

"He's close on qualifying and if somebody wanted to give him summer school credits, he would probably have to take four courses," said Clarendon assistant coach Rusty East. "It's possible, but not likely."

But a number of smaller schools around Texas are watching Miles. Texas State called last week and Texas PanAm and A&M Corpus Christi are keeping tabs on the 6-foot-5 Miles.

"If it wasn't for that, he would be a low major," East said of Miles.

If Miles does not have the academics to go Division One, East said just about any Division II school in the country will want him.

After Miles, Clarendon is in the thick of the post-season hunt thanks mostly to a very strong freshman class.

"We've got four or five freshmen that are difference makers, that can put up numbers in various categories," East said. "We've got a little fresh that shoots lights out named Rick Hamilton. He's a scorer, he can play the one or the two, shoots the ball extremely well. He shoots a good free throw, a big three point threat, taking it to the goal. Offensively, he's the real deal, defensively, we are going to work with him. He's not terrible, but he's not great."

East also singled out 6-foot-5 Andre Johnson out of San Diego as a potential D1 player in the Class of 2006.

"He's an undersized post, shoots the three, defends well," East said. "He's averaging about eight rebounds, third in our conference and shooting 40 percent from three. He's going to be real solid."

Clarendon should be a popular spot for D1 recruiters next year.

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