Current New Hampton Prep student,
Townsend will return to the Midwest to play for Marquette.
News & Notes
Former Morgan Park and New Trier standout Todd Townsend has signed on
to play at Marquette next year. Currently at New Hampton Prep School for a fifth year of
schooling prior to college to get his academics in order, Townsend had his choices
narrowed down to the Golden Eagles and Tulane. Upon returning from a visit from Tulane, he
decided that Marquette was the place for him, as that was where his heart always was. A
6'7" wing forward, Todd has unparalleled athleticism and has worked very hard to
bring the rest of his game to the point of his surreal athletic ability. Townsend's
teammate at New Hampton, Brian Cuttica, a star at Hinsdale Central last
season, has also decided on a college for next year. The 6'2" sharpshooter will be
suiting up for the University of Chicago. Cuttica, who is also Townsend's roommate, had an
unfortunate incident happen to him earlier this season when he took a terrible fall and
broke both of his elbows. Fortunately, he is fully recovered now and in good shape for
next year.
Morehead State (KY) today received a signed letter of commitment from Belleville West's Ramone
Kelly. Kelly had narrowed down his choices to Belmont (Nashville), Loyola
(Chicago) and Morehead State. With a visit planned last week for Loyola (Chicago), Ramone
backed out, as he knew he wanted to be an Eagle. "I like the campus, the players and
the coaches," Kelly said. "It felt a lot like high school where I could play all
the positions, point guard, shooting guard and small forward. When I went down there, they
had a real family environment and there wasn't any individuals, but more of a team and I
really liked that." With his team finishing with a 27-4 record, Belleville West was a
single game away from going downstate. Averaging 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists this
past season while being named the All-Southwestern Conference Player of the year, Kelly
will be competing in the Ohio Valley conference next year.
Marian Catholic senior Rod Middleton will continue his prep career with
another year of schooling at Brewster Academy Prep School in New Hampshire. Rod is a star
on the football field and had a standout career for the Spartans on the gridiron. Being
offered by several top colleges such as Illinois for his football skills, Rod instead is
going to follow his dreams of playing division one basketball. Suffering a pinched nerve
at the end of the football season this year, Rod was only able to participate in 5 games
for the Marian Catholic basketball team. With his time on the sidelines recovering from
his injury, many colleges were scared off and weren't sure how Rod would bounce back.
Averaging 15 points in his five games coming back from his injury he was not satisfied
with the way that his senior year went and will try to solidify his standing as a prospect
next year After the school year ends he will move up to New Hampshire early to participate
with his Prep School Coaches AAU team.
Mundelein's 6'8" Graham Beatty has signed with Harvard. The third
team IBCA All-State and North Suburban Conference Lake Division All-Conference player
starred for the Mustangs this season while using his long frame and solid midrange game to
create havoc on opponents. Beatty will be joining fellow Chicago-area player, G.J.
King of Hinsdale Central, in the Ivy League, as King committed to Brown earlier
in the year.
