Backcourt Recruit Review (Jan. '11): Marshall out, Jackson clamps down

The more we hear about the 2011 class, the more it sounds like it could wind up one of Bo Ryan's best groups of incoming freshmen. In part two of our January Recruit Review, we take a look at the guards. George Marshall has been injured since December, but hopes to return soon. Meanwhile, Traevon Jackson is raising eyebrows again after his team won a big-time prep clash.

Class of 2011

Just one game after nailing five 3-pointers and scoring 10 of his team's 12 fourth-quarter points against Plainfield Central, injury struck George Marshall on Dec. 21 when he broke his left hand, requiring surgery. Teammate Mike Powell had already assumed the point guard duties by then, allowing Marshall to play off the ball. Powell did a superb job in Marshall's place, reeling off six straight wins before the Eagles succumbed to Simeon, 71-60. Brooks (12-3) needed Marshall the next time out too, when they missed 39 of 49 free throws in a 52-38 loss to Bogan. Word is Marshall could be healed enough to return in another week or two, hopefully in time for February's City League playoffs.

Traevon Jackson and his Westerville South teammates started the new year with a bang as they defeated crosstown rival Westerville North in overtime, 77-73, behind Jackson's 21 points.

It was cruise control time during most of South's other games. In fact, Jackson was only playing only 22 minutes per game during the team's 9-0 start. Then, after one last tune-up, the Wildcats answered the bell in their showdown with Hamilton (IN) Southeastern to remain undefeated (11-0). Jackson was a huge factor in the game. His physical defense limited junior star Gary Harris to four points,even while scoring 26 points and grabbing 10 rebounds himself to earn All-Tournament honors. The senior opened up about locking down Harris:

"It's tough you know," Jackson said when asked if he takes a match up with a player like Harris personally. "I know he is one of the top ranked guys. He is a great player. I don't like to take it personally even though it's kind of personal. I like to think more about what I have to do. I want to focus on how he has to stop me rather than how I can stop him. I know they are going to have trouble stopping me if I play my game. If I help my team out and we play our game as a team we will be fine."

Jackson scored his 1,000th career point in South 69-41 win over Marysville right before Christmas break and is averaging 17 ppg. South faces Central again tonight, before playing in the Ohio Play-By-Play Classic this weekend.

If you have watched any of Wisconsin's recruits play in person, drop me a note via email at hoopsmarinara@gmail.com or on Twitter @hoopsmarinara.