Madison Prep basketball player Christion Thompson said he surprised himself by committing to Rhode Island during a weekend visit.
“I didn’t go up there planning to commit,” Thompson said. “But I really liked the plan the coaches have for me. I got along well with the coaches and players and I really liked the school, so I commit.”
The 6-foot-3 Thompson transferred to Class 1A Madison Prep this fall after starring for 5A Dutchtown as a junior. He led the Griffins to the Class 5A quarterfinals, the deepest playoff run in school history by averaging 21 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists per game.
Thompson has already met the NCAA’s academic qualifying standards, according to Madison Prep coach Jeffery Jones. At MPA he is set to team with the state’s No. 1 senior prospect, 6-5 guard Brandon Sampson.
The 185-pound Thompson caught the eye of Rhode Island assistant coach Jim Carr while playing for Nike Team Louisiana in a Las Vegas-based AAU tournament in late July.
“In one way I was a little surprised he committed and another I wasn’t,” MPA’s Jones said. “Rhode Island was already recruiting him before he came here. They stopped in to visit with us and their presentation was first class.
“It’s unusual for a Louisiana kid to go that far away from home, but Rhode Island fits what he’s looking for. He wanted a place where he could play right away and be part of a conference that people know. They’re in the Atlantic 10, which had five schools in the NCAA tourney last spring.”
Thompson said the Rhode Island visit is the only one he had planned. Working on becoming physically stronger is a key goal now for Thompson.
There also is some news on Sampson’s recruiting front.
Jones said Sampson took his official visit to LSU last weekend and is headed to Cal this weekend. Sampson also has an Oct. 17 visit to St. John’s scheduled.
Silliman wins title
Silliman advanced to the MAIS Overall 2A state tourney that begins Saturday at Shiloh Park in Brandon, Mississippi, by winning all of four its South State games.
The Wildcats outscored opponents 21-5 and posted two shutouts. Kennedy Carruth was the winning pitcher in all four games and posted a 1.00 earned run average. She also hit .462 with a home run and four RBIs.
Mary Morris batted a team-high .583 with seven hits and three RBIs. Miranda McAllister hit .571 with a .700 on-base percentage. Kali Douglas hit .400 with four RBIs.