At Temple, where I graduated from, underclassmen are taught this one, very simple expression: "Temple Owls are everywhere." And it's the truth - no matter where my career has taken me, I always seem to run into a Temple alum.

Well, Delaware County products are everywhere too. Here's a quick rundown of how some of them are doing on the college hardwood:

***Kevin Egee (Ridley): At Penn, has three starts in nine games; shooting 45 percent; averaging 9.7 ppg.
***Steve Egee (Ridley): At Columbia, has four starts in 11 games; averaging 13.7 minutes per game as a freshman
***Nasir Robinson (Chester): At undefeated Pittsburgh, has appeared in 11 of the Panthers' 12 games; averaging 10.5 minutes, 1.9 points and 1.8 rebounds.
***Noel Wilmore (Chester): At George Washington, averaging 9.3 points off the bench as the team's third-leading scorer.
***Kenny Tribbett (Chester): At Drexel, has started eight of nine games; averaging 2.6 points.
***Charlie Swiggett (Chester): At Wisconsin-Milwaukee, averaging 1.6 points in limited time off the bench.

***Numbers weren't available for Dan Robinson (Ridley/East Stroudsburg) or Kevin Green-Germany (Chester/Delaware Tech).
***Sitting out: As for Chester grads Karon Burton (La Salle) and Russell Johnson (Robert Morris), they are red-shirting in order to straighten out their academics and will play next season.

I know I left a few out. Let me know who, and I'll post a follow-up in the near future.

Yesterday was a day to remember for fans seated in the bleachers of Widener's Schwartz Center. For me, well... let's just say I had my fill of basketball.

The Jameer Nelson/Pete Nelson Classic kicked off Friday with all three Delaware County teams involved walking away with wins:

Chester extended its dominance over Norristown, 58-47 ... Rahlir Jefferson (pictured) had a dominant outing against the team the Clippers beat for the District One and PIAA Class AAAA titles. So did Maurice Nelson, the younger brother of Chester legend Jameer.

Daily Times photographer Bob Gurecki was on hand for some video coverage of the game, so let me know what you think of it: e-mail me or post your thoughts on the blog.

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Penn Wood led the whole way against North Catholic, 78-65 ... Reserve Chris White hit six big-time 3-pointers for the Patriots, who went nine-deep but never lost the lead against the Falcons.

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Archbishop Carroll topped Life Center Academy, 55-49 ... Junior D.J. Irving had the big game for the Patriots, winning the MVP award in his hometown of Chester. The game was closer than it should have been considering LCA was without four players who were declared post-graduates. Among them was Jon DeShields, who played last year at Delco Christian.

Had LCA played all of its post-grads, who knows whether Carroll's district- and state-playoff eligibility would have been called into question down the road? The result of this game might have even been forfeited. It's a good thing this was dealt with appropriately.

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A couple other tidbits from the Nelson Classic:

• DeShields, who watched his LCA teammates from the bench, was walking with a limp. He said its the product of a toe contusion. DeShields led the county with 24.4 points per game in 2007.
• Freshly retired coach Fred Pickett was on hand throughout the day and was seen videotaping the Penn Wood game for Chester coach Larry Yarbray. "I'm a scout now," he said with a smile. Pickett took in the Chester-Norristown game from the far end of the Clippers' bench.
• Penn Wood looks like it has its most success when it rotates players in and out of the game with regularity. The Pats scored 10 points in the second quarter, when coach Clyde Jones stuck with a six-man set. "With foul trouble, you have to do that sometimes," Jones said. "The game of basketball is a lot easier when you have the players you want on the court all the time, but it doesn't work like that."

There's more to come Saturday from the Nelson Classic. Staffer Matt Smith is there for the Chester-Atlantic City game.

The wait is over.

Not your wait for the gifts, or even the wait in department store lines (sorry, last-minute shoppers.) The wait is over for the first boys basketball notebook, which hits news stands Friday.

Here are some items featured within that will whet your appetite:

• The first Super 7 poll
• Radnor staying afloat since its bump to Class AAAA
• Why the hot starts for Interboro and Penncrest
• The Game of the Week
• And more.

With this being a holiday week, I likely won't be posting with regularity. I can't promise daily posts this week, but check back as often as possible.

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Movin' on up: Penn Wood, at 5-0 through Monday, has ascended to No. 37 in this week's ESPN/Rise Fab 50 national poll.

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Gifts first, Daily Times second: I know presents will be the first thing on your to-do list come Thursday, Dec. 25, but pick up a copy of that day's Daily Times for the run-down on this year's Jameer Nelson Classic.

I had a good 20 minutes on the phone last weekend with the Orlando Magic guard, and he had some insightful things to say - about his own giving ways (in the spirit of the holidays), about his alma maters, and about his brother, Maurice Nelson, and the Chester Clippers.

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Former Delco File: Lamont 'Mo Mo' Jones, a standout junior last season at American Christian, is doing well for himself down at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, where he and his teammates have raced out to a 17-0 record and a No. 3 ranking by PrepNation's weekly poll. Jones, as you may know, took backseat to Tyreke Evans, but was as gifted a shooter as the now-Memphis guard.

Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. We're only two weeks into the boys basketball season and here I am blogging about in-season tournaments. Oh well. Sue me for being overly excited.

Here are a couple dates to keep your eyes on, including one that bears the name of Lower Merion's finest:

THE 9th ANNUAL GIRLS PLAY-BY-PLAY CLASSIC
(Jan. 17, at Archbishop Carroll H.S.)
Mt. St. Joseph vs. Spring-Ford, 12 p.m.
Cardinal O'Hara vs. Trenton Catholic, 1:30
Archbishop Carroll vs. Notre Dame, 3

THE 10th ANNUAL KOBE BRYANT PLAY-BY-PLAY CLASSIC
(Jan. 24, at Norristown H.S.)
Msgr. Bonner vs. Williamsport, 12 p.m.
Arch. Carroll vs. Norristown, 1:45
Chester vs. Academy of the New Church, 4
Penn Wood vs. Lower Merion, 5:45

THE 10th ANNUAL BOARDWALK CLASSIC
(Dec. 26 - 31, at the Wildwood Convention Center)
There aren't any Delaware County teams involved, but if the mood should strike you, you could make the 2-hour drive to see Lijah Thompson, the Monsignor Bonner transfer who is tearing it up for Communications Tech.

I have one wish for this holiday season, but I'm not sitting on Santa's lap to ask for it: Coaches, we need your help getting times, teams and dates together for holiday tournaments.

If you're participating in a holiday tournament, send the brackets to cvito@delcotimes.com. It will save us a ton of time and headaches. And look on the bright side - it's one present you DO NOT have to gift wrap.

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Poll updates: The USA Today and PrepNation.com polls have Penn Wood at No. 9 in the East Coast Region. But nationally, the Patriots are nowhere to be found. Off to a 4-0 start, that could change soon.

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History lesson: The Chester Clippers did something Wednesday they hadn't in a while. What's that? They lost. It had been 360 calendar days since they last had not won a game. That's a 27-game streak. Their last loss - prior to Reading's double-overtime victory Wednesday - was against top-ranked St. Benedict's Dec. 22, 2007, in the City of Palms Classic.

Remember this guy? How could you not? Jameer Nelson put himself on the map at Saint Joseph's University, but the Chester native honed his skills and learned everything with the state-champion Chester Clippers. The holiday tournament, named after he and his late father Pete Nelson, is scheduled for the days after Christmas. Tournament organizer Jeremy Treatman sent me the full slate today. Here's what we're looking at:

DEC. 26, WIDENER UNIVERSITY
Cheltenham vs. La Salle, 1 p.m.

Archbishop Carroll vs. Life Center, 2:45
Lower Merion vs. Simon Gratz, 4:30
Penn Wood vs. North Catholic, 6:15
Norristown vs. Chester, 8

Highlights: The PIAA Class AAAA title game rematch is an obvious one. ... I like Penn Wood continuing it's rigorous non-league slate. ... I'll be the first to tell you that I know diddly about Life Center. Sorry, Carroll fans.

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DEC. 27, WIDENER UNIVERSITY
Friends Central vs. Souderton, 2:30 p.m.
Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. St. Joseph’s Prep, 4:30
Germantown Academy vs. North Catholic, 6:15
Atlantic City vs. Chester, 8

Highlights: I'm told that PW has a player taller than 6-foot-6, unlike last season when they were the shortest team I've ever seen. ... And Chester/AC should be a fun one. I fully expect the Clippers to roll.

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DEC. 29, GWYNEDD MERCY COLLEGE
St. Joseph's Prep vs. Chestnut Hill Academy, 4 p.m.
Neumann-Goretti vs. Friends Central, 5:45
Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. Academy New Church, 7:30
Life Center (NJ) vs. Prep Charter, 9

Highlights: ANC ended last season ranked by PrepNation.com and USA Today. They are for real.

When I get information about tickets, you'll see it here. So stay close.

While covering the Villanova-La Salle game Sunday, I caught up with two Delco players who will be pivotal in La Salle's resurgence - Aaric Murray and Karon Burton.

Burton, the reigning Daily Times Player of the Year, is a redshirt freshman at La Salle who is working toward becoming academically eligible for the 2009-10 season. The Chester product's point guard skills are needed desperately by the Explorers, who had 15 turnovers to nine assists Sunday.

Daily Times: What are you up to right now?
Karon Burton: Nothing right now with the team, but it’s all individual workouts and weight training and everything. I’m just working on my grades right now and I’m getting good ones, too. I have to keep waiting. After next semester, I can start practicing with the team. I have to wait for the summertime to practice, but I’m getting stronger and quicker.

DT: Do you like what you see in this year’s team?
KB: Yeah, we just have to be more patient and capitalize I guess. We look good, but we’ve got to be patient.

DT: What’s the hardest part of college life?
KB: The hardest part? It’s being on your own. You’ve got to hold yourself accountable. It’s all about time management.

DT: What’s your workout plan like?
KB: I lift weights everyday and then I come in here (Tom Gola Arena) and shoot after I lift. Sometimes I come in here later on at night and shoot something like 1,000 shots a day. Some of the trainers, they have me on resistance ropes and have me working on my quickness like that.

DT: What does coach John Giannini say about all of this you’re doing?
KB: Well, I think he’s just excited to have me. He’s looking real forward to next year.

DT: Have you been back to Chester to see coach Larry Yarbray?
KB: I worked out there (Saturday). I went to their first game, too. I think people are underestimating them. We’re 3-0 right now and we’re beating people by 20.

DT: You’re saying ‘we’ as if you’re a part of the team.
KB: I’m an alumni now. I’m always going to be part of the team.

While covering the Villanova-La Salle game Sunday, I caught up with two Delco players who will be pivotal in La Salle's resurgence - Aaric Murray and Karon Burton.

Murray, pictured, signed his National Letter of Intent last month. The 6-10 senior at Glen Mills is averaging 20.1 points per game along with nine rebounds and six blocks. Here's what the 2007-08 All Delco had to say:

Daily Times: Have you been to any other La Salle games this season?
Aaric Murray: Only one, when they played here against Morgan State. (A 65-61 La Salle win on Nov. 15)

DT: Can you see yourself in this uniform next year?
AM: Yeah, yeah. I can't wait. I think I can come in and make an immediate impact.

DT: It looks like they have a couple decent big guys who you can learn from.
AM: Yeah, I'd like to play with Vernon (Goodridge, a 6-9 junior). I think working with him would be like working with a coach in a way. I think it'll be fun.

To see what's going on with reigning Daily Times Player of the Year Karon Burton, a redshirt freshman at La Salle, check back with Gettin' Schooled on Tuesday.

The Media Bowl. I attended the football version this past fall, but the boys basketball game between neighborhood rivals Penncrest and Strath Haven was intense.

As if the game - which the Lions won, 41-37 - wasn't good enough, we have video of it too. Daily Times photographer Bob Gurecki was on hand to snap still photos and video for the Web site. The game story is available, as well.

Marvin Holman-Little was the catalyst for the Lions, scoring 14 points and grabbing eight rebounds. For Haven, Calvin Newell scored 27 points and Jack Roberts swatted 12 shots in the loss.

Here at the Daily Times, it appears we are suffering from technical difficulties. Our Internet connections have not failed us. But our phone lines are down.

When reporting scores Thursday night, here's what you should do:

E-MAIL US ... at sports@delcotimes.com or at delcotimessports@gmail.com.

FAX US ... at 610.622.8887

We're trying to rectify this issue as soon as possible. Hopefully, it doesn't interfere with reporting scores tonight or later on down the road.

Academy Park's Devon Cain wasn't exactly on the radar of opposing teams last season. Now-graduated forward Anthony King garnered most of the defensive pressure.

But Cain, a senior shooting guard at Park, is a rising star in Delaware County. He is averaging 25.5 points per game for the Knights (2-1), and caught the eye of a local-college recruiting coordinator in Tuesday's 59-50 loss to Monsignor Bonner. The recruiter was there to see Cain's teammate, senior forward Devin Hunter. But he came away pleased with what he saw in Cain.

Can you blame him?

Cain has scored at least 23 points in the Knights' first three games. His season-high came Tuesday, when he scored 30 points in the loss to Bonner. Cain has struck for 10 3-pointers so far, and has shown a proficiency from shooting downtown.

Park coach Rick Pergolini speaks very highly of Cain's ability. I get the feeling other coaches will be following suit throughout the season.

Senior Lijah Thompson is out at Monsignor Bonner, the player confirmed Tuesday night. He transferred from Bonner at the conclusion of last school week.

The 6-7 forward is amidst his first week at Communications Tech High School in Southwest Philadelphia, which is within walking distance of Thompson's home.

Thompson attended the Friars' 59-50 home win over Academy Park Tuesday. He sat at midcourt in the front row, across from the team's benches.

The Robert Morris commit averaged 13 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots per game last year, when the Friars advanced to the Catholic League semifinals.

For more on Thompson's transfer, pick up a copy of Thursday's Daily Times.

You don't go from a lean 171-pounder to a bulky 189-pounder overnight. Springfield's Andre Petroski knew that, so he started to hit the weights.

And he hit them hard.

"I expect to win states," said Petroski, a senior who finished fifth at that level last season. "I am ready to do whatever it takes."

Petroski is someone to watch this wrestling season, which kicked off over the weekend but is previewed Wednesday in the Daily Times.

Beat writer Jon Campbell does a great job of previewing the sport with a sneak peek at the Central League and the others. In keeping with our new preview tradition, Campbell offers his High Fives, too.

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Elsewhere in Delco
***Boys basketball: Monsignor Bonner, led by Jamal Melvin, raced past Academy Park last night. The recap of the county's other games follows the game story.
***Girls basketball: Without All-Delco Diamon Beckford, who left after the second quarter due to injury, the Royals dropped their Central League opener.
***Swimming

The basketball season kicked off Friday night with a flourish. There were high scorers abound, some upsets and some high expectations that were given foundations for the rest of the season.

For starters, Chichester upended host Ridley, 50-39, behind 12 points and nine rebounds from Dan Clapp and 11 from Malik Carter (pictured).

The Eagles, who have just two wins in their last six openers, desperately needed to get off to a good start. In the always-competitive Del Val, their toughest tests are ahead of them.

Marple Newtown's Soutiri Sapnas scored 13 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter of a win at Harry S Truman.

Strath Haven's Calvin Newell dropped 28 on Carlisle, the hosts of a tipoff tournament and losers to the Panthers.

Glen Mills' Aaric Murray lived up to all the hype, tossing in 32 points.

And Archbishop Carroll escaped a three-overtime thriller over La Salle, 86-84, behind 21 from D.J. Irving and 19 from Juan'Ya Green.

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Daily Times reporters are scattered about the East Coast today, covering some bigtime games. I'm taking a day off from the high school beat to visit Lincoln Financial Field and the 109th Army-Navy Game. A lifelong Philadelphian, it's hard to believe that I've never covered one of these games. In fact, I've never even attended one. Today should be a treat.

Terry Toohey is in Harrisonburg, Va., for Villanova's second-round FCS playoff game against top-seeded James Madison. And Anthony SanFilippo is down in Carolina for a Flyers-Hurricanes game.

It's a big day for sports, certainly, so pick up Sunday's Daily Times for all the latest.

See that guy in the photograph, the second one from the left? That's Penn Wood center Shawn Oakman. The 6-9 sophomore doesn't like to get bullied. It doesn't happen too often, but against Chester last season, it happened four times.

"It was like we were the younger brother that was getting picked on and beaten up by an older brother all season long," he said. "I'm done with that. Now we're the older brother and Chester is going to get picked on some. It's our turn."

Oakman and the Patriots will have a chance at redemption (actually two of them, in the regular season at least). The 2008-09 season is upon us.

Outside of the Del Val League, here's the Delco Roundup of what's expected from the rest of Delaware County. A new feature of the winter sports previews is something we called High Fives, highlighting the five top players (in no particular order) at certain skills. Check 'em out.

There are tons of games tonight, including several notable tip off tournaments. Pick up a copy of Friday's Daily Times for all the times and sites.

Enjoy the preview stuff.

The boys basketball season isn't one day old yet and there are so many storylines to follow.

There are so many that they all could not fit into the Daily Times' season preview, which appears in Friday's edition. Here are a few others to keep your eyes on this year:

1. Is Soutiri Sapnas for real? The Marple Newtown junior (pictured), who lit the Central League on fire last season with his rampant scoring, will move to the point guard position this winter. Will he continue his torrid scoring ways?

2. Sun Valley's Tom Brennan needs 41 points to eclipse the 1,000-point mark for his career. That being said, Brennan averaged 24 ppg last year, so it might only take two games to get there.

3. Remember this guy? The school he used to play for formed into New Beginnings Academy, which will play The Christian Academy Friday night in the Delco Christian Tip Off Tournament.

For more, pick up a copy of Friday's Daily Times. And get out and enjoy a game!

Episcopal Academy and The Haverford School opened their basketball seasons Tuesday. But for the remainder of Delaware County, the season begins Friday.

That's when the Daily Times' boys and girls basketball season previews will hit newsstands.

Sophomore center Shawn Oakman, pictured, and the Penn Wood Patriots are tapped by many Delco coaches as the team to beat in the Del Val and District One.

Obviously, their reputation extends beyong Delco. The Patriots are ranked No. 40 nationally by ESPN/Rise Magazine's Fab 50. And they're No. 9 in PrepNation's East Coast regional rankings.

Time will tell if the Patriots are for real. But we'll have a better grasp after Friday.

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***Episcopal Acad. 43, Abington Friends 41: Sophomore Isaiah Baker scored 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the first game at EA's O'Neill Gymnasium.

***Friends' Central 66, Hav. School 37: Senior A.J. Jones dropped in 10 points in the season opener for the Fords (0-1).