Leading off today: Two of the greatest major-sport performers in recent state high school history — both of whom have become punch lines to unflattering jokes at their expense — are back in the news as we head into the weekend.
First up, The Daily News updated the most tedious story of the year by reporting that the list of colleges still pursuing Abraham Lincoln basketball star Lance Stephenson continues to grow shorter than the autograph line for Eliot Spitzer at a Promise Keepers rally.
The paper reported yesterday that Maryland is no longer recruiting Stephenson, though Memphis and Arizona might still be options.
The paper also said there are rumors circulating that Stephenson's "Born Ready" reality TV series and his family's alleged relationship with the Under Armour athletic wear are triggering concerns of NCAA compliance issues. That's probably a bit of a reach since any number of college prospects will run into minor NCAA issues every year only to have them cleared up in a relatively painless process.
Stephenson, New York's career scoring leader, and Lincoln teammate Darwin Ellis are due to return to Brooklyn Criminal Court on June 29 to face a sexual assault hearing after being charged with groping a 17-year-old girl last October.
On the football front, Newsday says Jason Gwaltney has caught the eye of the Canadian Football League and that the former prodigy regarded by some as Long Island's best running back since Jim Brown may go that route rather than trying to enroll in Division III Kean (N.J.) University in the fall or after one season there.
"Jason has ideal skills," John Murphy, director of player personnel for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, told the paper. "He can run, he can catch, a big guy like that would be able to block in the system we have up here. He can have a very successful career."
Gwaltney, 22, indicated he'd prefer a year of school before moving on. He has two years of NCAA eligibility left. "I want to leave some kind of footprint on NCAA football," he said. "I can't really look at the past. I can only look at the future and worry about what I can become."
Gwaltney has played in just 12 college games for West Virginia, Nassau Community College and C.W. Post after rolling up 7,800 career rushing yards — second in state history — at North Babylon. Along the way he's developed a reputation for lacking discipline and desire, and C.W. Post reportedly cut him loose this spring for not adhering to the conditioning program.
Changes at Maginn: The search to replace Bishop Maginn boys basketball coach Rich Hurley is expected to begin this month, The Times Union reported. Hurley resigned Tuesday after five seasons to focus on family and his education.
Hurley intends to remain as the school's director of admissions and as a guidance counselor.
Additionally, the mother of star guard Taran Buie told the paper that she's moving her family to State College, Pa., this summer. Buie, who was second-team all-state in Class AA last season as a junior, is the brother of current Penn State star Talor Battle.
Under Hurley, 36, Maginn won its first Section 2 Class AA title in 2007, then went 25-2 with a NYSPHSAA championship the next year and 17-4 last season.
"I love basketball; it's my No. 1 passion," he said. "I do
