Hoops: Pledges playing well early

Michigan's class of 2014 signees have played well in the early going. Fort Myers, Fla., power forward Ricky Doyle was averaging 29 points and 11 rebounds as of Dec. 16, including a record setting performance in a 75-50 win over LaBelle Dec. 10. He put up 41 points in besting his own record of 35.

Doyle notched 33 points and 11 rebounds in a 64-48 win over St. John Neumann Dec. 3, went 16-for-17 from the floor in only 22 minutes in the win over LaBelle and notched 21 points and 10 rebounds in a Nov. 23 win over East Lee. He recorded 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Vikings in a Dec. 6 loss to First Baptist.

Bishop Verot was preparing to host the City of Palms Classic Dec. 18, a prestigious, annual, national tournament, and set to face powerful Alpharetta, Ga., Milton High School in the opener.

Sacramento, Calif., Capital Christian's D.J. Wilson (6-9, No. 135) also had a solid December. The Michigan pledge recorded 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in a win over Salesian, 11 points in a 66-60 win over Richmond and 11 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks in a win over Camplindo that helped Capital Christian advance to the championship of the Gridley Invitational. Capital Christian topped area No. 2 Sacramento 78-75 in the finals, with Wilson registering16 points in the victory.

Capital Christian is 5-0 on the season, ranked first in the area by the Sacramento Bee.

Finally, Portland, Ore., Columbia Christian's Kameron Chatman has started the season on a tear. The 6-7 standout, Rivals.com's No. 29 player nationally, notched 26 points, eight rebounds and four steals in a win over Parkrose, 20 points, 12 rebounds, five steals and two assists in a loss to Benson and 27 points, seven assists, six rebounds and three steals in a win over Life Christian.

"The Michigan-bound Chatman hit 9 of 11 shots and scored 26 points to lead Columbia Christian (3-1)," OregonLive.com reported after the win over Parkrose.

… "The Knights have a double-digit win over Class 5A Madison, and Friday night lost by two points to Benson. Later this month, Columbia Christian plays four games in the MaxPreps Holiday Classic in Palm Desert, Calif."