The Stars Come Out

Last night, the hockey world was focused on Windsor for the CHL/NHL Top Prospects game. The game features the top players from the three Canadian junior hockey leagues: WHL, OHL, QMJHL. The game served as a coming out party for a couple of different players.

• Emerson Etem, Medicine Hat Tigers, forward: Coming into the game I did not know that much about Etem, but after the game I felt like he was someone that I should keep my eye on. He showed great speed every time he was on the ice. The California kid will be a key part of next years World Junior Championship team.
• Austin Watson, Peterborough Petes, forward (above in the red): The former Spitfire made a great return to his former town. He was great on the penalty kill and showed a lot of heart. Another kid that could be on next years United States World Junior Team.
• Stanislav Galiev Saint John Sea Dogs, forward: He has the best vision of anyone on the ice. The first time that I have seen him and loved him.
• Nino Niederreiter Portland Winterhawks, forward: Was awesome in the World Juniors Championships with the Swiss and again during the prospects game he was all over the place creating and driving defenders nuts.
• Ryan Spooner, Peterborough Petes, forward: Loved the energy that he brought to the game was all over the place at times.
• Brandon Gormley, Moncton Wildcats, defense man: Solid. Solid in his own end, solid going forward. Will have a very long and successful career.
  

A Nation of Great Football Players

Watch CBS News Videos Online

60 Minutes Scott Pelley traveled to American Samoa to find out how a territory with a smaller population than a pro-football stadium sends more players to the NFL than any similarly populated place in America. This is an amazing story and very well done.

Spalding Hoophall Classic Notebook

This weekend the nations best high school basketball gathered in Springfield for the Spalding Hoophall Classic. Here is some thoughts on the showcase event:

• Why do I think that Northland High School (Ohio) is the best team in the US.
• Seen Northland's Jordan Potts a couple of times and for a sophomore he is not bad, for a kid.
• With sophomores Potts and Jalen Robinson, who is committed to West Virginia, this Nortland team has some staying power despite losses of Sullinger and Weatherspoon.
• Oak Hill Academy head coach Steve Smith is better dressed then most college coaches.
• One thing that is clear with Oak Hill this year is that they lack that player that takes over in crunch time. Like a Brandon Jennings.
• Northland has now wins over Findley Prep and Oak Hill Academy this year. Find me a team ever with two likes that.
• Despite being only 14 years old Simone's Jabari Parker is the complete package. Inside and outside. Played well in their game against Newman-Goretti from Philly.
• Fell bad for Kendall Marshall. His Bishop O'Connell team is just over matched against St. Bens.
• I think St. Benedicts is better then half of the teams in college basketball. They are one of the longest high school teams that I have ever seen.
• Love Marshall he looks like a point guard that is going to have a good stay at UNC.
• Rutgers is getting a steal in Gil Biruta of the Gray Bees. My only question is if Fred Hill will be there to coach him.
• Its funny seeing Kevin Boyle Jr playing for St. Pats. I remember him sitting on the bench as a kid when St. Pats played Camden in the an epic TOC semifinals at FDU a bunch of years ago. Camden had DeJuan Wagner and it was a classic game.
• Findlay Prep's Corey Joseph would look perfect in a Villanova jersey. Perfect for Jay Wright guard offense.
• The first half of the St. Pats and Findlay Prep game has been better then most college game that I have seen.
• Findlay Nick Johnson and Joseph might be the best high school back court that I have ever seen.
• St. Pats Michael Gilchrist (pictured above) has been banged up all day but has continued to play hard, showed a ton of heart during the game.
• Findlay vs. St. Pats simply amazing a great game better then most college games I have seen.

The Cover Story: Nearing the Super Bowl

Vikings/Saints and Jets/Colts the NFL Final Four is now set. Here are the ways some of the newspapers around the country covered yesterdays games. For some it was a good story, while for others it was not as good.

San Diego Union Tribune

The Dallas Morning News
The New York Daily News
The Star Tribune