Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BASKETBALL RECRUITING FOOTBALL RECRUITING 2012 Class Will Bolster Irish Program BY WES MORGAN A the mouths of Notre Dame men's bas- ketball players and fans of the pro- gram, but the next two seasons might cleanse everyone's palates. The Fight- ing Irish, who finished with a 22-12 record, exceeded all expectations at the beginning of the season, and did so without much of a bench. Super sophomores Jerian Grant and n opening-game loss in the NCAA Tournament left a bitter taste in played that second half like I didn't want to lose and didn't want my high school career to be over." Biedscheid averaged 31.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.2 steals per game as a senior, and was named the Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year. "I'm just ready to get to Notre Eric Atkins are on track to become one of the best backcourt duos in the country, Notre Dame will return at least four starters next season — all five if fifth-year senior Scott Martin is granted a sixth year by the NCAA — and reinforcements are coming. First, there's 6-11 center Garrick Sherman, who transferred from Michigan State this past summer af- ter his sophomore season. He will be able to provide quality minutes down low behind senior-to-be Jack Cooley. 247Sports' No. 48 overall prospect in the 2012 class, Cameron Bieds- cheid, should make an instant im- pact next season at forward. The 6-6, 185-pound four-star recruit out of St. Louis Cardinal Ritter College Prep will be a long and athletic addition. Fellow four-star forward Zach Au- Dame and make the most of my op- portunities there," he said. "I can play inside and outside; I feel like I'm a versatile player." Biedscheid was slated to take part Irish signee Cameron Biedscheid, the nation's No. 48 overall prospect according to 247Sports, averaged 31.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.2 steals per game as a senior. PHOTO BY JACEY ZEMBAL certain players don't perform, Brey has options. If everyone is able to contribute, then Brey will also have the ability to throw a variety of looks at Irish opponents, instead of getting stuck trying to run out the clock in tight contests. For years to come, the program will For the first time in a long time, if guste (6-9, 210) is rated as the 95th- best player in the country, the No. 18 power forward in the land and the No. 5 player in New Hampshire by 247Sports. The New Hampton (N.H.) School star is another incoming fresh- man that should challenge for play- ing time right away. Add three-star forward Austin Bur- gett, a 6-9, 220-pounder from Avon (Ind.) High, who has three-point range, and the Irish will instantly have the kind of quality numbers head coach Mike Brey's been missing. With Grant, Atkins and sopho- more-to-be Pat Connaughton now seasoned veterans, there's a solid base of experience that will help off- set the infusion of youth in 2012. 2012 NOTRE DAME SIGNEES Name Zach Auguste Cameron Biedschied Austin Burgett 52 APRIL 2012 Pos. PF SF PF 210 185 220 have size, speed and a host of shoot- ers. With state tournaments still in action across the country, the trio of 2012 Irish signees has yet to collect all the individual awards that are surely coming. Biedscheid led Cardinal Ritter to a in the All-American Championship April 1 at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans. The event will feature 40 of the best high school basketball play- ers in the country on four teams in a doubleheader that will be aired live on ESPN3 at 3 p.m. and rebroadcast on ESPNU at 9 p.m. Biedscheid was named to the North team. Auguste helped New Haven win eight of nine games en route to a New England Prep School Athletic Conference Class AAA quarterfinal appearance. At the National Prep School Invi- tational in February, Auguste scored 32 points and grabbed 28 rebounds in two games. He can work with his back to the basket, shoot out to the three-point line and do most every- thing in between. Avon struggled to a 14-8 record scheid, who is also listed as the No. 1 player in Missouri and the No. 9 small forward nationally by 247Sports. "We had a really young team. We expected to win state, but I had a lot of fun with my teammates. We had a fresh- man and a sophomore starting. It was a whole lot of teaching going on. I Class 3 sectional before bowing out of the Missouri state tournament. He scored 25 points (after registering just four in the first half) in a 70-67 loss to Lutheran North. Cardinal Ritter ended the year with a 21-6 record. "It was a good season," said Bied- Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School) 6-9 6-6 6-9 Malborough, Mass. (New Hampton [N.H.] School) St. Louis (Cardinal Ritter College Prep) Avon, Ind. (Avon) with a young squad, but Burgett was a fine anchor. He registered 13 points and seven rebounds in a Class 4A second-round sectional loss to Indianapolis-area rival Pike High. He experienced a rare dry spell from behind the arc in his final game, but finished the year with averages of 16 points and 10 rebounds per game. "We were mainly sophomores and juniors," he said. "I thought we would do a little better. I think at the end of the season we just got tired because we played only six players. I don't think [my prep career being over] has hit me as hard as it does for other guys. "It hurts them more because they know they'll never play organized basketball again. I'm ready to gradu- ate and get to Notre Dame. I start summer school two or three weeks after I graduate." ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED