CSNbbs

The Charleston Gazette Wrote:From WVU, Joe Alexander and Da’Sean Butler participated and made the all-league team. Same with Pitt’s Mike Cook, Ronald Ramon and Gilbert Brown.

But the MVP wasn’t one of those bigger names.

It wasn’t Ramon or Alexander. It wasn’t Clancy or even a highly regarded incoming freshman, like WVU’s Will Thomas or Pitt’s 6-foot-11 center Gary McGhee.

‘Twas backup Mountaineer point guard Joe Mazzulla.

You read correctly. The little man with the big heart stood tall.

“I guess it shows where the summer has taken me,’’ Mazzulla said via phone. “The weight training has really helped. I feel stronger and faster. I didn’t think I could get so much faster.’’

To the point where he’s playing in fast company.

“They say he played great,’’ said WVU coach Bob Huggins. “He’s a great kid. And he’s got toughness — which, I’m sure, is why he played well there.’’

And of his new point guard duo of Darris Nichols and Mazzulla?

“I like ’em,’’ said the coach.

WVU’s Thomas, by the way, and Devan Bawinkel both made the Pro-Am League’s all-newcomer team. The team featuring Mazzulla and Cook won the championship game Wednesday night at the Green Tree Sportsplex.

This past Friday, I brought you the skinny on Shayne Hale and Cameron Saddler, Gateway (Pa.) High cousins which are being heavily recruited by WVU’s football staff. Both list the Mountaineers among their top four. Hale is, well, hailed as the nation’s No. 1 middle linebacker.

WVU is also involved with perhaps the nation’s No. 1 prospect, Terrelle Pryor of Jeannette, Pa. Pryor, a quarterback and a dual-sport star in football and basketball, was in Morgantown last weekend for the basketball JamFest.

Another recruit, though, visited Morgantown mid-week. Tyler Urban, a defensive end from Norwin (Pa.) High, made the trip on Wednesday to check out the Mountaineers’ setup.

The 6-4, 235-pound Urban is said to be one of Keystone State’s best. Michigan State is also said to be involved.

The Mountaineers have 10 verbal commitments.