Any news on the basketball recruiting trail?

Glad you asked.

Tyler Hines, a 6-foot-7 senior who helped Timber Creek High reach the NJSIAA Group 3 state final last month, has committed to the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Chargers coach Tim Dunne confirmed yesterday.

Hines, one of the region's best shot-blockers, received a full scholarship to the Division I school.

"He felt comfortable with their staff; he liked the conference and the fact they recruit South Jersey," said Dunne, adding that the proximity to home and the school's academic programs also appealed to Hines.

Hines figures to get a chance to make an immediate impact at Maryland-Eastern Shore, which competes in the Mid-Eastern Conference and went 4-28 last season. Frankie Allen was named its new coach earlier this month.

Hines' brother, Kyle, starred at North Carolina-Greensboro and could be selected in the NBA draft.

Who will be one of the area's most heavily recruited football players next season?

If recent developments are an indication, Eastern defensive back/quarterback Logan Ryan will be near the top of the list.

Ryan, a swift 5-foot-11, 175-pound junior who is being recruited as a defensive back, already has been offered scholarships by Rutgers, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and Northwestern.

Stay tuned.

While we're talking about football, are there any forthcoming coaching clinics worth attending?

Eastern is hosting a good one on May 8, with a dinner from 6 to 6:50 p.m. and a clinic from 7 to 10 p.m. The cost is $10, and the clinic is open to youth and high school coaches.

The college coaching lineup includes Charley Molnar, the wide-receivers coach at Cincinnati; Gary Emanuel, defensive-line coach at Rutgers; Kevin Morris, quarterbacks coach at Massachusetts; Clint Wiley, linebackers coach at Villanova; Andrew Dees, offensive-line coach at Temple; and Mark Hendricks, defensive-backs coach at James Madison.

For more information, contact Eastern coach Dan Spittal at spittal_dan@eastern.k12.nj.us.

Is it true that Holy Spirit's talented baseball team has a catcher (a catcher!) batting leadoff, and a converted second baseman at shortstop?

Yep.

They're not typical moves, but they are paying off handsomely for Holy Spirit coach Keith Gorman.

Speedy junior catcher Joe Collepardi has been a terrific leadoff hitter, putting together a .610 on-base percentage heading into last night's game against pitching-rich Middle Township.

"He was one of our best base-stealers and is still one of our best baserunners, but he has a partial tear in his meniscus," Gorman said. "He's one of the toughest kids I have ever coached and he'll be an excellent college outfielder."

Senior shortstop Mike Blee, who has committed to St. Peter's, has made a smooth transition from second base. You frequently see players go from short to second, not the other way around.

Blee has committed just one error and is hitting .444 with a .670 on-base percentage, and his fielding has solidified the infield.

"He almost looks natural at shortstop," Gorman said. "We've had a lot of scouts come to see A.J. [Holland], and they all ask about Mike."

The hard-throwing, 6-foot-5 Holland is 4-1 with a 2.90 ERA and has struck out 30 and walked nine in 27 innings. West Virginia and St. Joseph's are among the colleges that have offered scholarships.

Holy Spirit, ranked No. 8 in South Jersey by The Inquirer, has overcome a 2-3 start by winning seven straight entering last night.

If you're looking for a great matchup to watch on Saturday, the Spartans will face No. 5 Vineland at Oakcrest in the 3 p.m. championship game of the Al Hedelt Shore Challenge.