Paul Robeson High School(Brooklyn) guard Gary Ervin was instrumental in Riverside Church's title win this past weekend at the Rumble in the Bronx. He also helped Riverside Church get off to a great start in the tournament with a convincing

opening round win over the Westchester Hawks Friday night at The Rumble in the Bronx.

Ervin contributed 25 points, as the 6-0 pepperpot darted through traffic and collected a slew of points in transition. Ervin staggered opponents off the dribble, using his springs and body control to wriggle through for slashing buckets, but also knocked down the long-range jumper with consistency, as he is capable of doing.

Ervin is blessed with some serious fast twitch muscles, capable of taking it from first to third gear off the dribble in a heartbeat. He is an explosive leaper who can crunch a dunk with relative ease. Ervin possesses good lateral quickness as well as speed and leaping ability. He is a better passer than most give him credit for, a capable playmaker when he is under control.

Ervin has decided to attend Notre Dame Academy in Massachusetts for a post graduate year, despite specultation that he might have been shipping off to St. Thomas More Prep in Connecticut. Gary lists a top six of Maryland, UConn, Arizona, Seton Hall, Pittsburgh, and Miami. All of the Big East schools have offered.

"Maryland and UConn are my dream schools," said Ervin. "They are point guard schools. Those two, along with Arizona, are my dream schools. I'm very interested in Arizona, but they're out West and I don't know how much they can come out and see me. Pittsburgh is also very hot, and I like Miami, too."

Gary is going to hold off on visits until the fall. "I won't take visits until before the season starts."