Gaines Grabs High D-1 Attention

He was their lifesaver. Sundiata Gaines, a 6-foot-1 guard from Archbishop Molloy High School in Briarwood, New York, had several big games at the Super Showcase to help the New York City Gauchos win the title.

When the Gauchos were down 30-10 to start the quarterfinal playoff game against the Illinois Warriors, it was Gaines who kept his team in the game with 17 first-half points. Eventually, the Gauchos won the game in double overtime. Gaines finished with 38 points.

Gaines was also outstanding against the Family from Detroit, Michigan in the Super Showcase final. Yet, for some reason, he doesn't receive the big publicity like other top notch guards.

However, during his workout yesterday at the Gauchos gym in New York City, many division one coaches were on hand to show they are interested. Gaines expects his list will grow in the next week when coaches can start making phone calls.

Gaines mentioned Georgia, Pittsburgh, Boston College and Kansas as among the schools he is interested in. Representatives from these schools were on hand to watch the informal workout.

Gaines has vastly improved his jumper too. His touch was good enough to make his defender play him honestly. This allowed Gaines to utilize his strong frame to go one-on-one and take the ball to the basket. Gaines either scored the basket or was fouled in the process. This was a situation repeated many times during the Super Showcase. And no defender at the Showcase could stop him.