Hargrove ready for big match-up on Tuesday

Two of South Carolina's top small forwards will battle it out on the hardwood next Tuesday night as Lucas Hargrove of Richland Northeast High School and Mike Jones from Lower Richland High School in Columbia. Hargrove, a 6-foot-6, 185-pound class of 2006 prospect is making his name known with a strong junior campaign. Tuesday's game could solidify his standing as one of the top prospects in the Palmetto State.

The two S.C. products are two of the top small forward prospects in the state and this game isn't the first time Hargrove and Jones match up with each other.

"We're basically best friends," Hargrove said. "We talk all the time."

You better believe the two forwards will be talking when the meet up on Tuesday night.

"This is a real big game for us. The last time we played them, they beat us by three points," Hargrove said. "I had something like 12 points and he had 15. I felt like I was doing a pretty good job on him. He didn't get a chance to make any big shots at the end of the game. But, I could be better this game."

Hargrove, a player that caught the eye of Rivals.com in December at the Chick-Fil-A tournament, is the leading scorer for Richland Northeast (18-2). He's a high energy guy that can handle the rigors of playing the post but has the athleticism and versatility to step out and play the small forward spot, a position he'll play at the next level.

His recruitment, he says, has been all over the map. South Carolina "is really the only big school that is really recruiting me," Hargrove says. Tennessee is one of the many schools that stays in touch with letters and such.

Perhaps his recruitment will step up to another level after Tuesday, too.