The Legend Grows ...

CENTEREACH, NEW YORK -- At first, the play looked harmless. Juan Palacios, the 6-8, 220-pound forward from Our Savior New American, drove to the basket early in the first quarter against the Solebury School of New Hope, Pennsylvania.

Palacios, a sophomore and likely to be a top 50 player in the 2004 class, elevated to dunk the basketball. He did. His slam tied the game at 4-4. But more happened on impact.

First, a loud thump echoed through the gym at Our Savior. Next, the sound of shattered glass and bent rim. Palacios did what many thought was impossible in this gym. He shattered the backboard and rim.

These rims are supposed to defend against this type of action. The same with the backboard. But it didn't. Palacios, stunned, stood under the backboard as the glass came tumbling down. He then quickly got out the way and ran over to the sideline where he was greeted by smiling teammates and high fives.

The shattered rim and backboard would not be able to be replaced in time. So Solebury and Our Savior played on a makeshift floor, running the opposite way the main gym floor would face.

Palacios is a player whose best days are ahead of him. Already many major schools are following his recruiting process with a great deal of interest. He is also physical enough to mix it up inside. He runs the floor real well. Palacios plays hard all the time and hustles back on defense.

Palacios, mild mannered, is also a big favorite of the students and fans at Our Savior. They constantly call his name out during and after the game. Palacios has a warm smile and is a terrific kid who appears to be enjoying the American experience.

Louisville, St. John's, Seton Hall, Connecticut, Syracuse, Villanova, Kentucky, Ohio State, Michigan, and Texas are just a few schools that have expressed an interest in Palacios. It is early in his process and it will be interesting to see how Palacios continues to develop his game in the next two years.