Bloomingdale’s Townsend ahead of schedule

In recent weeks, King forward Toarlyn Fitzpatrick and Plant guard Sheldon Cooley have started getting their first scholarship offers. Reading about this probably hasn't been too fun for Bloomingdale guard Callum Townsend, who hasn't been able to play since sustaining a torn ACL in his right knee March 15 during a showcase event at Tampa Prep. Like Fitzpatrick and Cooley, the 6-foot-6 Townsend, also a rising senior, is a probable Division I player. But because he has been out of commission for awhile his recruitment is in wait-and-see mode.

"The interest is still there," Bulls coach Josh Chapin said. "But people are going to wait and see know his knee responds."

Thus far, it has responded quite well.

Townsend, who averaged a county-best 27 points per game last season, had surgery April 1. His physical therapist has told Chapin that Townsend is ahead of schedule and should be back to 100 percent by mid-September. He's still three or four weeks away from running, but he works out four days a week and has started spot-shooting on the court. Among all the schools recruiting him, Boston University has shown the most interest since the injury.

"Callum is highly motivated," Chapin said. "If any kid can recover from this type of injury, he can. I've never been around a player with his work ethic on the court. It's just going to carry over to his rehab. Reading about Cooley and Fitzpatrick and these other guys has been a motivator for him to get back."

--KEITH NIEBUHR