The first week of November proved to be the busiest recruiting weekend of the calendar year to date.  With verbal commitments from the No. 1 and No. 2 players in the country -- Mercedes Russell of Springfield, Ore., and Kaela Davis of Buford, Ga. -- in addition to decisions from a number of other top 100 caliber prospects.  Among them, Emmonie Henderson, of Edwardsville, Ill., Jordan Reynolds of Portland, Ore., and Raigyne Moncrief of Lauderhill, Fla., all of who provide enough major recruiting news to keep us busy this week.

With the weeks developments in the books we find ourselves staring at a class of 2013 recruiting board that is starting to take shape.  As of today the highest rated undecided player in the country is No. 9 Tyler Scaife of Little Rock, Ark., and of the top 25 players in the country, only five are undecided. Scaife, Erica McCall, Kendall Cooper, Ronni Williams, Ieshia Small, and all but Small seem poised to make a decision before the end of the early signing period.  As a result the remaining days between now and the beginning of signing week will be very telling as a majority of the remaining puzzle pieces snap into place.

Tennessee, Georgia Tech, and LSU all picked up significant five-star recruits this week and with their additions made a move to solidify their roster for the future.

Russell and Reynolds give Tennessee a much needed post player and another athletic wing to pair with Jannah Tucker of Randallstown, Md., who solidified her verbal commitment late last week.  Georgia Tech was able to keep the No. 2 overall prospect, Davis, home.  Davis is a perfect fit for Tech who will have a plethora of talented wings with elite size and athleticism on the roster.  Her offensive and defensive versatility will allow the ACC school to utilize her in a variety of situations and force opponents to pick their poison.  When Louisiana State picked up a verbal commitment from Moncrief they were able to score one of the best athletes in the 2013 class.  Moncrief has the ability to be a primary scoring option during her time in Baton Rouge.

AROUND THE RIM

♦3-star Kenna McDavis to Boise State: At 6-2 McDavis of Phoenix, Ariz., has the size and athleticism to create match up problems for Boise State opponents early in her career.  McDavis is a prospect with good upside and if she can put the work in and develop her game she could prove to be a diamond in the rough down the line.

♦3-star Brianna Logan to Sienna: Logan is a 5-6 point guard from Mt. Holly, N.J. Her decision to commit to Sienna gives the MAC school a true pass first point guard that has consistently improved and developed her game throughout her college career.

♦3-star Geena Gomez to St. Joe’s: The 5-8 point guard from Huntington Beach, Calif., gives St. Joe’s a solid three-star  prospect.  We watched her play over the fall viewing weekend and she is back to the confident player we saw before her ACL injury two years ago.