News and Notes: Ryan Mela and Newman keeping winning, a look back at recent impactful injuries in Friartown, Oswin recruiting coming down to the wire, and more

1. Class of 2024 Providence commit Ryan Mela is leading one of the top prep teams in the country this season in the Newman School out of Boston. Newman improved to 12-3 on the season this weekend after Mela led them with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists in a win over Redemption Christian Academy on Friday before they put up 104 points Saturday versus Reason Prep. Mela and point guard Luka Toews (a Boston College commit) are the anchors for a team that spreads opponents out and plays an aesthetically pleasing brand of basketball.

In the most recent Prep Coaches’ poll released by The New England Recruiting Report, Newman is the fourth ranked prep team in the country, behind St. Thomas More (CT), Sunrise Christian Academy (KS), and New Hampton (NH).

Newman has three big matchups ahead this week with Joson Sanon and Vermont Academy on Wednesday, followed by New Hampton (NH) and Combine Academy out of North Carolina on Saturday.

2. The nation’s second-leading scorer is a guard who played for Kim English in his first year at George Mason. Xavier Johnson is a graduate transfer point guard who spent three years at Mason before transferring to Southern Illinois for his senior season and a graduate year.