Bloomington South junior Darwin Davis ended the college recruitment process early, giving a verbal commitment tonight to Chris Mack‘s Xavier program.

“After talking with my family, I felt 100 percent sure that was the place,” Davis told HoosierHillsHoops.com after just announcing his decision. “I didn’t have a single reason why I wouldn’t go to Xavier.”

The 6-foot point guard also had scholarship offers from Purdue and Ohio, and was receiving serious interest from Butler, Illinois and Ohio State.

“Now that I’ve made my decision it’s about me getting better and stronger and preparing myself for the college level,” he added. “Coach Mack and I made a good relationship and had some good conversations about what I could bring to the table if I came. I’m definitely excited.”

Davis is the third player from the Panther’s current roster to announce their college intentions. Matt Carlino and Erik Fromm, both seniors-to-be, will attend Indiana and Butler, respectively.

“I think (already having three commitments) says we have a lot of talent,” he said. “We’re looking forward to playing with each another, and I think we’ll have another good group (next season).”

Barr-Reeve edged Brownstown yesterday in a double overtime thriller to win the varsity title of Salem’s summer high school team tournament.

The Vikings secured the victory in a sudden-death playoff.

In the junior-varsity division, Silver Creek got past Indianapolis Roncalli in the championship.

After a productive spring on the AAU circuit, Jeffersonville senior A.J. Adams has seen his stock rise and his college recruitment increase.

Now, the 6-foot-4 forward is focused on July, the month NCAA Division I coaches can evaluate potential recruits.

“I’m excited about July,” Adams said. “I want to help my team (Team Southern Indiana Red) do well, and I’d like to get more Division I schools looking at me. Bascially, I just hope to get more exposure.”

At this point, Eastern Illinois and Eastern Kentucky are Adams’ primary college suitors. Many Division II and small-college programs also have been in contact, he said.

Adams — whose AAU team will participate in July at the Hoosier Shootout, Kentucky HoopFest, Best of the Midwest and USSSA Nationals — is excited about his high school team’s play this month, too.

“Our young guys are coming along very well,” he said of Jeffersonville’s summer play. “We’re finally beginning to play together and understand what everyone can do.”

Team Southern Indiana 2014 fell in overtime 61-57 to the Focus, a Louisville-based 14 and under team, in this weekend’s Xtra Mile Fitness Classic at the Basketball Academy in Louisville, Ky.

In the loss, Madison’s Landon Perry scored a game-high 27 points. Brooks Howell, of Silver Creek, chipped in nine.

TSI 2014, coached by Justin Vollstedt, totaled a 3-1 record for the weekend.

Austin and Jeffersonville were the lone Southern Indiana squads competing this week in Louisville at the Derek Smith Shootout, a popular summer event featuring many of Kentucky’s top high school teams.

And their representation of the area was strong.

Austin finished pool play with a 2-1 record, scoring a 63-61 win over Louisville (Ky.) Iroquois and a 60-33 victory over Grant County (Ky.). The Eagles fell 65-44 to Louisville (Ky.) St. Xavier in their opening pool game.

In tournament play, Austin stunned Lexington Catholic (Ky.) 63-61 before being eliminated 71-69 in the second round by Pleasure Ridge Park (Ky.).

Jeffersonville was paired in pool play with some of Kentucky’s top teams. The Red Devils lost 66-62 to Warren Central (Ky.) and 67-50 to Louisville (Ky.) Ballard, but rebounded in their final pool contest to route Louisville (Ky.) Butler 78-63.

Jeffersonville ramped up in the tournament round, advancing to the quarterfinals before losing 66-55 to Louisville (Ky.) Eastern. The Red Devils shellacked Elliott County (Ky.) 81-56 in first-round play and knocked off a strong Henry County (Tenn.) group 79-74 in the second round.

Purdue and Xavier have topped Donnie Hale‘s list of potential college choices for a long while.

But now the New Albany senior has a new school showing interest — Oklahoma State.

Hale traveled last weekend to the Cowboys’ Stillwater, Okla., campus for an unofficial visit.

“They showed me the facility and it’s amazing,” Hale said. “I just felt really comfortable with the way coach (Travis) Ford was talking. He seemed really interested, and I felt comfortable around their coaches and players. The Big 12 Conference is definitely big-time basketball.”

The 6-foot-8 forward also will visit Xavier’s “elite camp” on Sunday, where he expects to speak with new Musketeer coach Chris Mack. And Purdue, which has tendered Hale a scholarship offer, will host the entire New Albany squad in Mackey Arena at a team camp later this month.

“I really don’t have a favorite,” he added. “It’s pretty much those three right now.”

When AAU resumes in July, Hale will travel with his Spiece Indy Heat team to events in Louisville, Fort Wayne and Kansas City, among others, he said.