Villanova recruit Kennedy heading to Massachusetts prep school

By JOSEPH SANTOLIQUITO For the Daily News
Posted: July 30, 2009

The last thing Markus Kennedy wanted to do was change schools for the fourth time in 4 years. But the highly touted 6-9, 260-pound Villanova recruit, who lives in Yeadon, Delaware County, has opted to go to Winchendon (Mass.) Prep.

Kennedy, who committed to Villanova in April, found out that his school, Living Faith Christian Academy in Cherry Hill, had closed last month. That left him and his family scrambling to find a high school for his senior year.

Kennedy was thinking strongly about attending Penn Wood, the defending PIAA Class AAAA state champions. But Barbara Kennedy, Markus' mother, asked for suggestions from Villanova coach Jay Wright and he recommended Winchendon.

"I feel pretty good about it, but I really didn't have a choice," said Markus, who averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds last season for Living Faith. "My family wants the best for me and this will be the first time I'll be away from home for an extended period of time. That will be hard to adjust to, but I think it's something I can get used to doing."

Kennedy wanted to attend Penn Wood, but Winchendon offered stronger academics and plays a national schedule. The school is considered one of the top Class A programs in Massachusetts.

Kennedy started at Monsignor Bonner, transferred to St. Patrick's in North Jersey and attended Living Faith last year.

"I think what's important is that people know the truth," Markus said. "They see four schools in 4 years and think something is up. But I know coach Wright only accepts character players and I would have been back at Living Faith if the school was still open."

Send e-mail to santolj@phillynews.com.

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