7th Annual VaPreps Hoops Classic!
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"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The state's premier High School Basketball event is
back! It's the Seventh Annual
VirginiaPreps.com Basketball Classic Presented by Cox Sports & HRSN.
style=> A showcase that has become a can't miss day
for fans all across the Commonwealth returns with 11 intriguing matchups over
two Saturdays in January sure to have those in attendance on the edge of their
seats.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>All of the action gets underway on Saturday, January 3rd
at Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, VA, beginning at 1:00 PM with the
final game set to tip-off approximately at 8:00 PM.
style=>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>An estimated 63 next-level prospects will be
participating in the event, including 26 athletes who are projected to go on to
play Division I College Basketball.
Additionally, with 20 of the participating teams either currently ranked
in the Top 10 in their respective divisions or having appeared there in the
preseason, it's bringing together the best of the best, sure to make the
Classic a hot ticket once again.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>"We're thrilled to have another deep and talented field
of teams involved in the 7th Annual Classic.
Each year, it seems to get better and better, and I truly believe this is
our strongest crop of teams yet, which ought to make for two extremely
competitive days of basketball," stated Event Organizer Matthew Hatfield.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>"With the demand to play in the event so high, we
decided to break it up into two days this year at two quality venues.
style=> We're also excited about the added television
element this year as the exposure for High School Basketball in Virginia
continues to grow. Five brand new teams
are welcomed to the event this year, and combined with many of the familiar
squads that have helped make the event in the past what it is now, I think fans
will get plenty of bang for their buck."
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The final two games on Jan. 3rd will be televised on
Cox 11 through the Hampton Roads Sports Network and available to watch live on
the web at HRSN.TV.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A portion of proceeds from the event will go towards cancer
research.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Below is a schedule with information on some of the
teams and players that will be in the VirginiaPreps.com Classic.
style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
7th Annual VirginiaPreps.com Basketball Classic Presented by Cox Sports &
HRSN on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk:
style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>DAY 1 SCHEDULE
class=GramE>:
style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
1:00 PM - - Brunswick vs. Grafton
2:45 PM - - Kellam vs. Wakefield
4:30 PM - - Henrico vs. Norview
6:15 PM - - Booker T. Washington vs. Highland Springs
8:00 PM - - John Marshall vs. Landstown
style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
7th Annual VirginiaPreps.com Basketball Classic Presented by Cox Sports &
HRSN on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Green Run High School in Virginia Beach:
style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>DAY 2 SCHEDULE:
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>12:00
PM - - Stonewall Jackson (Manassas) vs. Western Branch
1:45 PM - - C.D. Hylton vs. Norfolk Collegiate
3:30 PM - - Green Run vs. Osbourn
5:15 PM - - Hampton vs. Potomac
7:00 PM - - Colonial Forge vs. Norcom
8:45 PM - - Cape Henry vs. L.C. Bird
style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
TICKET INFORMATION:
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>General Admission Day of Event:
style=> $10
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>General Admission Day of Event for Kids Ages 18 &
Under: $5
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Save $2 by Reserving Tickets!!!
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Reserved Adult Ticket:
$8
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Reserved Ticket for Children Ages 18 & Under:
style=> $3
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>To reserve your ticket, simply e-mail us at
href="mailto:tickets@matthewhatfield.com">tickets@matthewhatfield.com.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
This year's Nightcap will feature a much-anticipated showdown between nationally-ranked
Cape Henry and L.C. Bird, rated the #1 team in the state at the Group 5A
level. Headlining the matchup are the state's
top two rated prospects from the Class of 2015, Virginia Tech signee
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
href="https://rivals.yahoo.com/virginiapreps/basketball/recruiting/player-Chris-Clarke-143065;_ylt=Anmu1IixW6ejUS3hgqmr43NATJB4">
style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>Chris Clarke of
Cape Henry and VCU signee
href="https://rivals.yahoo.com/virginiapreps/basketball/recruiting/player-Kenny-Williams-144705;_ylt=ArRkFVaGObh1cbbRufCMGTFATJB4">
style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>Kenny Williams
from L.C. Bird. Clarke is rated #59
overall in the nation and a four-star recruit by Rivals.com.
style=> Williams is rated #96 overall nationally and
also a four-star prospect according to Rivals.com.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Cape Henry, which has been rated as high as #13 in the
country this season, also has one of the marquee guards in the state in Rice
signee
href="https://rivals.yahoo.com/virginiapreps/basketball/recruiting/player-Marcus-Evans-140920;_ylt=Air03iBof9WHl7Zp25Dc9QNATJB4">
style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>Marcus Evans, a
former State Player of the Year during his days at Great Bridge and an MVP
recipient in last year's overtime win over John Marshall in the
class=SpellE>VaPreps Classic. Bird
big man Thomas Taylor holds multiple
D-1 offers as well.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The game will be littered with talented underclassmen,
such as 2017 guards Mario
class=SpellE>Haskett and Johquin 'Pinky' Wiley
for Bird as well as Malik Marrow and
Iziah
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> James for Cape Henry.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Prior to those squaring off at Green Run on Jan. 10th,
it'll be a battle of defending State Champs as 6A title winner Colonial Forge
takes on 4A title winner Norcom, which has captured
three state titles in the past five seasons.
Both began the season ranked #1 in the state in their respective divisions
again.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Colonial Forge is led by the All-State tandem of
6-foot-4 shooting guard Marco Haskins,
the 6A State Player of the Year last winter, and 6-foot-6 center
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Winston Burgess.
style=> Norcom lost three
starters from a season ago, but returned a formidable backcourt combo in junior
Travis Fields and sophomore
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Travis Ingram, both drawing interest
from D-1 schools.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Hampton Crabbers have won three state titles in the
last 25 years and feature another potent bunch with the sophomore trio of
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
href="https://rivals.yahoo.com/virginiapreps/basketball/recruiting/player-Marquis-Godwin-166164;_ylt=AkBxwnYSUzLfTnx11XwhjcFATJB4">
style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>Marquis Godwin,
Mastadi
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Pitt and Jalen Ray leading the way.
Godwin has already pulled in in-state offers from Hampton University and
Old Dominion. Their opponent, Potomac,
won the Group 5A State Championship last season.
style=> Senior guard
href="https://rivals.yahoo.com/virginiapreps/basketball/recruiting/player-Keijon-Honore-141095;_ylt=AtCE4KhjXIBqpJOrtu5EditATJB4">
style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>Keijon Honore
is the lone returning starter from that squad, but they welcomed in some key
transfers, including 6-foot-3 junior guard Terrence
Ward, who holds an offer from James Madison.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Host Green Run has started out 8-1 this season, despite
graduating four starters from last season's team that won the Atlantic
Conference Tournament. Junior forward
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Sterling Carrington, sophomore guard
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
href="https://rivals.yahoo.com/virginiapreps/basketball/recruiting/player-DeShaun-Wade-167656;_ylt=AvEWmg2QzKHgRSTnOYE1j6dATJB4">
class=SpellE>DeShaun
style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'> Wade and
sophomore center Emonni
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Wood lead the way for the Stallions
against an Osbourn team that has opened 9-2
overall. Six-foot-4 senior shooting
guard Justin Vargo
has put up over 24 points per game for the Eagles in that stretch.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>In the first two games on January 10, it'll be
Stonewall Jackson taking on Western Branch and Norfolk Collegiate facing C.D.
class=SpellE>Hylton. Two
high-scoring guards go at it in the Western Branch-Stonewall Jackson game as
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Keaton Simmons for the Raiders scored
31 points in a recent win, while Aaron
Johnson put up 29 points in a victory for the Bruins before the holidays.
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Hylton
style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
has three double-figure scorers in juniors Jerry
Carter, Brian Smith and
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Josh Peterson.
style=> They take on a Norfolk Collegiate team with
three scholarship-level players from the Class of 2016 in
href="https://rivals.yahoo.com/virginiapreps/basketball/recruiting/player-Adam-Grant-147577;_ylt=AqxeAM3JPOLDtJo5zRwLlLhATJB4">
style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>Adam Grant,
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
href="https://rivals.yahoo.com/virginiapreps/basketball/recruiting/player-Kyonze-Chavis-148807;_ylt=AlNLYXPIUKd1.VzsKO5XkIRATJB4">
style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>Kyonze Chavis
and
href="https://rivals.yahoo.com/virginiapreps/basketball/recruiting/player-Bash-Townes-147272;_ylt=ApGYYS_Wgo5LRH.XGDGz6ZlATJB4">
style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>Bash Townes.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>On January 3rd at Virginia Wesleyan College, the
nightcap in front of the television cameras will showcase defending 3A State
Champ John Marshall against the
Group 6A runner-up Landstown Eagles.
style=> Junior guard
href="https://rivals.yahoo.com/virginiapreps/basketball/recruiting/player-Jeremy-Sheppard-158533;_ylt=ArLaZIiTtj517SspZncf.jdATJB4">
style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>Jeremy Sheppard was
the 3A State Player of the Year for the Justices a season ago, sinking 103
three-pointers. On his plate are nearly
10 offers, including Cincinnati, Richmond and Miami of Ohio.
style=> Landstown features
an All-State performer in 6-foot-8 center
href="https://rivals.yahoo.com/virginiapreps/basketball/recruiting/player-Darius-Bolstad-168625;_ylt=Ah9_Ujx2Dqwa8M.jPzLB7dlATJB4">
style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>Darius Bolstad,
who has signed to play his College Basketball at Radford.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Both Landstown and John
Marshall have won in the event before, but last year marked the first time that
they lost in the event as the Justices were defeated by Cape Henry in overtime
and Eagles fell to Battlefield. John
Marshall features at least three other D-1 talents in UNC-Greensboro signee
class=SpellE>Taqqi
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Muhammad, senior forward
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
href="https://rivals.yahoo.com/virginiapreps/basketball/recruiting/player-Nate-Williams-144704;_ylt=As.TeSt1cRYM.A503pep6L1ATJB4">
style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>Nate Williams and
sophomore
href="https://rivals.yahoo.com/virginiapreps/basketball/recruiting/player-Greg-Jones-158963;_ylt=Ah1XqH_jHqgljDJ1FhPSaYxATJB4">
style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>Greg Jones.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>One could argue that there may not be a better matchup
than Booker T. Washington vs. Highland Springs with the coaching battle among
the most fascinating you can have. The
class=SpellE>Springers have won two state titles under Hall of Fame
Coach George Lancaster, who's approaching
700 career victories, while the Bookers' sideline general, Darren Sanderlin, has won a state title both as a player and as a coach.
style=>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Booker T. Washington has imposing size with
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Ezekiel Ingram and
href="http://sports.yahoo.com/virginiapreps/football/recruiting/player-Breyon-Gaddy-158149">
style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>Breyon Gaddy,
a nationally-recognized football recruit from the Class of 2017.
style=> Highland Springs counters with dynamic guard
play, sparked by Times-Dispatch Tournament MVP A.J. Gaston and fellow senior
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Mike'l Simms.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>There has been lots of buzz going back to the
off-season about the Henrico vs. Norview matchup as it's a possible preview of
the 5A-South Region Championship and the State Tournament.
style=> Henrico has played in the State Championship
each of the last two years, winning the crown in 2013.
style=> Junior
href="https://rivals.yahoo.com/virginiapreps/basketball/recruiting/player-De'Monte-Buckingham-154876;_ylt=Ap4dWtqhqkkfZJVTzKWGtTVATJB4">
class=SpellE>De'Monte
style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'> Buckingham is
rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and holds upwards of a dozen offers,
checking in at #149 overall nationally.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>To go with Buckingham, Henrico has a pair of seniors
that have committed in Navy-bound shooting guard Ryan Pearson and wing Walter
Williams, set to play at Virginia State.
Norview enters the event at 10-1 overall with a senior-laden team, keyed
by the trio of Greg Heckstall,
Daevon
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Brown and Damion Madison. All five
starters have averaged in double-figures in points.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Prior to Norview/Henrico, it'll be Kellam,
which entered Christmas with a perfect record of 9-0 overall, taking on a
Wakefield team that has reached the State Final Four each of the past two
seasons. Two MVP winners from the
class=SpellE>VaPreps Classic collide as Wakefield's Dominique Tham, an All-State performer,
goes up against a Knights team that leans on the playmaking of point guard
class=SpellE>Janai
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Raynor-Powell.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Getting things started will be Grafton, ranked #1 in
the state in Group 4A, against Brunswick, currently #2 in the state in Group 2A.
style=> Prior to last season, Grafton played in the State
Championship two years in a row. The
Clippers have one of the most promising sophomores around in
class=SpellE>Cle'Von
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Greene.
style=> Brunswick had won three consecutive State Championships
until falling to Dan River in the State Semis last season.
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