High School Basketball Event Takes Center Stage
High School Basketball Event Takes Center Stage
ByVirginiaPreps.com
Advertisement
The 2001-2002 Virginia High School basketball season promises to be one filled with plenty of excitement and fast paced action; however, on February 2, 2002 the excitement and fast paced action will perhaps be at its peak with the creation of the Super Saturday Slamfest. High school basketball fans will be able to enjoy some of the states premiere high school basketball teams and players under one roof for a fun filled day of high school basketball. Event organizer, Omni Sports Group based in Ashland, Va., is responsible for creating the Super Saturday Slamfest. The inaugural year will feature Virginias premiere private and public school teams, and the concept will create a tournament atmosphere without the preliminary games being played to reach the final. Event chairman Thomas Leachman stated, The event is a unique concept created to bring our states elite talent and teams together in a central locale for what will be an exciting and fun filled high school basketball experience. In essence, every game will have a championship feel as public and private schools battle for bragging rights.
The inaugural Slamfest will be highlighted by a match-up of two of the most sought after players in the country, John Gilchrist of Salem (Va. Beach) and Duke bound shooting sensation JJ Redick of Cave Spring. The Salem-Cave Spring game could very well be the states most anticipated high school basketball game in recent history. Each team not only possesses an elite prospect, but also comes off a very successful 2000-2001 season, Leachman stated. Salem High School of Va. Beach was the 2001 Group AAA State Champions and was ranked as high as #10 nationally, and Cave Spring finished their season with an impressive 22-3 mark.
Although the Salem-Cave Spring match-up might be the most intriguing match-up, it isnt the only game set for the February 2nd Super Saturday Slamfest. Game #1 will feature rising superstar Marquie Cooke of Nansemond-River High School against the Varina Blue Devils and Marcus Sailes. Game #2 will place an up and coming Patrick Henry of Ashland team against Roanoke Catholic who possesses one of the premiere juniors in the country JR Reynolds. Roanoke Catholic has twice been crowned Virginia Independent Schools Division II. State Champions in 2000 and 2001. As a prelude to the Salem vs. Cave Spring game, the third game of the Slamfest will feature another private school verses public school match-up when Blue Ridge plays Thomas Dale. Blue Ridge comes off back to back V.I.S. Division I. State Championships (2000 and 2001), while Thomas Dale is the reigning 2001 Central Region Champions and return the highly touted Lethal Weapon 3 consisting of Brad Byerson, Vern Hamilton, and Darius Swinton. The fifth and final game of the day will feature 2001 Central Region runner-up George Wythe against an up and coming team of Virginia Beach Floyd E. Kellam.
A venue for the inaugural Super Saturday Slamfest will be announced in mid-September. Leachman is quick to point out that plans for the 2003 Super Saturday Slamfest are underway as Oak Hill, Dematha, and Wilson High School of Florence, SC are being considered to make their way into the Richmond area. Super Saturday Slamfest has created a website filled with player profiles, pictures, and statistics at http://www.omnisportsgroup.com/slamfest.html.
Other Basketball Articles and Information of Interest from VaPreps!