High school basketball tournaments and events to watch in 2016-17

Video: Chino Hills wins City of Palms
Eventual national champs made a statement in Fort Myers last December.

Who are the best recruiters in basketball?

The answer may not be as simple as John Calipari of Kentucky, Mike Krzyzewski of Duke or Bill Self of Kansas.

Based on their track record of attracting top-notch talent, high school basketball tournament and event organizers like Gary Fulmer (Chick-fil-A Classic), Travis Haddock (National Hoopfest), Dr. Gregory Merrick (Cancer Research Classic) and Donnie Wilkie (City of Palms Classic) might have a strong claim to the title.

Between the last week of November and the second week in February, the high school basketball calendar is loaded with big time tournaments and showcase events.

Using our month-by-month roadmap to the season's premier showcases, catch one near you.


November

11-12 – Phenom National Showcase (Greensboro, N.C.)
Early look at preseason ranked Greensboro Day (Greensboro, N.C.), Mountain Mission (Grundy, Va.) and Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.).

12 – Season Opener (Houston, Texas)
Always a good preview of top programs in Houston area, including Atascocita (Humble) and Yates (Houston) this season.

17-19 – McDonald's Texas Invitational (Pasadena, Texas)
With 48 quality Texas 6A and 5A teams in the field, the winner of this event usually comes away with a national Top 25 resume. A special Marcus (Flower Mound) team featuring Marcus Smart and Phil Forte came away with the trophy back in 2011.

18-19 – Sand Between Your Toes Showcase (Nassau, Bahamas)
No. 1 2017 prospect DeAndre Ayton of Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.) makes his return to the Bahamas at this event.

21-26 – Pacific Shores Tournament (Redondo Beach, Calif.)
Sixteen SoCal heavyweights battle it out here, including Harvard-Westlake (Studio City), Long Beach Poly, host Redondo Union (Redondo Beach) and Westchester (Los Angeles).

22-26 – Coventry Health Tournament of Champions (Washington, Ill.)
Top 2018 prospect Zion Williamson and Spartanburg Day (Spartanburg, S.C.) join Legacy Charter (Greenville, S.C.), Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) and Wesley Christian (Allen, Ky.) as out-of-area participants.

24-26 – Rumble on the Ridge (Forrest City, Ark.)
Mitchell (Memphis, Tenn.) joins perennial Arkansas powers North Little Rock and Parkview (Little Rock) in eight-team tournament.

25-26 – Charlotte Hoops Challenge (Charlotte, N.C.)
Early look at upstart Conrad Academy (Orlando, Fla.) as well as 2016 Dick's Nationals participant Providence Day (Charlotte, N.C.).

25-26 – Holiday Hoopsgiving (Atlanta, Ga.)
Main event will be showdown between Greenforest (Decatur, Ga.) and Westlake. Norcross (Ga.) and Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.) also in action.

25-26 – Lighthouse Thanksgiving Classic (Corinth, Miss.)
Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.), Hillcrest Academy, Jemison (Huntsville, Ala.) and Pace Academy (Atlanta, Ga.) all participating in Corinth.

25-26 – Thanksgiving Hoopfest (Duncanville, Texas)
Texas contenders Cedar Hill, Steele (Cibolo) and Westlake (Austin) will be joined by Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) and Norman North (Norman, Okla.).

26 – NorCal Tip-Off Classic (Newark, Calif.)
This event produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2016-16 season when Moreau Catholic (Hayward, Calif.) knocked off Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.). Moreau Catholic is back this year along with Bishop Montgomery (Torrance, Calif.) and Woodcreek (Roseville, Calif.) featuring super junior Jordan Brown. December

1 – National Hoopfest (Memphis, Tenn.)
ESPN will televise battle between Hamilton Heights Christian Academy and Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.).

1-3 – Marshall County Hoopfest (Benton, Ky.)
Preseason ranked teams Althoff Catholic (Belleville, Ill.), Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, Oak Hill Academy and Prolific Prep Academy (Napa, Calif.) will all take the floor at historic Reed Conder Gymnasium.

2-3 – Chicago Elite Classic (Chicago)
East St. Louis (Ill.), Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.), Gray Collegiate Academy (West Columbia, S.C.), Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.), Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) and Sunrise Christian Academy join a star-studded cast of teams from the Windy City in this expanded event.

2-3 – Kreul Showcase (Coconut Creek, Fla.)
Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach), Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) and Sagemont (Weston) headline a "Who's Who" of South Florida powerhouses.

2-4 – Norm Stewart Classic (Columbia, Mo.)
Event features 48 continuous hours of basketball with tip-offs at midnight, 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.

3 – Adidas Explosion (Marietta, Ga.)
Host Wheeler will face Greenforest in a battle of preseason national top five teams.

8-10 – Bojangles Bash (Columbia, S.C.)
A.C. Flora (Columbia, S.C.), Gray Collegiate Academy, Huntington St. Joseph Prep (Huntington, W.Va.) and Miller Grove all hit the floor in Columbia.

8-10 – Buckeye Elite National Showcase (Portsmouth, Ohio)
First Love Christian Academy (Washington, Pa.), Hamilton Heights, Legacy Charter, Mountain Mission and Wesley Christian all in action in Portsmouth.

8-10 – FreeTaxUSA.com Shootout (Orem, Utah)
Watch out for Smoky Hill (Aurora, Colo.) sophomore guard Kenny Foster, who averaged 18.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game last winter as a freshman.

9-10 – Hoop Exchange Southern Shootout (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) are young teams with big expectations over the next couple of years. Both get a big test here.

9-10 – Hoophall West (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.), Corona del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.), Hillcrest Academy and Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) will all be involved in this CBS Sports Network-televised event.

9-10 – Memphis vs. Atlanta Roundball Classic (Duluth and Norcross, Ga.)
Norcross and Westlake will represent the ATL against some of Memphis' best.

9-11 – Gonzaga DC Classic (Washington, D.C.)
Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) has won this tournament two years in a row but there will be a new champion in 2016 as the Cahillites aren't in the field this time around. Host Gonzaga welcomes Dillard and Whitney Young (Chicago) among other contenders.

10 – Forum Credit Union Tip-Off Classic (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Romeo Langford and defending 4A champs New Albany (Ind.) take on perennial power North Central (Indianapolis) in the finale.

10 – National High School Hoops Festival (Hyattsville, Md.)
Host DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) takes on national title contender Wheeler.

10-11 – Duel in the Desert (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Grind Session circuit event.

15 – ESPN Tip-Off (New Castle, Ind.)
What a night it will be at the New Castle Fieldhouse – the largest high school basketball gym in the country – as La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.) takes on New Albany and Oak Hill Academy faces Sierra Canyon.

16-17 – Winter Heat Shootout (Orlando, Fla.)
Grind Session circuit event.

16-20 – Jerry Tarkanian Classic (Las Vegas)
Host Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) welcomes defending national champ Chino Hills (Calif.), Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) and Mater Dei to Sin City.

16-20 – King of the Bluegrass (Fairdale, Ky.)
Teams from Alabama, Georgia and Illinois will converge on Fairdale for an event that dates all the way back to 1981.

16-21 – City of Palms Classic (Fort Myers, Fla.)
The nation's premier high school basketball tournament moves to a sparkling new facility for 2016 – Florida SouthWestern State College's Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Memphis East, Montverde Academy and 2015 runner-up Patrick School (Elizabeth, N.J.) headline the loaded 16-team traditional bracket.

16-21 – Iolani Classic (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Findlay Prep and Oak Hill Academy haven't crossed paths too many times but there's a decent chance of it happening in Hawaii.

17 – National Hoopfest (Dallas, Texas)
Defending champions DeSoto and Lancaster headline the in-state contingent while Huntington St. Joseph Prep, Simeon (Chicago), Sunrise Christian Academy and Whitney Young join from out of the area.

17-18 – Hoop Group Tip-Off Showcase (Caldwell, N.J.)
First look at perennial Garden State contenders like Linden, Pope John XXIII (Sparta), Roselle Catholic and Seton Hall Prep (West Orange).

20-23 – Chick-fil-A Classic (Columbia, S.C.)
High school basketball fans in Columbia are lucky to have organizer Gary Fulmer. This year he brings in Greensboro Day, Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, La Lumiere, Spartanburg Day, Westlake and Wheeler among others.

26-30 – Rancho Mirage Holiday Invitational (Palm Springs, Calif.)
Wayne Merino always brings elite teams to the desert. This year's field includes Chino Hills, Crossroads (Santa Monica, Calif.), Harvard-Westlake, Redondo Union and Westbury Christian (Houston).

26-30 – The Classic at Damien (La Verne, Calif.)
Massive 48-team field includes Centennial (Las Vegas), Crespi (Encino, Calif.), Etiwanda (Calif.), Long Beach Poly, Mater Dei and Moreau Catholic.

26-31 – Beach Ball Classic (Myrtle Beach, S.C.)
Myrtle Beach isn't just a retirement and golf community – as evidenced by the incredible 2016 field. Bishop Gorman, Christ the King, Jonesboro (Ga.), Pace Academy and Westlake will all be contenders.

27-28 – Battle at the Villages (The Villages, Fla.)
Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio), Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.), New Mission (Boston) and Ranney (Tinton Falls, N.J.) all head to Florida for this post-Christmas affair.

27-29 – Rotary Roundball Classic (North Charleston, S.C.)
Programs from Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania join some of the Palmetto State's best here.

27-29 – Slam Dunk to the Beach (Lewes, Del.)
Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and LeBron James have all taken the floor in Lewes over the years.

27-30 – Governor's Challenge (Salisbury, Md.)
Massive showcase includes almost 100 teams from the District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia in addition to Maryland.

27-30 – John Wall Holiday Invitational (Raleigh, N.C.)
Re-branded event includes Hillcrest Academy, Tampa Catholic (Tampa, Fla.) and University in addition to a strong contingent of Tar Heel State teams.

27-30 – Kingdom of the Sun (Ocala, Fla.)
This is always a breakout event for somebody. Last year it was Dillard taking home the title and garnering national rankings consideration while Maverick Rowan and Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) put themselves on the map in 2014.

27-30 – Les Schwab Invitational (Hillsboro, Ore.)
Garfield (Seattle, Wash.), Gonzaga, Nathan Hale (Seattle, Wash.) and Sierra Canyon will be the teams to beat in this tradition-rich 16-team field.

27-30 – Neosho Holiday Classic (Neosho, Mo.)
Eventual Texas Class 6A runner-up Atascocita ran roughshod through this event in 2015.

27-30 – Skyline Classic (Jersey City, N.J.)
Host St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) will be joined by Brighton (Mass.), Pope John XXIII (Sparta, N.J.) and St. Laurent of Quebec, Canada.

27-30 – Tournament of Champions Classic (Marietta, Ga.)
Teams from Florida, Louisiana, New York, Mississippi and Virginia knock heads with in-state powers Miller Grove, Norcross, Pebblebrook (Mableton, Ga.) and Wheeler for tournament crown.

27-30 – Under Armour Holiday Classic (Torrey Pines, Calif.)
Teams from Arizona, California, Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Canada will head to "America's Finest City" for the 27th installment of the Classic.

27-31 – Arby's Classic (Bristol, Tenn.)
Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach, Fla.), Trinity (Louisville, Ky.), Wayne (Huber Heights, Ohio) and Wings Academy (Bronx, N.Y.) are among the out-of-state attractions in an event that always seems to put somebody on the map.

28-30 – Adidas Holiday Slam (Miami, Fla.)
Teams from New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin join local powers like Conrad Academy (Orlando) and The Rock (Gainesville).

28-30 – Farm Bureau Classic (Roebuck, S.C.)
Dorman Arena is a great venue for high school basketball and the field is equally as impressive with teams from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia.

28-30 – Hoodie's House National High School Hoops Classic (Charlotte, N.C.)
Teams from Alabama, Florida, Kansas, Maryland and Virginia head to the Queen City for this one.

28-30 – Whataburger Tournament (Fort Worth, Texas)
DeSoto and Westlake (Austin) will be title contenders in the 59th edition of this tourney.

29-30 – Mike Miller Classic (Mitchell and Sioux Falls, S.D.)
This event is blessed with two great venues – the Corn Palace in Mitchell and the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) and La Lumiere will both participate. January

5-7 – McCracken County Mustang Madness (Paducah, Ky.)
Grind Session circuit event.

6-7 – ARS Rescue Rooter Penny Hardaway National Hoopfest (Memphis, Tenn.)
Memphis East vs. Montverde Academy in the Saturday headliner could have national title implications.

6-7 – Cancer Research Classic (Wheeling, W.Va.)
DeMatha, Findlay Prep, Greenforest, La Lumiere, Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia), Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.), Westlake and Wheeler are all headed to West Virginia in early January.

6-7 – Chance Harman Classic (Floyd, Va.)
Huntington St. Joseph Prep will get a crack at Oak Hill Academy in this charitable event.

7 – Highland Shootout (Highland, Ill.)
Defending Class 3A state champions Althoff Catholic take on East St. Louis in what will be a highly-anticipated matchup locally.

7 – Sierra Canyon Super Showcase (Chatsworth, Calif.)
Host Sierra Canyon and its unbelievable front line of Cody Riley and Marvin Bagley III takes on Bishop O'Dowd.

12-14 – Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions (Springfield, Mo.)
With Findlay Prep, Greenforest, Memphis East, Montverde Academy and Sierra Canyon in the field, somebody is coming away from Springfield with a hard-earned trophy.

12-16 – Spalding Hoophall Classic (Springfield, Mass.)
No official announcement from this super showcase as of yet but several matchups have leaked – including La Lumiere vs. Sierra Canyon, Bishop Montgomery vs. Montverde Academy and Greensboro Day vs. Neumann-Goretti.

13-14 – Burger King Classic (Erie, Pa.)
Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.), Villa Angela-St. Joseph (Cleveland, Ohio) and Westerville South (Westerville, Ohio) join host Cathedral Prep (Erie, Pa.) in Erie.

13-14 – Wally Keller Classic (Punta Gorda, Fla.)
Vernon Carey Jr., Balsa Koprivica and University will be joined by Tampa Catholic (Tampa, Fla.), Victory Rock Prep (Sarasota, Fla.), Westside (Macon, Ga.) and Winter Park (Fla.).

13-16 – Flyin' to the Hoop (Dayton, Ohio)
Huntington St. Joseph Prep will take on Wayne (Huber Heights, Ohio) and Prolific Prep on back-to-back nights. Gray Collegiate Academy, Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, Lincoln (Gahanna, Ohio) and Wheeler are among other headliners.

14 – Dan Finn Classic (Jersey City, N.J.)
Linden (N.J.), Patrick School and St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) will be in action at the Jersey City Armory.

14-16 – Tango in the Triad (High Point, N.C.)
Grind Session circuit event.

16 – MaxPreps MLK Classic (Moraga, Calif.)
Bishop O'Dowd, Capital Christian (Sacramento, Calif.), De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), Harvard-Westlake and Moreau Catholic (Hayward, Calif.) get an opportunity to play on the home floor of the St. Mary's Gaels.

20-21 – King of the Court Classic (Memphis, Tenn.)
Grind Session circuit event.

20-21 – National Hoopfest (Tampa, Fla.)
2015-16 National Junior of the Year Kevin Knox and Tampa Catholic take on Montverde Academy. Huntington St. Joseph Prep, IMG Academy, Oak Hill Academy and St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) also in the mix.

21 – High School Hoops Showdown (Arlington Heights, Ill.)
Watch out for Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights, Ill.), who returns eight major contributors from a year ago including dynamic guard Chase Adams and unheralded Austin Richie. The Spartans meet a promising Fenwick (Oak Park, Ill.) team here.

21 – Peachtree Corners Invitational (Norcross, Ga.)
Might be the best-ever lineup for this event. Greensboro Day vs. Wheeler, Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.) vs. Norcross and DeMatha vs. Greenforest makes this a must-see.

26-28 – Montverde Academy Invitational (Montverde, Fla.)
Can anybody knock off the host Eagles on their home floor?

27-28 – Crush in the Valley (Napa, Calif.)
Grind Session circuit event.

28 – Greatest Showcase on Earth (Los Angeles)
Host Cathedral (Los Angeles) takes on Sierra Canyon in the main event

28 – Kiwanis Hotbed Classic (New Albany, Miss.)
Mississippi contenders like Velma Jackson (Camden), Clinton, Forest Hill (Jackson) and Olive Branch will be joined by out-of-state teams Cordova (Ala.), El Dorado (Ark.) and Hamilton Heights Christian Academy among others in this showcase.

28 – Rolling Hills State Preview (Cerritos, Calif.)
Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah) takes on Chino Hills in the main event. Fairfax (Los Angeles) vs. Bishop Montgomery is not a bad warm-up act.

February

2-4 – St. James Invitational (Hagerstown, Md.)
This is becoming a huge late-season tournament. Montverde Academy, St. Benedict's Prep, Sunrise Christian Academy and host St. James (Hagerstown, Md.) will look to polish their resumes with a tournament title.

3-4 – Nike Extravaganza (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Defending national champ Chino Hills takes on Oak Hill Academy in the Saturday nightcap. Sierra Canyon vs. Bishop Gorman could be another pivotal matchup late in the regular season.

10-11 – Gotham City Showcase (New York, N.Y.)
Grind Session circuit event.

10-12 – Primetime Shootout (Roselle and Union, N.J.)
The Shootout looks to be rejuvenated this year with Montverde Academy and Oak Hill Academy joining local powers like Patrick School, Ranney, Roselle Catholic, St. Anthony and St. Benedict's Prep.

18 – City-Suburban Showdown (Arlington Heights, Ill.)
Evanston (Ill.) takes on Simeon in a battle of state championship contenders in Illinois.

Are we missing a big time event in your area? Let us know. Email basketball editor/writer Jason Hickman at jason.hickman@cbsinteractive.com.