Seven days until MaxPreps Holiday Classic: Top 7 recruits

The MaxPreps Holiday Classic is seven days away and promises to have the best field in its 12-year history. There are state- and nationally-ranked teams in the loaded 16-team Open Division.

But as much as everyone loves the team play, top-tier talent sells tickets, and in honor of the seven days until the MPHC, here are seven players ranked among the Top 100 in the country from the Class of 2016.

M.J. Cage (6-foot-9, F/C), Mater Dei – No. 17 in 247Sports Composite

Schnider Herard (6-11, C), Prestonwood Christian – No. 50 in 247Sports Composite



Devearl Ramsey (5-10, G), Sierra Canyon – No. 34 in 247Sports Composite

Oscar Frayer (6-6, F) Moreau Catholic – No. 37 in 247Sports Composite

Christian Terrell (6-4, G), Sacramento – No. 38 in 247Sports Composite

Jayce Johnson (6-10, C), JSerra Catholic – No. 60 in 247Sports Composite

Solomon Young (6-7, F), Sacramento – No. 70 in 247Sports Composite

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Rancho Mirage will serve as the primary host, but games will be played in seven venues around the Coachella Valley from Dec. 26-30.

Always stacked with top California teams, the Classic has evolved into a global high school basketball extravaganza. Teams from 30 states and six countries have participated in the event during its decade-plus run. Entries from Germany and Spain will be part of the proceedings in December.

In addition to defending national champion Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), which went 35-0 en route to its fourth consecutive state title last season, other headliners include Texas private school state champion Prestonwood Christian (Plano), California section champions Archbishop Mitty (San Jose), Folsom, JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano) and Moreau Catholic (Hayward).

Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) is another program to watch after going 29-4 a year ago with a rotation that featured four freshmen — including MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year Cody Riley — and sophomore point guard Devearl Ramsey, a USA Basketball gold medalist.

The Open Division will also feature state championship hopefuls from Georgia, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.

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The tournament features 148 teams and games are played at eight different sites.

Past standouts in the event include twins Aaron and Andrew Harrison (Kentucky), Xavier Johnson (Colorado), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs), Katin Reinhardt (USC), Elijah Stewart (USC), Jason Todd (Portland), Kendall Williams (2014 NBA Draft hopeful) and Isaiah Whitehead (Seton Hall).

"We encourage fans and family members to make plans now to visit the Palm Springs area after Christmas as we expect a full house for this year's event," co-director Wayne Merino said.

Palm Springs and the surrounding Coachella Valley is one of the premier resort destinations in the United States. It's a haven for golf enthusiasts and home to numerous festivals and conventions — including the famed Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival held in nearby Indio.

For additional information, visit MaxPrepsHolidayClassic.com, like us on Facebook, follow on Twitter @MPHolClass or Instagram @maxpreps_holiday_classic.