Air tight competitive games with top-level players continue in the 23rd annual event at St. Mary's College in Northern California; All games streamed live on SportsLive and DeLaSalleTV.com.
Video: 2020 MLK Jr. Classic highlights Watch highlights from seven great games at St. Mary's College.
Sometimes the final score says it all.
The finals from last year's De La Salle/MaxPreps Martin Luther King Jr. Classic were as follows: 58-51, 58-56, 68-65, 61-53, 53-47 and 75-69. That's an average margin of 5.3 points per game.
That's right down to the wire.
The 23rd annual event Jan. 20 at St. Mary's College promises for more of the same, with one more game in fact. The seven-game lineup below features many of the top teams from Northern and Southern California, with a new out-of-state entry, the Central Catholic Rams from Portland (Ore.), a long and talented squad that takes on host De La Salle.
Here is a closer look at each of the very competitive games which can be watched for subscribers on
SportsLive and
DeLaSalleTV.com, and are available free in the CBS Sports app on CBSSports.com.
Moreau Catholic (Hayward) vs. Weston Ranch (Stockton) 
Donjae’ Lindsey, Weston Ranch
File photo by David Steutel
10 a.m.
Head coaches: Frank Knight (Moreau Catholic), Chris Teevan (Weston Ranch)
2018-19 records: Moreau Catholic 28-6, Weston Ranch 31-2
2019-20 records: Moreau Catholic 10-6, Weston Ranch 9-10
Points per game (allowed): Moreau Catholic 62.1 (60.8), Weston Ranch 61.9 (62.8)
State rankings (MaxPreps computer): Moreau Catholic #195, Weston Ranch #204
Record previous five seasons: Moreau Catholic 120-38, Weston Ranch 125-42
Briefly: Two young, talented teams that played challenging nonleague schedules match up to open the event. … This is the first appearance in the event for Weston Ranch. … Moreau Catholic pulled out the most exciting game of last year's MLK, a 58-56 win over Notre Dame-Riverside on a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Amil Fields that bounced several times on the run before falling in. … Besides its terrific trios, Moreau Catholic features one of the state's top freshmen in 6-3 forward
LeBrie Goudy-Lee. … Moreau has won four games by seven points or less, including a 67-65 overtime game over Murrieta Mesa. … Lindsey, a 6-1 junior who averages 15.1 points per game scored 41 in a 82-75 win over Clovis East. … Six of Weston Ranch's losses have come to Bay Area teams, including two to Campolindo (60-49 and 66-42). … Under Knight, Moreau Catholic won Northern California titles in 2014 and 2017. … Last season's 31 wins were the most in school history for Weston Ranch, which lost in the first round of the Northern California Open Division playoffs to De La Salle, 48-42.
Capital Christian (Sacramento) vs. Poly (Riverside) 
Lamont Butler, Poly
File photo by Justine Fine
11:30 a.m.
Head coaches: Matt Filer (Capital Christian), Yancy Dodson (Riverside Poly)
2018-19 records: Capital Christian 17-13, Poly 21-9
2019-20 records: Capital Christian 12-7, Poly 15-3
Points per game (allowed): Capital Christian 68.1 (57.1),Poly 72.8 (54.3)
State rankings (MaxPreps computer): Capital Christian #648 Poly #34
Record previous five seasons: CC 108-49, RP 94-53
Briefly: This could be the game of the day as two high-scoring teams with tremendous guard play collide for the first time. … Lose and Taylor lead Capital Christian, both at 12.6 points per game, while Williams, a 6-6 sophomore, averages 10.9 points and a team-high 6.3 rebounds. … Williams had 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in a recent 98-60 win over Sacramento. … Butler, a San Diego State commit, was named the MVP of the Riverside Kiwanis Tournament for a third straight year as the Bears won their third straight title. … Oliver had 18 points in the tournament title game and 24 in the semifinals and was also all-tournament. … Poly set the tone for its season by breaking 90 points in its first two games with wins over Colton (98-33) and Carter (97-38).
Damien (La Verne) vs. St. Patrick-St. Vincent (Vallejo) 
Dishon Jackson, St. Patrick-St. Vincent
File photo by Steven Davis
1 p.m.
Head coaches: Michael LeDuc (Damien), Derek Walker (SPSV)
2018-19 records: Damien 25-6, SPSV 20-12
2019-20 records: Damien 16-5, SPSV 12-6
Points per game (allowed): Damien 74.3 (57-6), SVS 65.5 (55-1).
State rankings (MaxPreps computer): Damien #27, SPSV #63
Record previous five seasons: Damien 134-29, SPSV 111-52
Briefly: Great matchup of Southern California and Northern California powers. … Damien is one of the most consistent programs from the Southern Section, having won at least 22 games for 10 straight seasons, including a 31-5 campaign in 2016-17. … The Spartans' only losses in the early going were to state powers Sonora (77-74), Harvard-Westlake (56-49), Rancho Christian (82-59) and Windward (73-70). … Thomas, a 6-3 junior, has offers from Washington and Pepperdine. … St. Patrick-St. Vincent, which won a state title in 2016-17, when Jackson was a freshman, has battled the injury bug much of the last two seasons. … Jackson, a 6-10, 235-pound senior post, gives the Bruins a superb rim protector and low block offensive weapon. … In a 93-58 win over Moreau Catholic to start the season, Scott had 26 and Alexander 25 to lead the way while Jackson added 21 points and four blocks. … The Bruins beat Campolindo 58-51 last year at the MLK Classic behind 18 points and 12 rebounds from Jackson.
Pacifica Christian/Orange County (Newport Beach) vs. Salesian (Richmond) 
Houston Mallette, Pacifica Christian
File photo by Ming Chung Lin
2:30 p.m.
Head coaches: Jeffrey Berokoff (Pacifica Christian), Bill Mellis (Salesian)
2018-19 records: PC 24-9, Salesian 31-1,
2019-20 records: PC 15-5, Salesian 14-3
Points per game (allowed): PC 71.3 (60.2), Salesian 67.1 (52.9)
State rankings (MaxPreps computer): PC #60, Salesian #15
Record previous five seasons: PC 59-31 (school in 4th season), Salesian 135-24
Briefly: A longtime state power in Salesian takes on a strong up-and-coming Southern California/Orange County foe. … Brown, a 6-7, 180-pound senior, gets an early start at his future home as he's committed to St. Mary's College. He averaged 15.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks through 13 games. … Mallette, a 6-5 junior, had 13 college offers, including Montana, Penn State and Washington State. He's the team's leading scorer at 17.7 per game including 31 points in a 83-77 loss to national power Rancho Christian. … The Tritons other losses have come to nationally-ranked Mater Dei-Santa Ana (90-38) and Bakersfield Christian (68-67). … Salesian had some early hiccups adjusting to new leadership at guard play, but has hit full stride near midseason. …. At 6-8 and 275, the agile Sawyer is a load down low. … Bell is a smooth wing who is gaining college interest. … Salesian's most recruitable player might be 6-4 freshman Courtney Anderson Jr., whose father played tight end in the NFL for six seasons. … Salesian beat Bishop O'Dowd 61-53 at last season's MLK Classic as Bell and Sawyer each had 18 points.
Central Catholic (Portland, Ore.) vs. De La Salle (Concord) 
Chris Bunch, De La Salle
File photo by Heston Quan
4 p.m.
Head coaches: David Blue (Central Catholic), Justin Argenal (De La Salle)
2018-19 records: CC 23-7, DLS 29-4
2019-20 records: CC 8-4, DLS 12-4
Points per game (allowed): Central Catholic 64.2 (60.1), De La Salle 65.7 (47.6)
State rankings (MaxPreps computer): CC #1, DLS #52
Record previous five seasons: CC 95-41, DLS 134-27
Briefly: A first-time meeting between private-school powers in their respective states. … Central Catholic was ranked No. 1 in Oregon much of the season until an upset 72-63 defeat to Gresham on Jan. 9. … The Rams' other two losses were in the national Les Schwab Invitational to national powers Mater Dei (70-57) and Bishop Gorman (59-46). … Senior co-captains Seamster (6-2) and Amato (6-5) lead the way, but 6-5 junior Gakwasi is often the team's leading scorer. …. Sophomore
Luke Johnson (6-7) and senior
Gaige Ainslie (6-8) give the Rams lots of size in their starting lineup. … After an early win over West Linn, Seamster told osaa.org: "The sky's the limit for this team." … Argenal loves his young, talented team, but with three sophomores — Dargan, Bunch and Clifford — leading the charge, the learning curve is steep. … The Spartans learned a lot in three winnable games but losses at the MaxPreps Holiday Classic in Palm Springs, to Catalina Foothills (45-42), Mount Si (67-57) and Crossroads (64-57). … Last year at the MLK Classic, De La Salle couldn't slow one of the nation's top juniors Jalen Green (29 points), but still beat San Joaquin Memorial 53-47.
Dublin vs. Modesto Christian (Modesto) 
Jaden Saunders, Dublin
File photo by David Steutel
5:30 p.m.
Head coaches: Tom Costello (Dublin), Brice Fantazia (Modesto Christian)
2018-19 records: Dublin 25-6, MC 26-9
2019-20 records: Dublin 13-4, MC 13-5
Points per game (allowed): Dublin 76.7 (54.9), MC 66.4 (57.0)
State rankings (MaxPreps computer): Dublin #20, MC #79
Record previous five seasons: Dublin 121-33, MC 139-27
Briefly: The Bay Area's top-ranked team takes on perennial Northern California and Sac-Joaquin Section power Modesto Christian. … Dublin lost its top scorer from the last three years Robby Beasley, who transferred to Dougherty Valley, but hasn't missed a beat behind Roy and company. … The Gaels won the Gridley Tournament beating Bay powers St. Patrick-St. Vincent (61-45), Riordan (71-59) and Salesian (66-61) en route to the title. … Roy was the tournament MVP. … Even though his team suffered losses, to Rancho Christian (73-65) and Fairfax (76-69), Costello believes the Gaels improved immensely in The Classic at Damien holiday tournament. … One of his top players is Costello's own son,
Nick Costello, a three-sport standout who made all-league on both sides of the ball in football. ... Modesto Christian has played one of the toughest schedules in Northern California. … After dropping to 6-5 with a 60-52 loss to Campolindo, MC won four straight. … Merkviladze (Northridge) and Sahi (Stanislaus) have already committed to colleges. … Modesto Christian lost 68-65 to St. John Bosco last year at the MLK Classic.
Campolindo (Moraga) vs. Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 
Marsalis Roberson, Bishop O'Dowd
File photo by Samuel Stringer
7 p.m..
Head coaches: Steven Dyer (Campolindo), Lou Richie (Bishop O'Dowd)
2018-19 records: Campolindo 27-7, BOD 23-9
2019-20 records: Campolindo 13-4, Bishop O'Dowd 9-7
Points per game (allowed): Campolindo 64.7 (49.5), BOD 65.3 (62.2)
State rankings (MaxPreps computer): Campolindo #38, BOD #101
Record previous five seasons: Campolindo 110-48, BOD 114-45
Briefly: The defending state Division 2 champion Campolindo Cougars take on one of the most storied programs in Northern California history in the finale of the 23rd MLK Classic. … With only one senior in the rotation last year, Campolindo's state crown was a bit of a surprise. This year, however, expectations are high. … The Mahaney brothers, senior Carter and sophomore Aidan, lead the charge but with strong interior play from Callas and 6-6 sophomore Matt Radell and 3-point shooting of 6-2 freshman Logan Robeson, the Cougars strike from all angles. … Aidan Mahaney already has offers from Arizona and Stanford. … O'Dowd has its own promising standout in 6-9 Lewis, considered one of the top freshmen in America. … Bowser, a 6-6 senior, has already signed to Cal. … Both teams have lost close games to top competition: Campo to Mitty (60-58), Salesian (76-71) and St. Mary's-Stockton (73-68); O'Dowd to Overland (81-74), Westchester (62-59 and 50-47) and St. John Bosco (67-66).
