High School Basketball: Field announced for City of Palms Classic

Video: University vs. Memphis East

Annually the premier holiday event in high school basketball, Culligan's City of Palms Classic announced its 2018 field Wednesday.

The 46th annual event will take place Dec. 17-22 at Suncoast Credit Union Arena at Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, Fla.

Here's a look at the participants across three separate events that comprises the Classic:

16-team tournament field: Charlotte (Punta Gorda, Fla.), Gray Collegiate Academy (West Columbia, S.C.), IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia, Pa.), Immaculate Conception (Montclair, N.J.), Miami Christian (Fla.), Mountain Brook (Birmingham, Ala.), Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), Olive Branch (Miss.), Osceola (Kissimmee, Fla.), Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.), Riverview (Sarasota, Fla.), University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Vashon (St. Louis, Mo.), Wilson (Washington, D.C.)

Signature Series: Brunswick (Ga.), Glens Falls (N.Y.), La Crosse Central (Wis.), Petal (Miss.)

Sunshine Series: Booker (Sarasota, Fla.), Canterbury (Fort Myers, Fla.), Fort Myers (Fla.), Lakeland (Fla.), Lehigh (Lehigh Acres, Fla.), Palmetto (Fla.), The Villages Charter (The Villages, Fla.), West Oaks Academy (Orlando, Fla.) The loaded 16-team main bracket will showcase teams from nine states as well as the District of Columbia. Five teams appeared in our way-too-early 2018-19 Top 10 released in May.

Defending champion University is back but will be no shoo-in to even reach the final again with IMG Academy, Imhotep Charter, Oak Hill Academy, McEachern and Paul VI all capable of making a run in Fort Myers.

Top 10 prospects Vernon Carey Jr. and Scottie Barnes of University, Cole Anthony of Oak Hill Academy and Josh Green of IMG Academy are among the headlining talents expected to participate.

Visit the City of Palms Classic's official site for more information, including the complete 2018 schedule.