How to Watch: 36th annual Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions

The Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions tips off action of its 36th year Thursday with four exciting first-round matchups.

The well-attended event at Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo. draws some of the largest crowds in high school hoops, as a new attendance record was set in 2017 with 10,729 fans in a single day.

WATCH BASS PRO TOC SEMIFINALS AND FINALS: CBSSports

Missouri power Vashon (St. Louis) is led by 4-star Kentucky pledge Cam'ron Fletcher and talented 3-star guard Kobe Clark. The Wolverines enter the event at 9-3, boasting impressive victories over Briarcrest Christian (Eads, Tenn.) (twice), Simeon (Chicago) and Roman Catholic (Philadelphia).

Vashon's first-round opponent is Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.), which is making its 17th appearance at the event. The Royals boast a 34-16 all-time record at the Bass Pro with six event titles.

On their side of the bracket is No. 3 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), which takes on local mainstay Kickapoo (Springfield, Mo.). The Chiefs are 23-31 all-time at the event, capturing the title in 2005.

The Warriors, meanwhile, have never lost in three appearances at the Bass Pro, sitting at 9-0 with event titles in 2015, 2016 and 2018. Favorites to capture their fourth title at the event, Oak Hill Academy is 23-1 behind the strength of a talented core led by 5-star LSU commit Cam Thomas.

The most evenly matched first round matchup is on the bracket's other side between Greensboro Day School (Greensboro, N.C.) and Washington (Tulsa, Okla.).

The Bengals feature a talented guard-oriented lineup led by 4-star North Carolina State commit Cam Hayes, putting together a terrific senior season. On the other side of the ball, 5-star Kansas commit Bryce Thompson leads a talented Hornets team looking to make some noise on the national stage.

The Greensboro Day-Washington winner is expected to draw No. 11 Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.), which faces 5-star junior Aminu Mohammed and Greenwood (Springfield, Mo.) in the first round.

The Panthers have a balanced roster led by the elite guard play of 5-star Duke pledge Jeremy Roach and talented 4-star junior Trevor Keels.