Video: 2015-16 High School Basketball Early ContendersBetween the last week of November and the second week in February, the calendar is loaded with big time high school basketball showcases and tournaments.
Using our guide to the stars below, there's a good chance you can catch one in an area near you.
NOVEMBER21 – Hoop Exchange Thanks For Hoops (Orlando, Fla.)Nationally-ranked
Oldsmar Christian (Fla.) in action and an early look at Top 25 hopeful
The First Academy (Orlando, Fla.).
24-28 – Coventry Health Tournament of Champions (Washington, Ill.)The TOC is a certified extravaganza with 19 teams competing in three different divisions, including
Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville, Fla.),
La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.),
Spain Park (Hoover, Ala.) and
St. Louis Christian Academy (St. Louis, Mo.).
25-27 – Rumble on the Ridge (Forrest City, Ark.)Powers from Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee will head to Forrest City for one of the best bracketed events of the early season.
27-28 – Charlotte Hoops Challenge (Charlotte, N.C.)Main event is a doozy as
Edrice "Bam" Adebayo and
High Point Christian Academy (High Point, N.C.) take on
Grant Williams and
Providence Day (Charlotte, N.C.).
Rawle Alkins and
Word of God Christian Academy (Raleigh, N.C.) also in action on back-to-back nights.
27-28 – Holiday Hoopsgiving (Atlanta)Includes 24 games over two days and a chance to see two of the nation's best big men in
Ikey Obiagu of
Greenforest (Decatur, Ga.) and
Udoka Azubuike of
Potter's House Christian (Jacksonville, Fla.).
27-28 – Lighthouse Thanksgiving Classic (Corinth, Miss.)Alabama defending champ
J.O. Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.) and perennial Georgia power
Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.) will both get big tests in Corinth.
27-28 – Thanksgiving Hoopfest (Duncanville, Texas)Oklahoma contenders
Mustang and
Norman North dip down to take a crack at some of the Lone Star State's top programs.
28 – Prep2Prep Tip Off Classic (Newark, Calif.)Gerry Freitas always brings in the heavy hitters for this NorCal showcase. Preseason national Top 10 team
Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) takes on state championship contender
Moreau Catholic (Hayward, Calif.) in the nightcap.
Advanced Prep International will take part in some of the top showcases and tournaments in the country this winter.
Photo by Keith Owens
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Chaminade (St. Louis, Mo.),
Huntington St. Joseph Prep (Huntington, W.Va.), J.O. Johnson,
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.),
Quality Education Academy (Winston-Salem, N.C.) and
Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) should entertain the big crowds at historic Reed Conder Gymnasium.
4-5 – Chicago Elite Classic (Chicago)Organizers are touting this as the best field in the event's history – and we wouldn't argue that assertion. Some intriguing matchmaking here with
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) taking on
Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights, Ill.), Chaminade vs. Miller Grove,
DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) vs.
St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, Ohio) and
Simeon (Chicago) vs.
Whitney Young (Chicago).
4-5 – Kreul Showcase (Coconut Creek, Fla.)Defending state champions
Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach, Fla.) and
Norland (Miami) will both be in action.
5-6 – DMVelite Tip Off Classic (Springdale, Md.)Lineup is a who's who of DMV programs hoping to make statement at C.H. Flowers High School.
10-12 – Buckeye Elite National Showcase (Portsmouth, Ohio)Huntington St. Joseph Prep,
Mountain Mission (Grundy, Va.),
Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) and Word of God Christian Academy all headed to Portsmouth.
10-12 – FreeTaxUSA.com Shootout (Orem, Utah)Head coach Sharman White and Miller Grove continue their 2015-16 American tour in Utah. Joining the Wolverines will be local power
Lone Peak (Highland, Utah) along with teams from Arizona, California, Nevada and North Carolina.
11-12 – Hoop Exchange Southern Shootout (Hollywood, Fla.)A who's who of South Florida powers will take the floor at Chaminade-Madonna.
11-12 – Hope Classic High School Basketball Showcase (Struthers, Ohio)Historical Struthers Field House hosts first-class charity event.
11-12 – Memphis vs. Atlanta Roundball Classic (Memphis, Tenn.)Jonesboro,
South Atlanta and
Westlake among Atlanta-area teams set to rep against top teams from Memphis.
11-13 – Gonzaga DC Classic (Washington, D.C.)Nationally-ranked
Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) back to defend its 2014 title.
16-19 – Jerry Tarkanian Classic (Las Vegas)Nearly 100 teams will be in action at Bishop Gorman. Prep division loaded with
22ft Academy (Greenville, S.C.), Advanced Prep,
Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.),
Victory Prep (Houston) and
Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah). Platinum Division will also have major national implications with host
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas),
Centennial (Corona, Calif.),
Overland (Aurora, Colo.),
Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas) and
Westchester (Los Angeles) in the bracket.
17-19 – City of Champions Holiday Classic (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Separate high school and post-graduate tournaments to be held at the United States Olympic Training Center.
17-22 – Iolani Classic (Honolulu)Three-time champ
Fairfax (Los Angeles) joins La Lumiere, Lone Peak, Sierra Canyon in Oahu.
18-19 – Hoophall West (Scottsdale, Ariz.)CBS Sports Network will televise a pair of games in Scottsdale featuring
Corona del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.) vs.
St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) and Simeon vs.
Rainier Beach (Seattle, Wash.).
18-22 – Chick-fil-A Classic (Columbia, S.C.)Tournament director Gary Fulmer may have his best field ever with
Greensboro Day (N.C.), Huntington St. Joseph Prep, Oak Hill Academy, Oldsmar Christian,
Pace Academy (Atlanta) and Roman Catholic all headed to Columbia.
18-22 – Kreul Classic (Coral Springs, Fla.)Thirty-six teams from 10 states will compete in five different divisions.
18-23 – City of Palms Classic (Fort Myers, Fla.)Montverde Academy (Fla.) was denied a historic three-peat in Fort Myers last December but will be favored to make it three out of four this time around. Chaminade,
Chino Hills (Calif.), High Point Christian,
The Patrick School (Elizabeth, N.J.) and
Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, N.C.) are among the high-powered contenders.
18-23 – King of the Bluegrass (Fairdale, Ky.)Zach Brown, a 7-foot-1 junior, will head north with his
Miami (Fla.) team to tackle a bracket full of top Kentucky teams.
19-22 – Steel City Invitational (Birmingham, Ala.)It's a good year for hoops in the Yellowhammer State and all the heavyweights are in the field here, including J.O. Johnson and
Madison Academy.
23 – Oakland Legends Classic (Berkeley, Calif.)Will have a bit of a Bay Area vs. Chicago feel with Windy City powers
Curie, Simeon,
Von Steuben and Whitney Young all headed west for this one.
26-30 – HighSchoolOT.com Holiday Invitational (Raleigh, N.C.)Arlington Country Day, Cypress Lakes, High Point Christian Academy,
Virginia Episcopal School (Lynchburg, Va.) and Wesleyan Christian Academy among the national-caliber attractions in Raleigh.
26-30 – MaxPreps Holiday Classic (Palm Springs, Calif.)Defending state champions Bishop Gorman, Jonesboro and Prestonwood Christian will join
Bentonville (Ark.) and Chino Hills in the desert. Sierra Canyon beat
Pebblebrook (Mableton, Ga.) in a memorable – and controversial – championship game a year ago.
26-30 – Les Schwab Invitational (Hillsboro, Ore.)Always fun to see a local team make a run at the LSI as
Payton Pritchard and
West Linn (Ore.) did a year ago in reaching the final. Pritchard is back but repeating the feat will be made difficult by the presence of preseason Top 25 teams DeMatha,
Garfield (Seattle) and Oak Hill Academy.
26-30 – Under Armour Holiday Classic (Torrey Pines, Calif.)Twenty-sixth edition to feature Advanced Prep, Centennial, Fairfax, Oldsmar Christian and Pebblebrook.
26-31 – Beach Ball Classic (Myrtle Beach, S.C.)Good luck finding a couple of wins against this field. Mater Dei, Montverde Academy, Mustang,
Seton Hall Prep (West Orange, N.J.) and
St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.) are all involved in the 34th edition of the tournament.
27-29 – Skyline Classic (Jersey City, N.J.)Storied St. Anthony will host seven other teams in three-day tournament that will be held in conjunction with clothing drive.
27-29 – Slam Dunk to the Beach (Lewes, Del.)Back for a second year after a decade-long hiatus, La Lumiere, Neumann-Goretti,
Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.), Roman Catholic,
Roselle Catholic (N.J.) and
Westtown (Pa.) will all compete in Delaware's top showcase.
28-29 – Mike Miller Classic (Mitchell and Sioux Falls, S.D.)Findlay Prep will be the big attraction in an event that features high school and college teams from all over the United States. Co-hosted by the sparkling new Sanford Pentagon and storied Corn Palace.
28-30 – Hoodie's House National High School Hoops Classic (Charlotte, N.C.)Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.),
Norcross (Ga.),
Providence (Jacksonville, Fla.), Providence Day and
Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.) all part of eight-team field.
28-30 – Battle at the Villages (The Villages, Fla.)Second-year event to feature promising young
University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) team along with
Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.),
Lincoln (Gahanna, Ohio),
Madison Memorial (Wis.) and Norland.
28-30 – Whataburger Tournament (Fort Worth, Texas)Dwight Eisenhower was the President of the United States when this tournament began (1958).
DeSoto (Texas) with 6-foot-10
Marques Bolden will be a tough out.
28-31 – Kingdom of the Sun (Ocala, Fla.)A national Top 25 contender always seems to emerge in Ocala. Last year it was Maverick Rowan and Cardinal Gibbons making a statement by winning the title.
28-31 – Neosho Holiday Classic (Neosho, Mo.)Houston-area powerhouse
Atascocita (Humble) headlines field for event that dates all the way back to 1954.
JANUARY1-2 – Chance Harman Classic (Floyd, Va.)Cape Henry Collegiate (Virginia Beach, Va.), who finished last season ranked No. 3 nationally, will take on an ambitious doubleheader against Huntington St. Joseph Prep and High Point Christian Academy.
2 – Cancer Research Classic (Wheeling, W.Va.)Seven preseason Top 25 teams will take the floor in one day at the CRC. DeMatha vs. Montverde Academy and Chaminade vs. Huntington St. Joseph Prep are among the primetime matchups.
8-9 – ARS.com Penny Hardaway National Hoopfest (Memphis and Newbern, Tenn.)Event produced national buzz a year ago as the Lawson brothers and
Hamilton (Memphis, Tenn.) knocked off Oak Hill Academy. Bentonville, Oldsmar Christian, Simeon and Whitney Young among imports set to take on Memphis-area heavyweights this season.
9 – Sierra Canyon Super Showcase (Chatsworth, Calif.)Putting the over/under on Chino Hills vs. Foothills Christian at 195…seriously. Host Sierra Canyon also in action against
Desert Pines (Las Vegas).
14-16 – Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions (Springfield, Mo.)Chaminade, Oak Hill Academy,
Rainier Beach (Seattle, Wash.) and Sierra Canyon all headed to southwest Missouri to play on one of high school basketball's biggest stages at Missouri State University.
14-18 – Spalding Hoophall Classic (Springfield, Mass.)The king of all high school hoops showcases has put together another monster lineup. Fourteen of MaxPreps.com's preseason Top 25 teams will be in action. Chaminade vs. DeMatha, Mater Dei vs. Oak Hill Academy and Montverde Academy vs. Sierra Canyon should all have major national implications.
15-18 – Flyin' to the Hoop (Dayton, Ohio)At least one Top 10 NBA Draft pick has taken the floor in this event each of the past five years, including Anthony Davis, Emmanuel Mudiay and Andrew Wiggins. That trend should continue with national powers like Advanced Prep International, Huntington St. Joseph Prep and La Lumiere in the field of 42 teams from 12 different states.
16 – Dan Finn Classic (Jersey City, N.J.)Headliner is a rematch of last year's game between St. Anthony and The Patrick School. Don't forget the annual showdown between police officers and firemen at 11 a.m.
16-17 – Burger King Classic (Erie, Pa.)Defending Class AAA state champion Neumann-Goretti headlines tradition-rich four team tournament.
18 – MaxPreps MLK Classic (Berkeley, Calif.)Albany Academy (N.Y.) makes cross-country trip to face Bay Area power
El Cerrito.
Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.),
De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), Moreau Catholic,
Orange Lutheran (Calif.) and
Sacramento (Calif.) also get to play on home floor of California Golden Bears.
22-23 – ARS.com Tampa vs. The Country Hoopfest (Tampa, Fla.)Travis Haddock is bringing the big time to Tampa with Huntington St. Joseph Prep, Montverde Academy and
St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) in the lineup.
23 – Hotbed Classic (New Albany, Miss.)Super sophomore
Robert Woodard and
Columbus (Miss.) will take on
John Petty and
J.O. Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.) in main event.
23 – Peachtree Corners Invitational (Norcross, Ga.)Wendell Carter Jr. and Pace Academy take on Edrice Adebayo and High Point Christian Academy in the nightcap. Host Norcross, St. Francis and Providence Day also in action.
28-30 – Montverde Academy Invitational (Montverde, Fla.)Seven programs get a chance to knock off the Eagles on their home floor in three-day tournament.
30 – Fairfax State Preview (Los Angeles)Chino Hills vs.
Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) is major SoCal showdown late in the season. Sierra Canyon also in action.
FEBRUARY5-6 – Nike Extravaganza (Santa Ana, Calif.)Host Mater Dei takes on
Shadow Mountain (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Foothills Christian on back-to-back nights. Chino Hills, Corona Centennial also with big tests.
13-14 – Primetime Shootout (Roselle, N.J.)Carmelo, LeBron and Dwight Howard have all taken the floor at the Primetime Shootout in the past. Huntington St. Joseph Prep, Montverde Academy, Roselle Catholic, St. Anthony, St. Benedict's Prep and The Patrick School will all look to bolster their resumes.
20 – City-Suburban Showdown (LaGrange, Ill.)Simeon and Morgan Park will represent the city while
Evanston (Ill.) and
Riverside-Brookfield (Riverside, Ill.) try to win it for the ‘burbs.
