MaxPreps and the Army National Guard entered Harlem, New York to honor a Rice High School for its season's accomplishments. Rice High School, by far one of the best high schools in New York City, was honored on the MaxPreps Tour of Champions on Tuesday evening, April 17th. The typical NYC-style team, led by Coach Maurice Hicks and his assistant coaches, were on hand to receive its honor of being the 24th nationally ranked team in the country. The team ceremony was filled with supporting parents, the team, faculty and fans. The Army National Guard displayed the National Ranking Trophy in the front of the room.
The longtime and well esteemed athletic director in New York State and MaxPreps New York representative, Rod Mergardt, introduced MaxPreps and the 2007 Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard to the crowd. Rod mostly talked about the team's style, class, and sportsmanship they showed throughout their outstanding season. He also mentioned that in November, nobody was talking about the 2007 Rice High School basketball team but by the middle of the season, everyone knew Rice was a force to be reckoned with in New York.
Major Don Fawthrop of the Army National Guard was then introduced and congratulated the team for their excellent achievement and how impressed he was with their accomplishments. Major Fawthrop invited Coach Hicks up to the front and then presented him with the prestigious National Ranking Trophy from the Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard to a standing ovation. Brother Glen of Rice High School created a picture slideshow of the team's season highlights to which everyone crowded around the screen to catch a glimpse of the outstanding season. Afterwards, pictures were taken and the T-Mobile MOP Award was given out to lead guard Kemba Walker, only a junior. It would not be out of the question to see Rice High School on the Tour of Champions next year with the bulk of their squad returning
