18th Annual MLK Classic at Haas Pavilion to prove as testing ground and hopeful landing point

BASICS
WHAT: 18th Annual MaxPreps Martin Luther King Jr. Classic hosted by De La Salle High School
WHERE: University of California's Haas Pavilion
WHEN: Monday, Jan. 19, 2015
TOP 20 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Click here

GAMES
Berkeley vs. El Cerrito, 10:30 a.m.
Franklin (Elk Grove) vs. Newark Memorial (Newark), 12:15 p.m.
Salesian College Preparatory (Richmond) vs. St. Mary's (Stockton), 2 p.m.
Sacramento vs. Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco), 3:45 p.m.
Chaminade (West Hills) vs. De La Salle (Concord), 5:45 p.m.
Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) vs. Moreau Catholic (Hayward), 7:30 p.m.

BERKELEY, Calif. — For the 12 teams invited to the 18th annual MaxPreps Marin Luther King Classic hosted by De La Salle at Haas Pavilion, the one-day showcase hopefully serves as a testing ground and preview place.

For the first time, the CIF Championships for six divisions will be held at Haas March 27-28. Getting a sense of the hardwood, locker rooms and baskets can only be of benefit for the dozen teams, all which have legitimate shots of getting back to Berkeley before April Fool's Day.

Especially with advent of the Open Division, which opens up many of the lower division tournaments.

Here are game-by-game previews of one of the state's one-day jewels for almost two decades and has featured such NBA players as Aaron Gordon, Ryan Anderson and Leon Powe. (Ticket and more information below).

Berkeley Yellowjackets vs. El Cerrito Gauchos
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Head coaches: Mark DeLuca (Berkeley), Michael Booker (El Cerrito)
2013-14: Berkeley 22-5, El Cerrito 28-5
Through December: Berkeley 7-3, El Cerrito 9-2
Best win: Berkeley — St. Joseph Notre Dame (67-66). El Cerrito — Drake (58-53).
Terrific trios: Berkeley — PG Casey Roquemore (17 ppg), F Asa Allen (14 ppg), SG Zach Copeland (13 ppg). El Cerrito — SF Carlos Johnson ((16.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg), SG Sayeed Pridgett (18.1 ppg), PG Tyrell Alcorn (16.4 ppg, 3.0 spg).
Notable athletic alumni: Berkeley — Phil Chenier, Billy Martin, Jack LaLanne. El Cerrito — Drew Gooden, Jamir Miller, Cornell Green
Record last 10 seasons: Berkeley 188-85, El Cerrito 195-92
Game on: Located just 3.4 miles apart, two public high schools with deep athletic and educational histories battle in the first game of the day. … Both were preseason Top 10 Bay Area teams, according to the San Francisco Chronicle: El Cerrito at No. 3 and Berkeley No. 10. … Both teams love the up-tempo game. … Third-year Berkeley coach DeLuca led the Yellowjackets to its highest win total in five years last season. … Berkeley really revved it up during a three-game win streak starting on Dec. 27, scoring 99, 94 and 96 in consecutive games. … That suits El Cerrito just fine with the dynamic backcourt of Alcorn and Pridgett, along with the addition of Arizona transfer Johnson, an almost un-guardable 6-4, 225-pound power player with a 38-inch vertical jump. … Both teams go deep into their bench.

Franklin (Elk Grove) Wildcats vs. Newark Memorial (Newark) Cougars
Time: 12:15 p.m.
Head coaches: Jesse Formaker (Franklin), Craig Ashmore (Newark Memorial)
2013-14: Franklin 20-9, Newark Memorial 25-8
Through December: Franklin 7-5, Newark Memorial 3-7
Best win: Franklin — Granite Bay (55-54). Newark Memorial — Concord (57-55)
Terrific trios: Franklin — G Christian Allen (13.7 ppg), G Austin Payne (9.0 ppg), F Phillip Fayne II. Newark Memorial — G Reggie Pugh, F Spencer Singh, G Jordan Takayama
Notable basketball alumni: Franklin — Chukwueme Iroegbu, Michael Rosaroso, Julian Welch. Newark Memorial — DeVon Hardin, Kyle Spain, Khion Sankey.
Record last 10 seasons: Franklin 220-80, Newark Memorial 252-68
Game on: Two teams with terrific traditions are trying to find themselves at the midway point of the 2014-15 season. … Formaker started at nearby Hayward and had plenty of success before taking over at Franklin in 2006, where he claimed five league titles in his first six seasons. … Heading into 2014-15, his teams had won at least 20 games in every season but one with a strong three-year stretch from 2008 to 2010, where the Wildcats won 75 games. … Fayne (6-7) and Payne (6-4) give Franklin good inside play, but the team is largely guard-oriented led by the versatile Allen. … Payne fills up a box score with rebounds and assists, and Fayne led the team in field goal percentage last season. … Ashmore has built a public school large division dynasty – not easy to do – prided on defense and ball movement. … The Cougars have won at least 20 games every year since 2004-05, topped off with a 30-5 season in 2009-10 when they lost in the state finals to Westchester 63-56. … The 2014-15 Cougars are made up primarily of juniors and seniors, yet few played significant roles on last year's 25-win team.

Salesian (Richmond) Pride vs. St. Mary's (Stockton) Rams
Time: 2 p.m.
Head coaches: Bill Mellis (Salesian), Kenneth Green (St. Mary's)
2013-14: Salesian 24-15, St. Mary's 27-2
Through December: Salesian 9-3, St. Mary's 10-4
Best win: Salesian — Sacred Heart Cathedral (43-40); St. Mary's — Notre Dame-Sherman Oaks (81-58)
Terrific trios: Salesian — G Nakota Shepard-Creer, F DeMar Dunn, G Brandon McGhee. St. Mary's — F Lance Coleman II (22.1 ppg, 9.1 rpg), SF Alex Smith (10.6 ppg), G Jacob Aruta (9.4 ppg,).
Notable athletic alumni: Salesian — Jahvid Best, Mike Alcott, Jabari Bird. St. Mary's — Doug Martin, John Estes, Jackie Gemelos.
Record last 10 seasons: Salesian 268-73, St. Mary's 222-82
Game on: Salesian doesn't have quite the roster it did while making annual state-title runs from 2009-2013 (it won state crowns in 2009 and 2012), but the Pride has a load of athletic, skilled players. … Besides Dunn, Marquel Johnson, Shepard-Greer and McGhee, Jamario Bibb, James Akinjo, Ke'mare Wright and Cameron Morgan have all led the team in scoring this season. … Mellis will use four freshmen during a game. … Derek E'Denchukwu, a 6-4 junior, is a big leaper and one of the team's few inside threats. … Coleman played his sophomore season at Salesian before transferring to St. Mary's. He's having breakout season with games of 36 points each versus Gabrielino and Jesuit, both wins. He also had a combined 50 points and 25 rebounds in back-to-back wins over Parker and Weston Ranch. … Beyond being low block threat, Coleman 38 of his first 98 3-point tries. … The Rams opened with a tough loss to College Park before rattling off five straight wins. Through Jan. 2, they haven't lost to a SJS school. … They shoot 46 percent from the field overall, but even a more impressive 40 percent on 3-pointers (115 of 287).

Sacramento Dragons vs. Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco) Irish
Time: 3:45 p.m.
Head coaches: Derek Swafford (Sacramento), Darrell Barbour (SHC)
2013-14: Sacramento 23-6, Sacred Heart Cathedral 19-12
Through December: Sacramento 9-3, Sacred Heart Cathedral 5-3
Best win: Sacramento — American Fork-Utah (58-55). Sacred Heart Cathedral — Vanden (65-57)
Terrific trios: Sacramento — PF Solomon Young (16.0 ppg), SG Christian Terrell (11.8 ppg), G Stephen Matthews (10.5 ppg). Sacred Heart Cathedral — G David Parsons, F Alfred Hollins, F Ramzi Carter Jr
Notable athletic alumni: Sacramento — Kevin Johnson, John McNamara, Jerry Royster. Sacred Heart Cathedral — Kevin Gogan, Joe Cronin, Harry Heilmann.
Record last 10 seasons: Sacramento 268-59, Sacred Heart Cathedral 202-105
Game on: Great matchup of cross-section perennial Northern California powers. … This current crop of Dragons have largely been together since 2012-13, when most were freshmen, including Young, one of the top juniors in the state. The 6-7, 230-pound standout primarily plays in the post, but will face the basket in college. He's extremely active, a fantastic shot blocker and defender, who is unselfish on the offensive end. He's developed an outside game and even shoots the 3. … Terrell, a 6-5 junior, has developed into a strong all-around scorer who can shoot the 3 or drive to the hoop. … Sophomore Sayvon Hines is Sacramento's top 3-point threat, but the Dragons love to get out in transition and average better than 73 points per game. They played a rigorous nonleague schedule and Swafford always welcomes the state's top competition. … SHC's Barbour is in the same mold, as are his teams: tough, defensive-minded and disciplined. The Irish won a state D3 title in 2009 and were runner-ups in 2006, 2012 and 2013. … Parsons, a 6-2 senior, is a rock solid two-guard, while Hollins and Carter Jr. are talented 6-6 sophomores who made strong contributions as freshmen. … The Irish's preseason featured both a three-game win streak and losing streak.

Chaminade (West Hills) Eagles vs. De La Salle (Concord) Spartans
Time: 5:45 p.m.
Head coaches: Todd Wolfson (Chaminade), Frank Allocco (De La Salle)
2013-14: Chaminade (27-6), De La Salle (21-9)
Though December: Chaminade 12-1, De La Salle 9-1
Best win: Chaminade — Valencia (73-55); De La Salle — Village Christian-Sun Valley (52-38)
Terrific trios: Chaminade — G Michael Oguine (23.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg), PG Jordan Ogundiran (11.8 ppg, 5.3 apg), G Aidan Dolan (8.3 ppg). De La Salle — G Nikhil Peters, G Vince Romeo, G Jordan Ratinho.
Notable athletic alumni: Chaminade — Chris Turner, Dan Runzier, Logan Paulsen. De La Salle — Brent Barry, Maurice Jones-Drew, Amani Toomer.
Record last 10 seasons: Chaminade 174-124, De La Salle 269-41.
Game on: This is a fantastic North-South showdown that features a defending state champion (Chaminade) that hasn't missed a beat against a young team coming into its own. … Wolfson's squad won the D3 state title last season thanks in large parts to Oguine, a strong 6-2 blur who not only scored 26 in the state finals — a 71-51 win over Drake — but who got the Eagles to Sacramento with a 25-foot buzzer beater in the regional final. He's committed to Montana. … Ogundiran fills a stat sheet every night and averages more than four rebounds and three steals per game from the point. … Dolan, at 6-2, is another strong threat from the wing and 6-9 senior post Jake Porath and burly Bar Milo (6-6, 230) gives Chaminade inside presence. … Like De La Salle, Chaminade gets it done on the defense end, allowing just 45 points per game. … Known for its rugged defense, Princeton offense and lights-out shooting, De La Salle has added a new wrinkle this season — transition offense. The Spartans love to run and with exceptional guard play — 12 of 15 on the roster are listed as guards — they are harder to slow down than in previous seasons. … Peters (6-5) and Ratinho (6-4) are tough match-up problems for most guards because of their length and physicality. Both are third-year starters. … Romeo, a 5-11 senior, is a 3-point machine and Eric Daul, a 5-11 senior, does a superb job running the point. … Emeka Udenyi, a 6-4, 220-pound sophomore, gives the Spartans brawn and athleticism on the frontcourt. … De La Salle's only nonleague defeat was 61-55 to nationally ranked Bishop Montgomery-Torrance, while Chaminade's only nonleague loss was to Cathedral-Los Angeles (65-63). Both defeats were in the finals of Southern California tournaments. … Heading into 2015, Allocco (651-100) had one of the highest winning percentages (87 percent) in prep basketball history to go along with three state titles. He coached the West to a 105-102 victory in the 2014 McDonald's All-American game.

Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) Monarchs vs. Moreau Catholic (Hayward) Mariners
Head coaches: Tim Kennedy (Mitty), Frank Knight (Moreau Catholic)
2013-14: Mitty 27-5, Moreau Catholic 27-7
Through December: Mitty 6-3, Moreau Catholic 6-5
Best win: Mitty — El Cerrito (70-61). Moreau Catholic — Modesto Christian (59-51)
Terrific trios: Mitty — C Ben Kone, F Sebastian Much, G Dakari Monroe. Moreau Catholic — PF Oscar Frayer (17.8 ppg, 9.5 rpg), PG Damari Milstead (14.4 ppg, 6.2 apg), F Terrell Brown (12.8 ppg).
Notable athletic alumni: Mitty — Aaron Gordon, Kerri Walsh-Jennings, Brandi Chastain; Moreau Catholic —Darren Lewis, Terry Eidson.
Last 10 seasons: Mitty 269-60, Moreau Catholic 132-161
Game on: Two Northern California powers collide in a battle of talented big men and athletic guards. … Powered by Gordon, the No. 4 pick in the 2014 NBA draft, Mitty reached three straight state title games starting in 2011, with back-to-back D2 wins before losing to Mater Dei-Santa Ana in the 2013 Open game. … In Kone, a rugged 6-8 junior, Mitty found a superb replacement for Gordon. He averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds as a sophomore and has upped that this season. He has offers already from San Diego State and New Mexico State. … Much, a 6-6 transfer from St. Margaret's-San Juan Capistrano, averaged 14.2 points and 13.0 rebounds per game last season as a freshman. He's a big and rugged 6-6 sophomore. … Monroe, a two-time All-League football player, is as athletic and tough as they come. … Mitty lost two winnable games in the highest division at the MaxPreps Holiday Classic to Wisconsin power King (62-57) and Folsom (62-59) … Moreau went 2-2 in the same division, beating Washington power Issaquah (67-56) and Alemany (64-60), but looked a vulnerable to bigger, more physical teams. … Frayer, a 6-6 junior, has already committed to Cal and has been terrific in all phases of the game. This should be a nice introduction to Haas Pavilion. … Milstead, a rugged 6-2 point guard, was a MaxPreps Freshman All-American last season. … Brown, Brandon Lawrence and Frayer are all 3-point threats. … Much of Moreau's offense is created on the defensive end.

ADMISSION INFO
Pre-sale tickets are available at DLS Tuesday to Friday (1/12 -1/16) in the bookstore 7:30am - 2:30pm or available online at - https://prepmo.com/events/5

Pre- Sale Ticket Prices
1.      General Admission bleacher seating - $7/Adults, $5/students, seniors, children
2.      Reserved Chair back Seating - $15 - includes all day in/out access

Game Day Ticket Prices
1.      General Admission bleacher seating - $10/Adults, $5/students, seniors, children
2.      Reserved Chairback Seating - $20 - includes all day in/out access
3.      Courtside - $30 for each game - includes all day in/out access

BROADCAST INFO
The MLK Classic will be streamed live at www.delasalletv.com.