2008 Arby's Classic media guide

[cvcgrad]

From the Media Guide...

<span style='font-size: 14pt'>Science Hill High School, Johnson City, TN</span>
Science Hill High School made it all the way to the Sweet 16 in Tennessee's Class AAA action in 2007-2008. The Hilltoppers are coached by Head Coach Ken Cutlip who has led Science Hill teams to more than 100 wins over the last 4 seasons. They return 5 seniors who combined for 39 ppg, 15 rpg, & 12 apg. 6'5, University of Tennessee Chattanooga signee Josh Odem, 6'5, Larry Smith, Chris Smith, Detric Hancock, and Jamieson Hamilton give the Hilltoppers a great core of size, strength, quickness, and experience at every position. Science Hill is known for its tenacious defense and tremendous depth. The Toppers should be a contender in 2008-2009.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'>Sullivan East High School, Bluff City, TN</span>
Sullivan East High School is coming off a good 2007-2008 season with 20 wins and a Region 1 AAA Quarterfinal appearance. Head Coach John Dyer was the 2008 NE TN Coach of the year to go along with 6 other Coach of the Year Awards in his career. The Patriots return 3 key players from last year's roster. Sr. Guard Koree Deeb, 9 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg, Jr. Zane Campbell, 7 ppg, 3 rpg, & NE TN's Most Promising Underclassman, So. Guard Jordan Cross, 8 ppg, 2 rpg, 4 apg. These returnees will be counted on heavily as the Patriots compete this season.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'> Sumter High School, Sumter, SC</span>
The Gamecocks were 22-6 last season and advanced to the South Carolina State Semi-finals. They return three outstanding players Travis Fredimot, 9.8 ppg, Quinn McCleston, 11.5 ppg, and Khalic Malone.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'>
Tabernacle Baptist, Freeport, Grand Bahamas</span>
Coach Bain's Falcon's will be making their 10th appearance in this year's Arby's Classic. Tabernacle was champion of the Turks and Caicos Classic in 2008. Garth Brown and Robin LaFrama will lead the Falcons this year. This years edition will be very athletic.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'>Tennessee High School, Bristol, TN</span>
The 2007-2008 Vikings qualified for the Region 1 AAA Tournament Quarterfinals. The Vikings are coached by 4th year Head Coach Roby Witcher. The 2008-2009 roster includes the return of 3 full time and 2 part time starters from last year's squad. Srs. Corey Young, 9 ppg, 3 rpg, 4 apg, & Mason Canty 7 ppg, 6 rpg return as the leading assist man and rebounder. Srs. Tre' Webb, 5 ppg, 2 rpg, 1 apg, & Denzel Gilmore, 4 ppg, 1 rpg, return with extensive playing time under their belts on the perimeter and Jr. Taylor Harmon, 7 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg also returns with starting experience and an All Sophomore Team Selection. The Vikings experience and leadership will be key in their team success in 2008-2009.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'>Twin Valley High School, Pilgrims Knob, VA</span>
Twin Valley's regular and post season runs last year saw them win Southwest VA's Black Diamond District Tournament, Finish Runners up in the Region D Tournament, and qualify for the Final Four in the Group A Virginia State Playoffs. Head Coach Brian Moore's Panthers return a talented group of players from last year's roster. They return three 1st team All BDD selections in senior Garrett Horne, 9 ppg & 3 apg, senior Hunter Simpson, 15 ppg, 7 rpg, & 3 apg, and junior Josh Smith, 16 ppg & 13 rpg. Smith was also a 2nd team VHSL All State Selection. Junior Lucas Shortridge, 6.5 ppg 3 rpg, & 2 apg also returns with support firepower. Look for the Panther's to compete with the elite.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'>Bearden High School, Knoxville, TN</span>
Bearden is loaded this year with four starters back from last year. They were 33-4 last year and ranked in the top three in the state. The 2008-2009 team will be led by Demonte Simpson, a 6'9 center who averaged 14.6 ppg and 10 rebounds. Simpson is heavily recruited by a number of Division I schools. Blake Jenkins, 6'6, 10 ppg, Nathan Parker, 6'5, 11.7 ppg and Gabe Campbell, 9.3 ppg also return for the Bulldogs. Coach Blevins has amassed over 1,000 career wins. Bearden will be one of the top teams in Tennessee. They should be one of the favorites in this year's Arby's Classic.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'>Benedictine High School, Cleveland, Oh</span>
The Bengals of Coach Stircula were 19-6 last year and were District Champions. They will be led by one of the top junior guards in the country, Cameron Wright, 6'5 who averaged 18.5 ppg last year. Wright has given a verbal commitment to Ohio State. Also returning for the Bengals are Derek Johnson, a 6'0 junior who averaged 17.5 ppg, Liam Walsh, a 6'5 junior who averaged 14 ppg and Nick Harney, a 6'7 junior with 10 ppg. This should be an exciting team to watch.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'>Boyd-Anderson High School, Lauderdale Lakes, FL</span>
The Cobras of Coach Eugene Richardson were 30-2 in 2007-2008. The Cobras were district, regional, and state-runner-ups. Tyrone Davis, a 5'5 point guard returns as floor general of the Cobras after averaging 9 assists last year. Davis will be the quickest player at the Arby's Classic. Martavious Irving, 6'2, 13 ppg and Bryan Bynes, 6'3, 12 ppg also return for the Cobras. Both are being recruited by a number of Division I schools including Penn State and George-Mason. Coach Anderson is a legend in the state of Florida and his team will be the quickest and most athletic in this year's Arby's Classic.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'>Briarcrest Christian School, Eads, TN</span>
Briarcrest is the defending Arby's Classic champions and were TSSAA Division II Class AA State Champions. They finished the 2007-2008 season with a 23-9 record while playing a very difficult schedule. Briarcrest is loaded again this year with the return of Leslie McDonald, 6'5, who has committed to the University of North Carolina. McDonald averaged 22 ppg and 8 rebounds and was named Mr. Basketball, Gatorade Player of the Year, and Parade All-American. Johnny Williams, 6'7, 13 ppg, who has committed to George-Mason and Gregg Wooten, 6'2, 12 ppg also returns. Coach Harrington was named Basketball Coaches of Tennessee's Coach of the Year for 2008. Briarcrest has to be the overall favorite this year.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'>Bryan Station High School, Lexington, KY</span>
Bryan Station High School finished the 2007-2008 season with a record of 30-3 and ranked one in the state. The Defender's will be one of the most athletic teams in the Arby's Classic. Montell Morones, a Western Kentucky recruit, and Charles Ashford will lead the Defenders this year. Andrew Adams, a 6'11 transfer, will help make Bryan Station one of the top teams in Kentucky. Coach Ligon was named 2008 Coach of the Year for the state of Kentucky.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'>Dobyns-Bennett High School, Kingsport, TN</span>
Dobyns-Bennett High School was the Tennessee District 1 AAA, Region 1 AAA, and Sub State Champions in 2007-2008 and advanced to the TSSAA State Tournament Final 8. The Indians' head coach is Charlie Morgan who has nearly 30 years of coaching experience and numerous conference and state Coach of the Year awards in Virginia and Tennessee. D-B returns 4 standout senior players for the 2008-2009 campaign. Justin Sylvester, 10.8 ppg, 3 rpg, Todd Halvorsen, 5.5 ppg, 1.4 rpg, Dustin McConnell, 5.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg, and 6'6 Jordan Edwards, 8.6 ppg. Dobyns-Bennett should be tough to beat in the 2008-2009 season with their experience and returning leadership.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'>Gate City High School, Gate City, VA</span>
Gate City was District and Region Champions and the eventual Virginia A State Runner Up in 2007-2008. Head Coach Scott Vermillion has been selected as Coach of the Year on 7 different occasions in his career. The Blue Devils return 2 dominant players from last year's team. 5'10 guard, Tihlee Anderson, 18 ppg, 3 rpg, 3.5 apg leading last year's team statistically. He was also selected as a 1st Team All-District, All-Region, and All-State in 2007-2008. 6'8 post, Josh Johnson, 5 ppg, 4 rpg also returns and should be a force in the paint. Gate City will be a preseason favorite in their league and a tough draw
in Arby's Classic.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'>Greeneville High School, Greeneville, TN</span>
Greeneville made it to the Region 1 AAA Semifinals in Tennessee last year before losing to state tournament qualifier Dobyns-Bennett. The Greene Devils reload year in and year out to be a contender in their league and East Tennessee. Head Coach Bill Duncan has diverse coaching experience and expects big things from this new team. They return 4 major contributors and a very good transfer to round out a roster that will be athletic and experienced. The Greene Devils have 38 ppg & 13 rpg coming back in 6'5 Sr., Jordan Short, Jrs., Troy Hopson, Wes Quarles, & Tre Anderson, and transfer point guard Braylon Lloyd. Greeneville should be a tough team to handle.
<span style='font-size: 11pt'>
Louisville Male High School, Louisville, K</span>Y
Louisville Male won the Arby's Classic in 1989 and 2000. They finished last year with a record of 22-7 and ranked 7th in the state. Returning for the Bulldogs are Kevin Glenn, 6'0, 8.6 ppg, O.J. Bell 6'4 5.4 ppg, and D'Carlo Hayes, 5'11 5.2 ppg. Coach Crews' teams are always well coached.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'>Dr. Michael Krop High School, Miami, FL</span>
Dr. Krop won the 2006 Arby's Classic that featured Javi Gonzalez, who is now the starting point guard at North Carolina State. Dr Krop was 24-4 last year and returns three outstanding players. These include Joc Thomas, a 6'6 Jr. who averaged 12 ppg and 10 rebounds, John Kirkpatrick, 6'4 Sr. who averaged 14 ppg and 4 rebounds, and Alex Long, 6'5 Sr. who averaged 10 ppg and 5 rebounds. Coach Rodriguez has been named Coach of the Year five times in the state of Florida. Dr. Krop should be an outstanding team to watch.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'>Miller Grove High School, Lithonia, GA</span>
Miller Grove features Mfon Udofia who has committed to Georgia Tech. He averaged 25ppg last season. Miller Grove had a 26-6 record last year and lost in the state semifinals. Malcolm Frank , 6'3, 10.2 ppg and Joe Caldwell, 6'5' 10.2 ppg also return for the Wolverines. Tony Parker, a 6'8 225lb freshman and Henry Brooks, a 6'7 sophomore will give Miller Grove an advantage inside.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'>Monsignor Pace High School, Opa Locka, FL</span>
Coach Mark Lieberman Spartan's have won back to back 4 A State Championships (2007-2008). Rakeem Buckles, 6'8, 14 ppg who has committed to Louisville leads the Spartans. Christian Martinez, 11 ppg and Jabari Gorman also returns. Coach Lieberman's squad should be an exciting team to watch.

[imported_KellyHoops41]

Ahh those doggone Germans aren't gonna be there! Their coach had me laughing histerical the past couple years!

[cvcgrad]

Looks like some very good talent coming to Viking Hall.

I would not be surprised if Briarcrest repeats this year.

[1inStripes]

With Adams playing for DB now, DB may win that thing.

[titans_1_2005]

briacrest is tough. i remember seeing them last year.. mcdonald is the real deal... cant wait 4 him to wear carolina blue

[Milk3]

What day is the slam dunk and 3point contest ?

[big_blue]

Slam Dunk Contest is on the 30th

[cvcgrad]

Would be very interesting if DB and Science Hill matched up before the tournament is over. The Hall would be packed.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 722</div><div class="ubbcode-body">With Adams playing for DB now, DB may win that thing. </div></div>