Nine newcomers in Arby?s Classic

Nine newcomers in Arby’s Classic

BY TIM HAYES
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

BRISTOL, Tenn. – The Arby’s Classic is the biggest boys basketball tournament in the Mountain Empire. This year, the tournament will have a little Big Apple feel.
New York’s New Rochelle High School will play the Sullivan East Patriots in the opening round of the event, which begins Dec. 26 at Viking Hall. The 3,000-student school is located two miles north of New York City and features 6-foot-2 senior Antoine Mason, the son of former NBA star Anthony Mason.
“From the way [tournament director Richard Ensor] t a l k e d , ” said East coach John D y e r .
“Wow.”
That was the general consensus among coaches on Sunday afternoon when the pairings were announced for the 27th annual holiday tournament. Nine newcomers are in the 18-team event and it appears to be one of the toughest fields in the history of the tradition-rich tournament.
“The field just unreal with the good teams and the players we have from each team,” or said.
East is faced with a tough opponent in the first round, it doesn’t take away from the experience the players get from competing in the nationally-renowned tourney.
“We appreciate getting the invitation and we enjoy being in the Arby’s,” Dyer said. “The kids love it and they love to play in it. No matter who we play, we’re excited about going out and getting better and playing against the better competition.”
East is off to a 3-0 start this season and features talented junior guard Jordan Cross. Cross was the Big Nine Conference sophomore of the year last season and is averaging 17.7 points per game this season.
“We’re off to a good start,” Dyer said. “We have good experience and we just have to work hard and get better every day and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Tennessee High got a favorable draw for its first-round game as the Vikings will play Fairdale High School of Louisville, Ky. on Dec. 26. It’s the second straight year THS will open the tourney against an opponent from the Bluegrass state.
Last year, the Vikings collected a 54-49 victory over Bryan Station in the opening round.
“We played a team from that area in the Arby’s [last year], so we got a feel for the kind of basketball they play,” said Tennessee High coach Roby Witcher. “They run and gun and play typical Louisville-style basketball.”
Witcher was already making plans to find out about his opponent in the event.
“It’s certainly one of the closest scouts,” Witcher said. “You don’t have to drive a whole lot of hours to get there, just drive up to Louisville. We’ve played in their tournament before and we’re familiar with the type of program they have. I’ve got some friends that live in Kentucky, so we should be able to figure out a little about them. We don’t know how many games they’ll play before Christmas, but if we get an opportunity to see them play, we’ll go look at them.”
Along with New Rochelle, Fayetteville (Ark.), Greater Atlanta Christian (Ga.), McEachern (Ga.), Melrose (Tenn.), Miami Palmetto (Fla.) and Siegel (Tenn.) are also among the newcomers in the event. So, who is the favorite?
“Melrose from Memphis has to be the one to beat,” Ensor said.
Melrose features some of the nation’s top recruits and are paced by 6-foot-7 junior Adonis Thomas, who averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds per contest a year ago and will lead his team against Science Hill in the first round.
Meanwhile, Fayetteville finished eighth in Sports Illustrated’s national rankings last year and Miami Palmetto features junior Tim Hardaway Jr., the son of former NBA superstar Tim Hardaway.
It should all equal another exciting tournament in Bristol. “Phenomenal. It’s one of the toughest groups of teams coming in,” Witcher said. “The fact that they haven’t been here before, some of them, it will be very exciting for them and that ought to promote excitement for the rest of the field as well.”

Do you know where I could get a bracket? Arby's Classic site has not been updated since last year.

I haven't been able to find a media guide or bracket yet. Hopefully, they'll get another website up soon.

This is the only other information in the BHC:

Arby?s Classic
First-Round pairings for the Arby?s Classic, to be held at Viking Hall:

Saturday, Dec. 26
Game 1 ? Cherokee vs. Tabernacle Baptist (Bahamas), 1 p.m.
Game 2 ? Gate City vs. Brainerd (Tenn.), 2:30 p.m.
Game 3 ? McEachern (Ga.) vs. Greeneville, 4 p.m.
Game 4 ? Fairdale (Ky.) vs. Tennessee High, 5:30 p.m.
Game 5 ? New Rochelle (N.Y.) vs. Sullivan East, 7 p.m.
Game 6 ? Melrose (Tenn.) vs. Science Hill, 8:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 28
Game 7 ? Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 2:30 p.m.
Game 8 ? Winner Game 1 vs. Greater Atlanta Christian (Ga.), 4 p.m.
Game 9 ? Siegel (Tenn.) vs. Father Henry Carr (Canada), 5:30 p.m.
Game 10 ? Dobyns-Bennett vs. Fayetteville (Ark.), 7 p.m.
Game 11 ? Miami Palmetto (Fla.) vs. Winner Game 2, 8:30 p.m.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pvfan

Do you know where I could get a bracket? Arby's Classic site has not been updated since last year.

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Full bracket added and media guide updated on their website..

Arby's Classic On-Line

I ****ING LOVE THE ARBYS. GO EVERY YEAR. It's seriously the best sporting event in this area. I saw brendon wright go out there and have a in game dunk contest with the props being twin springs haha it was great.

Some info from the media guide....

Miami Palmetto High School, Miami, FL
Coach Brown?s Panthers return every member of last year?s team and they were 18-8 last year. Tim Hardaway Jr. 24.2ppg, 10.6 rpg, returns to lead the Panthers. Hardaway Jr., is the son of former NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway. Hardaway Jr. has committed to Michigan. Edwin Flynn, 6?9? Jr, and Sean Kett, 6?5? Jr, also return. The Panthers will be an exciting team to watch.

New Rochelle High School, New Rochelle, NY
Billy Murphy?s Huguenots will bring a different style of basketball to the Arby?s Classic. Antoine Mason, 6?2? Sr, 16ppg, will lead the Huguenots. Mason is the son of former NBA star Anthony Mason. PJ Torres, 6?2? Jr, 12ppg, and AJ Burton, 6?1? Sr, 8ppg, also returns for Coach Murphy?s team.

Science Hill High School, Johnson City, TN
Science Hill High School had a record of 31-5 last year and made it all the way to the Elite 8 in Tennessee?s Class AAA action in 2008-2009. The Hilltoppers are coached by Ken Cutlip who was named the Northeast Tennessee Coach of the Year in 2008-2009. They graduated 8 seniors and return only 3.6ppg to the 2009-2010 version of the Hilltoppers. Despite heavy graduation losses they are still the coaches? pick to win the Big 8 Conference this upcoming season and this is a tribute to the storied success of their basketball tradition. Coach Cutlip will be looking to 5?9 Sr. point guard Gavin Duncan, 6?1 Jr. wing Will Carter, and 6?2 Soph. wing Jaylen Allen for leadership and firepower. Science Hill is known for its tenacious defense and theirup-tempo offense.

Siegel High School, Murfreesboro, TN
Coach Ben Dotson?s Stars will be one of the top teams in Tennessee this year. The Stars were 26-6 last year and a number of outstanding players return. Kerry Hammonds, 6?5?, 18.9ppg, shooting guard, will lead the Stars. Hammonds was the runner-up for Mr. Basketball as a Junior last year. Alabama and Mississippi State are among those recruiting Hammonds. Cedric Williams, 6?9?, 12.8rpg, and Levon Tate, 6?5, 10ppg and 15rpg, also return for Coach Dotson?s team. The Stars will be one of the teams to watch for the Arby?s title.

Sullivan East High School, Bluff City, TN
Sullivan East High School is coming off a good 2008-2009 season with 16 wins and return all but 1 starter. The Patriots? Head Coach John Dyer has numerous Coach of the Year Awards in his career and looks to put another good club on the floor in 2009-2010. This year?s Patriots team returns 3 key players from last year?s roster. Sr. post players 6?4 Jeremy James, 10ppg, 6rpg & Zane Campbell, 9ppg, 6rpg will provide size and experience inside and Jr. guard Jordan Cross, last year?s Big 9 Sophomore of the Year, 15ppg, 4rpg, 5apg. These returnees will be counted on heavily as the Patriots compete this season.

Tabernacle Baptist, Freeport, Grand Bahamas
Coach Norris Bain?s Falcons will be making their eleventh straight trip to the Arby?s Classic. Coach Bain and his Falcons have become a crowd favorite. The Falcons were 2009 High School National Champs of the Bahamas. Travis Wildgoose, 6?5?, 10.5ppg, and Samuel Beauzle, 6?2?, 14.7ppg, will lead the Falcons. Garth Brown, 6?1?, 13.4ppg, and Austin Lewis, 12.1ppg, also return for the Falcons. Coach Bain?s Falcon?s style of play is exciting to watch..

Tennessee High School, Bristol, TN
The 2008-2009 Vikings qualified for the Region 1 AAA Tournament Semifinals and finished the season 23-11. The Vikings are coached by 5th year Head Coach Roby Witcher, last year?s Big 9 Conference Coach of the Year. The 2009-2010 roster includes the return of 1 full time and 2 part time starters from last year?s squad. Srs. 6?3 Taylor Harmon 5ppg, 6rpg, 3apg, Tyler Place 3ppg, 2rpg, and swing man Austin Stacy return with the most experience on the perimeter. Sr guards Ryan Matheson and Austin Easterling and Jr. Jaden Cook are expected to provide outside firepower and ball control. 6?6 Sr. Lisle Whitman, and Jrs. 6?4 Chris Ellis, 6?7 Brendan Downs, and 6?4 Jace Devault will lead the team?s post attack. The Vikings depth and chemistry will be key in their success in 2009-2010.

Brainerd High School - Chattanooga, TN
Brainerd?s Coach Robert High is one of the most respected coaches in Tennessee. Coach High has been elected to the TSSAA Hall of Fame. The Panthers were regional champs and made it to the Final Four in 2009. Jermaine Williams, 6?3? Sr, Anthony Broome, 5?11? Sr, and Dammius Bennett, 6?0? Sr, return to lead the Panthers. Coach High?s Panthers will be one of the best coached teams in this year?s Arby?s Classic.

Cherokee High School, Rogersville, TN
The Chiefs from Cherokee High School compete in the IMAC Conference in District 2 of the TSSAA AAA Classification. Head Coach Jeremy Parrott?s Chiefs return 27ppg and 14 rebounds from last year?s roster. Seniors Matthew Hale, 12ppg, 6rpg, 1apg, Logan Bailiff, 8ppg, 3rpg, apg, and 6?6 Jon Eric Buck, 4ppg & 3rpg will all be counted on heavily this season as well as sophomore guard James Scales. Look for this year?s Chiefs to compete with the elite.

Dobyns-Bennett High School, Kingsport, TN
Dobyns-Bennett High School was 25-7 in 2008-2009. The Indians lost all 5 starters to graduation but this year?s team looks to be just as competitive. Head coach is Charlie Morgan has nearly 30 years of coaching experience, two state titles in Virginia, and numerous conference and state Coach of the Year awards in Virginia and Tennessee. D-B is counting on stellar performances from Srs. Darius Davis, Adam Denison, 6?4 Ben Riggs, and 6?4 Corey Hall. Jrs. Juwan Johnson, Tyler Ailshie, and Derrick Steele should provide support. Dobyns-Bennett should be tough to beat in the 2009-2010 season with their athleticism and tough defense.

Fairdale High School ? Louisville, KY
Coach Longaker?s Bulldogs were 19-11 last year and lost in the regional semi-finals to the eventual Kentucky State Champs. Qunikell Morris, 6?4? Sr, 20ppg and Josh Strood, 6?4? Jr, 9ppg return to lead the Bulldogs. Fairdale, year in and year out, is one of the top programs in Kentucky.

Fayetteville High School, Fayetteville, AR
Fayetteville is the first team from Arkansas to play in the Arby?s Classic. Coach Gebhart?s Bulldogs were 7A Champs and finished the season with a 30-0 record. The Bulldogs were ranked 8th in the nation by Sports Illustrated. Taylor Cochran, 6?3? Sr, 12ppg, Adam Nobel, 6?4? Sr, and Colton Primm, 6?7? Sr, return for the Bulldogs. Coach Gebhart was the 2009 Coach of the Year in Arkansas.

Father Henry Carr Catholic School, Toronto, Canada
The Crusaders of Coach Melnik return a host of outstanding players. Eighty-five points return from last year?s team. Raheem Isaac, 6?3? Jr, and Jahmal Grennan, 6?3? Sr, each averaged 20ppg last season. Collin Holder, 6?9? Jr, 13ppg and 12rpg, also returns for the Crusaders. After going 40-6 last season, the Crusaders are looking for an Arby?s Classic Championship.

Gate City High School, Gate City, VA
Gate City was the Clinch Mountain District and Tournament Champions in 2008-2009. Head Coach Scott Vermillion has been selected as Coach of the Year on 8 different occasions in his career. The Blue Devils return 24ppg and 8rpg combined from 3 players from last year?s team. 6?1 Sr. forward Trevor Smith, 10ppg, 4rpg, 6?3 Sr. forward Austin Arwood, 6ppg, 4rpg, and 6?1 Jr. guard Jordan Potts, 8ppg. Gate City is a preseason favorite in their league and a tough draw in Arby?s Classic.

Greater Atlanta Christian School, Norcross, GA
Greater Atlanta Christian School is led by one of the top coaches in the Southeast. Before coming to Greater Atlanta, Coach Martin won several state championships at Norcross High School. Trent Wiedeman, 6?7? Sr, 22ppg and 11rpg, and Malcom Brogdon, 6?4? Sr, 15.8ppg and 10.7rpg, return to lead the Spartans. Coach Martin also has one of the top 9th graders in the nation, A.J. Davis, 6?6?, son of former NBA star Antonio Davis. After going 28-4 last year, and returning last year?s team, the Spartans cannot be over looked in this year?s Arby?s Classic.

Greeneville High School, Greeneville, TN
The 2008-2009 Devils won The Land-Air Classic Thanksgiving Tournament hosted in Greeneville and return a ton of talented players with experience and statistics from last year?s roster. Head Coach Bill Duncan has coached in a lot of different places, won a multitude of coaching accolades, and always turns out a competitive basketball squad. The 2009-2010 team will feature 6?3 All-Conference wing, Wes Quarles, 11ppg, 4rpg, 6?4 All-District post, Troy Hopson 10ppg, 5rpg, 6?1 All-Conference guard, Trey Anderson, 5.6ppg, 8rpg and 6?2 Bryan Everhart, 7.3ppg, 2rpg. The Greeneville Devils have the firepower to compete in this season.

McEachern High School, Powder Springs, GA
Coach Thompson?s team was 24-4 last year and returns a number of very good players. Trae Golden, 6?3?, 24ppg, returns to lead the Indians. Golden has committed to the University of Tennessee. Keferre Richards, 6?1?, 10.8ppg, and Delcon Gist, 6?3?, 8.8ppg, also return for the Indians.

Melrose High School, Memphis, TN
Coach Johnson?s Wildcats are loaded. Heading this year?s team is Adoins Thomas, 6?7? Jr, 18ppg and 12rpg. Thomas is ranked as one of the top five juniors in the nation. UT, UNC, Duke, Memphis, and Kentucky are just a few of the teams after Thomas. Chris Jones, 5?11? Jr, 21ppg, returns at shooting guard for the Golden Wildcats. Jones is being recruited by UT, Marquette, and Ole Miss just to name a few. Nate Rucker, 6?7?, 9.4ppg is also back for the Wildcats. Added to this is Bobby Parks, Jr, 26.2ppg, who has joined the Wildcats from St. George Academy. Melrose has to be the one to beat for the 2009 Arby?s Championship.

Definitely not a small field by any means. Definitely should be entertaining and I'm smelling a few dunks in a few games this year.


Miami Palmetto High School, Miami, FL
Tim Hardaway Jr. 24.2ppg, 10.6 rpg, returns to lead the Panthers.
Edwin Flynn, 6?9? Jr, and
Sean Kett, 6?5? Jr,

New Rochelle High School, New Rochelle, NY
Antoine Mason, 6?2? Sr, 16ppg,

Siegel High School, Murfreesboro, TN
Kerry Hammonds, 6?5?, 18.9ppg, shooting guard
Cedric Williams, 6?9?, 12.8rpg, and
Levon Tate, 6?5, 10ppg and 15rpg

Tennessee High School, Bristol, TN
Srs. 6?3 Taylor Harmon 5ppg, 6rpg, 3apg
6?6 Sr. Lisle Whitman, and
Jrs. 6?4 Chris Ellis,
6?7 Brendan Downs, and
6?4 Jace Devault

Fairdale High School ? Louisville, KY
Qunikell Morris, 6?4? Sr, 20ppg and
Josh Strood, 6?4? Jr, 9ppg

Fayetteville High School, Fayetteville, AR
Taylor Cochran, 6?3? Sr, 12ppg,
Adam Nobel, 6?4? Sr, and
Colton Primm, 6?7? Sr

Father Henry Carr Catholic School, Toronto, Canada
Raheem Isaac, 6?3? Jr, and Jahmal Grennan,
6?3? Sr, each averaged 20ppg last season.
Collin Holder, 6?9? Jr, 13ppg and 12rpg

Greater Atlanta Christian School, Norcross, GA
Trent Wiedeman, 6?7? Sr, 22ppg and 11rpg, and Malcom Brogdon,
6?4? Sr, 15.8ppg and 10.7rpg
A.J. Davis, 6?6?, Fr.

Greenville High School, Greenville, Tennessee
6?3 All-Conference wing, Wes Quarles, 11ppg, 4rpg,
6?4 All-District post, Troy Hopson 10ppg, 5rpg

Melrose High School, Memphis, TN
Adoins Thomas, 6?7? Jr, 18ppg and 12rpg
Nate Rucker, 6?7?, 9.4ppg