Classic boasts record 64 teams

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Dec. 17, 1999 | 11:30 a.m.

During its 23-year history, the Reebok Holiday Prep Classic has earned a reputation as one of the nation's premier prep basketball tournaments.

To understand why, simply consider this: An actual NBA team might be hard-pressed to best a squad made up entirely of Holiday Prep alumni.

How about a backcourt of Mike Bibby and Allan Houston, with Jerry Stackhouse, Paul Pierce and Rasheed Wallace in the frontcourt? How does Ron Mercer, Lamar Odom and Tracy McGrady off the bench sound?

Over the years, the Holiday Prep Classic has produced countless big-time collegiate and professional stars, from Greg Anthony and Dennis Scott back in the event's early days to current college players Tayshaun Prince (Kentucky) and Jason and Jarron Collins (Stanford).

This year's event should be no exception, with a record 64 teams slated to compete at Durango and Green Valley High Schools today through Wednesday.

"With 64 teams, it's the largest December holiday event in the country," said national recruiting guru Bob Gibbons. "And the sheer number of participating teams indicates there will be a lot of potential college prospects in the field.

"To me, this is the most comprehensive high school event I go to."

Last year, Virginia's Oak Hill Academy grabbed most of the event's headlines, along with lots of collegiate attention, blitzing its way through the tournament en route to a perfect season record and USA Today's mythical national championship.

Point guard Steven Blake (Maryland), forward Ronald Slay (Tennessee) and center Travis Watson (Virginia) parlayed their Oak Hill success into scholarships at the next level, with all three seeing significant minutes at their respective colleges as freshmen this season.

The Warriors opted to pass up this year's Holiday Prep Classic, as did fellow national powers Mt. Zion Christian Academy (N.C.) and Washington College (Tenn.), the latter pulling out last month after initially committing.

Despite the absence of those big-name basketball factories, Gibbons expects to see a host of Division I talent on display in the coming week.

"You delete the top two or three name teams they've had in the past, but in terms of depth and quality, it should be better than ever," Gibbons said.

Much of the collegiate attention at this year's tournament will focus on clubs from California, several of which are expected to compete for city and sectional championships this season.

Three players in the tournament have earned a spot on the Orange County Register's prestigious "Fab 15," a list of the top 15 seniors in the western region.

Headlining that list is Travon Bryant, a 6-8 center from Jordan High in Long Beach, Calif. Bryant, regarded by many as the nation's top unsigned senior, held down the No. 2 spot in the Register's rankings.

Making the list at No. 4 was Wesley Stokes, a 5-9 point guard from California's Long Beach Poly and an early signee with Missouri. Stokes' club is among the favorites to challenge for this year's Holiday Prep title in the Millennium bracket.

Also in attendance will be No. 10-ranked Aerick Sanders, a 6-8 forward from Serra High (Gardena, Calif.) and an early signee with San Diego State.

Along with Bryant, two other unsigned players who should draw college scouts to the gym are Emmett Thomas, a 6-6 forward from Ramsay High in Birmingham, Ala., and Mike Ridgeway, a 6-8 center from Stratford High in Houston.

"Right now, since so many of the top players signed early, there's a premium on centers and point guards," Gibbons said. "That's why I'm so excited about this tournament."