Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
February 21, 2008 issue
Echota Mountain Madness Basketball Classic at Holmes Center February 25
Story by David Brewer
Top-notch prep and high school basketball action will return to the High Country on Monday, February 25, for the Echota Mountain Madness Basketball Classic. High-flying prep standouts and future hard court stars will go head to head as eight outstanding teams from four states and Canada comprise the most high school basketball talent assembled for a one-day event.
The Echota Mountain Madness Basketball Classic, which is part of the Champions Classic series, pits some of the nation’s most highly recruited players against each other for four intense games in one afternoon and evening of fast-paced basketball action beginning at 4:30 p.m. with Summit School (Calif.) vs. Mt. Zion (Durham, N.C.) and followed by Eduard Mont Petit (Montreal, Canada) vs. Veritas Christian (Fletcher, N.C.) at 6:00 p.m., Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) vs. North Carolina Tech (Charlotte, N.C.) at 7:30 p.m. and Patterson Prep (Lenoir, N.C.) vs. Charis Prep (Goldsboro, N.C.) at 9:00 p.m.
The event features Oak Hill Academy’s Brandon Jennings, the top-ranked high school player in the country. The 6’2” point guard recently signed to play for the University of Arizona Wildcats next season. Lenoir’s Patterson Prep School Bulldogs feature Matt Simpkins and Courtney Fortson—two of the top-five prep school players in the nation. Simpkins, a 6’9” forward has committed to the University of Memphis Tigers (currently ranked #1 in the nation). Fortson, the 2007 Alabama State High School Player of the Year, signed with coach John Pelphrey and the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.
“These are all future big-time players,” said event organizer and promoter Wayne Otto. Although most players are only one year out of high school, Otto said that the participating teams could “clobber a lot of division 1 college teams.”
The Champions Classic series features more future NCAA Division I and NBA players than any event of its kind in the country. Each year, collegiate coaches and scouts flock to the area searching for talented players to fill the rosters of the biggest teams in the country.
“This event is a top priority for college coaches on the recruiting trail,” said Otto.
The list of former participants in the Champions Classic series reads like a who’s who of NCAA and NBA basketball: Josh Smith (Atlanta Hawks), Tywon Lawson (UNC-Chapel Hill) and Nolan Smith (Duke), Antonio Anderson (U. of Memphis), A.D. Vassalio (Virginia Tech), Brandon Rush (Kansas), Olu Ashaolu (Louisiana Tech), Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics), Kevin Durant (Seattle Sonics), Michael Beasley (Kansas State), Jeff Allen (Virginia Tech) and Jamont Gordon (Mississippi State).
Other prep basketball events taking place in the region include the Champions Classic tournament in Johnson City, Tenn. on Friday and Saturday, February 22 and 23, and the Champions Prep Classic in Lenoir on Sunday, February 24.
Ticket prices are $35 for first row, $25 for second and third rows, $12 for lower level reserved seats $10 for upper level, $6 for students and $5 for ASU students.
To purchase tickets or for more info on the Echota Mountain Madness Basketball Classic, click to www.usprepbasketball.com.
Want To Go?
Date: Monday, February 25
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Location: Holmes Convocation Center
Cost: See story