Chick-Fil-A Classic - The Teams Detailed Information

Chick-fil-A Classic - Hosted by: Richland Northeast High School - December 18-22, 2009 - Columbia, SC

	The Raiders Rice High School New York City, NY Head Coach: Maurice "Mo" Hicks
Over the past 20 years, Rice High School has been one of the top 10 high school basketball programs in the nation. The Raiders finished the 2008-2009 basketball season nationally ranked with a final record of 26 wins and only 4 losses that included multiple championships. Rice won the CHSAA City and State Championships as well as the New York High School Federation State Championship. The team returns two starters from last season along with six other lettermen that played key roles on the team. The team is coached by Maurice “Mo” Hicks who is entering his 15th year as head coach of the Raiders and 21st overall. This past season Coach Hicks became the first coach in CHSAA history to win six Class AA Intersectional titles. He has coached numerous D-1 players during his years at Rice including recent notables Edgar Sosa (Louisville), Russell Robinson (Kansas), Kemba Walker (Connecticut) and this past year Durand Scott (Miami). Former or current NBA players who attended Rice include: Dean Memingher, Felipe Lopez, Reggie Freeman, Andre Barrett, Kenny Satterfield, and Russell Robinson. Coach Hicks has a career record of 332 wins and 81 losses. The Raiders are again looking forward to another highly successful season.
	SPOTLIGHT PLAYER Shane Southwell Shane is a nationally ranked 6'6 senior guard who averaged 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists per game last season after becoming eligible second semester due to transfer rules. Shane has committed to attend and play basketball next year at Kansas State University.

	The Knights Lexington Catholic High School Lexington, KY Head Coach: Brandon Salsman
Lexington Catholic is the winningest program in the state of Kentucky since 1990. They were KHSAA State Champions in 2002, Runners-Up in 1992 and 2000, Semi-finalist in 1998 and 2008. This year Lexington Catholic returns four starters from a team that went 26-8 and won its second-straight 11th Region Championship. The Knights were ranked in the States Top Ten all of last season and made it to the Quarter-finals of the KHSAA State Tournament. Leading the way for Lexington Catholic is 6’8 senior Tanner Peurach, 6’4 junior Taylor Martin, 6’3 junior Scott Schuette and 6’0 sophomore Jaylen Beckham. Lexington Catholic is making their second appearance in the Chick-fil-A Classic. They previously participated in 2005, finishing in 3rd place in the Classic II bracket. The Knights are coached by Brandon Salsman. Coach Salsman has a career record of 150-71 and is 104-29 at Lexington Catholic.
	SPOTLIGHT PLAYER Tanner Peurach Tanner is a 6’8 senior power forward that averaged 10 points per game last season and set a school record with 109 blocks. Tanner has improved his game tremendously over the past 2 years. In 2008-2009, he was voted All-City, All-Region and All-District. Tanner is receiving D-1 interest from Eastern Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Boston University and Fairfield University.

	The Lions Westlake High School Atlanta, GA Head Coach: Darron Rogers
The Lions of Westlake High School has been one of Georgia’s premier basketball programs over the last decade. During this time, Westlake has won two state championships (1999 & 2002), been state runner-up (2006) and has made two “Final Four” appearances (2008 & 2009). The Lions finished the 2008-2009 basketball season with a 26-7 record, which included winning their Region Championship and making it to the Final Four of the Georgia Class 5A State Playoffs. Westlake returns three of their starters and 5 other lettermen from last year’s team. The starters include senior wing player Marcus Thornton (13ppg/8rpg) who has verbally committed to Clemson, junior Marc Brown, and 6’8-285 pound senior center Anthony Jacobs (committed to Central Florida). Westlake is coached by Darron Rogers, who is beginning his fourteenth year as the head coach of the Lions. His career coaching record stands at 328-65. His teams have won 7 region titles and two state titles.
	SPOTLIGHT PLAYER Marcus Thornton Marcus is a 6’8 nationally ranked senior wing player who averaged 13 points, 8 rebounds and 4.5 blocked shots per game during the 2008-2009 season. He was selected All-Region and won the state of Georgia’s “Slam Dunk” contest that was sponsored by the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Marcus has committed to attend and play basketball next year for Clemson University.

	The Senators Robert A. Taft High School Cincinnati, OH Head Coach: Mark Mitchell
After posting a record of 16 wins - 6 losses and winning their conference championship this past season, the Senators of Taft High School are expecting a return to their championship form. Taft will return four starters that include 6’3 Cameron Mitchell, 6’8 Cory Hunter, 6’0 Kevin Mitchell and 6’4 Shawntez Johnson in addition to several other talented players who contributed greatly during the 2008-2009 season. The Senators are coached by Mark Mitchell. Coach Mitchell has an overall record of 112 wins and 32 losses in his six years as a head coach of Taft. The Senators are the first team from the state of Ohio to participate in the Chick-fil-A Classic.
	SPOTLIGHT PLAYER Cameron Mitchell Cameron is a 6’3 senior wing forward who averaged 15 points and 6 rebounds per game during the 2008-2009 basketball season. He was selected All-Conference, All-City, and All-District. Cameron is also the Senators quarterback. He is receiving interest from D-1 schools in both football and basketball.

	The Crusaders Trinity Christian School Fayetteville, NC Head Coach: Heath Vandevender
In 2008-2009, the Crusaders of Trinity Christian School made it to the “Final Four” of the NCISAA Class 1A State Playoffs while finishing the year with an overall record of 23 wins and 14 losses. The Crusaders return four starters from last year’s conference tournament championship team highlighted by 6’9 senior All-State player Damontre Harris. Trinity Christian is coached by Heath Vandevender. Coach Vandevender is entering his eighth year as head coach of Trinity Christian School. He has an overall coaching record of 156 wins and 63 losses. His teams have won 20 or more games five times in the previous seven years. The senior laden Crusaders are looking forward to another highly successful season.
	SPOTLIGHT PLAYER Damontre Harris Damontre is a 6’9 nationally ranked senior post player who averaged 11 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.6 blocked shots per game during the 2008-2009 season. He was selected to the Southeastern Independent Conference 1st Team All-State. Damontre has committed to attend and play basketball next year for the University of South Carolina.

	The Ambassadors Norfolk Christian School Norfolk, VA Head Coach: Michael Allen
The Ambassadors of Norfolk Christian School finished the 2008-2009 basketball regular season schedule as conference co-champions and then captured their conference tournament championship. Norfolk Christian completed their season with a final record of 23 wins and 7 losses while making it all the way to the semi-finals of the VISBA Division II State Tournament. The 2009-2010 Ambassadors are expected to return all five starters from last season including nationally ranked 6’8 junior forward James McAdoo. In addition to McAdoo, Norfolk Christian has an outstanding group of sophomores that includes 5’9 Michael Murray, 6’4 Kwontie Moore, and 6’6 Mario Nixon. Norfolk Christian is coached by Michael Allen who also serves as the school’s athletic director. Coach Allen is beginning his 8th season at the helm of the Ambassadors after spending six seasons in the collegiate coaching ranks with stops as an assistant coach at Chowan College, Indiana State University, Lincoln Trail Junior College and Maryville College.
	SPOTLIGHT PLAYER James McAdoo James is a 6’8 nationally ranked junior forward who averaged 25 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocked shots per game last season. He was selected All-Conference, Conference Tournament MVP, All-State and 1st Team All-Tidewater last season. James has committed to attend and play basketball at the University of North Carolina upon graduation. He is a consensus national Top 10 junior.

	The Greenies Christ School Asheville, NC Head Coach: David Gaines
Christ School won the North Carolina Independent Schools Class 3A State Championship last season for the third year in a row with a final record of 36 wins and only 2 losses. Christ School has now won four of the past five NCISAA Class 3A State Championships (2005, 2007, 2008, and 2009) and was State Runners-Up in 2004. Their combined record for the past three seasons is an amazing 99 wins and only 8 losses. The “Greenies” are making their third consecutive trip to the Chick-fil-A Classic. The Greenies have won their bracket of the Classic each of the past two years and will again be one of the favorites. In addition to winning the Chick-fil-A Classic title last year, Christ also won the GSK Holiday Invitational Tournament. The Greenies ended the season highly ranked in all the major national polls. Although Christ lost three D-1 senior’s from last years team (Mason Plumlee-Duke, Lakeem Jackson-South Carolina, Dee Giger-Harvard), the Greenies will again play a very competitive schedule and are expected to be led by Marshall Plumlee, Tony Kimbro, Sebastian Koch, Lucas Troutman, and Eric Smith. Eric Smith is a transfer from Mullins High School who has committed to South Carolina. Christ School is coached by 1984 graduate David Gaines. Coach Gaines has a 12 year career record of 283 wins and 68 losses. He has coached 12 NCISAA All-State players and currently has 8 players playing at the Division I level.
	SPOTLIGHT PLAYER Marshall Plumlee Marshall is a 7’0 nationally ranked junior center. He is the youngest brother of Miles Plumlee, Class of 2008 and Mason Plumlee, Class of 2009 who are both at Duke University. Marshall is an energetic, hard working post player who has already received scholarship offers from Minnesota, Indiana, Notre Dame, NC State, Ohio State and Purdue.

	The Cougars Vance High School Charlotte, NC Head Coach: Will Robinson
The Cougars of Vance High School are perennial contenders for the North Carolina Class 4A State Championship. The Cougars finished their 2008-2009 season with a final record of 25 wins and 4 losses that included winning the championship of the Junior Orange Bowl Tournament in Miami Florida. Vance won the state championship in 2003 and was runner-up in 2008. This year’s team again has high expectations with the return of 3 starters and 5 other lettermen from last season. Returning starters Marquis Rankin, Jacoby Davis and Dechane Durrante are again expected to lead the way for Vance. Rankin and Davis were both selected All-Conference last year and all three are college basketball prospects. Vance is coached by Will Robinson who has led the Cougars to a record of 101 wins and only 22 losses during his 4-year tenure as head coach. He has an overall career record of 450 wins and 122 losses.
	SPOTLIGHT PLAYER Marquis Rankin Marquis is a 6’1 junior point guard who averaged 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists per game last season. Marquis was selected All-Conference, All-District, and All-Area this past season. He already has scholarship offers from South Carolina, Wake Forest, Clemson, and Virginia Tech.

	The Yellow Jackets Irmo High School Columbia, SC Head Coach: Tim Whipple
The Irmo Yellow Jackets enter the 2009-10 season with a very proud basketball tradition. During the twenty-eight year tenure of Coach Tim Whipple, Irmo has won 526 games, averaging nearly 19 wins a season. During that time, the Yellow Jackets have won three State Championship titles, finished State Runner-Up three times and have made the state playoffs twenty-five times. After finishing tied for second in a very competitive region, Irmo had a disappointing first round loss in the state playoffs. The Yellow Jackets will look to regroup with 5 of their top 10 players returning, including only two starters from a team that finished with 18 wins and 7 losses. The five returning players, led by sophomore point guard Jordan Roper, gained a great deal of experience last year and should provide a solid nucleus to build around.
	SPOTLIGHT PLAYER Jordon Roper Jordan Roper is a 6’0” sophomore point guard. Last year as a freshman he gained valuable experience, playing in all twenty-five games. He averaged 9 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds and 1.5 steals a game for the 2008-09 season. Jordan’s on floor development and leadership ability will be instrumental to the success of the Yellow Jackets. He has already received interest from several Division I schools. Jordan has a very bright and promising future on the court and in the classroom, carrying a 3.4 grade point average.

	The Diamond Hornets Lower Richland High School Hopkins, SC Head Coach: Zeke Washington
The Diamond Hornets of Lower Richland High School completed another highly successful season last year with a final record of 21 wins and 5 losses. Lower Richland tied for the region championship in Region IV 3A and made it to the second round of the Class 3A State Playoffs. Lower Richland has a rich history of basketball success including four Class AAAA State Championships (1982, 1987, 1988, and 1999). This year’s Diamond Hornets are expected to be led by returnees Keith Johnson and Torrence Outing. Lower Richland is coached by Ezekiel “Zeke” Washington who is beginning his third year at the helm of the Diamond Hornets. Coach Washington has an overall head coaching record of 269 wins and 128 losses.
	SPOTLIGHT PLAYER Keith Johnson Keith is a 6’4 senior forward who averaged 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists per game last season. He also shot 33% from 3 point range and 47% overall from the field.

	The Knights Charlotte Christian School Charlotte, NC Head Coach: Shonn Brown
During the 2008-2009 basketball season, the Knights of Charlotte Christian made it to the NCISAA Class 3A “Final Four” before losing to eventual State Champion Christ School. The Knights finished the year with an overall record of 23 wins and 10 losses. Last year’s Knights were led by seniors Willis Hall (College of Charleston), Taylor Wagener (Wofford) and Carson Sullivan (Penn) who all are playing Division I basketball this year. The Knights played a very competitive schedule and honored Christ each time they took it to the hardwood. This year the Knights have 7 returners and are led by major college recruits Akil Mitchell and Anthony Gill. This will be Charlotte Christian’s third time participating in the Chick-fil-A Classic. Each of the previous two times they won their bracket of the tournament. Charlotte Christian is coached by Shonn Brown. Coach Brown has been at Charlotte Christian for ten years and has been the head coach for nine years. He has compiled a record of 214 wins and 67 losses.
	SPOTLIGHT PLAYER Anthony Gill Anthony is a 6’8 junior forward who averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds per game during the 2008-2009 season. The CISAA All-Conference selection has committed to attend the University of South Carolina upon graduation from high school.

	The Cavaliers Richland Northeast High School Columbia, SC Head Coach: Jason Powell
In 2009, Jason Powell will be entering his eighth season as head coach at Richland Northeast after serving one season as head coach at Spring Valley. Coach Powell will be entering his sixteenth season overall as a basketball coach, serving as a JV Coach and Varsity Assistant for seven years at RNE. This past season, the Cavaliers played the toughest 4A schedule in the state (as indicated by the Massey Ratings) and finished with a 16-10 record, finishing region runner-up in the very tough Region V-4A. The Cavaliers boasted the 2nd best 4A defense in the state (as indicated by the Massey Ratings) giving up only 46 points per game but were upset in the first round of the playoffs by Summerville for a second straight year. The Cavaliers have now made the 4A State Playoffs 13 out of the last 15 seasons and will return 6 lettermen from last season's team.
	SPOTLIGHT PLAYER Jared Guest Jared Guest is a 6'7 senior who averaged 6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.5 blocked shots per game last season. He was also named to the Region V 4A All-Region team last season and is currently being recruited by some Big South and Atlantic Sun schools.

	The Raiders W.J. Keenan High School Columbia, SC Head Coach: Zach Norris
The 2008-2009 Raiders of W.J. Keenan High School won the Region IV AA title for the 8th time in the last 10 years. They lost in the SC Class 2A state semifinals and finished their season with an overall record of 21 wins and 8 losses. The Raiders return 3 starters and 5 other lettermen from last year’s team. The starters include three All-Region performers; seniors Bradley Smith, Jacob Green, and Dennis Rowe. W.J. Keenan is coached by Zach Norris. Coach Norris is entering his 11th season as the head coach of the Raiders and 20th season as a head coach. His career coaching record stands at 419 wins and 138 losses. The Raiders are expecting to have another successful season and a return to the state playoffs for the eleventh consecutive year.
	SPOTLIGHT PLAYER Bradley Smith Bradley is a 6’4 senior combo post/wing that averaged 13 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2 assists a game for the 2008-09 season. He was selected All Region and to the Columbia Area AA Team. Bradley has a 3.16 GPA and has received interest from several mid to lower level D1 programs.

	The Blue Devils Dreher High School Columbia, SC Head Coach: Jon Richards
The Blue Devils of Dreher High School finished the 2008-2009 season with an overall record of 19 wins and 6 losses that included winning the Region 5 AAA Championship with a perfect 10-0 record. Dreher returns two starters and 8 other letterman from last year's team. The starters include 6’4 Chris Brown (14 ppg), and 6' 1" Quayshun Hawkins (13 ppg). The Blue Devils are coached by Jon Richards. Coach Richards is beginning his fourth season at the helm of the Blue Devils and his 5th year overall as a head coach. Entering this season, he has a career record of 64 wins and 35 losses. Dreher is looking forward to another successful season. Lacking size but possessing several perimeter marksmen, the Blue devils will look to spread the floor on offense and extend their defense the length of the floor. Balanced scoring can once again be expected of this team that is high on character and teamwork.
	SPOTLIGHT PLAYER Chris Brown Chris Brown is a 6’4 senior wing player who averaged 14 points per game while shooting 45% from 3 pt range last season. He led the team in scoring and shooting percentage despite missing 8 games due to injury. Chris was voted as the team’s MVP by his peers. Besides his basketball abilities, Chris is a honors level student at Dreher and is carrying a 3.27 GPA into his senior year.

	The Griffins Fairfield-Central High School Winnsboro, SC Head Coach: Miguel Burns
The Griffins of Fairfield-Central High School are coached by Miguel Burns. Coach Burns has a career record of 173 wins and 114 losses. This past season he led the Griffins to a final record of 21 wins and 5 losses that included winning their Region Championship and making it to the 3rd round of the Class 3A State Playoffs. Fairfield-Central returns 3 starters and 4 other lettermen from last year’s team. The three returning starters are Mikel Trapp, Marquis Robinson and Anthony Craig. The Griffins like to apply constant pressure on defense and fast break on offense.
	SPOTLIGHT PLAYER Mikel Trapp Mikel is a 6’2 senior guard who averaged 12 points and 3 assists per game during the 2008-2009 season. He was selected as an All-Region performer.

	The Blazers Ridge View High School Columbia, SC - Head Coach: John Combs
The Blazers of Ridge View High School are coming off a successful 2008-09 season in which they won the Region IV-AAAA championship and advanced to the 2nd round of the South Carolina 4A State Playoffs after playing the most difficult schedule in the state. Ridge View’s head coach is John Combs. He is entering his 5th season at the Ridge View helm with his team advancing to the playoffs the last three years. Coach Combs has an overall five year head coaching record of 72-57. The Blazers will once again this year have a challenging schedule with games against Oak Hill Academy, Pinewood Prep, and three games in the Piggly Wiggly Roundball Classic in Charleston, SC. In 2009-2010, the Blazers will return 10 letterman and feature senior forward 6’9 Mike Green who has received a number of offers from high major colleges.
	SPOTLIGHT PLAYER Michael Green Michael is a 6’9 senior forward/center who averaged 13 points, 8 rebounds and 5.5 blocks per game during the 2008-2009 season. He was selected to the Region IV-AAAA All-Region team. Michael has committed to attend Tennessee State University next year.