Here are the storylines, players to watch and schedule for Chick-fil-A Classic
The Chick-fil-Classic begins at Richland Northeast High School on Thursday. Here are some of the top story lines and players to watch for the 18th annual tournament.
Different path for Ridge View
Ridge View is making its third straight appearance in the tournament. But for the first time, the Blazers will be in the National Bracket, the harder of the two brackets. The two-time defending Class 4A champs open up with Prolific Prep, which is ranked No. 3 in the country in this week’s MaxPreps Top 25 poll.
Can Dorman dominate again?
Dorman, the three-time Class 5A champs in South Carolina, are in the Midlands for the second straight week.
The Cavaliers went 2-0 last weekend at the Bojangles’ Bash where they beat nationally ranked Huntington Prep. With the win, Dorman moved into the MaxPreps Top 25 at No. 18.
This is the second of three high-profile events for Dorman, which will travel to Myrtle Beach for the Beach Ball Classic after Christmas.
Off day
This year’s tournament will have an off day before the championship and consolation games.. The reason? There will be no games on Sunday.
Prolific Prep vs. La Lumiere?
No. 3 Prolific Prep and No. 8 La Lumiere are the highest-ranked teams nationally in the tournament and could square off in the semifinals of the National Bracket if both teams win their openers.
Prolific Prep has three Division I signees plus Jalen Green, an uncommitted guard who’s ranked No. 3 in the ESPN Top 100 rankings. La Lumiere (Ind.) is in the tournament for the second time, the first time was in 2016, when La Lumiere won the National Division. This year’s team features Purdue signee Jaden Ivey.
Stacked field
There are five defending state champions (Greensboro Day, Dorman, Ridge View, Keenan and Gray Collegiate) participating in this year’s tournament. La Lumiere does not play for a state championship but finished as national runners-up at the Geico Nationals last year.
Seven teams in the field are currently ranked in national polls or were ranked at one point this season — Prolific Prep, Huntington Prep, La Lumiere, Hillcrest Prep, Dorman and Legacy Early College
10 players to Watch
Jaden Bradley (So., 6-2, Cannon School)
247Sports ranks Bradley as the No.1-ranked point guard and No. 7 player overall for the class of 2022.
Jaemyn Brakefield (Sr., 6-8, Huntington Prep)
No. 28-ranked player in the class of 2020 by ESPN. Signed with Duke.
Nimari Burnett (Sr., 6-3, Prolific Prep)
No. 21-ranked prospect for class of 2020 by ESPN. Signed with Texas Tech.
Michael Foster (Jr., 6-8, Hillcrest Prep)
Ranked as No. 6-best prospect in the class of 2021 by 247Sports.
Jalen Green (Sr., 6-5, Prolific Prep)
Five-star prospect ranked No. 3 in class of 2020 by ESPN. Green is uncommitted and was scheduled to announce his decision on Dec. 25 but recently pushed it back. He has visited Florida State, Memphis, Kentucky and Oregon.
PJ Hall (Sr., 6-9, Dorman)
Four-star prospect ranked No. 61 in the class of 2020 by ESPN. Signed with Clemson.
Jaden Ivey (Sr., 6-2, La Lumiere)
Top-ranked prospect in Indiana and No. 75 by 247Sports. Signed with Purdue.
Franck Kepnang (Jr., 6-10, Westtown)
Ranked as No. 17-best prospect for Class of 2021 by ESPN.
Carson McCorkie (Sr., 6-3, Greensboro Day)
Not as highly ranked as some of the prospects in the Classic but is known for his highlight-reel type plays. Signed with Virginia.
Isaiah Todd (Sr. 6-9, Word of God)
No. 13 prospect in the country by ESPN. Signed with Michigan.
Schedule
American Division
Thursday
Dorman vs. Keenan, 7 p.m.
Gray Collegiate vs. Greensboro Day (NC), 8:30 p.m.
Friday
Greenforest Christian (Ga.) vs. Immaculate Conception (NJ), noon
Cannon (NC) vs. Travelers Rest, 3 p.m.
Saturday
Games begin at 1:50 p.m.
Monday
Games begin at 12:30 p.m.
National Division
Friday
La Lumiere (Ind) vs. Legacy Charter, 1:30 p.m.
Westtown (Pa.) vs. Hillcrest Prep (Ariz.), 4:40 p.m.
Huntington Prep (WV) vs. Word of God (NC), 6:10 p.m.
Ridge View vs. Prolific Prep (Calif.), 7:40 p.m.
Saturday
Games begin at 3:20 p.m.
Monday
Games begin at 12:30 p.m
Carolinas Challenge
At RNE auxiliary gym
Thursday
Christ Church vs. Richland Northeast, 6:30 p.m.
AL Brown (NC) vs. Blythewood, 8 p.m.
Friday
Great Falls vs. Christ Church, 2:45 p.m.
Richland Northeast vs. Marion, 4:30 p.m.
Northside Christian vs. North Charleston, 6 p.m.
Blythewood vs. North Augusta, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Northside Christian vs. North Augusta, 2:20 p.m. (Main gym)
Marion vs. AL Brown, 4:55 p.m.
Tickets: $12 The ticket booth located at Richland Northeast opens one hour before the first scheduled game each day for daily sales
This story was originally published December 18, 2019 at 11:49 AM.
