Inaugural Western Maryland Classic to tip-off Thursday

Dec. 14—MCHENRY — The inaugural Western Maryland Classic will tip-off on Thursday at Garrett College with 13 games scheduled between Thursday and Saturday.

It fills the gap of the Bob Kirk Invitational Showcase (BKIS) and the Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament (ACIT), a pair of tournaments that won't happen this season.

Former Bishop Walsh athletic director and head coach of the Elite boy's basketball team, Dan Prete, serves as the event's director. Several locals including Allegany College of Maryland athletic director and men's basketball head coach Tommie Reams and Southern's athletic director Matt Redinger — among others — helped to organize the showcase.

"It's not the BKIS, it's different, it's bigger," Reams said. "The BKIS was all NIBC teams, this is bigger. We have teams that aren't in the NIBC, we have Northern and Southern then the Deep Creek Showdown that's JUCO only."

The National Intercollegiate Basketball Conference (NIBC), now known as the Nike Elite Youth Basketball Series (EYBL), was the former home of the Bishop Walsh Elite team.

Prete said that the BKIS was the NIBC's highest-ranked tournament, and the conference wanted to have another event in Western Maryland.

The showcase will feature nine programs from outside the area representing eight states along with Canada.

Four of the programs are currently ranked in ESPN's top 25.

"These tournaments in December are always interesting," Prete said. "Very good players, very great teams trying to put it all together. You see ups and downs, but you also get to see such a strong level of players. It's a lot of fun to watch as a fan."

Both Garrett County high schools will compete.

The Northern boys face Salisbury-Elk Lick (Pa.) on Friday at 2 p.m. The Southern boys play Brunswick on Friday at 8 p.m.

"They're my alma mater, so I always have a special feeling inside," Northern head coach Ron Opel said. "Still have family and friends there. They're a good team, not someone we can sleep on. They got a good big kid, a good shooter. Good size overall with their top three scorers."

Opel was surprised to get the invitation, but is excited for the opportunity.

"I really don't know how we got involved," he said. "On my end, it's kind of dumb luck. To be on that stage, have the kids around that sort of athlete, teams we've never seen before. I thought it was a great experience."

The Southern girls face Martinsburg on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Three area junior colleges will also compete. Allegany College of Maryland faces Hagerstown on Thursday at 8 p.m.

"Hagerstown's kind of a perennial rival," Reams said. "They run a really good Princeton-style offense. They are methodical, extremely committed to what they do. They execute at a high level. Defensively, they're gonna play a lot of man with some 3-2 zone. They really try and force the issue, try and pack the paint and turn you over."

To conclude the weekend, Garrett College hosts WVU Potomac State College on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

"That was huge, getting Garrett, PSC and ACM involved," Reams said of the local JUCO involvement. "It was one of those that's a must. We want to put our brand of basketball, Region 20 brand out there. There's a really good brand of basketball on the East Coast. Getting that type of profile and eyes on it is really important."

Among the ranked high school teams taking part is Bishop O'Connell of Virginia, the highest-ranked at No. 10.

The Knights feature three players in the 24/7 Sports class of the 2024 national rankings.

Four-star prospect Bryson Tucker is the number two player in Virginia and 19th overall prospect.

He has offers from Michigan State, Kansas, Duke, Maryland and Villanova among others.

AJ Swinton is a three-star prospect who signed with Virginia Tech. Some of his offers included Georgetown, Florida State, Maryland and West Virginia.

Jadyn Harris is also a three-star recruit with offers from Missouri, Mississippi State and Texas A&M.

La Lumiere of Indiana is ranked 11th and was a frequent participant in the BKIS. The Lakers have two players ranked, both three-star recruits.

"La Lumiere has been coming to our events the last five to six years," Prete said. "They're kind of a mainstay, we're excited to have them back. They're young but extremely talented."

Ace Bucker is the second-ranked player from Indiana who is heading to Clemson. He had offers from George Mason, Indiana State and Duquesne.

Steven Solano is the fourth-ranked player from Indiana who has offers from Loyola Chicago, Georgia Tech, Nebraska and South Carolina among others.

Brewster Academy of New Hampshire is ranked 14th and has five ranked players.

"It seems they have not just one position, they have kind of a traditional team," Prete said. "The bigs, guards and wings are all dangerous."

Nojus Indrusaitis is the top-ranked player in Illinois and will play for Iowa State. He had offers from Maryland, Wisconsin, DePaul and Xavier.

Four other Bobcats are all three-star recruits.

Daniel Jacobsen is the second-ranked player in New Hampshire and committed to Purdue. He had offers from Minnesota, Clemson and Wisconsin.

Cole Kirouac is the fourth-ranked player in Georgia and is heading to Georgia Tech. He also had offers from Loyola of Maryland, Georgia and Missouri.

Elijah Crawford signed with Stanford over South Carolina, Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss.

Jeremiah Jenkins has offers from Brown, Boston College and Western Kentucky.

Canyon International Academy hails from Arizona. They're led by Amier Ali, a four-star recruit and the no. 4 prospect from Arizona. He signed with Arizona State over Florida State and Ohio State.

"They're a really interesting group," Prete said. "A lot of young, athletic players. One really good wing, but they're very young. They already remind me of Bishop Walsh when we had to play Montverde and IMG Academy in the beginning of the season. Their record isn't great right now, but they've got a lot of talent."

David Thokbor is unranked, but signed with San Diego State.

Legacy Early of South Carolina was another participant in last year's BKIS. The Lions have one ranked recruit, three-star Terry Copeland.

The second-ranked player in South Caroiina has offers from Texas A&M, Seton Hall and La Salle.

Mount Carmel of Pennsylvania, Veritas Academy of California and Rock Creek Christian of Maryland will also compete.

Representing Ontario, Canada, is Orangeville Prep.

"They're a closer team than you'd think," Prete said. "We were happy to have them. They have a long tradition of great players. Their coach is in his first year, but he was the one that started Orangeville Prep a long time ago. I expect them to get good quick."

None of these schools have anyone ranked in the class of 2024. In total, 12 players ranked on 24/7 Sports are set to compete.

Thursday will feature two games between ranked opponents. The weekend opens at 2 p.m. with Bishop O'Connell and Brewster.

Legacy Early plays Veritas at 4 p.m, followed by La Lumiere and Canyon International at 6 p.m.

On Friday, Veritas plays Mount Carmel at noon. Brewster faces Orangeville Prep at 4 p.m, followed by La Lumiere against Legacy Early at 6 p.m.

On Saturday, Brewster faces Veritas at noon followed by Rock Christian and Orangeville Prep at 1:45 p.m.

Prete said he's watched each of the visiting teams and said that the underclassmen across the board will be something to watch.

"This year you have a lot of really good young players," he said. "Next year, they'll be even better. Extremely talented young kids, lot of really good sophomores and juniors."

Jordan Kendall is a Sports Writer for the Cumberland Times-News. Email him with scores and story suggestions at jkendall@times-news.com.