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Boys Basketball Tournament Has Local, National Appeal

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By NICK WILLIAMS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 22, 2008

TAMPA - Last year, some of the nation's top players and teams converged in Tampa for the inaugural McDonald's Tampa Hoops Classic. One player in particular, Luke Babbitt from Galena High in Nevada, was later named a McDonald's All-American.

"It was the best basketball ever played in Tampa, outside of a college game," said Conrad Foss, a committee member and long-time Florida AAU coach.

But few watched the talent on display. The championship game, played at Jefferson High, seated only a few dozen. The committee doesn't have an advertising budget.

"If this tournament was in Ohio, it would sell out," Foss said.

The organizers of the 16-team, four-day tournament, however, see potential.

"It was our goal as an organizational committee to promote basketball in this area," said Troy Fowler, one of the committee members promoting the tournament.

That's why there are high standards for the second McDonald's Tampa Hoops Classic, starting Friday and continuing through Tuesday, with no games on Sunday. The first two days will be held at Plant and Jefferson Highs, while Monday and Tuesday's action will be at the Sun Dome at USF.

The committee is hoping Tampa can compare to a basketball following seen in New York, Kentucky and Indiana. This year's field is stronger and there are at least 20 potential Division I athletes, highlighted by local standout and Sickles senior John Henson, ranked the No. 3 prospect in the nation.

Donnie Wilkie, who organizes the City of Palms Classic in Ft. Myers, one of the top tournaments in the country, watches at least 500 basketball games around the country each year. He helped field the teams for the inaugural and this year's tournament.

"As a second-year tournament, this is the best second-year tournament I've ever seen," he said. "This is one of the top tournaments in the country between Christmas and New Year's. No tournament in America has a facility like the Sun Dome for the last two days."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

John Henson, Sickles,; 6-10; Senior; Center
No. 3 prospect in the nation has signed with North Carolina Tar Heels.

Shaun Noriega, North Port; 6-4; Senior; Guard
Fans will get a chance to see USF commit who is currently averaging 24 points per game.

Dexter Fields, Orlando Olympia; 6-2; Senior; Guard
Already committed to University of Alabama-Birmingham.

Jordan Sibert, Cincinnati Princeton; 6-4, Junior, Guard
Four-star recruit has already verbally committed to Ohio State.

Ramon Galloway, Dwyer; 6-2, Senior, Guard
South Carolina commit leads one of Florida's top teams.

Okaro White, Clearwater; 6-8, Junior, Forward
Four-star recruit has verbally committed to Florida State and leads the Tornadoes with 20.9 per game.

TEAMS TO WATCH

Orlando Olympia: The defending tournament champions, ranked No. 34 by ESPN, return with four Division I commitments.

Brooklyn Thomas Jefferson: One of New York's top teams, ranked No. 48 by ESPN, is led by senior guard Keith Spellman, junior forward Joel Wright and sophomore prospect Davontay Grace.

Sickles: Gryphons were selected to compete in the tournament before Henson arrived in August. Tampa's top team is led by Henson and junior point guard Jordan Davis.

Chicago North Lawndale Charter: One of Illinois' top teams is led by senior forward Jonathan Mills and three-star junior recruit and 6-foot-9 center Paul Bunch.

Cincinnati Princeton: Arguably the second best team in Ohio is led by Miami-Ohio commit Orlando Williams, Ohio commit Marquis Horne and junior Ohio State commit Jordan Sibert.

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 259-7851

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