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Boys Tourney Gains Exposure

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By NICK WILLIAMS

nwilliams@tampatrib.com

Published: December 23, 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, later was 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 longtime 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 Dec. 30, with no games on Sunday. The first two days will be held at Plant and Jefferson high schools, while Monday and Tuesday's action will be at the USF Sun Dome.

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 Fort 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 the 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 a 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 points a game.

TEAMS TO WATCH

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

•Brooklyn 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.

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