Showcase Games Governors Challenge
BISHOP SULLIVAN (VA)
Bishop Sullivan is led by junior guard Rasir Bolton, a highly-rated 6-1 speedster with offers from Clemson, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Richmond and VCU, among others.
STEPHEN DECATUR
The Seahawks figure to be the top team in the Bayside this year, returning several of their key players that made the run to the 3A State Title a year ago. Decatur will be aided by transfer Gary Briddell, who will take over at the point guard. He joins a squad loaded with talent, including D1 bound center Keve Aluma, and Kevon Voyles and Ja’Quan Johnson. Bench my be an issue, but it will be hard to find a stronger starting five in the 3A.
WICOMICO
The Tribe look to return to being one of the top 2A teams in the state in 2016. After being young a year ago, the team appears to be on their way to coming into their own led by Devonta Dixon and Corey Jones. On top of that, incoming freshman Jayden Baker is expected to step into a big role as a freshman with the team.
MIDDLEBURG ACADEMY (VA)
The Dragons reloaded with a group of talented transfers. The most notable addition is Tyler Foster, an athletic 6-foot-5 guard with offers from Dayton, James Madison and VCU.
POTOMAC (VA)
The defending Virginia 5A State Champions make their Governor’s Challenge debut with another talented group. Players to watch include forward Nana Opoku – a Mount St. Mary’s commit – and guards Jamal Washington and Ely Camp.
SIDWELL FRIENDS (DC)
The Quakers are led by senior guard Jelani Williams, a University of Pennsylvania commit. He’s joined by forward Garrick Young, center Ace Stallings and guards Saddiq Bey and Jason Gibson.
JOHN CARROLL (MD)
The Patriots feature the event’s top player in Five-Star 6-foot-3 junior point guard Immanuel Quickley, who has scholarship offers from a host of heavyweight programs like Kentucky. Connecticut, Kansas, Louisville, Maryland and Virginia. He’s not alone, as backcourt mate Montez Mathis and forward Nate Roberts also hold several Division I offers apiece.
BOWIE (MD)
Bowie is headlined by Towson commit Quinton Drayton and a group of seasoned guards. The Bulldogs are expected to be one of the top teams in the Maryland 4A this year and could make a run at a state title.
ROCK CREEK CHRISTIAN (MD)
Rock Creek Christian – formerly Clinton Christian – makes its Governor’s Challenge debut this year with a nice collection of talent. 6-foot-9 junior Jermaine Harris holds offers from Penn State, Providence, Rhode Island Rutgers, Seton Hall and Virginia Tech, and is joined in the frontcourt by 6-foot-7 senior transfer Will Vedder.
BATTLEFIELD (VA)
Battlefield earned a split against Shore competition in last year’s event, falling to Stephen Decatur and knocking off Pocomoke. The Bobcats went on to make a run to the Virginia State Tournament last year and return another talented group including guards Brayden Gault and Joe Davis and forwards Shonari Street and Josh Oduro.
LEGACY CHARTER (SC)
Legacy Charter made an impression with its speed and athleticism in its Governor’s Challenge debut last year, and return another impressive crew. Legacy’s top player is small forward Nicolas Claxton, who holds scholarship offers from Arizona, Baylor, Maryland, Notre Dame, North Carolina State, South Carolina and Temple, among others.
LINDEN (NJ)
Coach Phil Colicchio has turned Linden into one of the top programs in New Jersey, guiding them to their fifth Group 4 state championship last year. Sophomore guard Tavon Jones is one of the fastest-rising recruits in New Jersey, with offers from St. Joseph’s, Seton Hall and St. Peters.
OLYMPIC (NC)
Olympic makes its Governor’s Challenge debut under the guidance of coach Barrington Terry, who led West Charlotte in two previous trips to the Shore.
CAPITOL CHRISTIAN HS (MD)
The Warriors feature a fast and high-flying squad headlined by senior transfer guard Alvin Cox, who was one of the top scorers in the DC area last season. Other players to watch include Kobby Ayetey, Judah Jordan and Kieron Williams.
CAPITOL CHRISTIAN PREP (MD)
The Warriors prep team is loaded with talent, including former Gatorade Maryland State Player of the Year Isaiah Miles (Gwynn Park). Other notables include Justin Route, Izaiah Dickerson, Maurice Gentry and Kollin Gaynor.
CHARLOTTE BASKETBALL ACADEMY
The CBA program is brand new, but it has taken them little time to attract an intriguing collection of talent for its high school and prep school teams. Both squads will look to make an impression in their respective fields this December.
MT ZION PREP (MD)
The Warriors finished last season Top 10 in the National Prep School Rankings, and will look to build on that with another intriguing group. Notable players include Arkansas State commit Mark Tikhonenko, Isaiah Whaley, Obadiah Toppin, Teshaun Hightower, Jarvis Doles and Daryl Bones.
NY INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
NY International makes its Governor’s Challenge debut in the inaugural Prep Bracket.
EURO LIONS
In a Governor’s Challenge first, a team of post-graduate players from Europe will take part in the Prep School Division.
