2016 Dick's Sporting Goods National ChampionshipMar 30, 2016 by Brett Pickert
Dick's Sporting Goods National Championship 1st Round Preview
Dick's Sporting Goods National Championship 1st Round Preview
Ready to see the nation's best go at it in New York City?The Dick's Sporting Goods National Championship is a single-elimination tournament that invites ei
Ready to see the nation's best go at it in New York City?
The Dick's Sporting Goods National Championship is a single-elimination tournament that invites eight of the best high school boys' teams from around the country. Unfortunately, some schools are barred from this coveted tournament due to their local school federation rules, including No. 1 Chino Hills. ESPNU will broadcast the games live.
Let's meet the teams that will square off on March 31, 2016:
#4 St. Benedict's Prep (NJ) vs. #5 La Lumiere (IN)
The opener is certainly going to be a banger -- New Jersey's finest against an Indiana powerhouse. St. Benedict's Prep (No. 7, FloHoops 25), has history and a 35-1 record on their side. The Gray Bees have racked up wins against Westtown (PA), Huntington Prep (WV) and La Lumiere earlier in the season. The matchup against La Lumiere went to the wire with St. Benedict's coming out on top, 66-63.
La Lumiere (No. 9), looks to avenge their loss behind their Division I committments; James Banks (Texas), Brandon Cyrus (DePaul) and Algevon Eichelberger (DePaul). In three appearances, La Lumiere has never won a game at the Dick's Sporting Goods National Championship. This may be a great time to show the nation that Indiana basketball still has that Hoosier mentality.
Tip off is slated for noon EST.
#2 Oak Hill Academy (VA) vs #7 Wasatch Academy (UT)
Could this be the year that Oak Hill head coach Steve Smith wins the Dick's Sporting Goods National Title? If Oak Hill (No. 2) still had Harry Giles, there would hardly be any doubt. But even without Giles, Oak Hill has one of the deepest squads in the country. Their guard set, led by Matt Coleman and Lindell Wigginton, will certainly give opposing teams a tough time. A national title will add to a legendary season for Coach Smith, who racked up his 1000th career victory earlier this season.
Wasatch Academy (No. 17) is the first school from Utah to participate in the Dick's Sporting Goods National Championship. Wasatch will look to their Utah State-committed point guard, Koby McEwan, for leadership in their National Championship appearance.
Tip off is at 2PM EST.
#1 Montverde Academy (FL) vs #8 Providence Day (NC)
Montverde Academy (No. 3) comes into the Dick's National Championship as the No. 1 seed, and rightfully so, based on their schedule. Montverde only suffered one loss this year to No. 1 Chino Hills, 83-82. Not only did Montverde hold the Huskies under 100 points, but they only lost by one point. The academy out of Florida is led by Ohio State commit Micah Potter, and point guard Howard Washington (Butler). Montverde is well-positioned to win their fourth-consecutive Dick's Sporting Goods national title.
Providence Day (No. 12) out of North Carolina will aim to spoil the party for Monteverde Academy. The Chargers enter this matchup on a 20-game winning streak after early losses to Oak Hill Academy (VA), Mountain Mission (VA) and Greenforest Christian (GA). Providence Day may be undersized compared to Montverde, but they'll use their speed to keep them on their toes.
Tip off is at 4PM EST.
#3 Findlay Prep (NV) vs #6 Miller Grove (GA)
No. 6 Findlay Prep, three-time Dick's Sporting Goods national champions, will make their eighth appearance in the tournament. Findlay Prep's only loss of the season came from Bishop Gorman (NV). The Pilots are led by their three Division I commitments in power forward Tristan Clark (Baylor), point guard Sklar Mays (LSU) and shooting guard Carlos Johnson (UNLV). Could the Pilots win their first title since 2012?
One of the biggest suprises of the tournament is the invitation of Miller Grove out of Georgia. A well-known powerhouse in the Peach State, Miller Grove (No. 13) is led by phenom point guard Alterique Gilbert (Connecticut). They may not have the star power to match Findlay Prep, but expect Gilbert to go off in this game.
Tip off is at 6PM EST.
The Dick's Sporting Goods National Championship is a single-elimination tournament that invites eight of the best high school boys' teams from around the country. Unfortunately, some schools are barred from this coveted tournament due to their local school federation rules, including No. 1 Chino Hills. ESPNU will broadcast the games live.
Let's meet the teams that will square off on March 31, 2016:
#4 St. Benedict's Prep (NJ) vs. #5 La Lumiere (IN)
The opener is certainly going to be a banger -- New Jersey's finest against an Indiana powerhouse. St. Benedict's Prep (No. 7, FloHoops 25), has history and a 35-1 record on their side. The Gray Bees have racked up wins against Westtown (PA), Huntington Prep (WV) and La Lumiere earlier in the season. The matchup against La Lumiere went to the wire with St. Benedict's coming out on top, 66-63.
La Lumiere (No. 9), looks to avenge their loss behind their Division I committments; James Banks (Texas), Brandon Cyrus (DePaul) and Algevon Eichelberger (DePaul). In three appearances, La Lumiere has never won a game at the Dick's Sporting Goods National Championship. This may be a great time to show the nation that Indiana basketball still has that Hoosier mentality.
Tip off is slated for noon EST.
#2 Oak Hill Academy (VA) vs #7 Wasatch Academy (UT)
Could this be the year that Oak Hill head coach Steve Smith wins the Dick's Sporting Goods National Title? If Oak Hill (No. 2) still had Harry Giles, there would hardly be any doubt. But even without Giles, Oak Hill has one of the deepest squads in the country. Their guard set, led by Matt Coleman and Lindell Wigginton, will certainly give opposing teams a tough time. A national title will add to a legendary season for Coach Smith, who racked up his 1000th career victory earlier this season.
Wasatch Academy (No. 17) is the first school from Utah to participate in the Dick's Sporting Goods National Championship. Wasatch will look to their Utah State-committed point guard, Koby McEwan, for leadership in their National Championship appearance.
Tip off is at 2PM EST.
#1 Montverde Academy (FL) vs #8 Providence Day (NC)
Montverde Academy (No. 3) comes into the Dick's National Championship as the No. 1 seed, and rightfully so, based on their schedule. Montverde only suffered one loss this year to No. 1 Chino Hills, 83-82. Not only did Montverde hold the Huskies under 100 points, but they only lost by one point. The academy out of Florida is led by Ohio State commit Micah Potter, and point guard Howard Washington (Butler). Montverde is well-positioned to win their fourth-consecutive Dick's Sporting Goods national title.
Providence Day (No. 12) out of North Carolina will aim to spoil the party for Monteverde Academy. The Chargers enter this matchup on a 20-game winning streak after early losses to Oak Hill Academy (VA), Mountain Mission (VA) and Greenforest Christian (GA). Providence Day may be undersized compared to Montverde, but they'll use their speed to keep them on their toes.
Tip off is at 4PM EST.
#3 Findlay Prep (NV) vs #6 Miller Grove (GA)
No. 6 Findlay Prep, three-time Dick's Sporting Goods national champions, will make their eighth appearance in the tournament. Findlay Prep's only loss of the season came from Bishop Gorman (NV). The Pilots are led by their three Division I commitments in power forward Tristan Clark (Baylor), point guard Sklar Mays (LSU) and shooting guard Carlos Johnson (UNLV). Could the Pilots win their first title since 2012?
One of the biggest suprises of the tournament is the invitation of Miller Grove out of Georgia. A well-known powerhouse in the Peach State, Miller Grove (No. 13) is led by phenom point guard Alterique Gilbert (Connecticut). They may not have the star power to match Findlay Prep, but expect Gilbert to go off in this game.
Tip off is at 6PM EST.