National/State Powers Set to Clash in Orlando

Posted by Brad Winton on Nov 22, 2011 in EBS News

The “Thanks for Hoops Classic” held at Orlando Christian Prep in Orlando, FL on Saturday, Nov 26 is the first event of the Hoop Exchange’s Florida High School Tour, You aren’t going to find a better 4 team field early in the high school season.

The second game of the night will feature two nationally ranked programs who both hail from the Greater Orlando area. Montverde Academy (Montverde, FL), who is ranked #10 in the ESPN National High School Poll, will tangle with Orlando Christian Prep, who is ranked #41 in the ESPN National High School Poll. The two schools combined will have six division 1 signees playing as well as several prominent underclassmen. A few of the big names are Kasey Hill, Michael Frazier, Isaac Cohen and Jordan Montgomery among many others. This game tips at 8pm.

The event will open up with Dr. Phillips (Orlando,FL), who is ranked #2 in class 8A, playing Heritage HS (Palm Bay, FL), who is ranked #10 in class 6A. The opening game will feature some quality talent including LeRon Smith, LaRon Smith, Rashawn Powell (#99 ESPN 2013) and Roderick Lawrence (Morehead St). The opening game will tip at 6:30 pm.

Montverde is led by their new head coach, Kevin Boyle. Boyle brings his 551-129 record with him from St. Patrick’s HS in New Jersey. Boyle has won many awards in his career including the 2011 Naismith Coach of the Year, the 2009 ESPN National Coach of the Year and the 2007 USA Today National Coach of the Year. Boyle and his St. Patrick’s team from last season were recently featured in an HBO documentary “Prayer for a Perfect Season.”

Orlando Christian Prep (OCP) has been to 5 straight state final fours and won 4 state titles in 1A led by Coach Reggie Kohn. Under Reggie Kohn, OCP has been in the ESPN Preseason Top 50 four times in as many years.

Matchups don’t get better than this, be sure to arrive early as space is limited.

Photo: Courtesy of Orlando Sentinel