FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
– The MLK Basketball Classic Committee is pleased to announce the line-up of games for the annual MLK Basketball Classics scheduled Saturday, January 19 & Monday, January 21 in Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, and Tucson.
"Speaking on behalf of the committee, we’re excited for the schedule of games this year as the MLK Basketball Classic continues to progress with competitive games involving solid programs." said Co-Director and Mesa Public School District Athletic Director Dr. Steve Hogen. "With the ASU site hosting high school games for the 10th consecutive year, our event is now a mainstay on the high school athletic calendar in the state of Arizona. Overall, we’re proud of that accomplishment as we continue to create educational opportunities for students, involve student organizations, and raise awareness for MLK/Civil Rights Day."
The most-anticipated game at ASU will feature defending National Champion Phoenix St. Mary’s (#1 in Arizona; #11 nationally) vs. Phoenix Pinnacle (#2 Arizona, #85 nationally) in a girls’ basketball matchup. With 6 Division I athletes on their roster, St. Mary’s is attempting to avenge their last loss to an Arizona team (Pinnacle, 68-58, 1/21/11).
The top boys game at ASU is #1 Scottsdale Desert Mountain vs. #6 Phoenix Pinnacle. These teams have a combined winning percentage of 70% this season with Desert Mountain’s Mark Andrews and Pinnacle’s Dorian Pickens as the featured athletes.
The MLK Basketball Classic is regarded as one of the elite holiday basketball events in the country. Each year, talented boys and girls teams in the state of Arizona (and nationally) compete for bragging rights and school pride during this mid-season showcase.
MLK Basketball Classic schedule of games:
Mesa Community College - Saturday, January 19, 2013 -
2PM – Chandler-Gilbert Community College vs. Mesa Community College (women)
4PM – Chandler-Gilbert Community College vs. Mesa Community College (men)
Arizona State University - Monday, January 21, 2013 -
Noon – Phoenix Desert Vista vs. Mesa Mountain View (girls)
1:30PM – Paradise Valley vs. Flagstaff Coconino (boys)
3PM – Gilbert Highland vs. Mesa Dobson (boys)
5PM – Phoenix Pinnacle vs. Scottsdale Desert Mountain (boys) – Cox7 TV
7PM – Phoenix St. Mary’s vs. Phoenix Pinnacle (girls) – Cox7 TV
Grand Canyon University - Monday, January 21, 2013 -
6PM – Millenium vs. Westview (girls)
7:30PM – Westview vs. Millenium (boys)
University of Arizona - Monday, January 21, 2013 -
11AM – Tucson Desert Christian vs. Tucson Empire (girls)
12:30PM – Tucson Cholla vs. Oro Valley Canyon del Oro (boys)
2PM – Tucson Flowing Wells vs. Tucson Salpointe Catholic (girls)
3:30PM – Tucson Santa Rita vs. Tucson Palo Verde (boys)
5PM – Tucson vs. Mesa Dobson (girls)
6:30PM - Tucson Catalina Foothills vs. Tucson Sabino (boys)
8PM – Nogales vs. Tucson Amphitheatre (boys)
The more prominent alumni of the MLK Basketball Classic include Jahii Carson (ASU), Jerryd Bayless (Memphis Grizzlies/UA), Mickey McConnell (St. Mary’s), Ty Abbott (ASU), Royce Woolridge (Washington State), Brendon Lavender (UA), Cameron Forte (Texas Tech/NAU), Kayla Pederson (Tulsa Shock/Stanford), Harper Kamp (California), Terrell Stoglin (Maryland), Joey Shaw (Nevada), Rebecca Woodberry (Nebraska), Daniel Bejarano (Colorado State), Nick Johnson (UA), Matt Carlino (BYU), Lawrence Hill (Stanford), Gavin Edwards (UConn), Blondy Baruti (Tulsa), Christian Polk (UTEP), Kendall Wallace (UNLV), Tim Derksen (USF), Dymond Simon (ASU), Bo Barnes (ASU), Sybil Dosty (ASU), Shilpa Tummala (Harvard), Eric Jacobsen (ASU), Cody McDavis (Northern Colorado), Joy Burke (ASU), and Arnecia Hawkins (ASU), Calaen Robinson (ASU), Avery Moss (Nebraska), Andrus Peat (Stanford).
For more information, please contact Co-Director Marc A. Beasley or visit the official MLK Basketball Classic web site, www.mlkbasketball.org.
