Two champions from two states play in a border battle in December
Gilbert, AZ – Monarch Sports Arizona is pleased to announce the inaugural Champions Classic scheduled December 12th at 7PM at Gilbert Christian High School in Gilbert, AZ. The game will feature Crespi (Encino, CA) vs. Gilbert Christian (Gilbert, AZ).
Crespi, coached by LA Times Coach of the Year Russell White, is the defending California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division IV Champion, while Gilbert Christian, led by Kurt Keener, is the defending Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) Division II Champion.
Defeating Sacramento Capital Christian in the CIF championship game last season, Crespi finished 29-7 ending the season on a 10-game winning streak. The Celts return 71% of their roster led by De’Anthony Melton, a 6-4 senior guard, who averaged 16 ppg & 9 rpg. Melton, Southern Section POY and All-CIF selection, currently has offers from USC, San Diego State, USF, Loyola-Marymount, Nevada, and Colorado State. In the paint, Mitch Mykhaylov (6-6, 2016) averaged 10 ppg & 7 rpg, while Brandon Williams (6-1, 2018) runs the point and was an All-CIF selection last season.
Said Coach White on the event, “We are excited for the opportunity to not only travel to another state, but to play a quality opponent as Gilbert Christian. Road games against quality opponents always help our RPI.”
Gilbert Christian defeated Scottsdale Arcadia, 55-52, in the AIA Championship game last season. The Knights finished the season 25-6 and didn’t lose in January, February, or March (18-game winning streak). Coach Keener, in his second year at Gilbert Christian, won his tenth state championship, last season. His first nine trophies were won at Detroit (MI) Country Day.
The Knights go-to-guy this season is Mitch Lightfoot (6-9, 2016), who averaged 18 ppg, 10 rpg, & 4 bpg. Lightfoot recently narrowed his college destinations to Arizona, Stanford, Utah, Kansas, and St. John’s. Tony Licavoli (6-7, 2016) adds additional depth to the roster (9 ppg, 6 rpg), but the BIG question is the status of Cameron Satterwhite (6-3, 2016), who’s already committed to Colorado. He injured his leg at an AAU event in July and is awaiting results of an MRI.
“We, at Gilbert Christian, are excited to host the inaugural Champions Classic,” said Coach Keener. “It will be a fantastic chance for high school basketball fans to see two of the top teams in California & Arizona play each other.”
The Champions Classic will be held at Gilbert Christian High School, 3632 East Jasper Drive, in Gilbert. The school is north of Ray Road & east of Higley Road. The Champions Classic is under the direction of Marc A. Beasley with Monarch Sports Arizona and Adam Rassmussen, who’s the Athletic Director at Gilbert Christian. Additional partners include BodyArmor Superdrink & Hyatt Place Phoenix-Gilbert.
Updated information & details can be found on Twitter (@MonarchSportsAZ) or on Facebook (search Monarch Sports Arizona).
Note an additional press release will be sent on December 1st, which will include current event & player information.
Monarch Sports is an event-management company based in Gilbert, AZ. If you have any questions or need information, please contact Marc A. Beasley at 602.321.1369 or marc@monarchsportsaz.com.
To secure press credentials, contact Hannah Shupe at hannah@monarchsportsaz.com.
