LIVE coverage of all games on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU April 2 – 4
New York – March 17, 2015 – Featuring the best high school basketball talent in the country, The DICK’S Sporting Goods High School Nationals returns to New York City for the second-consecutive year. This year, all eight of the boys teams and three of the girls teams that were selected to play in the seventh-annual high school basketball tournament are ranked in the USA Today Super 25 national rankings. This year’s pool will also include a total of six state champions.
In the boys field, undefeated and No. 1 Oak Hill Academy (VA) and the defending 2014 tournament champion No. 2- Montverde Academy (FL) will both compete. Three teams that earned state titles this year, including, Ely High School (FL), Wheeler High School (GA) and Greensboro Day School (NC) along with New York City Public Schools Athletic League Champion Wings Academy (NY) will also face-off for the tournament title.
The girls field includes three different state champions, Dillard (FL), Miami Country Day (FL) and Gonzaga Prep School (WA), along with New York City Public Schools Athletic League Champion South Shore (NY)
“At DICK’S, we believe that sports make people better and serving as the title sponsor of this great event for the second-straight year gives us the chance to provide these players and their fans with a first-class experience,” said Mark Rooks, Vice President of Sports and Community Marketing, DICK’S Sporting Goods. “The field of teams you’ll see play this year is one of the most-talented groups in the tournament’s history, and we’re excited to watch them compete next month in New York City.”
The three-day, single-elimination tournament begins Thursday, April 2, at 12 p.m. (boys quarterfinals on ESPNU) and continues on Friday, April 3, at 11 a.m. from Christ the King High School (girls semifinals on ESPNU and boys semifinals on ESPN2). On Saturday, April 4, competition shifts to Madison Square Garden, where a girls (ESPN2 at 10 a.m.) and boys champion (12 p.m. on ESPN) will be crowned.
Tickets are available now at dicksnationaltournament.com. For games played at Christ the King High School, general admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets for games played at Madison Square Garden start at $15.
Once again the tournament is attracting the top talent in the nation, showcasing six McDonald’s All-Americans: Ben Simmons from Montverde Academy, Jaylen Brown from Wheeler, Dwayne Bacon from Oak Hill, Thomas Bryant from Huntington Prep (WV), Allonzo Trier from Findlay Prep (NV), and finally Brianna Fraser on the girls side from South Shore (NY).
To be eligible to be selected to the tournament, participating schools must be four-year high school, independent or public, and have their respective governing body’s permission to participate. Tournament teams were chosen by a selection committee.
2015 DICK’S Sporting Goods High School National Tournament Participating Boys Team Guide:
School (City, State)
2014-2015 Record
USA Today National Rankings
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, VA)
45-0
#1
Montverde Academy (Montverde, FL)
28-1
#2
Blanche Ely High School (Pompano Beach, FL)
28-0
#5
Wheeler High School (Marietta, GA)
30-2
#6
Huntington-St. Joseph Prep (Huntington, WV)
30-2
#7
Findlay Prep (Henderson, NV)
28-2
#8
Greensboro Day School (Greensboro, NC)
33-2
#17
Wings Academy (Bronx, NY)
28-2
#19
Oak Hill Academy (VA)
Tournament History: Sixth appearance; Runner-Up in 2009, 2011 and 2014
Coach: Steve Smith
ESPN Ranked Players: Dwayne Bacon, SG – No. 20 on ESPN 100, Daniel Giddens, C – No. 56 on ESPN 100,
Josh Reaves, SG – No. 70 on ESPN 100
Notes: Oak Hill is a rich basketball program that can lay claim to eight “Mythical” National Championships. Their alumni include Jerry Stackhouse, Rajon Rando, Brandon Jennings, Josh Smith, Steve Blake, Ty Lawson, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony. This season was particularly special for Oak Hill, as their undefeated season of 45 wins set a school record. With a No. 1 national ranking, Steve Smith, who was named Naismith Coach of the Year, and company look to capture their first DICK’S Nationals title.
Montverde Academy (FL)
Tournament History: Fifth appearance; Runner-Up in 2010 and 2012; Champions 2013 and 2014
Coach: Kevin Boyle
ESPN Ranked Players: Ben Simmons, PF – No. 1 on ESPN 100, Noah Dickerson, PF – No. 58 on ESPN 100,
Doral Moore, C – No. 68 on ESPN 100
Notes: Montverde will contend for their third-straight DICK’S High School Nationals Championship with only one loss on the season and a No. 2 national ranking by USA Today. Key wins this season came against Plano West (TX), Bishop O’Dowd (CA) and Bishop Gorman (NV).
Blanche Ely (FL)
Tournament History: Second appearance
Coach: Melvin Randall
Notes: Despite not having a single ESPN -ranked player, Ely has put together a historic season becoming the first Broward County public school to go undefeated. Their run included a late-season victory over No. 13 Cardinal Gibbons (FL) which paved the way for their 7A FHSAA State Championship win, the fifth state title for Blanche Ely and the sixth state title for coach Melvin Randall, a Broward County record.
Wheeler (GA)
Tournament History: First appearance
Coach: Douglas Lipscomb
ESPN Ranked Players: Jaylen Brown, SF – #2 on ESPN 100
Notes: Wheeler put an impressive season together with notable victories over No. 20-Wesleyan Christian (NC) and No. 2 Montverde Academy, on their way to a 6A Georgia state title and the No. 6 national ranking. Wheeler’s victory this season over the 2014 DICK’S Nationals champions, Montverde, was the defending champion’s only loss in the last two seasons.
Huntington Prep (WV)
Tournament History: Second appearance
Coach: Arkell Bruce
ESPN Ranked Players: Thomas Bryant, C – No. 22 on ESPN 100, Ted Kapita, PF – No. 40 on ESPN 100,
Miles Bridges, SF – No. 7 on ESPN 60 (class of 2016), Curtis Jones, SG – No. 53 on ESPN 60
Notes: In recent years, Huntington Prep has risen to become one of the premier basketball programs in the country.. Despite losing former head coach Rob Fulford to the University of Missouri, first year head coach Arkell Bruce, has maintained a high level of play and led the team to a No.7 national ranking.
Findlay Prep (NV)
Tournament History: Seventh appearance; Champions 2009, 2010 and 2012.
Coach: Andy Johnson
ESPN Ranked Players: Allonzo Trier, SG – No. on ESPN 100, Horace Spencer, PF – No. 59 on ESPN 100,
Derryck Thornton, PG – No. 11 on ESPN 60, Justin Jackson, SF – No. 30 on ESPN 60,
P.J Washington, PF – No. 14 on ESPN 25 (class of 2017)
Notes: Findlay Prep is the only team to appear in all seven DICK’S Nationals, and is the most-decorated team in the event’s history. Andy Johnson is the fourth head coach at Findlay in as many years, but throughout that time, has continued to maintain a consistent top 10 national ranking. Findlay alums who have participated in the Tournament include NBA Players Tristan Thompson, Avery Bradley, Corey Joseph, Anthony Bennett and Nick Johnson.
Greensboro Day School (NC)
Tournament History: First appearance
Coach: Fred Johnson
Notes: Coming into the tournament with the No. 17 national ranking, this will be the first appearance in the DICK’S Nationals for Fred Johnson and the Bengals. Greensboro Day avenged a mid-season loss to No. 20 Wesleyan Christian, when they defeated the Trojans to take the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 3A Championship. Coach Johnson, who has been with the program for 38 years, picked up his 900th win earlier this season.
Wings Academy (NY)
Tournament History: First appearance
Coach: Billy Turnage
ESPN Ranked Players: Jesse Govan, C – No. 65 on ESPN 100
Notes: Wings got over some significant hurdles by beating nationally ranked Jefferson and then defending champ Cardozo to win the New York City PSAL championship. They are lead by Georgetown bound center Jesse Govan, who had 17 points and 17 rebounds in the PSAL final.
2015 DICK’S Sporting Goods High School National Tournament Participating Girls Team Guide:
School (City, State)
2014-2015 Record
USA Today National Rankings
Dillard High School (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
30-1
#3
Miami Country Day School (Miami, FL)
30-2
#7
Gonzaga Prep School (Spokane, WA)
27-0
#17
South Shore High School (Brooklyn, NY)
23-4
#45
Dillard (FL)
Tournament History: Third appearance
Coach: Marcia Pinder
Notes: Dillard has appeared in the tournament previously in 2010 and 2013, where lost in the first round both times. The Panthers look to have a better showing this year, as the highest ranked team in the girls field; No. 3 nationally. On the way to the FHSAA Class 5A state championship, they outscored their opponents in the semifinal and finals by a combined sixty points.
Miami Country Day (FL)
Tournament History: First appearance
Coach: Ochiel Swaby
Notes: Miami Country Day won their second consecutive FHSAA Class 3A state championship in convincing fashion, beating their final two opponents by a combined 54 points. Sophomore guards Channise Lewis and Kelsey Marshall lead the way for the Spartans as the two leading scorers. Notable wins this season came against Elizabethtown (KY) and Long Beach Poly (CA)
Gonzaga Prep (WA):
Tournament History: First appearance
Coach: Mike Arte
ESPN Ranked Player: Otiona Gildon, F – No. 38 on ESPN 100
Notes:. Gonzaga Prep will be the first girls team from the state of Washington to compete in the tournament. They won their second straight WIAA Class 4A state championship and will carry a 50-game wining streak to New York. Laura Stockton, daughter of John Stockton – former Utah Jazz great and NBA hall-of-famer; was the Seattle Times’ girls state basketball player of the year.
South Shore High School (NY)
Tournament History: First appearance
Coach: Anwar Gladden
ESPN Ranked Player: Brianna Fraser, F – No. 15 on ESPN 100
Notes: After five appearances in the New York City PSAL finals in the past seven years, South Shore can finally call themselves champions. They defeated Grand Street in the PSAL AA finals 42-30; with 22 points, seven rebounds and six blocks from McDonald’s All American and Maryland bound Brianna Fraser.
2015 DICK’S Sporting Goods High School National Tournament Television Schedule:
Network
Air Date (EST)
Start Time (EST)
Site
Game
ESPNU
Thu 4/2/2014
12:00 p.m.
Christ the King HS
Ely (FL) vs. Findlay Prep (NV)
ESPNU
Thu 4/2/2014
2:00 p.m.
Christ the King HS
Wheeler (GA) vs. Huntington Prep (WV)
ESPNU
Thu 4/2/2014
4:00 p.m.
Christ the King HS
Montverde (FL) vs. Greensboro Country Day (NC)
ESPNU
Thu 4/2/2014
6:00 p.m.
Christ the King HS
Oak Hill (VA) vs. Wings Academy (NY)
ESPNU
Fri 4/3/2014
11:00 a.m.
Christ the King HS
Miami Country Day (FL) vs. Gonzaga Prep (WA)
ESPNU
Fri 4/3/2014
1:00 p.m.
Christ the King HS
Dillard (FL) vs. South Shore (NY)
ESPN2
Fri 4/3/2014
3:00 p.m.
Christ the King HS
Boys Semifinal #1
ESPN2
Fri 4/3/2014
5:00 p.m.
Christ the King HS
Boys Semifinal #2
ESPN2
Sat 4/4/2014
10:00 a.m.
Madison Square Garden
Girls Championship
ESPN
Sat 4/4/2014
12:00 p.m.
Madison Square Garden
Boys Championship
ESPN Broadcasters: The tandem of Mike Couzens (play-by-play) & Paul Biancardi (analyst) will call the entire boys tournament and Eamon McAnaney (play-by-play) & Brooke Weisbrod (analyst) will call the girls tournament. Tara Petrolino will be the sideline reporter for all 10 games of the tournament.
Event History
The National High School Invitational (NHSI) launched in 2009 at Georgetown Prep in Bethesda, Md. The event was created by Paragon Marketing Group to provide a season-ending platform for top, nationally-ranked high school basketball teams to compete against one another in a season-ending tournament.
Past Champions (boys team followed by girls team):
2009 – Findlay Prep, NV and Seton Keough, MD
2010 – Findlay Prep, NV and Peddie School, NJ
2011 – Montrose Christian, MD and Dr. Phillips, FL
2012 – Findlay Prep, NV and Riverdale Baptist, MD
2013 – Montverde, FL and Dr. Phillips, FL
2014 – Montverde, FL and Riverdale Baptist, MD
About DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc.
Founded in 1948, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. is a leading omni-channel sporting goods retailer offering an extensive assortment of authentic, high-quality sports equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories. As of January 31, 2015, the Company operated more than 600 DICK’S Sporting Goods locations, serving and inspiring athletes and outdoor enthusiasts to achieve their personal best through a blend of dedicated associates, in-store services and unique specialty shop-in-shops. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, DICK’S also owns and operates Golf Galaxy, Field & Stream and True Runner specialty stores. For more information, visit the Press Room at DICKS.com. About The Madison Square Garden Company
About Madison Square Garden Company
The Madison Square Garden Company is comprised of three business segments: MSG Sports, MSG Media and MSG Entertainment and is built on a foundation of iconic venues and compelling content that the company creates, produces, presents and/or distributes through its programming networks and other media assets. MSG Sports owns and operates the following sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL), the New York Liberty (WNBA), the Westchester Knicks (NBADL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL). MSG Sports also features the presentation of a wide variety of live sporting events including professional boxing, college basketball, bull riding and tennis. MSG Media is a leader in production and content development for multiple distribution platforms, including content originating from the Company’s venues. MSG Media’s television networks consist of regional sports networks, MSG Network and MSG+, collectively referred to as MSG Networks. MSG Entertainment is one of the country’s leaders in live entertainment. MSG Entertainment creates, produces and/or presents a variety of live productions, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and the New York Spring Spectacular, both featuring the Rockettes. MSG Entertainment also presents or hosts other live entertainment events such as concerts, family shows and special events in the Company’s diverse collection of venues. These venues consist of Madison Square Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, the Forum in Inglewood, CA, The Chicago Theatre, and the Wang Theatre in Boston, MA. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com.
About Paragon Marketing Group
Paragon Marketing Group is a corporate consulting agency specializing in sports, entertainment and cause related sponsorships. Paragon, owns and operates the DICK’S Sporting Goods High School Nationals basketball tournament and has partnered with ESPN over the past 11 years to deliver over 350 live high school football and basketball telecasts featuring many of the top teams and players in the nation. Paragon’s consulting clients include Gatorade, PNC Bank, Johnson & Johnson, EA Sports, Skullcandy and Bayer.
For further information on the DICK’S Sporting Goods High School Nationals and for media enquiries please contact: rkelner@paragonmarketing.biz
For further information about DICK’S Sporting Goods please contact: press@dcsg.com or 724.273.5552
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