MentorFan

I figured that out about Christ School when looking at their "team preview" on unapproved website. Its no wonder they are one of the top "high school" teams in the country. If Mentor could bring back last year's seniors on this current team they would be pretty darn good as well. One of Christ School's "impact players" is Will Weeks. The funny thing from my perspective is Weeks was one of the top sophomores and juniors in Ohio (playing for a team that is currently is Mentor's league). The funny part (not really) is that I saw him play as a junior...in 2009. Now in 2011 (and 2012) he is still a senior. How convenient. Weeks transferred out of Ohio after his junior season. Apparently he is on his second senior season, or maybe last year was his second junior season. Either way, its pretty shady for them to be doing such a thing and be included with other high school teams in national rankings and such.

http://www2.tricities.com/sports/2011/nov/21/1/boys-hoops-field-2011-arbys-classic-unveiled-ar-1473030/ Article revealing the field. There isn't a list of all the teams, but all are mentioned in the article. Here is the list of teams: Tennesee High (TN) Sullivan East (TN) Dobyns-Bennet (TN) Cherokee (TN) Greeneville (TN) Sevier County (TN) Christ Presbyterian (TN) Craigmont (TN) Greater Atlanta (GA) Christ School (NC) Charlotte Christian (NC) Irmo (SC) Fort Myers (FL) Hurley (VA) Gate City (VA) Mentor (OH) Urspring (Germany) Tabernacle Baptist (Bahamas)

Mentor returns 2 of their 5 starters from last year along with 3 or 4 other significant varsity contributors. Last year's Classic MVP came from Mentor - Cole Krizancic. He graduated and is playing DII ball in Ohio. Mentor's strength of last season was in their top three guards - usually scoring about 80% or more of the team's total points in the tournament. One of that trio returns. Justin Fritts (a lefty if you remember) was actually the team's leading scorer last year. Fritts is the only player returning that averaged more than 10 ppg. Mentor will still be a good team. Not as good as last year's, but still pretty good. They should be one of the top 10 teams in Ohio and one of the very best in a competitive Cleveland (OH) area. Cole's younger brother is a sophomore and he actually had some prodcutive minutes last year as a freshman on a very good varsity team. He should take a significant jump this year along with a couple other youngsters. Mentor will use the same style as they did last year, so if nothing else they will make for an entertaining display with their fast-paced offense and full-court pressure defense. Mentor may score 70 or 80 every game, but will also probably give up about that amount.

Anybody have any information (specifically, a list of participants) about the 2011 Arby's Classic at Bristol? I know the dates will be 12/27-12/31. I'm from Ohio, and Mentor (last year's 3rd place team) will return to the event. I gained a lot of useful information following the event on this board last year and look forward to doing it again.

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2011/01/07/sports/nh3494458.txt An article from a local paper in Ohio that covers Mentor, the 3rd place team at the Classic. Here is an excerpt: Coach Krizancic's Mentor teams have been all over, both locally and across the country for holiday tournaments. Off the top of my head they have gone out to San Diego, Arizona, Utah, and others. A good compliment from Kricancic to the people of Bristol and the sponsors, hosts, and supporters of the Arby's Classic.

I thought I would revisit this statement considering Mentor jumped out to an 18-2 lead, led by as many as 22 in the 4th quarter, and won the game 96-87 despite Southwind coming alive in a big way with 41 points in the 4th quarter. Congrats to Columbia on winning the Classic. Mentor gave them all they could handle in the semifinal, but it appears Columbia is a very strong team. I was hoping Mentor would play Southwind on Dec 31, as that would likely mean it was in the final. The two hooked up in the 3rd/4th place game and Mentor played their best game of the tournament, even with allowing huge 4th quarter scoring by Southwind. Congrats to Mentor on a good showing, beating one of the top teams in NE Tennessee, one of the better teams in Georgia, and knocking off one of the top teams in Memphis. I'm glad I had an avenue to discuss the Arby's Classic with you all. Very informative following and the Arby's Classic sounds like it is a superbly run event. I hope Mentor returns very soon, maybe next year.

http://www2.btcs.org/ths/arbysclassic/games/game24.html Columbia (GA) knocks off Mentor (OH) 80-73 in overtime in the first semfinal game. Columbia shot 61% from the field (68% on 2FG) and outrebounded Mentor 35-16. Mentor's lack of heights seemed to really bite them in the butt in this game. I knew Columbia was a good team, but I still believed Mentor could come out on top. Good luck to Columbia in the final.

A pretty good job of forecasting the field by an Ohio fan. Only Science Hill (who will likely win the consolation bracket) isn't in the semifinals of the 5 teams I mentioned.

Columbia, GA laid a pretty good beatdown on Gatlinburg-Pittman with a 68-42 win. After a close first half, Colubmia outscored the Highlanders 46-23 in the second half. The first semifinal match is set with Mentor, OH (72-61 winner over Mill Creek, GA) taking on Columbia.

We shall see about that. Mentor will hopefully have a chance to play one of those teams, maybe even Southwind in the final. The Cardinals are the No. 1 team in Cleveland area, which is a pretty strong basketball area. They are also ranked No. 5 in Ohio for good reason. A team Mentor has played (and beaten) that probably best resembles a team like Southwind would be Warren Harding. Warren Harding is ranked No. 9 in Ohio. They are big, fast, and talented. Harding has Tre Brown (6'5 guard committed to play DI ball at Cleveland State), Shaheed Davis (6'8 junior with at least 4-5 DI offers including Nevada, Dayton, and Cleveland State), and 6'7 senior Craig McFerrin (a DI prospect with no offers yet). They also have other talented players. A report on McFerrin from Memphisroar.com: http://memphisroar.com/2010/06/2011-pf-craig-mcferrin-highlights/

I am up in Ohio, so my view is very narrow. But I don't think Mentor hasn't seen a team the likes of Dobyns-Bennet. Ohio is just as good, if not a better basketball state than Tennessee and Mentor routinely plays some of the better teams in the the state year in and year out. This year, Mentor has played Warren Harding and Cleveland Benedictine. Both have at least two Division I caliber college basketball players and both teams are considered the top 10 in Ohio for their respective division. I feel confident Mentor can win this whole thing, but they will need to play at or at least near the top of their game. They have great guard play, a pretty difficult offensive system to match up against, and have an x-factor few teams can match. Their ability to hit the three ball can be an equalizer when giving up height. I look forward to seeing some potential improvement in Mentor's game tomorrow.

Anybody have a list of final scores from today's games?

Mentor averaged 13 three pointers a game before yesterday. I wasn't there yesterday, but I have a feeling Mentor's best basketball at the Classic has yet to be played. There are some good teams at the Classic for sure and a lot will unfold, but I like Mentor's chances. I believe in this team and I believe that a top 5-10 team from a good basketball state like Ohio can come out on top. But that is just my opinion.

Congrats to Mentor on an opening round win. I was a little worried when I heard they were down by 9 at the half. Dobyns-Bennet obviously was ready to play and gave Mentor all they could handle. The Cardinals are widely considered one of the top 5-10 teams in Ohio, so I did think they would do well at the Classic. I'm glad the first game is out of the way. Hopefully a day off and the boys will feel ready for the next one. I don't know much about Mill Creek (GA), but I'm sure this won't be a gimme game by any stretch. But I do look at the potential semifinal team (Colubmia, GA) and the powerhouse on the other side of the bracket (Southwind) ad Mentor's two biggest obstacles.

The 83 points Mentor was "held to" tonight was actually their season low so far. The team may not be big or very good at halfcourt defense, but they can run, shoot, and score with the best of them. They are really a fun team to watch.

Hampton beats Wasilla 58-44

They are one of the favorites. I would say Columbia (GA), Mentor (OH), Memphis Southwind, and Urspring (Germany) are the favorites as well. Science Hill plays Southwind in a first round game tomorrow. Check out the thread for the Classic. http://www.coacht.com/boards/index.php/topic/211287-arbys-classic-2010

Hampton up 29-18 over Wasilla (AK) at the half. Urspring (Germany) beat Greenville 63-33 to open the Classic.

My best guesses on the teams with the best chances to win the Arby's Classic: Mentor (Mentor, OH): The team I know best. The Cardinals are 4-0, ranked No. 1 in the 7-county coverage of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and ranked No. 5 in the state according to JJHuddle/Ohio High School Hoops. The team is scoring around 90 points per game thanks to terrific shooting (52 three-pointers made in four games), great guard play, and controlling a fast paced tempo. Mentor's top two players are senior guards that are committed to playing DII college ball. Columbia (Decatur, GA): The Eagles were ranked No. 23 in the final USA Today poll at the end of last season after winning the Georgia 3A state title. Maybe they aren't considered as good as last year's team, but Columbia is not dry on talent. 6'7 junior Jarmal Reid is considered one the top players in 2012 class with several offers from the SEC and Big 12. The lone blemish of the season was a two-point loss to Miller Grove (GA), the No. 3 team currently in the USA Today poll. Southwind (Memphis, TN): The Jaguars are 10-1, ranked No. 4 in the Memphis area according to The Commercial Appeal's Dandy Dozen. Southwind has possibly the top recruit at the Classic with Jonathan Williams, a 6'9 sophomore with offers from Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgetown, and others. Southwind's reputation as "94 feet of heat" will make them a difficult matchup for any team due to their speed, length, talent, and intensity. Others: Science Hill and Urspring (Germany)

http://wordpress.btcs.org/arbysclassic/ Tournament website, that features brackets, media guide, schedule, etc. The Classic is just a week away.

This game had some interest in my eyes as both are among the top teams that will be at the Arby's Classic next week. I am a fan of the lone Ohio school (Mentor) heading to the Classic. Mentor (4-0, No. 1 ranked team in Cleveland area) will be playing Dobyns-Bennett in the first round.

I got confirmation from WXSM that 28 of the 30 games will be covered by them. The only games that won't are the semifinals on Thursday night due to an East Tennessee State game.

I would love to be there, but it isn't very practical for me to make the trip. If I had immediate family playing, I would certainly be there. Mentor has won a few big holiday tournaments out west, but this is the first 4-round tournament they have entered. I am interested to see how they do. Anyone know if any of these games are available online through radio? Jeff, I see you private messaged me, but I don't have access to read that with my free membership.

Mentor (OH) continues their winning ways as they improve to 3-0 with a 104-81 win over conference rival Euclid. Mentor is the No. 1 ranked team in the 7 county coverage area surrounding the Cleveland Plain Dealer and is also ranked No. 5 in the state for Division I (big school division) according to Ohio High School Hoops. I see Science Hill (12-1) and Dobyns Bennet (7-1), Mentor's first round opponent, are the top two ranked teams in the TriCitiesSports.com top 10. Southwind is 8-1 and ranked No. 5 in the Memphis area according to the latest Commercial Appeal's Dandy Dozen. Anybody have other updates on teams in the Classic? It is less than two weeks away.

The Mentor Cardinals (OH) opened their season this past weekend. The Cards were the No. 7 ranked team in Division I (big schools) in Ohio according to a pre-season poll. Mentor defeated the No. 6 ranked team (Warren Harding) this past Saturday, 85-78. Mentor is 2-0 and only will have a total of four games under their belt by the time they play in the Arby's Classic. My hunch is they will enter the tournament with a 4-0 record, but the next couple of games are not gimmes. Anybody have some updates on TN teams in the Classic?