2019 Arby's Classic

[jjm70]

8 minutes ago, Swipes said:

Salty about being 6-0 ranked number 2 behind Science Hill in the tricitiesports rankings?  You tried to throw shade about our schedule when have you even looked at Betsy's?  So whats the excuse for the loss to Cosby or University High? You weren't playing football then

I know for a fact Cosby is a good basketball team.  There your fact tricitites sport.

[stockton4182]

22 hours ago, QSouth89 said:

Knoxville Catholic (5-1) turned down an invitation to play in the Arby’s but they were committed to the Gonzaga DC Classic (played last week) and the Cumberland Falls Invitational Tournament in Kentucky. I’m surprised Science Hill isn’t playing in the Arbys. 

I believe every other year Science Hill plays in a different tournament. Would’ve been nice to see them this year since their 11-0

[creekerballer]

On 12/19/2019 at 11:23 AM, MentorFan said:

The tournament starts in a week. Only four teams (Tennessee High, Dobyns-Bennett, Greeneville and Tabernacle Baptist Christian Academy of the Bahamas) return from 2018. There are seven teams playing for the first time. Some of the most familiar names (Gate City and Sullivan East) are not playing in Bristol's holiday classic for the first time in 15 years. The defending champions (Knoxville Bearden) are not returning.

As an outsider, it seems to me that the two teams to beat are North Mecklenburg (NC) and Webb School (TN). North Mecklenburg (Arby's Classic winners in 2014 and 2017) has Tristan Maxwell, MVP of the 2017 Arby's Tournament, back as a senior. Webb School has a top 25 national player in 6'5 guard Keon Johnson, who chose Tennessee over Ohio State, Auburn, Virginia, etc. 

I am a Mentor (OH) guy. I follow them pretty closely. I have never been to the Classic, but it sounds like it would be a great event. Mentor had a 20-2 regular season as they set a program record for regular season wins and regular season winning percentage. They lost in the regional semifinal round (final 16 in Ohio's big school division) last March. Mentor returns their three leading scorers from a season ago. The team isn't quite as eye popping as the first few teams that came to the Arby's at the beginning of the decade where they finished 3rd, 2nd, and 2nd in three straight seasons (2010-2012). But they are still one of Ohio's top teams and will be a tough out at the tournament. Their starting back court is very good. Small guards, but tough and talented. The forwards are skilled and have enough size to bang with most of the bigs. Mentor is not a very deep team, but their starting core is really good. This team is not as likely to jump out in scoring in the 80's or 90's on a regular basis as they were in 2010-2012, but they should be an entertaining team to watch with a pace and style of play that few teams at the Classic are used to. 

I look forward to listening to their games as much as possible and following along at what appears to be one of the most coveted tournaments in the region. 

Look forward to seeing Mentor again this year! I agree that North Mecklenburg is likely the favorite. Disappointed that Keon Johnson won’t be playing for The Webb School.  Mountain Brook from Alabama looks like they could be good as well. Could be those two in the championship. 

[QSouth89]

On 12/19/2019 at 6:54 PM, stockton4182 said:

I believe this years tournament will be one of the weakest going by overall records.

Stockton I think Mountain Brook from Alabama is nationally ranked. I could be wrong about the ranking but they are usually one of the best teams in Alabama having won the last three state championships.

[EHSTrack06]

You are right, Mtn Brook should be favored. They are currently a Top 25 Team Nationally and they have the #1 Ranked Player in the state who is also an Xavier commit. Keon being out definitely takes some of the luster out of this years tourny as he was the only ESPN Top 100 player in the Classic. On paper it looks like a down year in terms of quality(Nationally Ranked teams/players) but it should make for a more competitive competition. That being said, something funny that was in the write up on the Arbys Classic site said that TN High could make a run for the title this year. I don't see any local teams making any noise this year, the last two that did were Crockett and Gate City and they still didn't win, I don't see a McClung or Good on any of the local teams this year(East of knoxville) 

[tonybologna]

As always the field is loaded for the 2019 Arby's Classic. Looking forward to watching quite a few good basketball teams & players in this years tourney. There's at least 5-6 teams that could win this 2019 tourney. There really is no clear favorite. Just about 5 or maybe 1-2 more that could take home the Championship.  

[creekerballer]

Wise Central (VA) takes the first game over Tabernacle Baptist. Hampton vs Concord First Assembly (NC) up next 

[uknoit2]

1 hour ago, creekerballer said:

Wise Central (VA) takes the first game over Tabernacle Baptist. Hampton vs Concord First Assembly (NC) up next 

Glad to see it was as close as it was! Even if half of Hampton hadn't had the stomach flu the last two days, I still thot it might've been worse. Were the reigns pulled back or did Hampton just play a better second half?

[creekerballer]

18 minutes ago, uknoit2 said:

Glad to see it was as close as it was! Even if half of Hampton hadn't had the stomach flu the last two days, I still thot it might've been worse. Were the reigns pulled back or did Hampton just play a better second half?

Hampton played much better the second half. They calmed down some and found good shots. Way to much size for Concord though. Hampton would have good position on the rebound, but concord had so much size they could shoot until they made it. I’d venture to guess they got out rebounded by 15-20. Still a good showing in the second half well serve Hampton well down the road. 

[EHSTrack06]

Yeah this is a great tournament for local teams to play above the level of competition they are used to. It will definitely help strengthen teams in the long run.  

[creekerballer]

Dobyns-Bennett gets the first win for the local teams beating Southwest Dekalb (GA) by 3. 

[creekerballer]

Mentor is fun to watch.