| FLORIDA CHALLENGE GAME |
Boyd Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes, FL) The Cobras (30-2) spent much of last season as Florida’s top-ranked team, knocking off all challengers until falling just short of a 6A state title against Miami Norland. The returning backcourt of lightning-quick point guard Tyrone Davis – think Muggsy Bogues -- and sharpshooters Bryan Bynes and Martavious Irving make B.A. a state championship threat again.
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Montverde (Montverde, FL) Ranked as high as No. 4 nationally last season, the Orlando-area power features a formidable inside presence. Anchoring an intimidating frontcourt, twin towers Ugo Okam (7-feet) and Ruslan Pateev (6-11) are flanked by a pair of athletic 6-8 forwards, Kadeem Green and Nick Diatta.
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| BOYS: 16-TEAM TOURNEY |
| W.T. Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) The powerful Panthers won their second Kreul championship last year but fell short of their perennial goal of a state championship. Dwyer was edged by a single point by Martin County in the regional semifinals. Last year’s Kreul MVP Ramon Galloway is one of the state’s top guards, teaming with sophomore forward Jacoby Brissett to form a potent inside-outside combination. |
St. Benedict's (Newark, NJ) Giants in the world of high school hoops, the Gray Bees (24-1) were ranked No. 2 nationally in USA Today’s final poll. Coach Danny Hurley’s team finished behind only St. Anthony, coached by Hurley’s legendary father Bob. St. Benedict’s is loaded again, featuring a pair of Big East commitments: Rugged 6-8 center Greg Echenique (Rutgers) and powerful 6-5 guard Lamar Patterson (Pittsburgh). Don’t overlook 6-8 Texas transfer Tristan Thompson – Scout.com ranks the athletic forward the No. 1 junior prospect in the country.
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| Dillard (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) The Panthers had a banner season last year, culminating with their fifth state championship and a 29-2 record. Despite losing likely the state’s best frontcourt, Dillard will reload with plenty of talent, as is its tradition. Senior guard Robert Burger and 6-6 sophomore Fred Landers lead the way. |
| Pine Crest (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) Another group of Panthers from Broward who captured a state title last season; it was the first championship in school history. Guard Brandon Knight, heralded as one of the top five juniors in the country, is joined by burly 6-4 forward Ed Waite, who earned MVP honors for the state tournament. Freshman phenom Trey Henry joins Knight in the backcourt as the Panthers embark on their quest for back-to-back championships. |
| Ballou (Washington, DC) The Knights posted a 22-9 while competing in the tough D.C. Interscholastic Athletic Association. Junior guard Donte Thomas averaged more than 26 points per game last year and is complemented by brother Donnell, a fellow all-league performer |
| Cardinal Gibbons (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) High-scoring senior guard Caleb Stokes (17 ppg) returns to lead the Chiefs’ offensive charge for new coach Marty Seidlin who previously served as assistant to Dillard's Head Coach Darryl Burrows. Gibbons posted a 17-8 record last season that included a 10-1 district mark. |
| Quality Education Academy (Winston-Salem, NC) The charter school will play its first varsity season in 2008-09 against a schedule that includes powerhouse prep teams and out-of state tournaments. Coach Isaac Pitts has assembled a squad of top local talent in addition to highly regarded out-of-state players. |
St. Anthony's (Long Island, NY) The Long Island school has earned honors in Sports Illustrated as the best athletic program in New York state three years in a row. The Friars finished third (15-12) in the Catholic League behind three-time Kreul participant St. Dominic's. |
| Kamit Institute - KIMA (Washington, DC) Accustomed to facing stiff competition in the D.C. area, KIMA features 6-8 junior Jonathan Arledge, an athletic center who excelled at quarterback on the gridiron. |
| Georgetown Prep (North Bethesda, MD) The Hoyas -- 18-7 last year and ranked No. 7 in Maryland by MaxPreps.com --are led by Markel Starks, an explosive junior point guard. Starks is a smooth finisher and solid decision-maker rated among the top 40 nationally in the Class of 2010 (ESPN). Coach Dwayne Bryant played for Georgetown University under John Thompson and ranks fifth in assists in school history. |
| Hudson (Hudson, FL) Guard Jarrod Branco comes off an outstanding junior campaign, having poured in 21.3 points a game that included a school-record 40 against Zephyrhills. The much-improved Cobras surged to a 15-14 record and a playoff appearance |
| Miramar (Miramar, FL) The Patriots have reached the regional quarterfinals two years in a row, compiling a 40-16 record. Talented junior Xavier Martin takes over the offense from graduating county assist leader Wally Mejia. Seniors Kareem Roach, a streaky 3-point shooter, and 6-7 Thomas Hawkins will be expected to play bigger roles in Miramar’s success this year. |
| St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) The Raiders return most of the rotation from last year’s team that went 14-8. Aquinas’ senior-laden lineup includes 6-6 Gabe Holmes, one of the best big men in the county. Athletic wing Dezmen Southward and solid point guard Daniel Munoz look to get the Raiders back to the regional playoffs after missing out last season. |
| South Broward (Hollywood, FL) The Bulldogs come off a strong campaign, finishing 17-7 behind Iran Hollis, who earned a scholarship to Nova Southeastern after scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds a game. |
| Deerfield (Deerfield Beach, FL) The traditionally strong Broward county program turned in an 18-8 season last year. The Bucks are led by 6-6 forward Lonnie Robinson Jr., one of the top 50 prospects in Florida’s senior class (FloridaProspects.com). |
Cypress Creek (Orlando, FL) The Bears posted a 17-10 record while competing in the tough Central Florida region. NBA superstar Amare Stoudemire is the school’s most notable alumnus.
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| BOYS: 8-TEAM TOURNEY |
| Belen Jesuit (Miami, FL) Belen made the playoffs last year by finishing second in its district to eventual 4A state champion Monsignor Pace. Competing in the Kreul for the second straight year, Belen pulled off a thrilling comeback upset of powerful Santaluces in last year’s tourney. |
| Brewbaker (Montgomery, FL) The Rams finished last season with an 18-9 mark. Guard Chris Dixon, the Rams’ leading scorer (14 ppg), returns for his senior year. |
| Collins Hill (Suwanee, GA) The Screaming Eagles boasted a 19-8 record against a brutal schedule that included two games against Norcross, Georgia's top team and USA Today's No. 6 squad in the nation. |
| Coral Springs (Coral Springs, FL) Matt Dearen takes the reins of the Colt’s team, replacing long-time Coach Sandy Muir. The host school has worked hard over the summer, and hopes their effort will earn them their first Kreul trophy. |
| Cypress Bay (Pembroke Pines, FL) Head coach Jason Looky has helped turned the Lightning into perennial contenders in a competitive hoops county. Current seniors Blake Foeman (6-5) and James Jackson (6-4) were the top players for Cypress Bay’s 16-9 team last season. |
| Dublin (Dublin, GA) Boasting a traditionally strong program in Central Georgia, the Fighting Irish won the Class 2A state championship in 2006. |
| Norland (Miami, FL) Another defending state champ, the Vikings peaked at the right time, upsetting powerful Boyd Anderson in the ’08 title game for their second championship in three years. Norland also defeated 5A state champ Dillard at the MLK Classic earlier in the year. The school will reload after losing first-team all-state performers Amir Celestin and Antonio Hester. |
St. Albans (Washington, DC) St. Alban's is looking to continue to develop an identity to their program under the tutelage of second-year coach Duane Simpkins. Coach Simkins hopes to instill a sense of success that he experienced as a former McDonald's All-American and Maryland Terrapin.
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| GIRLS |
| American Heritage (Plantation, FL) The 22-6 Patriots turned in the best season in school history, falling a game short of reaching the state tournament. Top returning player is center Sandra Garcia, who piled up 23 points and 13 rebounds a game while earning first-team all-county and second-team all-state honors. |
| Barron Collier (Naples, FL) Another defending state champ, the Cougars knocked off Broward powerhouses Dillard and Nova en route to their second 5A title in three seasons. Three seniors garnered all-state honors, with top returning player Christine Mansour, a sophomore, meriting honorable mention all-state. Mike Hamburger was named 5A Coach of the Year. |
| Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville, GA) Last season the Black Knights put up 16 victories against only nine defeats, including a pair of wins over 2006 Kreul champion South Gwinnett. |
| Hanover (Hanover, NH) The Marauders won the New Hampshire Class I state championship for the third time in five years, finishing 23-2 on the season. Hanover returns a powerful nucleus looking to win the Kreul in its second straight appearance in the tourney. All-state center Courtney Ness (6-1) and 2007 Kreul all-tournament guard Liz BelBruno are joined by senior guards Eliza Polli and Sarah Robinson |
| Hialeah (Hialeah, FL) The Thoroughbreds galloped all the way to the state semifinals last season, compiling a 23-4 record along the way. First-team all-county senior guard Ty’Tetania McClenney (14.6 ppg, 4.8 spg) is joined by second-team forward Jasmine Wilkins, a junior. |
| South Broward (Hollywood, FL) As one of three state champions competing in the girl’s bracket at the Kreul, the Bulldogs surprised plenty of folks with their run to the 6A title behind senior star Angela Smith. Junior 6-4 center Alicia DeVaughn provides an intimidating post presence after recovering from a devastating knee injury. |
| WT Dwyer (Palm Beach Lakes, FL) A young Panthers team – only two seniors – notched a 14-10 record in ’07-’08. Second-team all-county forward Clare Hosack is a double-double machine. The 6-foot junior is flanked by talented sophomore guards Precious Bridges and Alicia Hines. |
Waccamaw (Myrtle Beach, SC) Newly-appointed Head Coach James Brown looks to improve upon the young Waccamaw squads record of 7-11 last year. Seniors Briana Bombich and Charlene Tisdale both scored in double figures last season to lead the Warriors.
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