50th annual City of Palms Classic scheduled for Dec. 18-23 at FSW
Mariner High, Charlotte High among schools participating in tournament
The City of Palms Classic, celebrating its 50th year, will be held Dec. 18-23 at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena on the campus of Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers.
The tournament’s Classic Bracket features Mariner High along with Link Academy, Montverde Academy, Paul VI, Long Island Lutheran, IMG, Columbus (Miami), Archbishop Stepinac, Archbishop Ryan, McEachern, Don Bosco Prep, North Mecklenburg, Richmond Heights, Millennium, Cannon School and Westminster Academy.
The Signature Series has Charlotte High and Buckhorn, Lyon County and Lexington.
The Sunshine Series includes Mater Dei, Riviera Prep, Victory Christia and Windemere Prep.
Local squads Fort Myers and Bishop Verot will square off in the Hugh Thimlar Tribute Game.
In addition to some of the nation’s top teams, this year’s City of Palms Classic features 41 of the nation’s top prospects, including 17 top 40 seniors, several top 25 juniors and five top 25 sophomores.
This year, there will be 28 ESPN top ranked seniors including 18 in the top 40 for the class of 2024. These top players include: Cooper Flagg (#1, Montverde), Dylan Harper (#2, Don Bosco), Airious “Ace” Bailey(#3, McEachern), Tre Johnson (#4, Link Academy), V.J. Edgecombe (#8, Long Island Lutheran), Boogie Fland (#9, Archbishop Stepinac), Deriq Queen (#11, Montverde), Liam McNeeley (#12, Montverde), Asa Newell (#15, Montverde), Pat Ngongba (#18, Paul VI), Isaiah Evans (#19, North Mecklenburg), Khani Rooths (#22, IMG), Labaron Philon (#32, Link Academy), Jalen Shelley (#36, Link Academy), Jase Richardson (#37 Miami Columbus), Cameron Scott (#39, Lexington), Curtis Givens (#40, Montverde), Donavon Freeman (#43, IMG), Robert Wright III (#47, Montverde), Austin Swartz (#50, Cannon School), Thomas Sorber (#52, Archbishop Ryan), Darren Harris (#56, Paul VI), James Brown (#63, Link Academy), Tyler McKinley (#70, Link Academy), Isaiah Abraham (#80, Paul VI),Garret Sundra (#93, Paul VI) and Chase McCarty (#95, IMG).
Class of 2025: Cameron Boozer (#1,Columbus) Jasper Johnson (#10, Link Academy), Darius Acuff (#18, IMG), Aaron Rowe (#21, Link Academy), Cayden Boozer (#24, Columbus), Alex Lloyd (#35, Westminster), Dorian Jones (#37, Richmond Heights), Dante Allen (#46, Riviera Prep) and Kiyan Anthony (#51, Long Island Lutheran).
Class of 2026: Caleb Holt (#3, Buckhorn), Alex Constanza (#7 Westminster), Jordan Smith (#15, Paul VI), T.J. Crumble (#19, Richmond Heights) and Cameron Holmes (#23), Millennium.
For information and tickets, visit cityofpalmsclassic.com.