For a half a century, the best high school basketball teams in the country have been on display in Fort Myers, and the City of Palms Classic is back for a 51st edition this December. The list of teams competing at the classic just dropped and we're being told it's a record-setting field. The City of Palms Classic directors held a press conference on Tuesday to announce the schedule.
"Our goal every year is to elevate," said Mary Schaack, Executive Director of Classic Basketball Inc. "So this year we're adding more stuff, we're keeping the same, we have some great teams that are coming back that are fan favorites. So it should be just as good as last year, if not better."
The talent at this year's classic will be insane. Of the nation's top 40 seniors, 16 of them will be playing at Suncoast Arena. Eight of the top 25 juniors will participate.
"There's a lot of smoke here," laughed City of Palms director Donnie Wilkie, referring to a slang term for "pressure" that Gateway Charter senior Myles Jones used earlier in the press conference. "LOT of smoke here."
Wilkie said that 211 McDonalds All-Americans have played in this tournament dating back to 1989. It has produced 100 NBA draft picks in the last 9 seasons, so to be invited is huge.
"I tell my guys all the time you want to play at the next level? This is the next level," said Mike Williams, Charlotte High School head coach. "This is it right here."
"Whether or not you win or lose here, whether or not you are competitive or not competitive in any particular game, it doesn't matter," said Wilkie. "You were invited here because you deserve to be here. You are here today because you deserve to be here. You will be back here in December playing basketball because you deserve to be here and two days, two months, two years, 20 years after this is over, you can look at people and say, I was in the 2024 City of Palms Classic because I deserved to be there.
Three schools from Southwest Florida got the bid. Charlotte High School is back again and will be playing in the Hugh Thimlar Tribute game.
"It's obviously a good opportunity for all of us," said Charlotte senior Jordan Attia. "It gives us great exposure and just makes us come together."
The Tarpons are facing the reigning Thimlar champs -- Bishop Verot.
"Growing up watching it, I always dreamed about playing in it as a local kid so it's pretty cool to be a part of it," said Vikings senior Tony Cedeno.
And for the first time, Gateway Charter is making its appearance, competing for it all in the 16-team national tournament, a huge goal that the Griffins have had for a long time.
"Me and my team came together, we did it and it just feels like a huge accomplishment," said Gateway Charter senior Patrick Johnson.
"I think that they have a chance to be one of our local schools that can beat teams that are coming from nationally ranked spots," said Schaack.
You can find out for yourself at the classic, starting December 18-23.
2024 National tournament:
- Archbishop Carrol (Radnor, PA)
- Central Catholic (Portland, OR)
- Christopher Columbus (Miami, FL)
- Faith Family Academy (Dallas, TX)
- Gateway Charter (Fort Myers, FL)
- Grayson (Loganville, GA)
- Great Crossing (Georgetown, KY)
- IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)
- La Lumiere (La Porte, IN)
- Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, NY)
- Millennium (Goodyear, AZ)
- Montverde Academy (Montverde, FL)
- Oak Ridge (Orlando, FL)
- Owasso (Owasso, OK)
- Sidwell Friends School (Washington, DC)
- Westminster Academy (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
2024 Signature Series
- Bullis School (Potomac, MD)
- DME Academy (Daytona Beach, FL)
- Dream City Christian School (Glendale, AZ)
- Dynamic Preparatory School (Irving, TX)
2024 Sunshine Series
- Edgewater (Orlando, FL)
- Gibbs (St. Petersburg, FL)
- Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)
- St. Joseph (Santa Maria, CA)
2024 Thimlar Tribute
- Bishop Verot (Fort Myers, FL)
- Charlotte (Punta Gorda, FL)