Countdown to Tipoff! Play By Play Classics Celebrates 25th Anniversary Season

The nation's #1 high school hoops showcase since 2000, Play By Play Classics celebrates its 25th anniversary season in 2023-24 with an extraordinary line-up of games and top talent, including the nation's #1 and #2 players -- Cameron Boozer/Columbus (FL) and Darryn Peterson/Huntington Prep (WV) -- squaring off January 9 at the first-ever Miami Play By Play Classic. More than 100 future Division 1 players will be part of PBP Classics' eight events this season.

The action begins December 9 with the 15th Annual Kobe Bryant Classic at Lower Merion High School (Ardmore, PA) and a high-profile match-up between national powers Huntingdon Prep (WV) and Archbishop Wood (PA). Huntington Prep features USA #2 junior Darryn Peterson (dubbed "the next Kobe") and Archbishop Wood has the Philadelphia area's #1 player (and USA #7 senior) Jalil Bethea. Day 2 of the Kobe Bryant Classic at Widener University features a full-slate of must-see games, including a showdown between defending Ohio state champions Richmond Heights and New Jersey power Life Center. 

The season continues with some of Ohio's top teams at the Cleveland Play By Play Classic on December 16. At least 15 Division 1 players will take the floor, including Garfield Heights USA Top Ten soph Marcus Johnson and Winton Woods' Cincinnati-bound senior Tyler McKinley. Johnson and Garfield Heights will match-up with Peterson and Huntington Prep as the Canton-born star returns to his home state for the first time since transferring after last season. Other big Ohio prep names that day will include Michigan State-bound Jesse McCulloch/Lutheran East, USA Top 40 junior Dorian Jones/Richmond Heights, and USA Top 20 soph TJ Crumble/Richmond Heights.

December concludes with the 19th Annual Jameer Nelson Classic at Widener University featuring some of the Philadelphia area's best programs: Plymouth Whitemarsh, Bonner-Prendergast, ANC, and Spring-Ford are among the 24 teams playing in this exciting two-day, 12-game slate.

The action heats up in January with a return to Cleveland and John Carroll University on January 7 for the Cleveland Play By Play Classic II. Intriguing match-ups include Lebron's alma mater St. Vincent St. Mary taking on Ohio Division II Preseason #1 Lutheran West. Western Reserve and Marquette-bound senior Damarius Owens will make their PBP Classics debut against Garfield Heights as will Centerville and star senior Jonathan Powell (Xavier) who take on perennial power St. Edward.

On January 9, Play By Play Classics will welcome two of the nation's top teams and players to the first ever Miami Play By Play Classic at Dade County College. Defending Florida state champs Columbus High School and the dynamic junior duo of Cameron Boozer and Cayden Boozer join Michigan State-bound senior Jase Richardson in a match-up against Peterson's Huntington Prep squad, which also features junior phenom Carlsheon Young, an Oklahoma State commit.

The Jared Sullinger Classic returns to the Columbus area with a six-game event on January 20 at Reynoldsburg High. Northland's ambidextrous Top 50 soph King Kendrick, Walnut Ridge's Duquesne-bound senior Dom Aekins, Reynoldsburg junior Jordan Fisher (multiple D1 offers), and Oletangy Liberty junior Tyler Kropp (multiple D1 offers) are among the headliners. 

One of the biggest Play By Play Classics girls events in history will take place January 21 at he Maggie Lucas Classic at Jefferson University. A total of 14 games will feature some of the nation's top girls players, including Life Center's USA #7 senior Kiyomi McMiller, Westtown's USA Top Ten frosh Jordyn Palmer and her California-bound teammate senior Zahra King as well as a stacked Archbishop Wood team featuring senior Ava Renninger (FDU) and junior Emily Knouse (multiple D1 offers). 

The season concludes February 17 with the Canton Play By Play Classic as Darryn Peterson returns to his hometown with his Huntington Prep Squad to take on the defending state champs Richmond Heights.