1ST ANNUAL MLK HOLIDAY CLASSIC

ILLINOIS SPOT-LITE PRESENTS 

1ST ANNUAL MLK HOLIDAY CLASSIC

MONDAY, January 21st, 2019

(DOORS OPEN AT 11:00AM)

General Admission: $10/person

SITE: CHICAGO CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

12001 S. Oak Park Ave

Palos Heights, IL 

GAME SCHEDULE
NOON - Chicago Christian vs. Reavis
1:30pm - Peoria High vs. Rich Central
3:00pm - Bloomington vs. Lincoln Park
4:30pm - Peoria Richwoods vs. Sandburg

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Press Notes

As we gear-up for our MLK event, we will provide game notes as well as identify key players to watch. We are extremely excited about the future of this event and our vision is to revitalize it each season, to where the Classic is recognized as one of the premier MLK events in the Midwest. We appreciate everyone’s support.

Game FactsSeveral participating teams enter with quality wins and pretty good record thus far. Bloomington holds a 13-5 record and is rated 5th in our state rankings. The Raiders are coming off a strong showing at the prestigious Highland Shootout with a convincing 76-63 victory over a good East St. Louis squad. They will take on Lincoln Park at the MLK Classic, who currently owns a 12-6 mark. Both teams will match-up as our main attraction. Bloomington’s leading scorer is 6-foot 8 SIU recruit Chris Payton, who averages 22.8 and 8.9 rebounds. 6-4 guard Caleb Donaldson is one of the state’s top unsigned seniors, he averages 13.8 a game and brings high-wire ability. The Lions from Lincoln Park counters with senior forward Tahir Thompson, who averages 10 points a game but has been on a roll of late averaging 15.7 his last four games. They also suit-up unsung seniors Tavis Stampley a rising prospect and outside shooting threat Mike Robinson. Lincoln Park also has two promising sophomores.

Peoria Richwoods currently has a 12-5 mark. They grabbed a huge victory last week against Bloomington at home. They will go head up against Carl Sandburg (10-8), a squad who’s been playing extremely well of late after a slow start. The Eagles won the consolation Tournament at York over the Holiday break, finishing 4-1. They’ve won 6 out of 8 including a tough loss against state ranked Bolingbrook last week. Marvin and Kevin Agwomoh lead them in scoring with 12 points per game. While exciting six-foot three junior guard Atharva Atreya averages 10 per outing. Atreya had a really nice game versus Bolingbrook. Richwoods has played well of late except for dropping a game last week against city rival Peoria High. They are led by one of the state’s top un-signed seniors Cortez Mosley who averages 19 points a game, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Their second leading scorer, Jaydion Davis who chips in with 11 points and 6 rebounds. The Knights have shown promise in their team-oriented system and they have several good young players that play significant minutes. Their top player, Mosley is a transfer from Peoria High. 

Our opening game will feature host team Chicago Christian who has an impressive 15-5 record and winners of 8 consecutive games. The Knights have really shined recently playing well together. They are led by three sport senior stud, Matt Stuursma, who averages 15 points per game, and junior forward Brian Anderson, who records 15.5 markers a game and 10 rebounds. Reavis will be the Knight’s opponent, they presently own a 6-9 record and have fought hard in some close games. The Rams all-purpose performer is senior Sami Hajjar. Our 1:30pm game will feature Peoria High versus Rich Central. Two programs still trying to capture some identity before looming into the month of February. Peoria Lions is coached by legendary native Dan Ruffin. They currently hold a 6-13 mark and winners of their last several games. Chris Williams, a 6-foot junior, has been a bright spot averaging 17.2 points per game. Rich Central off to a disappointing start after lofty early season expectations. Their unforeseen start was due to eligibility issues with several key players. They’ve played a tough schedule at this point in the season losing to ranked teams Bloom, Marian Catholic, and Homewood-Flossmoor. The Olympian’s top player is 6-5 senior, Chance Love, who is still available and averages close to 12 a game and is paired with fellow senior Bryonte Washington, who registers 12.3 a night. We look for both of these teams to turn their season around soon.