Jayvaughn Pinkston & Khyree Whooten Headline 3rd Annual Holiday Classic
Words. Aron Phillips
Khyree Wooten - Strawberry Mansion
VILLA, one of the east coast’s leading urban retailers and community partners, will host its 3rd Annual Holiday Classic, Sunday, January 3, 2010, noon-8PM at St. Joseph’s University, showcasing eight of the top high school basketball teams out of New York and Pennsylvania. Co-sponsored by Nike Basketball, the Holiday Classic features the likes of Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn) power forward and new Villanova recruit Jayvaughn Pinkston, Strawberry Mansion’s guard Khyree Wooten, and the 2007-08 Pennsylvania Boys AA State Champions, Imhotep Charter High School.
VILLA’s Holiday Classic was started as a way to promote not just fanatic basketball playing, but to showcase young people who are doing positive things. The Holiday Classic provides an opportunity for these players to connect with other young people in the community, share their personal stories, and offer encouragement – showing them what happens when you choose to excel. What’s more, the Holiday Classic is a cost-effective event that allows parents to bring their children out for a day of family fun.
Previous VILLA Holiday Classics have included the first ever match up between Philadelphia schools Neumann-Goretti and Prep Charter, and the Sacramento Kings’ Tyreke Evans-lead team at American Christian Academy. This is the first year the Holiday Classic is being hosted at St. Joseph’s University, with attendance to top past figures of 3000-3500. Even more, the 3rd Annual Holiday Classic is the first time Pinkston will be playing in a Philadelphia tournament of this kind.
This year’s matchups:
NOON
Friend’s Central (Philadelphia, Pa) vs. Phelps (Malvern, Pa)
Friend’s Central is one of the best teams in the country. Last year, the team made it to last year’s Inaugural National High School Invitational with a record of 29–3.
Key Players:
Friends Central is led by Dominic Morris, Travis Robinson and Henry Gaskins—three seniors who have decided to sign with Boston University to play college basketball together after this season. Friends Central also has Devin Coleman and Amile Jefferson, the latter being one of the top 20 H.S. Sophomore’s in the country.
2:00 PM
Girard College (Philadelphia, Pa) vs. Harrisburg (Harrisburg, Pa)
Last season, Girard College was Pennsylvania’s Boys A State Champions. They face perennial Pennsylvania power house, Harrisburg High School. Harrisburg High School is coached by legendary coach Kirk Smallwood.
Key Players:
Girard College is led by a star studded backcourt duo, consisting of Torrell Candelaria and University of Pittsburgh recruit John Johnson. Harrisburg is lead by center Brian Taylor. A classic size (Harrisburg) vs. speed (Girard College) match up.
4:00 PM
Imhotep Charter High School (Philadelphia, Pa) vs. Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn, NY)
Last season, Imhotep was Pennsylvania’s Boys AA State Champions. They face Brooklyn, NY’s Bishop Loughlin – one of NYC’s best basketball teams.
Key Players:
Jayvaughn Pinkston (Bishop Loughlin) is the #1 NYC High School basketball player. Pinkston is a senior power forward, who just declared Villanova for next season.
6:00 PM
North Catholic (Philadelphia, Pa) vs. Strawberry Mansion (Philadelphia, Pa)
This is North Catholic High School’s final season, as the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced the school will cease operations as of June 2010. North Catholic will face Strawberry Mansion in a rematch of their game during the 1st VILLA Holiday Classic – North Catholic 59 vs. Strawberry Mansion 54.
Key Players:
Guards DJ Newbill and Khyree Wooten are the two star players for Strawberry Mansion. Senior Mike Terry leads North Catholic.
Tickets for VILLA’s 3rd Annual Holiday Classic are $10 and can be purchased at any VILLA location.
[...] The 3rd Annual VILLA Holiday Classic was held yesterday, January 3, 2010 at St. Joseph University’s Hagan Arena, noon-8:00pm. The Classic showcased the top 8 high school basketball teams out of Philadelphia and New York featuring Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn, NY) Power Forward and top Villanova recruit Jayvaughn Pinkston, Strawberry Mansion Guards Khyree Wooten and D.J. Newbill, Girard College Guards Torrell Candelaria and University of Pittsburgh recruit, John Johnson; Friends’ Central Forward Amile Jefferson (Top 10 Nationally ranked Sophomore) and Guard Devin Coleman; Harrisburg’s Bryan Taylor; North Catholic Guard Mike Terry; and Phelp’s Damien Williams, Tyree Harris, and Jahmad Saleem. [...]