John Wall Invitational returns to Raleigh, NC in December

For the first time in 49 years, there was no John Wall Holiday Invitational in Raleigh last year. The COVID-19 pandemic has ended the tournament.

But the organizers are back this year with a field of 28 teams. A field of women’s teams will be announced later. The tournament kicks off on December 23 at the Word of God Academy and then continues from December 27 to 30 at the Wake Tech North Campus. The event, which began in 1972, had recently been held primarily at Broughton High School.

Over the years, over 100 NBA players, including several lottery picks including Wall, have participated in the event. Wall took over the naming rights for the event in 2016.

This year’s field includes teams from six states and North Carolina powers like Lincolnton’s Combine Academy, ranked # 10 nationally by MaxPreps, The Burlington School, Word of God, Moravian Prep, Farmville Central, North Mecklenburg and Chambers High School.

Chambers is ranked # 1 in Charlotte Observer’s pre-season Sweet 16 poll. Northern Mecklenburg is number 7.

In the Charlotte Observer / News & Observer statewide preseason rankings, Chambers is # 2, Burlington School is # 3, Farmville Central # 7, and North Mecklenburg # 8.

Combine is n ° 1 in the ranking of non-associative Charlotte Observer / News & Observer NC teams.

The John Wall field also includes several national powers and prominent recruits:

â–ª Virginia Episcopal, who won the state championships in 2011 and 2016 and includes 6-9 forward Efe Sekeroglu, who played for the Turkish National Under-18 team.

â–ª Archbishop Spalding (R) includes 6-6 wing Cam Whitmore, a five-star senior ranked among the nation’s top 25 players. He signed with Villanova.

â–ª Southern California Academy is ranked # 8 nationally by MaxPreps. The squad includes 6-3 point guard Amaree Abram, ranked among the nation’s top 30 at his position by 247; and 6-9 senior power forward Jaxon Kohler, a Michigan state signatory ranked among the nation’s top 70 and top 10 at his senior rank position by 247.

â–ª Also on the court, the seven-time national champion Brewster Academy produced 12 NBA Draft picks. One of the stars of the squad this year is junior 6-9 winger Matas Buzelis, who is ranked top-5 in his class by 247 and has offers from Duke, North Carolina and Wake Forest. , among others. Buzelis’ teammate, small 6-9 forward Taylor Bowen, is ranked No. 21 in the class of 2023. Bowen also sports a Duke offer.

Participating teams

1. Word of God Academy (NC) –
2. Moravian preparation (NC) –
3. Virginia Episcopal (VA) –
4. Combine Academy (NC) –
5. JL Chambers High School (NC) –
6. Brewster Academy (NH) –
7. Academy of Southern California (CA) –
8. Burlington School (NC) –
9. Farmville Central High School (NC) –
10. North Meck High School (NC) –
11. Columbus High School (FL) –
12. Asheville Christian (NC) –
13. Winston-Salem Christian (NC) –
14. Bishop Spalding (MD) –
15. Greenfield School (NC) –
16. Terry Sanford High School (NC) –
17. Garner High School (NC) –
18. Millbrook High School (NC) –
19. Ravenscroft School (NC) –
20. Broughton High School (NC) –
21. Northwood Pittsboro (NC) –
22. Callaway High School (MS) –
23. Northside Christian Academy (NC) –
24. Trinity Academy (NC) –
25. NC Good, best, best Academy (NC) –
26. Christian for life (FL) –
27. Leesville Road High School (NC) –
28. Mooresville High School (NC)

The pairings of the first round

(Games will take place on December 27 at Wake Tech, unless otherwise specified. Times not indicated will be announced later)

TJ WARREN SUPPORT

Word of God Christian Academy (NC) vs. JL Chambers High School (NC)

Combine Academy (NC) vs. Virginia Episcopal School (VA)

Winston-Salem Christian (NC) v Southern California Academy (CA)

Moravian Prep (NC) vs. Columbus High School (FL)

DEVONTE GRAHAM SUPPORT

Broughton High School (NC) vs. Life Christian (FL)

Farmville Central High School (NC) vs. Greenfield School (NC)

Millbrook High School (NC) vs The Burlington School (NC), December 23, 7:30 a.m. *

North Meck High School (NC) vs. Archbishop Spalding (MD)

COBY WHITE SUPPORT

Asheville Christian (NC) vs. Callaway High School (MS)

Terry Sanford High School (NC) vs Northwood Pittsboro High School (NC), December 23, 3 p.m. *

CHRIS CLÉMONS SUPPORT

Trinity Academy (NC) vs Ravenscroft School (NC), December 23, 4:30 p.m. *

Garner High School (NC) v Northside Christian (NC), December 23, 6 *

SHOWCASE GAMES

Leesville Road High School (NC) vs Mooresville High School (NC), December 23, 1:30 p.m. *

Brewster Academy (NH) vs. The Burlington School (NC)

Brewster Academy (NH) vs Word of God Academy (NC)

Brewster Academy (NH) vs NC Good, Better, Better Academy (NC)

* -indicates the game played on December 23 at the Word of God

This story was originally published November 28, 2021 at 9:00 p.m.