Rock the Ribbon - January 26-27 - Rockbridge High School
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Staunton News Leader - Patrick Hite
Rock the Ribbon to feature four of ESPN's top 31 recruits
Basketball junkies are in for a treat this weekend in Lexington.
The fifth annual Rock the Ribbon Roundball Shootout is scheduled for Friday night and Saturday at Rockbridge County High School.
In addition to the Robert E. Lee, Riverheads and Stuarts Draft boys, the two-day event will feature Oak Hill Academy, the No. 2 team in the nation according to USA Today's latest rankings, and four of ESPN's top 31 recruits in the class of 2018, including three selections to the McDonald's All-American Game.
Oak Hill Academy Warriors guard Keldon Johnson (3) dribbles the ball during a game against the University School at Springfield College.(Photo: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports)
"We had goals of getting some really good matchups in," said organizer Travis Patterson, who launched the tournament in 2014 as a way to raise money for the Rockbridge Relay for Life. In the previous four years Rock the Ribbon has raised more than $35,000 for cancer awareness and research.
Oak Hill, which plays Maryland's St. James in the second game Friday at 7:15 p.m., is led by Keldon Johnson, who has signed with Kentucky. The 6-6 five-star recruit is averaging 20.6 points and 6.2 rebounds a game.
Johnson is joined by 6-10 Kansas signee David McCormack (ESPN No. 28, 13 ppg, 8.9 rpg) and 6-4 Oregon signee Will Richardson (ESPN No. 31, 14.2 ppg, 7.2 apg). Keyontae Johnson, a 6-6 forward who has signed with Florida, is also part of the dominant Oak Hill roster. Johnson is averaging 18 points a game.
Local schools have always been the centerpiece of the Rock the Ribbon event, but Patterson wondered if it would be possible to get Oak Hill to participate. The main stumbling block was that the private school, based in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, required a financial incentive to play.
Patterson made a few phone calls, found out how much money it would take to get the Warriors, and secured a title sponsorship from Alcova Mortgage to make it happen.
But Oak Hill isn’t the only team with national talent. In the event's opening game, North Carolina's Greenfield School plays Broadway at 5:45 p.m. Friday. Greenfield features Coby White, a point guard who has already signed with the University of North Carolina. ESPN ranks him as the 19th best recruit in the country. Greenfield also plays Northside at 12:30 Saturday afternoon, getting two games in on its trip to Virginia.
"Coby White is a very special player," Greenfield coach Rob Salter said. "As you will see, he is a very talented player and can score on all three levels. But, what makes him special is how hard he competes and he comes at you for 32 minutes. He is a terrific young man. He is a coach’s dream and is exactly what you want in a student/athlete."
Of local interest, Lee High will play Spotswood at 8:45 p.m. Friday, the third and final game of the opening night. It will be a good test for Lee, who hasn't beaten the Trailblazers in the last 12 attempts. But Lee is the reigning Class 2 state champion, joining the Parry McCluer girls in this year's Rock the Ribbon as defending state champs. Parry McCluer won the Class 1 title last season.
Lee High's Jahleel Pettiford tries to get around a Stonewall defender Saturday afternoon at Paul Hatcher Gym. (Photo: Patrick Hite/The News Leader)
"Lee is a flagship boys basketball program in the state of Virginia," Spotswood coach Chad Edwards said. "Their basketball tradition is historic. They are coming off a state championship and return several quality players, led by Jarvis Vaughan. The matchup also continues a local rivalry that has produced some outstanding games in the past."
Vaughan is verbally committed to Old Dominion.
Edwards said his team likes the Rock the Ribbon for several reasons, the top one being the cause.
"Each of us has been affected in some way by cancer," Edwards said. "Participating in an event aimed at raising money for cancer research and awareness is worthwhile."
Edwards also said it's a well-run event with top-notch competition. Spotswood likes tough nondistrict games and he's able to get those at the Rock the Ribbon event.
"I believe it helps prepare our team for tournament basketball at the end of the season," Edwards said. "There is no doubt our matchups in Rock the Ribbon have helped us in this area."
Riverheads' Grant Painter attempts a layup Thursday, Jan. 18, against Rockbridge County. (Photo: Patrick Hite/The News Leader)
Saturday's schedule starts with Stuarts Draft playing Floyd County, followed by Northside and Greenfield School. Then Riverheads takes the court to play Parry McCluer. The two met earlier this season with Parry McCluer winning in overtime.
"Parry McCluer is a very good 1A basketball team," Riverheads coach Chad Coffey said. "They're a good barometer for where we're at in 1A competition."
Following the Riverheads game is a pair of girls games. Parry McCluer plays Lord Botetourt and Rockbridge plays Alleghany. Then the Rockbridge and Alleghany boys meet in the final game of the event Saturday night.
Rock the Ribbon to feature four of ESPN's top 31 recruits
Basketball junkies are in for a treat this weekend in Lexington.
The fifth annual Rock the Ribbon Roundball Shootout is scheduled for Friday night and Saturday at Rockbridge County High School.
In addition to the Robert E. Lee, Riverheads and Stuarts Draft boys, the two-day event will feature Oak Hill Academy, the No. 2 team in the nation according to USA Today's latest rankings, and four of ESPN's top 31 recruits in the class of 2018, including three selections to the McDonald's All-American Game.
Oak Hill Academy Warriors guard Keldon Johnson (3) dribbles the ball during a game against the University School at Springfield College.(Photo: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports)
"We had goals of getting some really good matchups in," said organizer Travis Patterson, who launched the tournament in 2014 as a way to raise money for the Rockbridge Relay for Life. In the previous four years Rock the Ribbon has raised more than $35,000 for cancer awareness and research.
Oak Hill, which plays Maryland's St. James in the second game Friday at 7:15 p.m., is led by Keldon Johnson, who has signed with Kentucky. The 6-6 five-star recruit is averaging 20.6 points and 6.2 rebounds a game.
Johnson is joined by 6-10 Kansas signee David McCormack (ESPN No. 28, 13 ppg, 8.9 rpg) and 6-4 Oregon signee Will Richardson (ESPN No. 31, 14.2 ppg, 7.2 apg). Keyontae Johnson, a 6-6 forward who has signed with Florida, is also part of the dominant Oak Hill roster. Johnson is averaging 18 points a game.
Local schools have always been the centerpiece of the Rock the Ribbon event, but Patterson wondered if it would be possible to get Oak Hill to participate. The main stumbling block was that the private school, based in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, required a financial incentive to play.
Patterson made a few phone calls, found out how much money it would take to get the Warriors, and secured a title sponsorship from Alcova Mortgage to make it happen.
But Oak Hill isn’t the only team with national talent. In the event's opening game, North Carolina's Greenfield School plays Broadway at 5:45 p.m. Friday. Greenfield features Coby White, a point guard who has already signed with the University of North Carolina. ESPN ranks him as the 19th best recruit in the country. Greenfield also plays Northside at 12:30 Saturday afternoon, getting two games in on its trip to Virginia.
"Coby White is a very special player," Greenfield coach Rob Salter said. "As you will see, he is a very talented player and can score on all three levels. But, what makes him special is how hard he competes and he comes at you for 32 minutes. He is a terrific young man. He is a coach’s dream and is exactly what you want in a student/athlete."
Of local interest, Lee High will play Spotswood at 8:45 p.m. Friday, the third and final game of the opening night. It will be a good test for Lee, who hasn't beaten the Trailblazers in the last 12 attempts. But Lee is the reigning Class 2 state champion, joining the Parry McCluer girls in this year's Rock the Ribbon as defending state champs. Parry McCluer won the Class 1 title last season.
Lee High's Jahleel Pettiford tries to get around a Stonewall defender Saturday afternoon at Paul Hatcher Gym. (Photo: Patrick Hite/The News Leader)
"Lee is a flagship boys basketball program in the state of Virginia," Spotswood coach Chad Edwards said. "Their basketball tradition is historic. They are coming off a state championship and return several quality players, led by Jarvis Vaughan. The matchup also continues a local rivalry that has produced some outstanding games in the past."
Vaughan is verbally committed to Old Dominion.
Edwards said his team likes the Rock the Ribbon for several reasons, the top one being the cause.
"Each of us has been affected in some way by cancer," Edwards said. "Participating in an event aimed at raising money for cancer research and awareness is worthwhile."
Edwards also said it's a well-run event with top-notch competition. Spotswood likes tough nondistrict games and he's able to get those at the Rock the Ribbon event.
"I believe it helps prepare our team for tournament basketball at the end of the season," Edwards said. "There is no doubt our matchups in Rock the Ribbon have helped us in this area."
Riverheads' Grant Painter attempts a layup Thursday, Jan. 18, against Rockbridge County. (Photo: Patrick Hite/The News Leader)
Saturday's schedule starts with Stuarts Draft playing Floyd County, followed by Northside and Greenfield School. Then Riverheads takes the court to play Parry McCluer. The two met earlier this season with Parry McCluer winning in overtime.
"Parry McCluer is a very good 1A basketball team," Riverheads coach Chad Coffey said. "They're a good barometer for where we're at in 1A competition."
Following the Riverheads game is a pair of girls games. Parry McCluer plays Lord Botetourt and Rockbridge plays Alleghany. Then the Rockbridge and Alleghany boys meet in the final game of the event Saturday night.
Oak Hill struggled in both of their games in Bristol over the last two nights. They trailed in the second half to both Mountain Mission of Grundy and Teays Valley Prep of West Virginia before digging in and getting the wheels turning.
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