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Burger King Classic
Current Classic logo
FormerlyMcDonald's Classic
SportHigh school basketball
Founded1983
FounderRon Sertz
CEOBill Flanagan
Motto"The Nation's Best"
No. of teams4
Most recent
champion(s)		Imhotep Charter (PA)
Most titlesRice High School, NY (4)
QualificationInvitational

The Burger King Basketball Classic, formerly known as the McDonald's Classic from 1983 to 2010,[1] is a four-team boys high school basketball invitational tournament held each year since 1983 in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Since its inception in 1983, the Burger King Classic has been considered one of the best four-team high school tournaments in the country. Maxpreps.com and Eddie Oliver from Hoops USA called it "the best" and ESPN.com has called it one of the most impactful events of MLK weekend.[2][3] Each year, nationally ranked teams with future NCAA Division-I and NBA players travel to Erie to battle for the championship and the opportunity to play against other top talent.

The Burger King Classic has hosted the nation's top-ranked team eight times, over 25 state champions and nearly two dozen All-Americans and future NBA players. Hosted by Cathedral Preparatory School, the tournament has drawn thousands of basketball fans from across the nation each year. Kennedy Catholic (PA) is the defending Classic champions while Rice (CA) has won the tournament a record four times.

The Classic

Classic history

McDonald's Classic logo, used from 1983 to 2010.

The Burger King Classic has been played at three locations in its history. The Erie Insurance Arena was used to house the tournament in the 1980s. In 1989, the location was moved to Gannon University's Hammermill Center. In 2016, the tournament was moved to the JoAnn Mullen Gymnasium at the Hagerty Family Events Center.[4] The Classic is held in mid-January over a Friday and Saturday.

Ron Sertz, former Cathedral Prep Athletic Director and Director of Operations for the Erie Otters, founded the tournament and ran it for its first 25 years of existence. In 1983, after a year as athletic director at Cathedral Prep, he decided to begin a top-level tip-off classic for the community.[5]

This tip-off tournament became the McDonald's Classic in 1983 and brought in three strong teams (Beaver Falls of PA, Bishop Loughlin of Brooklyn, NY, and Roman Catholic of Philadelphia, PA). The tournament was considered a success with Bishop Loughlin being crowned as the first Classic Champion, defeating the host Cathedral Prep Ramblers 70–63. Sertz decided to move the tournament into even more prominence and began to work harder and harder on bringing even stronger and more recognized teams every year. During the 25th anniversary of the Classic in 2008, Sertz announced his retirement as classic director. He was replaced by current Cathedral Prep Athletic Director Bill Flanagan.[6]

In 2010, Burger King signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with the Classic, taking the event's title away from rival McDonald's, who had held the moniker since 1983.[7]

Event schedule

The tournament is composed of four teams in a round-robin format. Classic teams usually arrive on the Thursday before the tournament begins. Each team is assigned a host from Cathedral Prep who caters to them for the entire day, makes sure they get to meals, and finds places they wish to visit. Each team is given rooms at the Sheraton Erie Bay front Hotel.

Thursday is usually spent as a time to settle in for each team. On Friday, practices are scheduled by the host for each team to attend. Each practice is held at Cathedral Prep's gymnasium and is usually a shoot-around for the team. The first game normally tips off Friday night at 7:00.

On Saturday, teams may schedule a shoot-around at the Prep gymnasium if they wish or they may travel around Erie. The consolation match takes place at 7:00 between the two teams who lost the previous night and then the night is highlighted by the Classic Championship at 8:30. After the championship game, a presentation ceremony takes place and words are said from the winning coach on the tournament. Sunday morning the teams return to their respective schools.

The host

Since its inception in 1983, the Classic has been hosted by Cathedral Prep of Erie, Pennsylvania. Cathedral Prep is a male-only Roman Catholic high school in Erie, Pennsylvania, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. Prep, as the school is commonly called in Erie, was established in 1921 by then Bishop John Mark Gannon. Bishop Gannon founded Prep as an all-male Catholic high school.

The Cathedral Prep basketball team has won two PIAA Basketball Championships (1980 and 1993) and four PCIAA (Pennsylvania Catholic Interscholastic Athletic Association) in 1953, 1954, 1968 and 1971. Cathedral Prep has turned out a total of 22 Division 1 basketball players in its 80+ years. In its role as the host team, Prep has always played the second, or 8:30, game of the first round. Various members of the school provide meals, direction and other services for the visiting teams as well as help out at the games themselves with things like photography, trophy presentation and security.

Classic history

1983

Champions: Bishop Loughlin, Brooklyn, NY

Bishop Loughlin 93, Beaver Falls 66

Cathedral Prep 54, Roman Catholic 52 (OT)

Consolation: Roman Catholic 57, Beaver Falls 46

Championship: Bishop Loughlin 70, Cathedral Prep 63

The first Classic runs as a tip-off tournament as Cathedral Prep stuns Philadelphia Roman Catholic in overtime on opening night.
The host Ramblers would go on to lose to New York powerhouse Bishop Loughlin, 70-63. Prep would go on to the state finals.

1984

Champions: Christ the King, NY

Christ the King 64, VA Benedictine 52

Williamsport 51, Cathedral Prep 50

Consolation: Cathedral Prep 63, Benedictine 48

Championship: Christ the King 61, Williamsport 53

New York state champion Christ the King hands defending Pennsylvania champ Williamsport a loss in the finals.
Prep loses 51-50 to the Millionaires on the first night of action but would bounce back with a consolation-game win over Benedictine.

1985

Champions: Hopkinsville HS, KY

DeMatha Catholic 58, Canton McKinley 41

Hopkinsville 61, Cathedral Prep 50

Consolation: Cathedral Prep 46, Canton McKinley 41

Championship: Hopkinsville 74, DeMatha 69

DeMatha Catholic enters the Classic as the #1 ranked team in the nation, but leaves an upset victim to Hopkinsville High, the Kentucky state champs, 74-69. Meanwhile the host Ramblers get a nice win in the consolation game versus Ohio power Canton McKinley.

1986

Champions: St. Joseph HS, Cleveland, OH

Cleveland St. Joseph 79, Roman Catholic 64

Meadville (PA) 60, Cathedral Prep 44

Consolation: Cathedral Prep 59, Roman Catholic 58

Championship: St. Joseph 65, Meadville 58

Cleveland St. Joseph comes to Erie featuring the tallest front line in America. Superstar Treg Lee leads the Vikings to a 65-58 victory in the finals over Meadville, a team that would make it all the way to the PA State AAAA championship game.

1987

Champions: Cathedral Prep

Oak Hill Academy 86, NY St. Anthony 52

Cathedral Prep 56, McDowell (Erie) 54

Consolation: St. Anthony 62, McDowell 60

Championship: Cathedral Prep 58, Oak Hill 48

Coach Marcel Arribi makes his coaching debut at Prep and sneaks past archrival McDowell, 56-54, on opening night. Then the Ramblers pull off one of the most stunning upsets in Prep history in the finals by handing top-ranked national power Oak Hill Academy.

1988

No tournament played. Tournament moved from a season tip-off into January and from the Civic Center to Gannon University.

1989

Champions: St. Anthony, NJ

St. Anthony 69, Admiral King 50

Cleveland St. Joseph 61, Cathedral Prep 38

Consolation: Admiral King 51, Cathedral Prep 50

Championship: St. Anthony 65, St. Joseph 47

National Champion New Jersey St. Anthony, led by Bobby Hurley, Terry Dehere and Jerry Walker, make easy pickings of Admiral King and Cleveland St. Joseph en route to an undefeated season.

1990

Champions: Oak Hill Academy, VA

Oak Hill 86, Meadville (PA) 49

Cathedral Prep 68, Baltimore Dunbar 62

Consolation: Baltimore Dunbar 72, Meadville 48

Championship: Oak Hill 76, Cathedral Prep 63

Oak Hill Academy, led by Anthony Cade, returns to the Classic as America's top-rated team and gains a measure of revenge for their loss in 1987 by handling Prep in the title tilt.

1991

Champions: Cathedral Prep

Bishop Loughlin 71, Detroit Country Day 69

Cathedral Prep 82, Connecticut St. Joseph 65

Consolation: Detroit Country Day 87, St. Joseph 68

Championship: Cathedral Prep 70, Bishop Loughlin 69

Detroit Country Day, led by unanimous All-American Chris Webber, came to the Classic as the favorites, but were upset in the first round by Brooklyn's Bishop Loughlin, who were led by Kentucky-bound Andre Riddick. Loughlin's joy was short-lived, however, as they fell victim to the host Ramblers on a last-second 3-pointer by Jim Hamilton.

1992

Champions: Baltimore Dunbar, MD

Baltimore Dunbar 66, Oak Hill Academy 57

Dayton Dunbar 71, Cathedral Prep 66

Consolation: Oak Hill 70, Cathedral Prep 28

Championship: Baltimore Dunbar 82, Dayton Dunbar 66

This year again featured the nation's top-ranked team, Baltimore Dunbar, and the Poets live up to advance billing by thrashing #3 Oak Hill on opening night, then crushing Dayton Dunbar in the finals. Dunbar would finish the season as National Champions.

1993

Champions: Cathedral Prep

LaSalle Academy 48, Bishop Loughlin 47

Cathedral Prep 53, Middletown 44

Consolation: Bishop Loughlin 83, Middletown 45

Championship: Cathedral Prep 38, LaSalle 32

Bishop Loughlin makes a third Classic appearance as the favorites, but does not make the finals due to an upset loss to New York LaSalle Academy. Ed Elisma, a 6'10" shot-blocker, is touted as New York City's finest and leads LaSalle into the finals against Prep. But the Ramblers stun LaSalle to win their third Classic crown.

1994

Champions: Rice HS, NY

Rice 78, St. Patrick 49

Villa-Angela St. Joseph 71, Cathedral Prep 61

Consolation: Cathedral Prep 62, St. Patrick 47

Championship: Rice 80, Villa-Angela St. Joseph 58

Rice High School arrives in Erie as the #1 team in the country, led by the nation's best player, Felipe Lopez. The Raiders do not disappoint as they demolish St. Patrick, 78-49, and Villa-Angela St. Joseph, 80-58. Prep defeat St. Patrick 62-47 to win the consolation.

1995

Champions: Paterson Catholic, NJ

Paterson Catholic 69, Simon Gratz 66

Cathedral Prep 59, Chester 52

Consolation: Simon Gratz 64, Chester 46

Championship: Paterson Catholic 62, Cathedral Prep 55

Paterson Catholic gets a record 41 points from the nation's #1 player, Tim Thomas, to edge Simon Gratz, 69-66, on opening night. Prep's own All-American, Jed Ryan, notches 31 the same night to lead the Ramblers over Chester High, 59-52. Paterson wins the title over Prep, 62-55, as Thomas garners 23 more points for a tournament-record 62.

1996

Champions: Paterson Catholic, NJ

Paterson Catholic 65, LaSalle 51

St. Frances 86, Cathedral Prep 60

Consolation: LaSalle 44, Cathedral Prep 40 (2OT)

Championship: Paterson Catholic 70, St. Frances, 50

Paterson Catholic becomes the Classic's first repeat champion with a relatively easy 70-50 title game conquest of St. Frances from Baltimore. Tim Thomas, in his second Classic, scored 29 points in the championship game, added to the 25 he compiled on opening night in a 65-51 ousting of LaSalle Academy. Prep finished fourth after a loss to St. Frances, 86-60, and a heartbreaking double overtime defeat to LaSalle, 44-40.

1997

Champions: St. Edward, Lakewood, OH

St. Edward 68, Detroit Country Day, 61

Cathedral Prep 63, Admiral King 44

Consolation: Admiral King 63, Detroit Country Day 62 (OT)

Championship: St. Edward 52, Cathedral Prep 41

Prep neutralizes All-American Sam Clancey, who scores only nine points, but Steve Logan and Gino Bartalone combine for 27 tallies to lead St. Edward to the crown over the Ramblers, 52-41. In the consolation contest, Javin Hunter's 30 points is not enough, and Detroit Country Day falls to Admiral King 63-62 in overtime.

1998

Champions: Rice HS, NY

Rice 81, Simon Gratz 45

Hatboro Horsham 69, Cathedral Prep 46

Consolation: Cathedral Prep 51, Simon Gratz 42

Championship: Rice 80, Hatboro-Horsham 61

Rice High School becomes only the third team in Classic history to win more than one title by dominating Hatboro-Horsham 80-61, led by Anthony Glover. All-American Matt Carroll scored 25 points in the opener to lead Hatboro Horsham over Prep, but the Ramblers bounced backed with a solid 51-42 consolation win against Simon Gratz.

1999

Champions: St. Patrick High, NJ

St. Patrick 55, Westchester 47

Archbishop Carroll 54, Cathedral Prep 47

Consolation: Westchester 65, Cathedral Prep 45

Championship: St. Patrick 57, Archbishop Carroll 45

New Jersey St. Patrick avenged their disappointing 1994 performance and won the Classic Crown with an opening night 55-47 win over L.A. Westchester and a 57-45 finals victory against Washington Archbishop Carroll. Jerome Holman and Samuel Dalembert were Celtic standouts. Prep lost both nights to Carroll, 54-47, and Westchester, 65-45.

2000

Champions: LaSalle Academy, NY

Williamsport 70, Simon Gratz 52

LaSalle Academy 59, Cathedral Prep 44

Consolation: Simon Gratz 59, Cathedral Prep 30

Championship: LaSalle 63, Williamsport 55

LaSalle Academy finally takes home a Classic crown, led by Rodney Epperson and Famous Brown. Defending Pennsylvania AAAA champ Williamsport, featuring All-American Chevy Troutman, is the victim 63-55. LaSalle defeated Prep, 59-44, on opening night, while Williamsport dismantled Simon Gratz, 70-52. Gratz routed Prep, 59-30 in the consolation.

2001

Champions: Rice High School, NY

Rice 77, LaSalle Academy 46

Lexington Catholic 74, Cathedral Prep 66

Consolation: LaSalle 49, Cathedral Prep 47

Championship: Rice 79, Lexington Catholic 61

Rice High School won their third Classic title with a 79-61 win over Lexington Catholic. Shagari Alleyne, a 7'4" sophomore sensation, teamed with Ken Eusey for 43 points. LaSalle Academy nudged Prep, 49-47, for consolation honors. Rice blasted last year's champs, LaSalle, 77-46 and Jack Heissenbuttel led Lexington over Prep 74-66 on opening night.

2002

Champions: Westchester, Los Angeles, CA

Westchester 93, Washington Dunbar 51

Chester 54, Cathedral Prep 48

Consolation: Cathedral Prep 69, Dunbar 62

Championship: Westchester 100, Chester 50

Westchester High entered the Classic as the nation's #1 team and did not disappoint. Setting tournament records for most points, rebounds and steals, the Comets easily disposed of D.C. Dunbar, 93-51, in the opener and routed Chester 100-50 to claim their first Classic title. Chester edged Prep 54-48, on opening night, but Prep, led by Andy Kubinski and Mike Sertz, bounced back to claim consolation honors, 69-62, over Dunbar.

2003

Champions: McQuaid Jesuit, Rochester, NY

Rice 59, Georgetown Prep 55 (OT)

McQuaid Jesuit 78, Cathedral Prep 50

Consolation: Georgetown Prep 49, Cathedral Prep 43

Championship: McQuaid Jesuit 69, Rice 63

McQuaid Jesuit was ranked #6 in the nation, but faced 3-time Classic champion Rice High in the finals. Rice, ranked #16, was led by 7'3" Shagari Alleyne, but Tyler Relph, Ryan Pettinella and Marty O'Sullivan combined for 55 points to lead McQuaid to a 69-63 win. McQuaid dropped Prep in the opener, 78-50, while Rice disposed of Georgetown Prep which was led by 7'2" Roy Hibbert and 6'9" Davis Nwankwo, 59-55. Georgetown grabbed consolation honors over the Ramblers, 49-43.

2004

Champions: Edgewater, Orlando, FL

Edgewater 81, Cardinal Dougherty 69

Mount Vernon 72, Cathedral Prep 43

Consolation: Cardinal Dougherty 78, Cathedral Prep 60

Championship: Edgewater 69, Mount Vernon 67

Orlando's Edgewater High lived up to their preseason billing as the nation's #1 team by beating a tenacious Mount Vernon squad, 69-67, to win the '04 Classic crown. All-American superstar Darius Washington converted a layup with only 15 seconds to play to seal the win. Mount Vernon was #4 in the national rankings. Edgewater snuck by Philadelphia Cardinal Dougherty (#7 ranking) on opening night, while Mount Vernon thrashed Prep 72-43. Dougherty made Prep 0-2 with a 78-60 consolation win.

2005

Champions: Fairley, Memphis, TN

Fairley 63, Westbury Christian 61

Bishop O'Connell 79, Cathedral Prep 58

Consolation: Westbury Christian 51, Cathedral Prep 46

Championship: Fairley 49, Bishop O'Connell 44

Fairley High from Memphis, Tennessee, pulled a mild upset of Virginia's Bishop O'Connell High, 49-44, to win the '05 Classic title. Fairley, led by Anthony Mason Jr., barely edged powerful Westbury Christian on opening night, while O'Connell, starring North Carolina-bound All-American Marcus Ginyard, pounded Prep 79-58. Prep gave a strong effort in the consolation before succumbing 51-46 to Westbury Christian.

2006

Champions: Rufus King, Milwaukee, WI

Rufus King 67, Mount Vernon 57

Cathedral Prep 88, Chester 84 (OT)

Consolation: Mount Vernon 76, Chester 67

Championship: Rufus King 65, Cathedral Prep 48

Four-time Wisconsin State Champion Rufus King High from Milwaukee rode into town and carried off the Classic championship by knocking off New York power Mount Vernon, 67-57, on opening night, and then overwhelming Cathedral Prep, 65-48, in the title tilt. Prep, which hadn't been in the finals since 1997, beat AAAA Pennsylvania champion Chester High, 88-84 in overtime to reach the championship game.

2007

Champions: St. Edward, Lakewood, OH

St. Edward 68, Westchester 65

Solon OH 63, Cathedral Prep 55

Consolation: Cathedral Prep 64, Westchester 60

Championship: St. Edward 70, Solon 41

St. Edward, led by National Junior of the Year Delvon Roe, made the short trip to Erie and won their second Classic title by edging Westchester, 68-65 in the opening round before trouncing Solon High, 70-41, in the finals. Solon had squeaked by Prep on opening night, but Prep pulled off the biggest upset in the tournament over #10 ranked Westchester, 64-60, in the consolation game.

2008

Champions: Rice, New York, NY

St. Patrick 69, St. Edward 61

Rice 87, Cathedral Prep 63

Consolation: St. Edward 60, Cathedral Prep 52

Championship: Rice 60, St. Patrick 57

Rice won their record 4th McDonald's Classic with a blowout over the host Ramblers and a tight win over St. Patrick in the finals. Attempting to defend their title without injured star Delvon Roe, St. Edward suffered their first loss in three appearances in the Classic. However, the Eagles bounced back to beat host Cathedral Prep in the consolation game.

2009

Champions: Chester, PA

Archbishop Carroll 57, Westbury Christian 50

Chester 69, Cathedral Prep 62

Consolation: Westbury Christian 58, Cathedral Prep 42

Championship: Chester 64, Archbishop Carroll 39

Coming in with a 1-5 all-time tournament record, Chester (PA) nudged the host Ramblers before pounding Washington DC's Archbishop Carroll in an anti-climactic final. Rahlir Jefferson led Chester in the final with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Houston's Westbury Christian defeated the host Ramblers in the consolation game.

2010

Champions: Penn Wood, Lansdowne, PA

Penn Wood 61, Mount Vernon 53

Nichols 68, Cathedral Prep 57

Consolation: Mount Vernon 79, Cathedral Prep 67

Championship: Penn Wood 64, Nichols 53

Defending PIAA AAAA champion Penn Wood sneaks by Classic veteran Mount Vernon and newcomer Nichols to win the Classic in their first ever appearance. Wood's Jabarie Hinds set a Classic record with nine three-pointers and 39 points against host Cathedral Prep. The Ramblers played both opponents tough, but fell by a combined 23 points. Final year as the "McDonald's Classic".

2011

Champions: Penn Wood, Lansdowne, PA

Penn Wood 57, St. Edward 55

Charlotte Christian 68, Cathedral Prep 57 (OT)

Consolation: St. Edward 70, Cathedral Prep 57

Championship: Penn Wood 64, Charlotte Christian 51

Defending McDonald's/Burger King Classic champion Penn Wood joined Paterson Catholic as the only schools to repeat as the tournament's ultimate victors, as the Patriots won a close contest with St. Edward, followed by their title-clinching triumph over newcomer Charlotte Christian. The host Ramblers extended their Classic losing-streak to eight games after an opening overtime loss to Charlotte Christian and a consolation defeat to St. Edward. First year as the 'Burger King' Classic.

2012

Champions: Milton, GA

Milton (GA) 76, Niagara Falls 55

Jamesville-Dewitt 74, Cathedral Prep 61

Consolation: Cathedral Prep 65, Niagara Falls 60

Championship: Milton 93, Jamesville-Dewitt 52

In one of the most dominating displays in Classic history, ESPN #17 Milton won their two games by a combined 62 points. The Eagles were led by Auburn commit Shaq Johnson who scored a team-high 36 points on a number of thunderous dunks. Despite falling to Jamesville-Dewitt in the opening round, the host Ramblers earned their first Classic game win since 2007, topping Niagara Falls by five in the consolation.

2013

Champions: Imhotep Charter, Philadelphia, PA

Imhotep Charter 74, Cathedral Prep 47

Lower Merion 56, Bishop O'Connell 52

Consolation: Cathedral Prep 80, Bishop O'Connell 75

Championship: Imhotep Charter 64, Lower Merion 61

In a Pennsylvania-dominated Classic, Imhotep Charter outlasted Lower Merion in an all-Philly final. Balanced scoring and toughness inside helped Imhotep throughout a physical tournament. The Panthers crushed host Cathedral Prep in the opening game, but the Ramblers responded in the consolation, upsetting nationally-ranked Bishop O'Connell.

2014

Champions: Archbishop Carroll, Radnor, PA

St. Rita's 61, Villa Angela-St. Joseph 59

Archbishop Carroll 47, Cathedral Prep 35

Consolation: Villa Angela-St. Joseph 64, Cathedral Prep 46

Championship: Archbishop Carroll 64, St. Rita's 38

Archbishop Carroll, the top team in Pennsylvania, finally captured a Classic title in their third appearance, grinding past the host Ramblers before dominating Chicago's St. Rita's in the final. In the consolation game, Cleveland's Villa Angela-St. Joseph took it to Prep, sending the Ramblers to their first consolation game loss since 2011.

2015

Champions: St. Edward, Lakewood, OH

St. Edward 57, Pope John XXIII (NJ) 43

Constitution (PA) 61, Cathedral Prep 56

Consolation: Pope John XXIII 68, Cathedral Prep 43

Championship: St. Edward 70, Constitution 63 (OT)

St. Edward closed out the tournament's Hammermill Center era by winning their third Classic title, defeating PA #1 Constitution 70-63 in the first overtime championship game in Classic history. The Eagles became the first team to win a Classic title in three different decades. Nationally-ranked Pope John XXIII rebounded from a tough opening game loss to take the consolation game against the host Ramblers.

2016

Champions: Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia, PA

Neumann-Goretti 80, St. Edward 60

Toronto St. Michael's 61, Cathedral Prep 58

Consolation: St. Edward 84, Cathedral Prep 35

Championship: Neumann-Goretti 80, Toronto St. Michael's 53

In the first Burger King Classic held at the Prep Events Center, Philadelphia-based Neumann-Goretti defeated defending-champion St. Edward in the opening round before topping Toronto St. Michael's to win the tournament crown. Quade Green (eventual Kentucky commit) led the way for the Saints, totaling 48 points in the two-game span. Meanwhile, the host Ramblers suffered a buzzer-beating three-point loss to Toronto St. Michael's before dropping the consolation game to St. Ed's.

2017

Champions: Paul VI, Fairfax, VA

Paul VI 72, Villa Angela-St. Joseph 59

Westerville South 82, Cathedral Prep 54

Consolation: Villa Angela-St. Joseph 60, Cathedral Prep 37

Championship: Paul VI 58, Westerville South 47

Westerville South's Kaleb Wesson set the single-game Classic record with 43 points - surpassing Tim Thomas' 41 in 1995 - in an opening-round win over the host Ramblers. In the championship game, West had 19 rebounds and finished the tournament with 34, second all-time behind Andre Kibbler's 36 in 1983. However, it was Virginia's Paul VI Panthers that ended up taking the crown, topping Wesson and the Wildcats in the title match. Cathedral Prep was blown out in both of its games.

2018

Champions: St. John's College, Washington, DC

St. John's College 80, All Hallows 58

St. Rita's 47, Cathedral Prep 46

Consolation: All Hallows 45, Cathedral Prep 42

Championship: St. John's College 50, St. Rita's 43

The D.C.-based Cadets used a second-half surge to power past the Bronx-based Gaels in the opening round before defeating the Mustangs to win the tournament crown. Navy commit Richard Njoku led St. John's with 24 points for the tournament. Prep would drop both of its games, extending the Ramblers' tournament losing streak to 10 games.

2019

Champions: Kennedy Catholic, Hermitage, PA

Kennedy Catholic 73, St. Edward 64

Plymouth-Whitemarsh 59, Cathedral Prep 47

Consolation: St. Edward 83, Cathedral Prep 79 (2OT)

Championship: Kennedy Catholic 58, Plymouth-Whitemarsh 43

In a series of dunk-filled contests, the Golden Eagles overwhelmed the Eagles before claiming the crown over the Colonials. West Virginia commit Oscar Tshiebwe led the way with 48 points and set a Burger King Classic record with 37 rebounds, surpassing Andre Kibbler's record from 1983 (36). The host Ramblers dropped their opening game against Plymouth-Whitemarsh before suffering a 12th straight loss in their tournament in double overtime in the consolation game.

2020

Champions: Imhotep Charter, Philadelphia, PA

Imhotep Charter 65, ISA Andrews Osborne 44

Cathedral Prep 54, Thurgood Marshall Academy 34

Consolation: Thurgood Marshall Academy 57, ISA Andrews Osborne 55.

Championship: Imhotep Charter 48, Cathedral Prep 43

In one of the weakest fields in Classic history, the host Ramblers began their tournament run with a victory over Thurgood Marshall, their first Classic win since 2013. However, Imhotep Charter, which defeated Andrews Osborne in the opening game, edged Prep for its second Classic crown. Notre Dame commit Elijah Taylor led the way with 27 points for the tournament.

2021

No tournament played, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. First time since 1988 that the event was canceled for the year.

2022

Champions: St. Edward, Lakewood, OH

St. Edward 71, Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter 42

Canisius 62, Cathedral Prep 58

Consolation: Cathedral Prep 46, Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter 42

Championship: St. Edward 67, Canisius 52

After a solid opening night win over the Mighty Elephants, the Eagles would cap off their eighth overall appearance with a strong victory over the Crusaders, capturing their fourth tournament crown and tying them with NYC's Rice High for the most titles in Classic history. Helping to solidify St. Edward's fourth title over each of the previous decades is Michael Bova who tallied 33 points over the two contests. Meanwhile, the host Ramblers dropped a close contest to Canisius before rebounding in the consolation match with a tight-knit win against the Philadelphia-based M.C.S. Charter.

25th Anniversary "Best Moments"

In the McDonald's Classic 25th Anniversary game program, director Ron Sertz revealed his favorite memories from the history of the event.

Best Team

St. Anthony (N.J.) from Classic '89 ("eventual national champions led by Bobby Hurley, Terry DeHere and Jerry Walker")

Best Player

Chris Webber, Detroit Country Day ("best pure combination of raw talent and refined skills")

Best Coach

Marcel Arribi, Cathedral Prep ("never blessed with national talent, yet led Prep to 6 title game appearances and three titles")

Best Game

Bishop Loughlin vs. Cathedral Prep, 1991 Championship ("Prep's Jim Hamilton won the Classic in a monumental upset with a buzzer-beating 3 pointer")

Best Moment

Cathedral Prep's 1987 Title run ("in the most exciting Classic ever, Prep defeated cross-city archrival McDowell in the opener and upset national #1 Oak Hill Academy in the final 58-48")

Biggest Upset

Cathedral Prep over Oak Hill, 1987 ("no one gave Prep a chance but coach Arribi out coached Oak Hill's Steve Smith and came away with the first of his three titles")

Worst Moment

Lenny Cooke shatters a backboard, 2000 ("a pregame warm up dunk broke the backboard and delayed the title game by an hour")

Most Exciting Play

Melvin Levitt's dunk, 1994 ("Levitt elevated completed over Prep's Keith Nies' head and threw it down from 6-8 feet from the hoop")

Participants

Schools from all over America have competed in the Burger King Classic. Over 33 years, 56 different schools have participated:

Burger King Classic Participants[8]

Classic champions

Titles by School

Titles School Years
4 Rice 1994, 1998, 2001, 2008
St. Edward 1997, 2007, 2015, 2022
3 Cathedral Prep 1987, 1991, 1993
2 Patterson Catholic 1995, 1996
Penn Wood 2010, 2011
Imhotep Charter 2013, 2020
1 Bishop Loughlin 1983
Christ the King 1984
Hopkinsville 1985
Villa Angela-St. Joseph 1986
St. Anthony 1989
Oak Hill Academy 1990
Baltimore Dunbar 1992
St. Patrick 1999
LaSalle 2000
Westchester 2002
McQuaid Jesuit 2003
Edgewater 2004
Fairley 2005
Rufus King 2006
Chester 2009
Milton 2012
Archbishop Carroll 2014
Neumann-Goretti 2016
Paul VI 2017
St. John's College 2018
Kennedy Catholic 2019

Titles by State

Titles State
9 Pennsylvania
7 New York
5 Ohio
4 New Jersey
2 Virginia
1 California
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Maryland
Tennessee
Wisconsin

Titles by District

Titles District
1 District of Columbia

Team win/loss

Listed below are the win–loss records, by winning percentage, and number of tournaments played by all Classic participants.[9]

School Appearances Record (Win %)
Paterson Catholic 2 4-0 (1.000)
Penn Wood 2 4-0 (1.000)
Imhotep Charter 2 4-0 (1.000)
Christ the King 1 2-0 (1.000)
Edgewater 1 2-0 (1.000)
Fairley 1 2-0 (1.000)
Hopkinsville 1 2-0 (1.000)
McQuaid Jesuit 1 2-0 (1.000)
Milton (Ga.) 1 2-0 (1.000)
Paul VI 1 2-0 (1.000)
Rufus King 1 2-0 (1.000)
St. Anthony (N.J.) 1 2-0 (1.000)
St. John's College 1 2-0 (1.000)
Kennedy Catholic 1 2-0 (1.000)
Rice 5 9-1 (.900)
Baltimore Dunbar 2 3-1 (.750)
St. Edward 8 12-4 (.750)
Bishop Loughlin 3 4-2 (.667)
Oak Hill 3 4-2 (.667)
Archbishop Carroll 3 4-2 (.667)
LaSalle 4 5-3 (.625)
(Villa Angela) St. Joseph 5 6-4 (.600)
Mount Vernon 3 3-3 (.500)
St. Patrick (N.J.) 3 3-3 (.500)
Westchester 3 3-3 (.500)
Admiral King 2 2-2 (.500)
St. Rita's 2 2-2 (.500)
Williamsport 2 2-2 (.500)
Westbury Christian 2 2-2 (.500)
All Hallows 1 1-1 (.500)
Canisius 1 1-1 (.500)
Cardinal Dougherty 1 1-1 (.500)
Charlotte Christian 1 1-1 (.500)
Dayton Dunbar 1 1-1 (.500)
Dematha 1 1-1 (.500)
Georgetown Prep 1 1-1 (.500)
Hatboro-Horsham 1 1-1 (.500)
Jamesville-Dewitt 1 1-1 (.500)
Lexington Catholic 1 1-1 (.500)
Lower Merion 1 1-1 (.500)
Nichols 1 1-1 (.500)
St. Anthony (N.Y.) 1 1-1 (.500)
St. Frances 1 1-1 (.500)
Constitution 1 1-1 (.500)
Pope John XXIII 1 1-1 (.500)
Westerville South 1 1-1 (.500)
Plymouth-Whitemarsh 1 1-1 (.500)
Thurgood Marshall Academy 1 1-1 (.500)
Chester (P.A.) 4 3-5 (.375)
Simon Gratz 3 2-4 (.333)
Cathedral Prep 37 23-51 (.311)
Bishop O'Connell 2 1-3 (.250)
Detroit Country Day 2 1-3 (.250)
Meadville (P.A.) 2 1-3 (.250)
Roman Catholic 2 1-3 (.250)
Beaver Falls 1 0-2 (.000)
Benedictine 1 0-2 (.000)
Canton McKinley 1 0-2 (.000)
McDowell (P.A.) 1 0-2 (.000)
Middletown 1 0-2 (.000)
Niagara Falls 1 0-2 (.000)
Solon (O.H.) 1 0-2 (.000)
St. Joseph (C.T.) 1 0-2 (.000)
Washington Dunbar 1 0-2 (.000)
ISA Andrews Osborne 1 0-2 (.000)
Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter 1 0-2 (.000)

Notable alumni

25th anniversary team

In 2008, for the 25th anniversary of the McDonald's Classic, tournament director Ron Sertz compiled a list of the greatest players and coaches who have participated in the tournament. He chose four teams with six players (one from Cathedral Prep) and a coach on each. Selections were based on tournament performance, not future college or professional success.

First Team

Name Team
Coach Marcel Arribi Cathedral Prep
Bobby Hurley St. Anthony
Chris Webber Detroit Country Day
Tim Thomas Patterson Catholic
Filipe Lopez Rice
Darius Washington Edgewater High
Jim Hamilton Cathedral Prep

Second Team

Name Team
Coach Maurice Hicks Rice
Shaheen Holloway St. Patrick
Samuel Dalembert St. Patrick
Delvon Roe St. Edward
Anthony Cade Oak Hill
Keith Booth Baltimore Dunbar
Jed Ryan Cathedral Prep

Third Team

Name Team
Coach Eric Flannery St. Edward
Anthony Glover St. Patrick
Hassan Adams Westchester
Marcus Ginyard Bishop O'Connell
Ron Artest LaSalle Academy
Darrin Govens Chester
Booker Coleman Cathedral Prep

Fourth Team

Name Team
Coach Kevin Boyle St. Patrick
Kyle Lowry Cardinal Dougherty
Keith Benjamin Mount Vernon
Roy Hibbert Georgetown Prep
Anthony Mason Jr. Memphis Fairely
Orlando Vega Oak Hill
Julian Blanks Cathedral Prep

All-time records

Individual

Points, Tournament

Number Player Team, Year
67 Darrin Govens Chester, 2006
66 Darius Washington Edgewater, 2004
64 Tim Thomas Patterson Catholic, 1995
61 Chris Webber Detroit Country Day, 1991
60 Felipe Lopez Manhattan Rice, 1994
59 Anthony Cade Oak Hill, 1999
58 Richard Brown Dayton Dunbar, 1992
57 Chevy Troutman Williamsport, 2000
57 Orlando Vega Oak Hill, 1987
56 Kaleb Wesson Westerville South, 2017
55 Jed Ryan Cathedral Prep, 1995
54 Jabarie Hinds Mount Vernon, 2010
54 Javin Hunter Detroit Country Day, 1997
54 Tim Thomas Patterson Catholic, 1996
54 Jim Hamilton Cathedral Prep, 1991
52 Seldon Jefferson Bishop Loughlin, 1993

Points, Game

Number Player Game, Year
43 Kaleb Wesson Westerville South vs. Cathedral Prep, 2017
41 Tim Thomas Patterson Catholic vs. Simon Gratz, 1995
40 Darrin Govens Chester vs. Cathedral Prep, 2006
40 Felipe Lopez Manhattan Rice vs. Villa Angela St. Joseph, 1994
40 Chris Webber Detroit Country Day vs. Bishop Loughlin, 1991
39 Jabarie Hind Mount Vernon vs. Cathedral Prep, 2010
39 Orlando Vega Oak Hill vs. St. Anthony, 1987
38 Darius Washington Edgewater vs. Cardinal Dougherty, 2004
35 Liam Galla Cathedral Prep vs. St. Edward, 2019
34 Marcus Ginyard Bishop O'Connell vs. Cathedral Prep, 2005
34 Chevy Troutman Williamsport vs. LaSalle, 2000
33 Preston Harris Cathedral Prep vs. Chester, 2006
32 Melvin Levett Villa Angela St. Joseph vs. Cathedral Prep, 1994
32 Anthony Cade Oak Hill vs. Meadville, 1990
31 Jed Ryan Cathedral Prep vs. Chester, 1995
31 Oscar Tshiebwe Kennedy Catholic vs. St. Edward, 2019
30 Javin Hunter Detroit Country Day vs. Admiral King, 1997
30 Seldon Jefferson Bishop Loughlin vs. Middletown, 1993
30 Richard Brown Dayton Dunbar vs. Cathedral Prep, 1992

Points 2 Players, Game

Number Players Game, Year
58 Orlando Vega (39) and Alex Blackwell (19) Oak Hill vs. St. Anthony, 1987

Rebounds, Game

Number Player Game, Year
23 Treg Lee St. Joseph's vs. Roman Catholic, 1986
21 Tim Thomas Paterson Catholic vs. Simon Gratz, 1995
21 Oscar Tshiebwe Kennedy Catholic vs. St. Edward, 2019
19 Jeremy Rodriguez Pope John XXIII vs. Cathedral Prep, 2015
19 Kaleb Wesson Westerville South vs. Paul VI, 2017
18 Andre Kibbler Bishop Loughlin vs. Beaver Falls, 1983
18 Andre Kibbler Bishop Loughlin vs. Cathedral Prep, 1983

Rebounds, Tournament

Number Player Team, Year
37 Oscar Tshiebwe Kennedy Catholic, 2019
36 Andre Kibbler Bishop Loughlin, 1983
34 Kaleb Wesson Westerville South, 2017
33 Treg Lee St. Joseph's, 1986
33 Tarone Thornton Roman Catholic, 1983
30 Chevy Troutman Williamsport, 2000
30 Jerrod Mustaf DeMatha, 1985

Field Goals Made, Game

Number Player Game, Year
18 Orlando Vega Oak Hill vs. St. Anthony, 1987
17 Tim Thomas Paterson Catholic vs. Simon Gratz, 1995

Field Goals Made, Tournament

Number Player Team, Year
29 Anthony Cade Oak Hill, 1990
25 Tim Thomas Paterson Catholic, 1995
25 Orlando Vega Oak Hill, 1987

Field Goals Attempted, Game

Number Player Game, Year
33 Orlando Vega Oak Hill vs. St. Anthony, 1987

Field Goals Attempted, Tournament

Number Player Team, Year
51 Tre Kelley Washington Dunbar, 2002

Three-Point Field Goals Made, Game

Number Player Game, Year
9 Jabarie Hinds Mount Vernon vs. Cathedral Prep, 2010

Three-Point Field Goals Made, Tournament

Number Player Team, Year
11 Jim Hamilton Cathedral Prep, 1991

Three-Point Field Goals Attempted, Game

Number Player Game, Year
14 Jim Hamilton Cathedral Prep vs. Bishop Loughlin, 1991

Three-Point Field Goals Attempted, Tournament

Number Player Team, Year
20 Jim Hamilton Cathedral Prep, 1991

Free Throws Made, Game

Number Player Game, Year
11 Steve Hood DeMatha vs. Hopkinsville, 1985

Free Throws Made, Tournament

Number Player Team, Year
18 Darius Washington Edgewater, 2004

Free Throws Attempted, Game

Number Player Game, Year
16 Chevy Troutman Williamsport vs. Simon Gratz, 2000
16 Steve Hood DeMatha vs. Hopkinsville, 1985

Free Throws Attempted, Tournament

Number Player Team, Year
24 Chevy Troutman Williamsport, 2000

Assists, Game

Number Player Game, Year
15 Charles Mann Milton vs. Jamesville-Dewitt, 2012
13 Bobby Hurley St. Anthony vs. St. Joseph, 1989
12 J.C. Ajemian Benedictine vs. Christ the King, 1984
12 Terrell Stokes Simon Gratz vs. Paterson Catholic, 1995
12 Terrell Stokes Simon Gratz vs. Chester, 1995

Assists, Tournament

Number Player Team, Year
24 Terrell Stokes Simon Gratz, 1995
19 Corey Baker Oak Hill, 1990
19 Bobby Hurley St. Anthony, 1989
18 Charles Mann Milton, 2012
18 Kenneth Eusey Manhattan Rice, 2001

Turnovers, Game

Number Player Game, Year
12 Matt Carroll Hatboro-Horsham vs. Rice, 1998
11 Tommy "Rice" Moss Georgetown Prep vs. Rice, 2003
10 Andrew MacKinnon Nichols vs. Penn Wood, 2010

Turnovers, Tournament

Number Player Team, Year
18 Matt Carroll Hatboro-Horsham, 1998
15 Tommy "Rice" Moss Georgetown Prep, 2003

Steals, Game

Number Player Game, Year
9 Ashanti Cook Westchester vs. Washington Dunbar, 2002
7 Chris Webber Detroit County Day vs. St. Joseph, 1991

Steals, Tournament

Number Player Team, Year
12 Chris Webber Detroit Country Day, 1991
11 Brandon Johnson Edgewater, 2004
11 Ashanti Cook Westchester, 2002
10 Seldon Jefferson Bishop Loughlin, 1993

Blocks, Game

Number Player Game, Year
10 Samuel Dalembert St. Patrick vs. Archbishop Carroll, 1999
10 Samuel Dalembert St. Patrick vs. Westchester, 1999

Blocks, Tournament

Number Player Team, Year
20 Samuel Dalembert St. Patrick, 1999
13 Sam Clancy St. Edward, 1997

Dunks, Game

Number Player Team, Year
7 Shaquille Johnson Milton vs. Niagara Falls, 2012

Dunks, Tournament

Number Player Team, Year
12 Shaquille Johnson Milton, 2012

20-20 Games

Stats Player Team, Year
41 points, 21 rebounds Tim Thomas Patterson Catholic vs. Simon Gratz, 1995

Triple Double

Stats Player Team, Year
13 points, 16 rebounds, 10 blocks Samuel Dalembert St. Patrick vs. Archbishop Carroll, 1999

Team

Points, Game

Number Team Game, Year
100 Westchester vs. Chester, 2002

Points, Tournament

Number Team Year
193 Westchester 2002

Rebounds, Game

Number Team Game, Year
58 Westchester vs. Washington Dunbar, 2002

Rebounds, Tournament

Number Team Year
104 Westchester 2002

Field Goals Made, Game

Number Team Game, Year
39 Bishop Loughlin vs. Beaver Falls, 1983

Field Goals Made, Tournament

Number Team Year
72 Westchester 2002

Field Goals Attempted, Game

Number Team Game, Year
82 Bishop Loughlin vs. Beaver Falls, 1983

Field Goals Attempted, Tournament

Number Team Year
149 Westchester 2002

Three-Point Field Goals Made, Game

Number Team Game, Year
15 McQuaid Jesuit vs. Cathedral Prep, 2003

Three Point Field Goals Made, Tournament

Number Team Year
26 Lexington Catholic 2001

Three-Point Field Goals Attempted, Game

Number Team Game, Year
36 Cathedral Prep vs. McQuaid Jesuit, 2003

Three Point Field Goals Attempted, Tournament

Number Team Year
61 Cathedral Prep 2003

Free Throws Made, Game

Number Team Game, Year
25 St. Joseph's vs. Cathedral Prep, 1989

Free Throws Made, Tournament

Number Team Year
39 Cathedral Prep 1994

Free Throws Attempted, Game

Number Team Game, Year
42 Cathedral Prep vs. McDowell, 1987

Free Throws Attempted, Tournament

Number Team Year
67 Cathedral Prep 1987

Assists, Game

Number Team Game, Year
26 St. Frances vs. Cathedral Prep, 1996

Assists, Tournament

Number Team Year
43 Westchester 2002

Turnovers, Game

Number Team Game, Year
33 Washington Dunbar vs. Westchester, 2002

Turnovers, Tournament

Number Team Year
49 Cathedral Prep 1992

Fewest Turnovers, Game

Number Team Game, Year
3 Admiral King vs. St. Anthony, 1989

Fewest Turnovers, Tournament

Number Team Year
10 LaSalle 2001

Blocks, Game

Number Team Game, Year
13 St. Patrick vs. Westchester, 1999
13 St. Patrick vs. Archbishop Carroll, 1999

Blocks, Tournament

Number Team Year
26 St. Patrick 1999

Steals, Game

Number Team Game, Year
19 Westchester vs. Washington Dunbar, 2002

Steals, Tournament

Number Team Year
32 Westchester 2002

Personal Fouls, Game

Number Team Game, Year
27 St. Patrick vs. Cathedral Prep, 1994
27 Dayton Dunbar vs. Cathedral Prep, 1992
27 Cathedral Prep vs. Dayton Dunbar, 1992

Personal Fouls, Tournament

Number Team Year
49 St. Patrick 1994

Combined Points, Game

Number Game Year
172 Cathedral Prep 88, Chester 84, OT 2006

Points, Quarter

Number Game, Quarter Year
39 Rice vs. Cathedral Prep, 3rd 2008

Margin of Victory, Game

Number Game Year
50 Westchester 100 vs. Chester 50 2002

References

  1. ^ "Cathedral Prep Basketball". Ramblerbasketball.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-25. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
  2. ^ "Cathedral Prep Basketball". Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  3. ^ "ESPN High Elite 25 Boys High Basketball Rankings". Sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved 2013-04-06.
  4. ^ "Field announced for Burger King Classic". goerie.com. 2015-11-19. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  5. ^ "Ron Sertz | Erie Sports Commission". Visiteriepa.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-04-06.
  6. ^ 09 August 2011 (2011-08-09). "2008 McDonald's Basketball Classic". Erie Highlight Reel. Archived from the original on 2013-01-22. Retrieved 2013-04-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "Burger King replaces McDonald's as 'Classic' sponsor - Sports Sponsorship news - Basketball". SportsPro Media. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
  8. ^ "Prep-Villa.com: All-Time List of Participants". www.prep-villa.com. Archived from the original on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2017-01-20.
  9. ^ "Prep-Villa.com: All-Time Record of Classic Teams". www.prep-villa.com. Archived from the original on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2017-01-20.
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