Eight of the Top-Ranked Boys Teams and Four of the Top-Ranked Girls Teams in the Country Set to Compete in the DICK’S Sporting Goods High School Nationals Basketball Tournament in New York City

LIVE coverage of all games on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU March 31 – April 2

New York – March 10, 2016 – Featuring the best high school basketball talent in the country, The DICK’S Sporting Goods High School Nationals returns to New York City for the third-consecutive year. For the first time in tournament history, all eight of the boys teams and all four of the girls teams selected to play in the eighth-annual high school basketball tournament are ranked in the USA Today Super 25 Expert Rankings. This year’s pool will also include five state champions.

In the boys field, three-time defending champion Montverde Academy (FL) will attempt to win an unprecedented fourth title, while Oak Hill Academy (VA) will look to win their first ever DICK’S Nationals. Also, two teams that won state titles will participate in the tournament this year including Miller Grove High School (GA) and Providence Day School (NC).

The girls field includes three different state champions as well: Seton Catholic Prep (AZ), Ribault High School (FL) and St. Francis High School (GA). Riverdale Baptist (MD) will have the opportunity to become the first three-time champion on the girls side.

“At DICK’S, we believe that sports matter and serving as the title sponsor of this great event for the third-straight year gives us the chance to provide these players, their families and their fans with a first-class experience,” said Mark Rooks, Vice President of Sports and Community Marketing, DICK’S Sporting Goods. “This year’s tournament features an impressive field of teams from across the country, and we’re excited to watch them compete in the coming weeks in New York City.”

The three-day, single-elimination tournament begins Thursday, March 31, at 12 p.m. (boys quarterfinals on ESPNU) and continues on Friday, April 1, at 11 a.m., all from Christ the King High School (girls semifinals on ESPNU and boys semifinals on ESPN2). On Saturday, April 2, competition shifts to Madison Square Garden, where a girls (ESPN2 at 10 a.m.) and boys champion (12 p.m. on ESPN) will be crowned.

Tickets are available now at dicksnationaltournament.com. For games played at Christ the King High School, general admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets for games played at Madison Square Garden start at $15.

Both the boys and girls field will have a McDonald’s All-American representative, with Alterique Gilbert of Miller Grove (GA) and Kaila Charles of Riverdale Baptist (MD).

To be eligible to be selected to the tournament, participating schools must be four-year high school, independent or public, and have their respective governing body’s permission to participate. Tournament teams were chosen by a selection committee.

2016 DICK’S Sporting Goods High School National Tournament Participating Boys Team Guide:

Montverde Academy (FL)

Tournament History: Sixth appearance; Runner-Up in 2010 & 2012; Champions 2013, 2014 & 2015
Coach: Kevin Boyle
ESPN Ranked Players: Bruno Fernando, C – No. 70 on ESPN 100, Silvio De Souza, PF – No. 2 on ESPN 25 (class of 2018), E.J. Montgomery, PF – No. 3 on ESPN 25, Simmi Shittu, PF – No. 13 on ESPN 25
Notes: Montverde will look to win an unprecedented fourth straight NHSI/DICK’S Nationals title, with only one loss on the season and a No. 2 national ranking by USA Today. Key wins this season came against Dematha (MD) and Sierra Canyon (CA). Notable alumni include D’Angelo Russell of the Los Angeles Lakers and Ben Simmons, currently a freshman at LSU.

Oak Hill Academy (VA)

Tournament History: Seventh appearance; Runner-Up in 2009, 2011, 2014 & 2015
Coach: Steve Smith
ESPN Ranked Players: Mario Kegler, SF – No. 33 on ESPN 100, Braxton Key, SF – No. 54, Matt Coleman, PG – No. 21 on ESPN 60 (class of 2017), Ty-Shon Alexander, SG – No. 44 on ESPN 60, Lindell Wiggington, SG – NOak Hill is a rich basketball program that can lay claim to eight “Mythical” National Championships. Their alumni include Jerry Stackhouse, Rajon Rando, Brandon Jennings, Josh Smith, Steve Blake, Ty Lawson, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony. Oak Hill is still seeking their first DICK’S Nationals title, but they are in good position to do so with only one loss and a No. 3 national ranking by USA Today. Key wins this season include Providence Day (NC), Chaminade (MO), Dematha (MD) and Sierra Canyon (CA).o. 50 on ESPN 60

Notes: 

Findlay Prep (NV)

Tournament History: Eighth appearance; Champions 2009, 2010 & 2012.
Coach: Andy Johnson
ESPN Ranked Players: P.J. Washington, PF – No. 19 on ESPN 60, Markus Howard, PG – No. 32 on ESPN 60,
Notes: Findlay Prep is the only team to appear in all eight DICK’S Nationals, and they equal Montverde with three NHSI/DICK’S Nationals titles. Findlay alums who have participated in the Tournament include NBA Players Tristan Thompson, Avery Bradley, Corey Joseph, Anthony Bennett, Nick Johnson, Kelly Oubre and Rashad Vaughn. With only one loss on the season, Findlay is ranked No. 7 nationally by USA Today and had a key victory over St. Benedict’s (NJ).

St. Benedict’s Preparatory School (NJ)

Tournament History: Fourth appearance (2009, 2012 & 2013) previously
Coach: Mark Taylor
Notes: After a two-year hiatus from DICK’S Nationals, coach Mark Taylor and the Gray Bees are back for the first time since their heartbreaking last second loss to Montverde in the 2013 Finals. St. Benedict’s will look to make another deep run in the tournament, with a No. 14 national ranking and an impressive 31-1 record.

La Lumiere School (IN)

Tournament History: Fourth appearance (2012, 2013 & 2014 previously)
Coach: Shane Heirman
ESPN Ranked Players: James Banks, C – No. 72 on ESPN 100, Brian Bowen, SF – No. 26 on ESPN 60, Jeremiah Tilmon, C – No. 28 on ESPN 60,
Notes: This is the first DICK’S Nationals appearance for head coach Shane Heirman (La Lumiere’s previous three trips to this tournament were under head coach Alan Huss, who joined the coaching staff at the Univ. of New Mexico last year). With a 25-3 record and No. 12 national rank by USA Today, La Lumiere will look to get out of the first round of the tournament for the first time in their fourth DICK’S Nationals appearance.

Miller Grove (GA)

Tournament History: First invite
Coach: Sharman White
ESPN Ranked Players: Alterique Gilbert, PG – No. 28 on ESPN 100
Notes: After Wheeler HS paved the way in 2015, another Georgia state champion will take part in DICK’S Nationals this year. Miller Grove finished the season 30-2, winning their seventh state championship in the last eight years, under USA Basketball coach Sharman White. The Wolverines are ranked No. 17 nationally by USA today.

Providence Day School (NC)

Tournament History: First invite
Coach: Brian Field
Notes: Providence Day finished the season winning 28 of its final 29 games on the away the NCISAA 3A State Title and their first appearance in the DICK’S Nationals. Quality wins came against High Point Christian (NC), Greensboro Day (NC), Wheeler (GA) and Norcross (GA). Their 30-2 record has earned them a No. 18 national ranking.

Wasatch Academy (UT)

Tournament History: First invite
Coach: Jason Long
Notes: Wasatch is the first boys team from the state of Utah to be selected to play in DICK’S Nationals (the Fremont girls team from Utah were runner-up in 2014). The Tigers beat La Lumiere (IN) earlier in the season and will look to prove themselves on a national stage, as the No. 19 ranked team in the country.

2016 DICK’S Sporting Goods High School National Tournament Participating Girls Team Guide:

Riverdale Baptist (MD)

Tournament History: Fifth appearance, Runner-Up in 2009, Champions 2012 & 2014
Coach: Sam Caldwell
ESPN Ranked Players: Kaila Charles, W – No. 25 on ESPNW 100
Notes: Riverdale Baptist will be making its fifth DICK’S Nationals appearance. They were runner-up in 2009 and then captured the title in 2012 and 2014. With a No. 6 National Ranking by USA Today, the Lady Crusaders will attempt to become the first girls team in tournament history to win three championships.

Seton Catholic Prep (AZ)
Tournament History: First invite
Coach: Karen Self
ESPN Ranked Players: Jenn Wirth, F – No. 59 on ESPNW 60 (Class of 2017)
Notes: Under Coach Self, Seton Catholic has appeared in the state championship game 12 times in the past 21 years. They have won eight state titles and appeared in six of the last seven state championship games, including the AIA Div. II championship this season. With only one loss to nationally ranked Archbishop Mitty (CA) by two points, Seton Catholic is ranked No. 13 nationally.

Ribault HS (FL)

Tournament History: First invite
Coach: Shelia Seymore-Pennick
Notes: Ribault has won 11 state championships, the most by any girls basketball program in the state of Florida. Coach Pennick has won three titles in the last four years including the 5A FHSAA state crown this year. Ribault is ranked No. 16 nationally by USA Today with a 28-1 record.

St. Francis (GA)

Tournament History: First invite
Coach: Aisha Kennedy
ESPN Ranked Players:  Kasiyahna Kushkituah , P – No.5 on ESPNW 60, and Maya Dodson, W – No. 11 on ESPNW 60 Notes: The Knights of St. Francis will be making the first appearance for a girls’ team from Georgia in the history of the tournament.  The team finished the season 31-1 winning the Class A-Private State Championship and are ranked No. 17 nationally by USA Today.

2016 DICK’S Sporting Goods High School National Tournament Television Schedule:

ESPN Broadcasters: The tandem of Mike Couzens (play-by-play) and Paul Biancardi (analyst) will call the entire boys tournament and  Courtney Lyle (play-by-play) and Brooke Weisbrod (analyst) will call the girls tournament. Tara Petrolino will be the sideline reporter for all 10 games of the tournament. Jill Montgomery will be a social media host.

Event History
The National High School Invitational (NHSI) launched in 2009 at Georgetown Prep in Bethesda, MD. The event was created by Paragon Marketing Group to provide a season-ending platform for top, nationally-ranked high school basketball teams to compete against one another in a season-ending tournament. In 2014, DICK’S Sporting Goods became title sponsor of the tournament; the event moved to New York City and became the DICK’S High School Nationals.

Past Champions (boys team followed by girls team):

• 2009 – Findlay Prep, NV & Seton Keough, MD
• 2010 – Findlay Prep, NV &  Peddie School, NJ
• 2011 – Montrose Christian, MD & Dr. Phillips, FL
• 2012 – Findlay Prep, NV & Riverdale Baptist, MD
• 2013 – Montverde, FL & Dr. Phillips, FL
• 2014 – Montverde, FL & Riverdale Baptist, MD
• 2015 – Montverde, FL & Miami Country Day, FL

About DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc.
Founded in 1948, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. is a leading omni-channel sporting goods retailer offering an extensive assortment of authentic, high-quality sports equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories. As of January 30, 2016, the Company operated more than 640 DICK’S Sporting Goods locations across the United States, serving and inspiring athletes and outdoor enthusiasts to achieve their personal best through a blend of dedicated associates, in-store services and unique specialty shop-in-shops dedicated to Team Sports, Athletic Apparel, Golf, Lodge/Outdoor, Fitness and Footwear. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, DICK’S also owns and operates Golf Galaxy, Field & Stream, True Runner and Chelsea Collective specialty stores. DICK’S offers its products through a content-rich eCommerce platform that is integrated with its store network and provides customers with the convenience and expertise of a 24-hour storefront.  For more information, visit the Press Room or Investor Relations pages at DICKS.com.

About The Madison Square Garden Company
The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) is a world leader in live sports and entertainment with a portfolio of legendary sports teams, exclusive entertainment productions and celebrated venues.  MSG Sports owns and operates some of the most widely recognized sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL) and the New York Liberty (WNBA), along with two development league teams — the Westchester Knicks (NBADL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL).  MSG Sports also presents a broad array of world-class sporting events, including: professional boxing, college basketball, tennis, bull riding and e-gaming events.  MSG Entertainment features exclusive, original productions that include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and New York Spectacular Starring The Radio City Rockettes.  MSG Entertainment also presents or hosts a wide variety of live entertainment offerings, including concerts, family shows and special events, in the Company’s diverse collection of iconic venues. These venues are: New York’s Madison Square Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre; the Forum in Inglewood, California; The Chicago Theatre; and the Wang Theatre in Boston, MA.  More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com

About Paragon Marketing Group
Paragon Marketing Group is a corporate consulting agency specializing in sports, entertainment and cause related sponsorships. Paragon, owns and operates the DICK’S Sporting Goods High School Nationals Basketball Tournament and has partnered with ESPN over the past 13 years to deliver over 450 live high school football and basketball telecasts featuring many of the top teams and players in the nation. Paragon’s consulting clients include Bayer, Gatorade, PNC Bank, Yokohama and UCHealth.

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For further information on DICK’S High School Nationals and for media enquiries please contact: rkelner@paragonmarketing.biz

For further information about DICK’S Sporting Goods please contact: press@dcsg.com, or by phone: 724.273.5552