MISSION PREP ROYALS

The host Mission Prep Royals enter the Christmas Classic with a 5-2 record and a 2-0 record in Mountain league play. The Royals return 3 starters from a shortened spring season including the leading returning scorer in senior Grant Callahan and strong junior guards Landon Smith and Jude Callahan. Junior Jamar Howard has lead the Royals in scoring through the first 7 contests. This Mission Prep team lives by the team motto of “Mudita,” which means to take joy in the success of others. The Royals look to enjoy a brand of team play where the “who” is much less important than the “what.”

Four returning starters from last year’s CIF Div 1 semifinalist. All four returners all-league last year- Jalen Vazquez 6-3 senior guard, Kelcie Phipps 6-2 junior guard, Will Smith 6-3 junior guard and Xavier Edmonds 6-8 junior. Another starter is Kristopher Krause a 6-3 junior who was all-league his sophomore season but was injured last year. Neither Vazquez nor Edmonds have played this year but both should be ready for Mission Prep, In their absence 6-3 junior Christian Jones and 5-8 junior Kyle Russell have been playing very well.

CAPITAL CHRISTIAN COUGARS

The 2021-22 Capital Christian Men’s Basketball team is comprised of young, athletic, and talented players. After graduating perhaps the most talented class in school history, the new-look Cougars return just three players – Senior Guard Anthony Garcia, and Forwards Jordan Smith, and Desmin Rushton who missed most of last season due to a broken collar bone. Junior standouts Kanye Clarke, Micah Hobson and Steven Keene will add serious fire power on the perimeter and solid team chemistry after a strong JV campaign (13-1) during the shortened 2020-21 season. Transfer Guards Devin Lewis (Inderkum) and Cory Connor (East Catholic - Seattle) round out the backcourt for the Cougars providing immense scoring ability, defensive prowess and tremendous work ethic. Junior Jayden Nolen (Woodcreek), is a true perimeter threat and looks to improve the 3-point efficiency of the Cougars. Newly added Sophomore Forward Marcellas Jackson, transfer from Vallejo, brings size, athleticism, toughness and rim protecting ability to the 2021-22 Cougars squad.

CARDINAL NEWMAN CARDINALS

Cardinal Newman is excited to participate in the Mission Prep Christmas Classic. Coach Taylor began his high school coaching career as an assiatant coach at Mission Prep 20 years ago, where he had the privlege to learn from vetran coaches, Tom Mott, John Krossa, Terrance Harris and the legenday Greg "Sweetness" Vegher.

CHEROKEE TRAIL COUGARS

Cherokee Trail High School is a school of close to 3,000 students in the Denver suburb of Aurora. The Cougars record stands at 4-1 entering the tournament. CT plays in the perennially tough Centennial League. They are led by two seniors who have been at least part-time starters for three years in 6-2 Austin Gibson and 6-6 Connor Yslas. 6-3 junior point guard Keean Lloyd is in his second year as a starter. The Cougars boast great depth on their roster with several other players who logged varsity minutes last year.

CLOVIS NORTH BRONCOS

Clovis North is very excited to be a part of the Mission Prep Christmas Classic. The Broncos are off to a 6-1 start with a win over then #6 in the state Modesto Christian. Clovis North returns 1st team all-league Connor Amundsen and 2nd team all-league Niko Jones. They also return Zach Foreman, Jaylen Bryant, Jordan Espinoza, Fiyin Olorunfunmi, Carson Urquhart, and Noah Eller. New to the team this year are Freshman Loukas Jones, Drew Nestman, Malik Musleh, Max Landon, Shawn Wong, Louis Monroe, Nasr Chaudhary, and Christian Calvillo.

MISSION HILLS GRIZZLIES

Mission Hills enters the tourney with a 5-3 record so far, after a 16-9 campaign culminated in a spot in the San Diego section open division a season ago. Twins Justin White and Jayden White return as starters and team captains, and are the two leading scorers for the Grizzlies to date. Joining them are returners Jack Jillson (Soph PG), Caleb Hofmeister (Jr. guard), Camren Herrera (Sr. guard), and Kyle Neff (Jr. wing). Chemistry, ball movement and toughness are important for the Grizzlies in 2021-2022.

SAGEMONT LIONS

The Sagemont Lions are excited for this west coast challenge. This young but talented South Florida group comes in with a 6-2. Their exciting style of play often leads to a fast pace and high scoring games. The Lion’s are no stranger to the big stage as they leave Florida annually to participate in some of the nations best tournaments; including a trip to the National Invitational Tournament in 2014. Coach Roe and his group want to thank the entire Mission Prep staff for allowing us the opportunity to build a better bond amongst our boys while competing against the nations best!

SEATTLE PREP PANTHERS

Seattle Prep returns to the Christmas Classic looking to defend its 2019 tournament win. The Panthers, who play in the power-stacked Metro League, are powered by Senior guard Braeden Smith – the 2019 Christmas Classic Most Outstanding Player, and Senior forward Tyler Mrus. Fresh off last season’s 2021 Metro Championship, Prep travels to Mission Prep with a versatile lineup made up of experienced upperclassmen, four of which helped hoist the 2019 trophy.