The Metro Classic basketball tournament has featured some of the best teams and top high school talents in the country since its inception in 2013, including two-time NBA All-Star Karl Anthony Towns, former No. 1 pick of the Philadelphia Sixers Ben Simmons and a host of other current NBA players. Founders and brothers Pryia and Mukesh Roy have raised the bar this year.
This season’s showcase, which has its first session Thursday at Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton and another Feb. 3-6 at RWJ Barnabas Health Arena in Toms River, features 12 Top 20 national teams, 10 high school All-Americans and 30 ESPN top 100 players. The signature matchup of the event pits Camden, the No. 1 public school in the nation and third overall according to ESPN last week, against top-ranked Montverde (Fla.), which won the GEICO National Championship in 2021.
Camden getting off to a slow start with a combination of the double and triple teaming of star Dj Wagner, Montverde was able to go on a early run. Camden’s exeptional defense kept them in the fight along side with the super efforts from 7 foot Center Aaron Bradshaw.
Playing man defense or maybe switching the zone defense ran by coach every once in a while, to save the legs of his gaurds in hopes they can hit the late jump shot. 44 games of success may be a great argument against my theory, but in this league scouts will see what works and perfect it. Camden is sure to be able to restart their win streak this team is tough and never backs down.
