The results are in and the
 COP field dominates again!


The 2016-2017 high school basketball season has finally come to a close. This year, COP team participants continued to outshine the competition on both the state and national levels. Teams competed heavily at the Dick's high school nationals, National prep championship  and the Grind session tournaments . 
The COP field finished with:
9  state titles
5 state runners-up
3 state semi-finalists
3 state quarter-finalists

COP champs reached Dick's Nationals final for fifth time in six years
Montverde Academy (26-5)
The Eagles ranked No. 2 (MaxPreps independents), No. 5 (BallisLife) and No. 7 (USA Today) in nation.

IMG Academy (26-2)
IMG won 16 straight games after the COP until a quarterfinal loss at Dick's Nationals. The team was ranked No. 4 (MaxPreps independents), No. 8 (BallisLife) and No. 2 (USA Today) in the nation.

National Prep Championship



Putnam Science (31-7)  
The team suffered a 3-point loss to the eventual champion Brewster Academy in the  semifinals of the fabled New England postseason event.



The Grind Session

Hillcrest Prep (33-6) 
Hillcrest Prep's second-year program swept all four of their games to win The Grind Session's World  Championship at Phoenix 
The team was ranked No. 8 (MaxPreps independents) in the nation.


State champions

Brentwood Academy (30-2)
The team captured third consecutive Tennessee Division II-AA state  championship 
Ranked No. 10 (MaxPreps) and No. 14 in the nation (BallisLife).

Dillard (28-4) 
The Panthers won Florida Class 7A state title, coach Darryl Burrows' seventh with the Panthers.

Mae Jemison (33-4)
The Jaguars won Alabama's AHSAA  Class 5A title in their debut season and was r anked No. 29 (BallisLife) in the nation.

Memphis East (33-3) 
The City of Palms runners-up repeated as Tennessee Class AAA state champions and r anked No. 2 (USA Today, MaxPreps) and No. 3 (BallisLife) in the nation.

Miami Christian (30-2) 
Florida's overall No. 1-ranked team (SourceHoops) Miami Christian  beat Dillard in  December and won the Class 2A state title on a last second buzzer-beater.

Neumann-Goretti (24-7) 
The Saints bagged their fourth consecutive state title, w inning Pennsylvania's  Class 3A after being upset in the Catholic League final.

Pace Academy (26-8)
Pace Academy won the Georgia Class 3A title for its second straight championship ring,  escaping Macon Westside in a double-OT semifinal.

Patrick School (29-4) 
The Celtics won New Jersey's Tournament of Champions & Non-Public B titles and r anked No. 7 (MaxPreps), No. 9 (BallisLife) and No. 12 (USA Today) in the nation.

Westtown (32-2) 
Westtown beat Episcopal Academy to claim second consecutive PAISAA state title and r anked No. 7 (MaxPreps independents) in the nation.

State runners-up

Hudson Catholic (26-4) 
The veteran backcourt of Hudson Catholic sparked a 22-1 late-season run,  but the Hawks fell to Patrick  School in New Jersey NJSIAA Non-Public B title game.

Maret (26-5) 
The much-improved Frogs reached the championship games of both the DCSAA and Mid- Atlantic Athletic Conference tournaments.

Mariner (23-8) 
The Tritons responded after their first home loss of season, winning three straight road playoff  games and routing Palatka before bowing to Leesburg in Florida Class 6A final.

Norcross (26-6) 
Norcross reached the Class 7A state final in Georgia's largest and toughest classification and r anked No. 26 (BallisLife) in the nation.

Tampa Catholic (25-6)
The Crusaders' quest for first state title since 1995 fell one game short with a  loss to Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian in the Florida Class 5A final.
Additional honors
State semi-finalists

Lehigh (21-10) 
Lehigh reached the Florida Class 7A Final Four -- the school's first trip to Lakeland -- despite a  tumultuous off-season and coaching change.

South Miami (26-4)
The experienced Cobras won the GMAC title, but loss to Wekiva in the Florida Class  9A semi-final.

St. Anthony 
The Yellow Jackets scrambled to put together a full schedule after ending a 19-year r elationship with TAPPS, and fell to Christian Life in Texas' TCAL semis.

State quarter-finalists

Pebblebrook (21-8)
The Falcons' impressive late-season run was halted by eventual Georgia Class 7A  runner-up Norcross.

Sagemont (22-7) 
The lions were eliminated at the buzzer by eventual state champion Fort Lauderdale  Westminster in Florida Class 4A-Region 4 final.

St. Petersburg (17-11) 
The Green Devils have played in six straight regional finals, but fell to  Lakewood Ranch in Florida 8A-Region 3 title game.

Sweet 16

Jonesboro (23-6) 
Jonesboro rode a 12-game winning streak into the postseason, but stumbled in their game to Allatoona  in a Georgia Class 6A second-round game.

Round of 32

Sarasota Riverview (21-7) 
Sarasota Riverview was upset in overtime by Orlando Dr. Phillips in the Florida Class 9A -  Region 2 quarter-final.

Others

East St. Louis (18-8) 
The Flyers beat Belleville West twice during the regular season, but lost in the Illinois  Class 4A Belleville East Regional final.

Winter Park (10-16) 
The Wildcats never really recovered from a late start to the season and a devastating  rash of injuries halted any chance of turning their season around. 


Top players showcase skills at the
 2017 Jordan Brand Classic 
The 2017 Jordan Brand Classic was another great showcase of High School basketball's rising stars. Even with Michael Porter Jr. out, several COP players continued to prove why they are considered some of the most elite players in the country. 

Top highlights include Quade Green's leading all participants with 10 assists, Mohamed Bamba also excelled by pulling down 10 rebounds while Deandre Ayton's near double-double with 19 points and eight rebounds. This year's class continues to showcase what COP players are capable of doing.


COP veterans continue to earn top honors

The Naismith High School player of the year trophy is awarded by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to high school basketball's top male and female players. This year, Michael Porter Jr. took home the trophy for his superior play in the 2016-17 season. 

Porter's recognition marks the third consecutive year a COP player has been presented this award. Previous winners include Lonzo Ball (2016) and Ben Simmons (2015). 



Michael Porter Jr. takes home MVP at
McDonald's All-American game

The No. 1 ranked player, Michael Porter Jr. was at it again during the McDonald's All-American game on March 29. In his all-star performance, Porter led the West to a 109-107 victory over the East at the United Center in Chicago. Finishing with 17 points and eight rebounds, Porter Jr. demonstrated his versatility and diligence. 





The City of Palms Classic is honored to have Florida Cancer Specialists as a fast-break sponsor. Florida Cancer Specialists operates the largest independent medical oncology and hematology practice in the United States. The organization is committed to providing world-class cancer care in a community-based setting. With more than 200 physicians, 160 nurse practitioners and physician assistants at nearly 100 locations, Florida Cancer Specialists is here when you need them.

Don't miss the nation's No. 1  high school basketball tournament!

45th Annual Culligan City of Palms Classic
FSW - Suncoast Credit Union Arena 



For more information, visit our website: