The 41st edition of the Burger King Basketball Classic will tip off in Erie on Friday, January 10 and Saturday, January 11, 2025 at the Joann Mullen Gymnasium. This year's event features three schools who are participating in the event for the first time, including a pair who won state titles a year ago. MaxPreps has called the Burger King Classic the top four-team tournament in the country.

The field for the 2025 Classic is complete with programs that have had great success at the state and national level and features another group of players that are attracting the attention of college coaches nationally. On the opening night on Friday, January 10 at 6:00 p.m., Pennsylvania state power Archbishop Wood will make their initial trip to Erie. They will match up with defending Ohio state champion Richmond Heights from Cleveland.

Richmond Heights ran through the Ohio state bracket a season ago, capped by a 62-35 victory over Berlin Hiland in the championship game. They again will feature one of the top players in the country. 6'4 senior guard Dorian Jones leads the way, having already committed to play next season at Ohio State. 6'8 junior forward TJ Crumble has 19 Division I offers from the likes of Arizona State, Illinois, Iowa and Houston. Their opening round test will be formidable. Archbishop Wood from outside of Philadelphia is always in pursuit of a state tile, having won one in 2017 while making the state Final Four the last four consecutive years. They are paced by sophomore forward Jayden Jenkins, who is currently being recruited by the likes of Villanova, Notre Dame and Temple. Junior guard Brady McAdams has offers from Princeton and Lafayette while guard Millian Dean is being recruited by Division I Albany.

The 7:30 p.m. nightcap will have Pittsburgh power Aliquippa against the host school Cathedral Prep. The Quips went 25-5 a season ago, punctuated by a 74-52 win in the PIAA 2A state championship game. Guard Joshua Pratt had a game for the ages that night, netting 36 points. He returns this season as a junior, as does backcourt mate Qalil Goode.
Making a return to the Classic for the 41st straight season will be the host Ramblers, a three-time winner of this event. Prep won the 2021 PIAA championship and enter this season with a large returning cast from last year's District 10 title team. Junior guards Michael Thompson and Nando Mirarchi are the leading returning scorers and will get plenty of assistance from that position from senior Spencer Kanne and sophomore Ahmari Horton. Senior Max Wallace and junior Cormac Thunell return added size to the lineup.

All reserve tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 27. Reserve seats for the Classic cost $12.50 per night and must be purchased for both nights. General admission tickets cost $7.00 per night in advance for adults and $5.00 in advance for students. General Admission tickets will be available starting on December 2 at seven local Burger King Restaurants (all in Erie, North East and Fairview), at Cathedral Prep as well as Dee's News while supplies last.

No phone orders will be accepted, and no tickets can be held. Great crowds are expected, so fans are encouraged to buy their tickets early.