Heavyweights Arriving for the 2024 Classic

The 40^th edition of the Burger King Basketball Classic will tip off in Erie on Friday, January 5 and Saturday, January 6, 2024 at the Joann Mullen Gymnasium. This year's event features three schools who have won Classic championships, including a pair who played each other for a PIAA title a year ago. MaxPreps has called the Burger King Classic the top four-team tournament in the country.
 
The field for the 2024 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 5 at 6pm, New York state power Niagara Falls returns to the Classic for the first time in a dozen years. They will match up with defending PA and Classic champion Lincoln Park from outside of Pittsburgh.
 
Lincoln Park lost just one game last season, a year highlighted by a Classic crown over Chicago De La Salle and a PIAA title against Neumann Goretti 62-58, their second state victory in four years. And they are still paced by a five-star stud. 6'4 guard Meleek Thomas is one of the top juniors in the nation. He has been offered by the likes of Duke, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and UConn. His teammate, 6'4 senior guard Brandon Cummings is also one of the top players in the country in his class. He has signed to play next season at Pitt.  The Leopards will match up vs. a Niagara Falls team that went 21-3 a year ago and advanced deep in the New York state playoffs.   
 
The 7:30pm nightcap will have Philadelphia power Neumann Goretti against the host school Cathedral Prep. Neumann Goretti is basketball royalty in the state of Pennsylvania, having won nine state titles since 2010, all under the direction of legendary head coach Carl Arrigale. They return 6'8 forward Sultan Adewale, who has offers from schools such as Arizona State, Clemson, Washington and West Virginia, as well as point guard Khaafiq Myers. He has Division I offers from the likes of Temple, St. Joe's, George Washington and Drexel.   
 
Making a return to the Classic for the 40^th 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 new head coach in alum Jeremy Lynch. The team lost some veterans but does return a solid group. Senior guard Amaree Pickens is garnering college attention and will be looked upon for more offense this season. Max Wallace and Derek Galla return added size to the lineup while sophomore guards Michael Thompson and Nando Mirarchi will be counted on in the backcourt.

Friday & Saturday, January 5 and 6,
6:00pm & 7:30pm @ Joann Mullen Gymnasium
 
Friday 6:00pm:  Niagara Falls vs. Lincoln Park
7:30pm:  Neumann Goretti vs. Cathedral Prep
 
Saturday 6:00pm:  Consolation Game
7:30pm:  Championship Game
             
All reserve tickets go on sale Wednesday, December 6. 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 8 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.
 
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
BILL FLANAGAN, TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR,
CATHEDRAL PREP, 814-453-7737 ext. 2227
Fax 814-455-3985        e-mail:  bill.flanagan@cathedralprep.com