The event will feature a record 42 teams from 12 states and 23 games over four days. Flyin’ mastermind Eric Horstman announced the field Tuesday before a throng of area coaches, players and sponsor representatives at Good Samaritan North Health Center.
The boys high school basketball event will be held over the Martin Luther King holiday weekend Jan. 15-18 at Trent Arena in Kettering. There will be two games on the opening Friday night, led off by host Fairmont playing Trotwood-Madison followed by a matchup between national prep school powers La Lumiere (Ind.) and Prolific Prep (Calif.).
There will be seven games each on Saturday through Monday, with Thurgood Marshall playing Lima Senior in the Game 23 finale. Both are ranked among the state’s top teams in many preseason polls for their respective divisions.
Middletown, 12-13 last season, draws Dublin Jerome in Game 21 at 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18.
The Middies will be led by 6-foot-3 Kobie Johnson (14.9 points), 6-8 Jimmy Ratliff (10.2 points, 5.7 rebounds) and 6-10 sophomore E.J. Williams (9.9, 7.3).
“On paper we look real good, and as long as I don’t mess them up, we’ll be all right,” said Baker.
Also playing at Flyin’ is Lakota East, whcih is matched against Covington Catholic (Ky.) in Game 11 at 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 17.
Flyin’ is ranked as the No. 2 high school basketball showcase in the nation by CBS Sports/MaxPreps.
“Dayton in January is not exactly a tourist destination,” Horstman said. “To have an economic impact of $1.9 million over a three-and-a-half day weekend in January when not a lot else is going on is something I’m really proud of.”
Flyin’ has featured more than 35 players who eventually landed in the NBA. It’s also had an unprecedented run of NBA lottery picks to play at Trent during the last five years: No. 7 pick Emmanuel Mudiay (Nuggets) in 2015; Nos. 1 and 2 Andrew Wiggins (Cavaliers) and Jabari Parker (Bucks) in ’14; No. 1 Anthony Bennett (Cavs) in ’13; No. 1 Anthony Davis (Hornets) in ’12; and No. 4 Tristan Thompson (Cavs) in ’11.
Horstman estimated Flyin’ draws about 100 college coaches every year, about 125 media members and about 20,000 in attendance.
Prolific senior Josh Jackson is currently the No. 1 or 2 prospect in the nation, depending on the recruiting service. If he’s still uncommitted by Flyin’ Horstman said its two games should draw keen interest. Prolific also is matched against Huntington Prep (W.Va.) on Saturday night.
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