Second chances are pretty rare in life but Monta Ellis has been granted his. The Jackson Lanier guard will have another crack at knocking off mighty Oak Hill Academy at the Marshall County Hoopfest.
Turn back your clock to December of 2003 and you might recall a 41-point performance by Ellis against Oak Hill. After the game, in one of the most memorable gestures you’ll ever see on the high school level, Oak Hill’s Josh Smith was awarded the MVP of the game and immediately rushed over to Ellis and extended the trophy to the junior guard.
Marshall County High School is a special place on tournament tour and the intimate setting is the perfect backdrop for an outstanding slate of games.
In addition to the Ellis versus Oak Hill tilt, fans will be treated to an appearance by Tyler Hansbrough and the Poplar Bluff Mules and then Saturday night’s showcase game is Homewood-Flossmoor and Julian Wright against Oak Hill.
Here are some of the names you’ll be hearing from this weekend:
J.P. Prince, Russell Mackins (2007), Willie Kemp (2006), Kevin Durant (2006), Tywon Lawson (2006), Jamont Gordon, Eric Devendorf, David Huertas, Jason Bennett (2006), A.J. Stewart (2007), Nate Minnoy and Kevin Lisch.
Scout.com begins its coverage Thursday night with a pair of Kentucky teams taking on Massac County (Ill.) and Charleston (Mo.).